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What does a drilling supervisor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Drilling supervisor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real drilling supervisor resumes:

  • Manage the multi-vendor optimization processes.
  • Manage onsite operations safely and efficiently delivering well objectives, in full compliance with relevant standards and operator policies.
  • Oversee pumps & pits and maintain SCR and motor functions.
  • Complete reports for the drilling rig such as payroll and IADC.
  • Conduct JSA's and pre-tour meetings daily for each drilling crew.
  • Work with high concentrations of H2S, extreme problematic well dynamics and wells with lose circulation.
  • Assist in selecting and designing BHA assemblies for vertical, curve, and lateral hole sections.
  • Review and approve IADC reports and pressure test charts to confirm all activity is accurately record.
  • Develop all necessary testing and commissioning procedures per GGTN, API, DS-1, IADC, etc.
  • Perform random and schedule checks of MWD equipment to ensure that it is ready for use and meets require standards.
  • Conduct safety meetings and enforce that all employees should wear the proper PPE, and maintain a safe work environment.
  • Ensure all BHA, daily and survey reports are accurately report daily.o maintain daily working relationship with drilling supervisors & engineers.
  • Prepare necessary field reports such as casing / cementing / bit records / completion / lessons learned HSE / end-of-well reports.
  • Drill BLM wells, keeping rig in compliance with all federal regulations and maintaining a pollution free environment.Key Achievements: a.
  • Submit morning reports using Wellview reporting program.

Drilling supervisor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of Drilling Supervisors are proficient in Safety Procedures, Well Control, and Logistics.

We break down the percentage of Drilling Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Safety Procedures, 21%

    Set up and manage all safety procedures and meetings.

  • Well Control, 9%

    Prepared daily go forward plans, morning reports, cement volume calculations, casing tallies, and well control data sheets.

  • Logistics, 9%

    Coordinated planning and execution of all aspects of drilling logistics, including gathering and allocation of equipment, manpower and materials.

  • H2S, 4%

    Encountered moderate to high levels of H2S Gas.

  • OBM, 4%

    Used mud weights up to 18 lbs OBM to control gas influx in the Haley gas zone.

  • MWD, 3%

    Take inventory of all MWD Tools on location.

Common skills that a drilling supervisor uses to do their job include "safety procedures," "well control," and "logistics." You can find details on the most important drilling supervisor responsibilities below.

Most common drilling supervisor skills

The three companies that hire the most drilling supervisors are:

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Compare different drilling supervisors

Drilling supervisor vs. Leadman

A contractor assistant is responsible for overseeing construction operations under the supervision of the general contractor, from the initial designs to the final touches, ensuring that the final output meets the client's specifications, requirements, and budget goals. Contractor assistants evaluate the costs and expenses and monitor the financial transactions for the project. They also coordinate with the client for updates and other adjustments as needed without compromising the project deliverables. Additionally, a contractor assistant may perform administrative and clerical duties on top of site visits, depending on the general contractor's needs.

The annual salary of leadmen is $82,476 lower than the average salary of drilling supervisors.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between drilling supervisors and leadman. For instance, drilling supervisor responsibilities require skills such as "well control," "logistics," "h2s," and "obm." Whereas a leadman is skilled in "hand tools," "osha," "work ethic," and "safety rules." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Leadmen earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,107. On the other hand, drilling supervisors are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $135,241.The education levels that leadmen earn slightly differ from drilling supervisors. In particular, leadmen are 7.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a drilling supervisor. Additionally, they're 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Drilling supervisor vs. Contractor assistant

A crew foreman coordinates the daily activities in a construction site to ensure that operations adhere to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards. They serve as the point of contact for supervisors, clients, and construction workers. They are also in charge of managing construction schedules, conducting assessments and evaluations, hiring staff, training staff, monitoring supplies, and ordering materials. Additionally, they must enforce safety regulations.

Contractor assistant positions earn lower pay than drilling supervisor roles. They earn a $82,526 lower salary than drilling supervisors per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that drilling supervisor responsibilities requires skills like "safety procedures," "well control," "logistics," and "h2s." But a contractor assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "drywall installation," "purchase orders," "administrative tasks," and "contract terms."

Contractor assistants earn a lower average salary than drilling supervisors. But contractor assistants earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $44,460. Additionally, drilling supervisors earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $135,241 annually.In general, contractor assistants achieve similar levels of education than drilling supervisors. They're 3.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Drilling supervisor vs. Contractor/service technician

On average scale, contractor/service technicians bring in lower salaries than drilling supervisors. In fact, they earn a $62,106 lower salary per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from drilling supervisor resumes include skills like "safety procedures," "well control," "logistics," and "h2s," whereas a contractor/service technician is more likely to list skills in "commercial buildings," "financial statements," "dot," and "troubleshoot. "

When it comes to education, contractor/service technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to drilling supervisors. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Drilling supervisor vs. Crew foreman

Crew foremen typically earn lower pay than drilling supervisors. On average, crew foremen earn a $70,050 lower salary per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between drilling supervisors and crew foremen, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a drilling supervisor might have more use for skills like "well control," "logistics," "h2s," and "obm." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of crew foremen require skills like "cdl," "customer service," "hand tools," and "work ethic. "

Crew foremen enjoy the best pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $53,154. For comparison, drilling supervisors earn the highest salary in the energy industry.In general, crew foremen hold lower degree levels compared to drilling supervisors. Crew foremen are 6.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of drilling supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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