Driller - South Texas

Patterson-UTI Drilling

The New Standard for Drilling Performance

Drill safer, smarter and faster with Patterson-UTI Drilling's comprehensive fleet of pad-capable rigs featuring advanced walking systems to enhance your operations so you can reach your apex.

The Driller is responsible for monitoring well conditions and drilling parameters. The Driller operates and monitors the essential systems of the drilling rig including: the hoisting, well control, and mud and power systems. The driller is responsible for the supervision of the rig crew, ensuring that they work safely and effectively. Additional responsibilities include delegating tasks to Derrickhand, Motorhand, and Floorhands based on drilling activities. The Driller must be able to communicate with a variety of employees and third parties including Customer representatives and Directional Driller.

Detailed Description:

• Stand or sit at the Driller's console for up to 12 hours with minimal ability to leave the Driller's cabin
• Occasionally climb steep stairs and walk on steel grating and decking, which may be slick. Additionally, the Driller will be walking on boards, gravel, dirt, mud, ice, and snow.
• Manually operate equipment at Driller's console, which consists of touchscreens, buttons, keyboard, joystick, and levers
• Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties
• Utilize proper hand signals when working from the cabin to communicate with other rig employees
• Accurate recall over short and long-term memory
• Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to operate drilling equipment, be aware of other workers' location in relation to drilling activities, and safely move around work environment with many moving objects
• Stay continuously alert and focused up to12.5 hours while independently performing repetitive and routine activities and be able to remain calm and continue working in the event of a problem situation
• Make sound and quick decisions in a changing and hazardous environment
• Work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals
• Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Take initiative and work independently during downtime
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection
• Oversee all drilling activities and monitor rig employees and third parties that are working on, entering or exiting rig floor
• Performs the following functions from the Driller console: raising and lowering the drill stem; lowering casing into the well; making connections on the drill stem; controlling or running the mud pumps; controlling rotary table speed; and adjusting the weight on the bit
• Follow established plan for drilling operations
• Continually monitor well conditions and drilling parameters
• Provide leadership, along with the Rig Manager, to delegate tasks, instruct, train, and develop all rig employees
• Ensure regular maintenance of all equipment and machinery
• Assist Rig Manager with preventing and solving problems to keep the rig operational
• Communicate with Rig Manager, Company Man, and Directional Driller as necessary
• Responsible for well control
• General upkeep and housekeeping of the Driller's cabin
• General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning, painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties
• Maintain daily logs of drilling activities and submit daily Tour Sheets
• Supervise and direct rig crew, ensure that the Derrickhand maintains proper drilling fluid properties, and assist with rig up / down procedures
• Support other crew members as needed, ensure compliance with safety procedures, and other additional tasks as assigned
• Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description

Job Requirements:

• Demonstrate ability to successfully complete all duties of a Floorhand, Motorhand and Derrickhand
• Must be able to use a computer and multiple monitors to track drilling activities
• Must be able to utilize standard formulas and basic mathematical equations for well control calculations
• Must be able to verbally communicate directions and expectations effectively to the rig crew and third parties
• Able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces
• Must be comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time
• Willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays
• Willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice
• Must be willing and able to attend and successfully complete classroom training and testing to qualify for a rig assignment
• Able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws)

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• At least 6 months experience as a Derrickhand
• Well Control certification

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 months of experience as a Driller
• Advanced education (e.g., college, trade school, etc.)

Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct work activities of other rig crew and third parties.

Work Environment:

This position requires the Driller to work outdoors for an entire tour work shift in all kinds of weather conditions, including precipitation, cold / heat, high wind, and turbulent conditions. They will be exposed to the typical conditions of the local area where the rig is located. Southern states generally experience hot summers where temperatures range from 80 to low 100 with high humidity; winters have temperatures that generally do not go below 20. Northern states generally have hot summers with similar conditions and have cold, windy winters, with low temperatures that can be as cold as -40.