Renewable Energy Jobs
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining operate special equipment that increases oil flow from wells.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining operate special equipment that increases oil flow from wells.
At oil and gas sites, oil and gas workers follow the plans for drilling that petroleum engineers have designed. Drilling workers operate the equipment that drills the well through the soil and rock formation. Once a well is drilled and is in production, service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining prepare the well and assemble the equipment that removes the oil or gas from the well. They operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. They may also perform similar services in mining exploration operations.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining’ main duty is to maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools. They inspect engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions. Those with service unit operator jobs operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil. They also install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs. They thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.They drive truck-mounted units to well sites. They interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction. Service unit operators select methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe. They also close and seal wells that are no longer in use.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes. They confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells. Service unit operators direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles. They apply technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action. They perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges. Service unit operators examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions. They monitor sound wave generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels. They also insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.
Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining work in dangerous conditions with heavy equipment and machinery, so many precautions must be taken while on the job to minimize incidents and maximize safety. Proper use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, minimizes risks on job sites. It is important for service unit operators to follow safety instructions from supervisors and other experienced co-workers. Most service unit operators work full time, but they often have to work overtime. Service unit operators are employed mainly in oil and gas extraction and in firms offering support for mining. Oil and gas sites can be on land, in inland waters, or offshore. Oil and gas drilling rigs usually operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, therefore service unit operators on land drilling rigs typically work 8- or 12-hour shifts. The remote location of offshore oil rigs requires some service unit operators to live onsite for weeks at a time, frequently working 12-hour shifts, followed by an extended leave period onshore.
To enter a green job as a service unit operator for oil, gas, and mining, a high school diploma, vocational training, or related experience is needed. Employees in these jobs usually require having knowledge of mechanical, welding, and heavy equipment operations. Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. Some employers will require workers to enroll in an apprenticeship program, while others will prefer new hires to train on-site. Formal training is becoming more important as more technologically advanced machinery and methods are being used.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the employment for service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining to grow between 15% and 21% from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all green jobs. The BLS projected 36,400 service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining new openings between 2012 and 2022, and noted 59,000 jobs are currently filled. Titles include Pulling Unit Operator, Reverse Unit Operator, Rig Operator, Service Operator, Service Rig Operator, Tool Pusher, Well Servicing Rig Operator, and Wireline Operator. The BLS further reports that the median annual wage for salaried Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining was $42,790 in 2012 with median hourly wage of $20.57. Across the US job market, he lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,190, and the top 10 percent earned more than $72,890. Service unit operators for oil, gas, and mining can receive the best compensation in Alaska, where they earn compensation, on average, of about $59,550. People in this job function are compensated at the highest average salary in Utilities, where they get average pay levels of $76,300.
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