Rig Technician
Rig Technicians operate oil and gas drilling rigs. Rig Technician - Level 3 journeyman certification confirms the journeyman can also perform the tasks of a Rig Technician - Level 2 and a Rig Technician - Level 1 credential. Job titles (i.e. tasks) commonly associated with each of the three levels are Motorhand (Level 1), Derrickhand (Level 2) and Driller (Level 3).
Motorhands (Level 1) are responsible for:
- regularly maintaining drilling rig engines, transmissions, heating systems, diesel electric generators and motors, hydraulic systems and other mechanical equipment
- maintaining equipment logs and preventative maintenance records as required
- monitoring inventories of fuels, oil filters, lube oils, greases and other service items
- working under the direction of the Derrickhand and Driller
- supervising, training and working with floorhands and labourers, ensuring they work safely and efficiently
- participating in rig mobilization and de-mobilization (rig-up and tear-out)
Derrickhands (Level 2) are responsible for:
- operating and maintaining drilling fluid systems and pumps during drilling
- mixing fluid chemicals and additives as required by the program
- handling sections of drill string assembly from a platform on the rig derrick during tripping operations
- monitoring and recording mud flows and volumes and fluid properties (i.e. mud weight)
- working under the direction of the Driller and assisting the Driller with crew supervision, ensuring the crew works safely and efficiently
- participating in rig mobilization and de-mobilization (rig-up and tear-out)
Drillers (Level 3) are responsible for:
- operating the draw-works, rotary equipment and pumps and supervise the assembly of drill string
- ensuring that safety and support equipment is functioning properly
- monitoring the progress of the drilling operation and communicate with well-site supervisors
- keeping a current record of drilling progress
- training crew members
- introducing procedures which may help the crew to work more safely and effectively
- participating in the supervision of rig mobilization and de-mobilization (rig-up and tear-out)
Drillers are all responsible for the supervision of rig crews, ensuring they work safely and efficiently, and the operation of drilling equipment. They report directly to drilling rig managers and are responsible for the crew.
Normally an apprentice will spend at least a year in each position.
A drilling rig consists of a derrick, draw-works and other surface equipment that provide the forces needed for drill pipe to bore a hole into the earth. The drilling rig drills the initial hole for the oil or gas well. After the drilling rig reaches the layer of earth that contains oil or gas, the rig is removed from the site.
Other equipment, such as service rigs and pump jack, operated by skilled workers from the oil field service industry, are used to complete the well construction and to access the oil and gas.
Qualifications
To be successful in their trade, Rig Technicians need:
- the ability to get along well with co-workers
- leadership and management skills
- good communication skills
- good organizational skills
- physical strength and stamina
- emotional stability
- mechanical aptitude
- manual dexterity
- the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships
They should enjoy working with equipment and machinery, working in a team environment and compiling information and maintaining records.
Working conditions vary with the tasks performed, rig locations and weather conditions. People in these occupations often work outdoors in remote locations. They are often exposed to extremes in weather as well as to the dirt, dust, noise and fumes that often exist around a rig. They may be required to lift items weighing in excess of 25 kilograms. Employees are often responsible for their own transportation to the work site and may travel widely throughout the province. Employment in these occupations may be seasonal. Winter is the busiest season for drilling activity.
The Rig Technician trade has minimal entry level requirements, generous wages, attractive work and time-off schedules and opportunities for rapid advancement. It can be a stepping stone to a variety of other employment opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
In Alberta, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act requires that anyone working as a Rig Technician must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. To enter the Rig Technician program, the applicant must find an employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees. To register, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office located at most Alberta Career Development Centres and Canada Alberta Service Centres. Once the application is approved, a contract is drawn up and signed by the apprentice and the employer.
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 4 weeks (30 hours per week) of technical training each year.
- Rig Technician apprenticeship technical training and on-the-job training is cumulative for the three levels of certification. Apprentices may opt out of the full three-period Rig Technician apprenticeship program after completing one or more periods of the program and apply to the Alberta Qualification Certificate Program for an industry-recognized credential confirming the level (i.e. period) of training completed.
- An applicant who previously completed courses of study or work experience related to the Rig Technician trade or who holds a related journeyman certificate and has the employer's recommendation may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship.
- A person with an Alberta Rig Technician Level One or Alberta Rig Technician Level Two credential can resume their apprenticeship and complete the next level(s) to upgrade their credential by re-registering as an apprentice with full credit for the period(s) they have already completed.
- A person who has previous training or work experience in the trade and wants to determine their level of skill and knowledge for entry or advanced standing in an apprenticeship program may apply for a Prior Learning Assessment.
- A high school student can become an apprentice and gain credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time under the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
The classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is offered at Red Deer College. When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies. Human Resources Development Canada may provide income support for apprentices attending classroom training. For more detailed information, contact your local Canada Employment Centre. After successfully completing the required examinations and hours of satisfactory employment, apprentices are awarded a Completion of Apprenticeship and Journeyman Certificate.
The Rig Technician trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program.
Employment and Advancement
Rig Technicians are employed by drilling contractors who own and operate oil and gas well drilling rigs and who contract with oil producers to drill wells. Work schedules for Rig Technicians vary with industry demand, but an example of a Rig Technician's work schedule is two weeks of work followed by one week off from work.
Rig Technicians may be promoted to Rig Managers, or to management positions within the drilling industry. Experienced Rig Technicians may also be hired by specialist companies for occupations such as mud technician, directional driller, or for service occupations. For example, they go on to drilling-related equipment sales, employment as rig training providers, occupations in rig regulation, occupations in rig supervision, oil and gas well supervision or rig safety, or various other career paths.
Rig Technicians learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A Rig Technician who holds a certificate equivalent to the Alberta Rig Technician journeyman certificate may apply for an Alberta Journeyman Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Rig Technicians who have no trade certification but can prove that their skills and work experience meet the standards set for journeymen in Alberta may apply for certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, and Alberta Occupational Certificate, a document indicating that the individual holds a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate, or a certificate that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
Qualification Certificate Program
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate in Rig Technician - Level 3, a person must:
- have at least 6,750 hours and 54 months of "hands on" work experience that includes time spent as motorhand, derrickhand and driller with at least 1000 hours as a driller
Time spent as a Rig Manager, in rig positions other than Rig Technizian, in management positions whose scope goes beyond normal driller, motorhand or derrickhand supervisory responsibilities, or taking or teaching a training course is NOT counted as "hands on" work experience.
- complete the Qualification Certificate Program Application and submit it to an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
- pay the required fees
- verification of Competency Fee $450.00
- prepare for the exams(s)
- review related books and materials (see Textbook and Resource List - Under Development)
- review glossary of terms (see Rig Technician Glossary of Terms)
- successfully complete the required exam(s) if required
For more information about the Rig Technician Apprenticeship program, please contact Trades and Manufacturing at Red Deer College 403.342.3100 or Apprenticeship and Industry Training 403.340.5151.
You can also find more information at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.