Roughneck Jobs

Roughnecks are employed to work on offshore oil rigs, gas drilling rigs or production platforms. A roughneck generally has done time working as a roustabout, before being promoted. However, a roughneck role is still considered an entry level position. Roughneck workers are unskilled or semi-skilled, performing a variety of duties that involve hard physical labour.

They work mainly under the supervision of the driller. Work can be anything from connecting the pipe down to the well bore, to stowing away tools and equipment. Groups of roughnecks can be subdivided into smaller groups such as a toolpusher, driller, motorman and derrickman. If you have a good appreciation of machinery and experience in machinery operation, this will be very useful in your career as a roughneck.

The principle duty of a roughneck is to work on the rig floor. They are responsible for the operation of equipment and machines, as required by the particular operation being carried out at that time by the driller. While drilling is in operation, a roughneck is present in the mud room at all times. Their duty is to take mud weights and ensure shakers and other machines are in perfect working order.

All offshore workers must complete an offshore survival and fire fighting course. Many companies offer the course on joining, but some people complete it at their own expense before looking for work in the industry. Training for the position roughneck position will be provided by your employer, and takes place offshore on the rig or platform.

Working hours on the rig are normally 12 hours on and 12 hours off. These shifts are continuous for two, three or four weeks, depending on the geographical location of the rig. After you have finished a stint on the rig, a roughneck is given at least an equal amount of rest period at home. At many locations the time off is longer than the time on the rig.

The work is hard and physical. Workers must be comfortable in working away from home in all types of weather. Conditions can be dirty, wet and noisy. Drilling rigs are mobile structures which can accommodate up to 120 workers at any one time. A drillfloor is a potentially dangerous place, so people who have poor listening and comprehension skills are released quickly. Roughnecks work and live in close proximity of other offshore workers, so being a team player is very important.

A roughneck may earn about £30,000 a year. With a few years experience, the salary may rise to around £35,000. Once your employer feels you have learnt enough about drilling and required specific skills, promotion can be achieved to a higher paid and less physically demanding position.

There are many opportunities as a roughneck, with over 6,000 companies involved in the oil and gas industry in the UK. Around 26,000 people in the UK work on mobile drilling rigs, fixed production platforms, or floating production, storage and offloading units.
The UK oil and gas rigs are located mainly off the east coast of England and Scotland. Many employers operate overseas, so roughnecks will have the opportunity to work all over the world.