What does a driller do?
A driller is responsible for reviewing and analyzing drilling parameters to perform the drilling procedures safely and successfully. Drillers inspect drilling tools and equipment before and after the operations to ensure its operational efficiency and optimal performance. They keep an organized report of the drilling progress, assist other rig workers, assemble drilling machinery, and strictly adhere to the safety regulations at all times to avoid drilling operation hazards. In some cases, drillers evaluate the land condition before proceeding to provide special instructions for safety controls.
Driller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real driller resumes:
- Manage and perform rig operations, repair large mud pump motors, hoppers, shakers, generators, valves and agitators.
- Perform data analysis and provide recommendations to achieve improve performance and accelerate commercialization of Pathmaker (RSS).
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and power wrenches and tongs.
- Assist in the drilling of oil and gas wells as a floor hand operating pipe spinners, tongs, and slips.
- School, forklift, and CPR train
- Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
- Work with 3rd parties for casing, sliding, bop testing, etc.
- Operate CME 55 , 75 , 85 , 95 and limit access rig.
- Install PVC casing and gravel pack.
- Mentore hands on how to runs rotory steerable BHAs
- Secure job sites in accordance with OSHA and MSHA regulations.
- Have ran geopilot on nights along with expilot on nights.
- Steer wellbore according to target changes while optimizing overall ROP.
- Inspect and lubricate cables, pulleys, guides and drums.
- Package acquired samples and maintain accurate logs of each dig site.
Driller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Drillers are proficient in CDL, Preventative Maintenance, and Safety Policies.
We break down the percentage of Drillers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 26%
Maintained class B CDL for tanker and water trucks.
- Preventative Maintenance, 18%
Administer preventative maintenance program on all drilling equipment to ensure efficiency.
- Safety Policies, 14%
Supervised compliance with safety policies and procedures and ensured good housekeeping practices, including directing safety meetings.
- Geotechnical, 10%
Supervised and performed geotechnical testing using piezometers, rotary or auger drilling equipment, other accessories and various sampling equipment.
- Well Control, 3%
Maintain responsible for mixing chemicals into drilling fluid and understands well control responsibilities.
- CPR, 2%
Completed my H2S safety course and Red Cross certified in first aid and CPR.
Most drillers use their skills in "cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "safety policies" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential driller responsibilities here:
The three companies that hire the most drillers are:
- Cascade Corporation394 drillers jobs
- Cascade Environmental30 drillers jobs
- S&ME30 drillers jobs
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Compare different drillers
Driller vs. Rotary operator
The drilling rig operator does their job by operating on large drilling rig machines to dig holes for water pipes, sewers, oil plants, and underground tunnels. They possess the endurance and flexibility to work in full gear and rowdy environments. They must create a good relationship with their co-workers to work quickly and enable faster delivery of projects. They must possess immense knowledge of the processes of rig machines. Bearing the knowledge, they also have to know the drilling specifications and maneuver the rigging machine well.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between drillers and rotary operator. For instance, driller responsibilities require skills such as "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "safety policies," and "geotechnical." Whereas a rotary operator is skilled in "customer specifications," "ran," "computer system," and "cnc." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, rotary operators reach similar levels of education than drillers. Rotary operators are 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Driller vs. Drilling rig operator
A Directional Driller specializes in drilling wells at different angles for better sources. They operate a variety of tools and machinery, follow guidelines, and conduct measurements and assessments to ensure quality and efficiency. There are also instances when they must produce progress and evaluation reports, maintain documentation, and develop maintenance strategies for the equipment. Directional Drillers must maintain an active communication line with co-workers, all while adhering to the company's safety policies and workplace regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that driller responsibilities requires skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety policies," "safety procedures," and "routine maintenance." But a drilling rig operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "osha," "minor maintenance," "cathodic protection," and "cranes."
In general, drilling rig operators achieve similar levels of education than drillers. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Driller vs. Drill instructor
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from driller resumes include skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "safety policies," and "geotechnical," whereas a drill instructor is more likely to list skills in "combat," "direct supervision," "platoon," and "core values. "
Drill instructors typically earn similar educational levels compared to drillers. Specifically, they're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Driller vs. Directional driller
Even though a few skill sets overlap between drillers and directional drillers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a driller might have more use for skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety policies," "geotechnical," and "cpr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of directional drillers require skills like "directional drill," "survey data," "well reports," and "mud motors. "
In general, directional drillers hold similar degree levels compared to drillers. Directional drillers are 1.9% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of driller
Updated January 8, 2025
