Offshore drilling worker | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Offshore drilling workers drill for undersea oil and gas on offshore rigs.

Overview
  • Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.  
  • Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.  
  • Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.  
  • Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.  
  • Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.  
  • Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.  
  • Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.  
  • Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.  
  • Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.  
  • Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.  
  • Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.  
  • Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.  
  • Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.  
  • Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.  
  • Bolt together pump and engine parts, and connect tanks and flow lines.  
  • Remove core samples during drilling to determine the nature of the strata being drilled.  
  • Cap wells with packers, or turn valves, to regulate outflow of oil from wells.  
  • Line drilled holes with pipes, and install all necessary hardware, to prepare new wells.  
  • Position and prepare truck-mounted derricks at drilling areas specified on field maps.  
  • Plug observation wells, and restore sites.  
  • Lower and explode charges in boreholes to start flow of oil from wells.  
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Offshore drilling workers typically work around 53 to 55 hours per week.

As a Offshore drilling worker you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

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This occupation tends to be:

  • Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Leadership Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

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Average salary
62,083 GBP
per year *
12,000 GBP
50,000 GBP
* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Average Salary
  • 62,083 GBP
  • 37,074 GBP
  • 65,592 GBP
Average salary for full-time Offshore drilling worker
  • 62,083 GBP
  • 37,074 GBP
  • 65,592 GBP
Salary over time for Offshore drilling worker
  • 53,639 GBP
  • 52,242 GBP
  • 57,695 GBP
  • 59,256 GBP
  • 62,083 GBP

Future outlook for Offshore drilling workers

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