Oil and Gas|Oil|Gas

Dictionary Of Occupational Titles

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

dehydrator operator

operator; pumper; treater Operates chemical, electrical, and centrifugal oil-treatment units to remove sediment and water from crude oil before transporting oil by pipeline to refineries: Opens valves and starts pumps to pump oil from storage tanks to treating units. Opens valves to mix specified chemicals with oil, and adjusts controls to heat mixture to specified temperature. Starts centrifugal machines that break up oil and water emulsions and drain off water. Opens valves and starts pumps to transfer oil into settling tanks where sediment is precipitated from oil. Tests sample in gravity- or centrifugal-separation machine to determine content of oil specified for pipeline transportation. Pumps treated oil into pipelines leading to refinery. Cleans and lubricates motors, pumps, and other moving parts of units. Records data, such as volume of oil treated, operating temperatures of units, and test results. May operate pumps at oil well sites [OIL PUMPER (petrol. & gas)]. May tend treating-plant equipment to remove impurities from natural gas [GAS TREATER (any industry)].

DERRICK WORKER, WELL SERVICE

Operates power hoist in truck-mounted, pulling-machine derrick to transfer rod sections to and from derrick racks to rod lifting clamps as sections are removed or returned to oil well: Climbs ladder attached to side of derrick to rod platform. Presses rod hoist control pedal on rod platform to lower rod transfer device (rod bottle) to proximity of rod sections suspended in derrick. Attaches transfer device to rod sections and releases pedal to raise rod sections for disconnection of rod lifting clamp (rod elevator). Unlatches lifting clamp and presses pedal to lower rod sections while manually guiding sections into rod holding slots attached to derrick. Descends derrick ladder to tubing platform and fastens safety belt to prepare to transfer tubing sections. Disconnects lifting clamp (tubing elevators) from tubing sections that have been raised into derrick, disconnected from subsequent sections in wellhole, and lowered onto ground racking board. Guides tubing sections into slots of tubing rack to stand sections in derrick. Guides tubing sections from tubing rack slots to tubing platform and attaches lifting clamp to sections after defective tubing is replaced, casing repaired, or other oil well service performed. Aligns tubing sections perpendicularly over wellhole to assist in connection of tubing sections and prevent damage to threads of sections. Unfastens safety belt and climbs ladder to rod platform to prepare to transfer rod sections. Presses rod control pedal to lower rod transfer device to rods in holding slots. Attaches device to rod sections and releases pedal to lift rod sections from holding slots. Guides sections over wellhole and presses pedal to lower sections to wellhole for connection to rods in wellhole. Connects lifting clamp to rod sections and disconnects transfer device. Periodically turns adjustment screw on rod hoist control stand to regulate power of hoist. Occasionally operates pump to circulate fluid or mud into wellhole. Occasionally connects oil well head attachments, loads tools, and performs similar duties.

diesel-engine engineer gas-engine engineer

Operates gasoline, natural gas, or diesel engines to supply power for rotary oil well drilling machinery: Starts engines and observes drilling operations to provide power under operating conditions. Assembles and dismantles pumps and other drilling equipment, using handtools. Loosens and tightens threaded sections of drill pipe and well casing. Lubricates and repairs equipment.

DIGITIZER OPERATOR

Operates encoding machine to trace coordinates on documents, such as maps or drawings, and to encode document points into computer: Reads work order to determine document points to be digitized (encoded). Positions document on digitizer (encoding machine) table. Guides digitizer cursor over document to trace coordinates, stops at specified points, and punches cursor key to digitize points into computer memory unit. Observes monitor screen periodically to verify completeness of encoding. Types command on keyboard to transfer encoded data from memory unit to magnetic tape. Keeps record of work orders, time, and tape production.

Director, Geothermal

Operations Plans and directs engineering activities of a petroleum company to develop oil fields and produce oil and gas: Formulates programs for developing oil fields, planning schedules for drilling wells and for constructing pumping units, crude-oil treating units, and other production facilities. Coordinates projected activities with civil, electrical, and other engineering departments. Directs, through subordinate workers, selection, installation, use, and repair of oil field equipment. Directs PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (petrol. & gas) in engineering work concerned with drilling new wells and producing flow of oil or gas from wells, in maintaining well logs, and in other engineering activities. Directs laboratory and field research to develop new or to improve old methods and equipment for recovery of oil and gas. Keeps abreast of new developments in petroleum engineering. Selects, trains, and promotes engineering personnel. May direct mechanical, civil, electrical, and other engineering activities. May direct engineering and drilling activities in developing geothermal field and be designated Director, Geothermal Operations (petrol. & gas).

DISPATCHER, CHIEF I

superintendent, scheduling Plans transmission schedules and operating procedures to direct movement of crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or coal slurry through pipelines from transmission terminal to distribution points or destinations: Contacts customers or shippers to ascertain volume or quantities of products to be transported, reviews consumption records and forecasts on consumer demands, and estimates peak delivery periods in order to plan and determine quantities, pressures, or volume of products required in transmission lines. Schedules movement of petroleum products to minimize contamination of various grades or types of products. Prepares operating schedules for compressor or pump stations, tank farms and refineries, as to type and quantities of product movement, time of movement, pressures or volumes specified in pipeline, and destination for specified products. Issues instructions relative to gauging, switching, sampling, and testing of products. Reviews operating reports on receipts, movements, withdrawals, deliveries, and on-hand storage stocks to ensure safe and efficient operation of pipelines. Prepares emergency operating procedures to meet schedules, provide for specified volumes and pressures in pipeline, and recover losses resulting from breakdown of equipment. May communicate with field personnel, using teletype or telephone. May be designated according to type of product scheduled as Dispatcher, Chief, Coal Slurry (pipe lines); Dispatcher, Chief, Natural Gas (petrol. & gas; pipe lines); Dispatcher, Chief, Oil (pipe lines); Dispatcher, Chief, Petroleum Products (petrol. refin.; pipe lines).

DISPATCHER, CHIEF II

district superintendent, gas and gasoline; general-office dispatcher; superintendent, pressure Coordinates activities of GAS DISPATCHER (pipe lines; utilities) to deliver natural gas from oil fields through pipelines to delivery points: Reviews customer purchase requests to gather information for scheduling gas movements from various fields. Prepares schedules and notifies GAS DISPATCHER (pipe lines; utilities) by radio, teletype, or telephone to release specific amount of gas from well. Reviews periodic reports of gas pressures and volume of gas delivered to ensure safe operation of pipelines. Keeps records of deliveries of gas, pressures maintained, and shutdowns of lines. May coordinate transfer of liquid petroleum products by pipeline.

Dispatcher, Chief, Natural Gas

DISPATCHER, OIL

dispatcher Directs and coordinates field activities of workers who route and control flow of oil and petroleum products through pipelines from point of origin, such as wells and storage tanks to delivery points, such as terminals, carriers, refineries, and tank farms, according to delivery schedules: Reviews oil movement schedules and notifies field personnel, such as DISPATCHER, RELAY (pipe lines); STATION ENGINEER, MAIN LINE (pipe lines); and GAUGERS (petrol. & gas; petrol. refin.; pipe lines), by teletype, telephone, and field radio as to type and quantities of oil to be moved, facilities and storage stock to be used, destinations, operating procedures, and pumping and delivery schedules. Studies data on oil and oil movement, such as temperatures, pressures, specific gravities, sediment and contamination content, and pumping rates, and ensures compliance with schedules and contract specifications by dispatching instructions to field personnel to increase or decrease pumping rates and pressures, to switch and inject feeder streams of crude and blend oil, and to gauge and test oil. Compares pumping reports with delivery reports to ascertain quantity of oil delivered. Computes data for production reports and for instruction changes relative to pumping rates and pressures, using calculator and slide rule. When scheduling and directing movement of petroleum products through processing, storage, and shipping departments of refineries, may be designated Dispatcher, Refinery (pipe lines).

DISPATCHER, OIL WELL SERVICES Dispatches oil well servicing crews to service assignments and relays communications to crews and other field personnel, using telephone and radio communication equipment: Receives telephone requests for services from customers and relays information to crews and field personnel, using telephone or radio. Dispatches crews to oil well servicing assignments. Prepares time reports and other records. Confers with customer regarding drilling or production problems and outlines types of services available. May compute quantities of materials required and quote prices for services. May refer customer inquiries regarding production problems or available services to sales personnel.

district gauger

gauger; district gauger Supervises and coordinates activities of GAUGERS (petrol. & gas; petrol. refin.; pipe lines) controlling flow of oil into pipelines and gauging amount of oil stored in tanks or railroad cars. May oversee loading and shipment of oil and preparation of loading reports and bills of lading. Performs duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any industry) Master Title.

district superintendent, gas and gasoline

superintendent; division superintendent Directs activities concerned with exploratory drilling, and drilling oil wells and producing oil and gas from wells within one or more oil fields: Plans erection of drilling rigs, and installation and maintenance of equipment, such as pumping units and compressor stations. Directs technical processes, such as treatment of oil and gas to reduce moisture and sediment content, mud analysis, well logging, and formation testing. Determines procedures to resolve drilling problems, such as nonvertical bore holes and broken drilling tools. Formulates methods to control production of wells in accordance with proration regulations. Schedules dismantling and storing derricks and drilling equipment, cleaning wells, and servicing well equipment. Analyzes production reports, initiates personnel actions, and revises drilling and production procedures to control operating costs and production efficiency of oil field. Directs petroleum exploration parties engaged in drilling for samples (cores) of subsurface stratigraphy and in seismic prospecting. May be designated according to specialty as Superintendent, Oil-Field Drilling (petrol. & gas); Superintendent, Production (petrol. & gas).

DISTRICT SUPERVISOR, MUD-ANALYSIS WELL LOGGING

mud-analysis-well-logging supervisor, district; mud engineer; mud-logging superintendent Plans and directs mud-sample testing operations: Consults with SUPERINTENDENT, OIL-FIELD DRILLING (petrol. & gas) and interprets drilling logs to determine status of wells being drilled. Plans and coordinates itinerary for WELL-LOGGING CAPTAIN, MUD ANALYSIS (petrol. & gas); WELL-LOGGING OPERATOR, MUD ANALYSIS (petrol. & gas) and other members of mobile field-laboratory crews to obtain maximum utilization of personnel with minimum disruption of drilling operations. Interprets mud analysis logs obtained by crews, for PETROLEUM ENGINEER (petrol. & gas).

division superintendent

DRAFTER, DIRECTIONAL SURVEY

Plots oil- or gas-well boreholes from photographic subsurface survey recordings and other data. Computes and represents diameter, depth, degree, and direction of inclination, location of equipment, and other dimensions and characteristics of borehole. Performs other duties as described under DRAFTER (profess. & kin.) Master Title.

DRAFTER, GEOLOGICAL

Draws maps, diagrams, profiles, cross sections, directional surveys, and subsurface formations to represent geological or geophysical stratigraphy and locations of gas and oil deposits, performing duties as described under DRAFTER (profess. & kin.) Master Title: Correlates and interprets data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, or geophysical prospecting reports, utilizing special symbols to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil field installations. May finish drawings in mediums and according to specifications required for reproduction by blueprinting, photographing, or other duplication methods.

DRAFTER, GEOPHYSICAL

Draws subsurface contours in rock formations from data obtained by geophysical prospecting party. Plots maps and diagrams from computations based on recordings of seismograph, gravity meter, magnetometer, and other petroleum prospecting instruments and from prospecting and surveying field notes. Performs other duties as described under DRAFTER (profess. & kin.) Master Title. May be designated according to method of prospecting as Drafter, Seismograph (petrol. & gas).

DRAFTER, OIL AND GAS

Drafts plans and drawings for layout, construction, and operation of oil fields, refineries, and pipeline systems from field notes, rough or detailed sketches, and specifications: Develops detail drawings for construction of equipment and structures, such as drilling derricks, compressor stations, gasoline plants, frame, steel, and masonry buildings, piping manifolds and pipeline systems, and for manufacture, fabrication, and assembly of machines and machine parts [DRAFTER, ARCHITECTURAL (profess. & kin.); DRAFTER, CIVIL (profess. & kin.); DRAFTER, MECHANICAL (profess. & kin.)]. Prepares maps of pipeline systems and oil and gas locations, using field survey notes and aerial photographs [DRAFTER, CARTOGRAPHIC (profess. & kin.)]. May draft topographical maps or develop maps to represent geological stratigraphy and locations of oil and gas deposits, using geological and geophysical prospecting and surveying data [DRAFTER, GEOLOGICAL (petrol. & gas); DRAFTER, GEOPHYSICAL (petrol. & gas)].

Drafter, Seismograph

driller

driller, prospecting; shot-hole driller Operates portable rotary drilling rig to drill shallow boreholes to obtain samples of earth formations, for placement of explosives in seismic prospecting, or for other tests to discover petroleum: Positions truck-mounted derrick at drilling area specified on field map. Starts rig and moves throttles and clutches to raise and lower drilling pipes. Counts sections of drill rod to determine depth of borehole. Selects coring bit and barrel. Withdraws core barrel from hole and extracts core from barrel. Records depths at which samples were taken. Repairs equipment, using handtools. Operates gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works to drill oil or gas wells: Observes pressure gauge and moves throttles and levers to control speed of rotary table which rotates string of tools in borehole, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottom of borehole. Connects sections of drill pipe, using handtools and powered wrenches and tongs. Selects and changes drill bits according to nature of strata, using handtools. Pushes levers and brake pedals to control draw works which lowers and raises drill pipe and casing into and out of well. Examines operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of mud (drilling fluid) in well. Examines drillings or core samples from bottom of well to determine nature of strata. Fishes for and recovers lost or broken bits, casing and drill pipes from well, using special tools attached to end of drill pipe or cable. Keeps record of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, and materials used. Caps well or turns valves to regulate outflow of oil from well. Repairs or replaces defective parts of machinery, using handtools. May lower and explode charge in borehole to start flow of oil from well. May specialize in drilling underwater wells from barge-mounted derricks or drilling platforms and be designated Rotary Driller, Marine Operations (petrol. & gas).

driller helper

roughneck Assists ROTARY DRILLER (petrol. & gas) in operating machinery to drill oil or gas wells, using handtools and power tongs and wrenches: Assembles and disassembles casings and pipe sections, using hand and power wrenches and tongs. Sets curved metal wedges around pipe string at wellhead to prevent string from falling into well during change or addition of pipe sections. Tightens or loosens threaded joints between sections, using tongs or chain wrenches. Guides lower end of pipe sections to or from well opening. Loosens or tightens joints, using cathead (winch). Mixes drilling mud (clay and sand slush), using power agitators. Reads gauge to ascertain pressure on drilling tools at bottom of well and reports irregularities to ROTARY DRILLER (petrol. & gas). Repairs drilling machinery, slush pumps, and derricks. Digs drainage ditches, racks tools, and cleans drilling floor around rig. May assist in erecting and dismantling rigs. Performs other duties as described under HELPER (any industry) Master Title. May be known according to specific duty performed as Back-Up Worker (petrol. & gas); Cathead Worker (petrol. & gas); Lead-Tong Worker (petrol. & gas); Pipe Racker (petrol. & gas).

Drilling Engineer

Analyzes technical and cost factors to plan methods to recover maximum oil and gas in oil-field operations, utilizing knowledge of petroleum engineering and related technologies: Examines map of subsurface oil and gas reservoir locations to recommend placement of wells to maximize economical production from reservoir. Evaluates probable well production rate during natural or stimulated-flow production phases. Recommends supplementary processes to enhance recovery involving stimulation of flow by use of processes, such as pressurizing or heating in subsurface regions. Analyzes recommendations of reservoir engineering specialist for placement of well in oil field. Develops well drilling plan for management approval, specifying factors including drilling time, number of special operations, such as directional drilling, and testing, and material requirements and costs including well casing and drilling muds. Provides technical consultation during drilling operations to resolve problems such as bore directional change, unsatisfactory drilling rate or invasion of subsurface water in well bore. Advises substitution of drilling mud compounds or tool bits to improve drilling conditions. Inspects well to determine that final casing and tubing installations are completed. Plans oil and gas field recovery containers, piping, and treatment vessels to receive, remove contaminants, and separate oil and gas products flowing from well. Monitors production rate of gas or oil from established wells and plans rework process to correct well production, such as repacking of well bore and additional perforation of subsurface sands adjacent to well bottom. May apply knowledge of petroleum engineering to solve problems concerned with environment [ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER (profess. & kin.)]. May be designated according to specialty as Development Engineer, Geothermal Operations (profess. & kin.); Drilling Engineer (petrol. & gas); Production Engineer (petrol. & gas); Reservoir Engineer (petrol. & gas).

drilling inspector

Charts pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of oil and gas well boreholes or producing wells, using special subsurface instruments, and interprets findings for use in determining further drilling or producing procedures: Directs workers in assembling wire line hoisting gear and attaching line to instruments. Gives directions to HOIST OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) to lower clinograph into well to determine variation of well from vertical (instrument records variation on chart). Informs ROTARY DRILLER (petrol. & gas) of variation from vertical. Lowers weighted wire into well and reads depth of well from recording wheel. Lowers depth bomb into well that records pressure at various depths to determine rate of natural flow of oil from well. Lowers thermometers and other instruments with accompanying recording devices through tubing, casing, drill pipe, or open borehole. Raises instruments from well and removes chart recordings. Measures, converts, records, and interprets data for use by engineering personnel and management in determining drilling or production procedures. May calibrate recording devices. May repair and maintain instruments. May be designated according to specialty as Bottom-Hole-Pressure-Recording Operator (petrol. & gas).

DUMPER-BAILER OPERATOR

Dumps sand and cement over shot of nitroglycerine in oil or gas wells to provide tamp and bridge (protective shielding) over area to be shot, using special bailer and hoist: Determines amount and consistency of tamping materials and cement according to size, depth, and similar characteristics of borehole. Selects tools, such as packers for use in borehole. Assembles and attaches tools and bailer to hoist line. Loads sand or other tamping materials into bailer and lowers bailer and tamping tools into borehole, using hoist. Mixes cement to specified consistency, using portable mixer. Loads cement in bailer, using bucket. Lowers and dumps cement in borehole, using hoist. Cleans and repairs equipment.

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