Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Overview

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Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

Education

Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Examples

These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include agricultural equipment operators, dishwashers, floor sanders and finishers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, baristas, and maids and housekeeping cleaners.

Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.

Yearly Salary

High: $60K
Median: $39K
Low: $28K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.
  • Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Guide cranes to move loads about decks.
  • Walk flow lines to locate leaks, using electronic detectors and by making visual inspections, and repair the leaks.
  • Lay gas and oil pipelines.
  • Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete into forms to make foundations for wood or steel derricks.
  • Bolt together pump and engine parts.
  • Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.
  • Clean trucks used in the fields.
  • Supply equipment to rig floors as requested and provide assistance to roughnecks.
  • Clean up spilled oil by bailing it into barrels.
  • Dig drainage ditches around wells and storage tanks.
  • Cut down and remove trees and brush to clear drill sites, to reduce fire hazards, and to make way for roads to sites.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base management system software
Database management systems
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software
Telephony software
Inventory management software
Inventory management systems
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Procurement software
Purchasing software
Project management software
Maintenance record software
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Switch or router software
Token Ring
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Handheld data loggers
Construction and maintenance support equipment
Scaffolding
Fire protection
Fire extinguishers
Hand tools
Adjustable hand wrenches
Hardware
Safety hooks
Industrial filtering and purification
Filter presses
Industrial pumps and compressors
Centrifugal pumps
Janitorial equipment
High pressure steam cleaners
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Viscometers
Laboratory supplies and fixtures
Laboratory funnels
Material handling machinery and equipment
Shackles
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Laboratory weighing scales
Oil and gas drilling and exploration equipment
Mud agitators
Personal safety and protection
Ear plugs
Pneumatic machinery and equipment
Air-powered sandblasters
Well drilling and operation equipment
Pipe retrieval fishing tools

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Mechanical
73%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Customer and Personal Service
62%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Production and Processing
51%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Mathematics
50%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Transportation
50%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

English Language
49%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Physics
48%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Education and Training
47%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Engineering and Technology
47%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Building and Construction
45%
Importance

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Top 10 Skills

Critical Thinking
63%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
60%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control
60%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operations Monitoring
60%
Importance

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Quality Control Analysis
60%
Importance

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Active Listening
58%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Equipment Maintenance
58%
Importance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing
58%
Importance

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Social Perceptiveness
58%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Top 10 Abilities

Manual Dexterity
75%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Multilimb Coordination
75%
Importance

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity
70%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision
65%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Extent Flexibility
65%
Importance

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Far Vision
65%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Static Strength
65%
Importance

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Trunk Strength
65%
Importance

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Top 10 Work Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
91%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
90%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Controlling Machines and Processes
86%
Importance

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Performing General Physical Activities
85%
Importance

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Getting Information
81%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
79%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
79%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
78%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Scheduling Work and Activities
76%
Importance

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
75%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Install plumbing or piping.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
  • Maintain extraction or excavation equipment.
  • Install production equipment or systems.
  • Assemble products or production equipment.
  • Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
  • Clean vehicles or vehicle components.
  • Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Pour materials into or on designated areas.
  • Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
  • Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
  • Clean work sites.
  • Remove debris or vegetation from work sites.

Education

Interests

Realistic
100%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative
26%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Enterprising
15%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social
15%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Work Values

Support
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Working Conditions
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
39%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
29%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
24%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.