47-5013.00 - Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining

Updated 2011

Summary Report for:
47-5013.00 - Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining

Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.

Sample of reported job titles: Rig Operator, Pulling Unit Operator, Service Rig Operator, Fishing Tool Supervisor, Service Operator, Reverse Unit Operator-Fisherman, Tool Pusher, Well Servicing Rig Operator, Wireline Operator, Work Over Rig Operator

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Observe load variations on strain gauges, mud pumps, and motor pressure indicators; and listen to engines, rotary chains, and other equipment in order to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
Close and seal wells no longer in use.
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Hex keys — Hex wrenches

Hoists — Hoisting equipment; Hydraulic hoisting equipment

Pipe handling equipment — Pipe elevators; Pipe slips; Pipe tongs; Stuck pipe tools

Screwdrivers — Phillips head screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers

Slickline chemical cutters — Chemical casing cutters; Chemical pipe cutters

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Data logger software

Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software

Industrial control software — Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Inventory management software — Inventory tracking software

Time accounting software — Time and attendance software

Knowledge

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

Customer and Personal Service — 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.

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

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

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

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

Active Listening — 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.

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

Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Abilities

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

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

Multilimb Coordination — 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.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

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

Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Work Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

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

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

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

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

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Work Context

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Exposed to Contaminants — How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
45	High school diploma or equivalent
31	Less than high school diploma
23	Some college, no degree

Interests

Interest code: RCI

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.

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.

Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

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.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

Support — 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 — 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.

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

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Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages (2012)	$20.18 hourly, $41,970 annual
Employment (2010)	41,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Slower than average (3% to 9%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	12,100
Top industries (2010)	Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

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Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Oil and Gas Workers . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.

Summary Report for: 47-5013.00 - Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining