A drilling rig derrick hand is responsible for assisting the driller and mud engineer with operations on an oil rig. In this job, you guide the pipe as your team connects it to the drill hole, mix the drilling fluid, or “mud,” and repair and perform maintenance on the rig and associated equipment like the circulation machinery. You keep the pit area, mud house, walkways, and other areas of the rig clean, well-organized, and clutter-free, and your duties and responsibilities additionally include monitoring the mud pump manifolds, assisting in the chemical sack room, and ensuring the proper and safe operation of pumps, mudlines, valves, and gauges.

Become a Drilling Rig Derrickhand

Becoming a drilling rig derrick hand does not require advanced qualifications. However, strength and physical stamina are critical attributes in this job. You must be comfortable working at heights over three meters while wearing a safety harness, and you must be able to climb, lift, bend, and push or pull heavy loads of drilling mud and equipment. You need a high school diploma or GED certificate, one to two years of related experience, and good problem-solving skills. Additionally, you need a good command of English such that you can understand and give oral and written instructions and provide adequate status reports. In some jobs, you also need a class B CDL license.