Derrickhand Jobs
Derrickhand nature of work
The derrickhand is one of the drill rig
crew members who gets his name from the fact that during trips
he works on a platform attached to the derrick or mast,
typically 85 ft (26 m) above the drill rig floor.
On small land drilling crews, the derrickhand is second in
rank to the driller. Larger offshore crews may have an
assistant driller between the derrickhand and the driller.
In a typical trip out of the hole (TOH), the derrickhand
wears a special derrickhand safety harness that enables him to
lean out from the work platform (called the monkeyboard) to
reach the drillpipe in the center of the derrick or mast, throw
a line around the pipe and pull it back into its storage
location (the fingerboards) until it is time to run the pipe
back into the well. In an emergency, the derrickhand can
quickly reach the ground by an escape line often called the
Geronimo line.
His other job is to handle the mud-processing
area during periods of circulation. The derrickhand
measures mud density and conducts the viscosity test on a
regular basis. The derrickhand reports to the toolpusher
during periods of circulation, but is instructed in detail
by the mud engineer on what to add to the mud, how fast
and how much.
Derrickhand are employed by drilling and well service
contractors and by petroleum producing companies.
Derrickhand work conditions
The derrickman usually work long hours in all weather
conditions on extended roster systems, usually as member of a
crew. In terms of skill, physical exertion and perceived
danger, a derrickman has one of the most physically demanding
jobs on the drill rig crew.
Derrickhand duties and tasks
The derrickhand perform some or all of the following
duties:
- Align and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem
from a platform on the rig derrick during the removal and
replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill
bit
- Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting
drilling and service rigs
- Operate and maintain drilling rig diesel motors,
transmissions, pumps and drilling mud systems, and mix mud
chemicals, cements and additives
- Read gauges to monitor pressure, density, rate and
concentration and adjust pumping procedure as required
- Record mud flows and volumes and take samples
- Supervise floorhands and laborers
If you are able to meet these requirements and you are
motivated to be part of highly motivated team of people please,
apply for the derrickhand position through a one of the links
below:

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