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Dictionary Of Occupational Titles

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

OBSERVER, ELECTRICAL PROSPECTING

engineer; electrical-prospecting operator Measures resistance of earth formations to electrical charges, using electrical apparatus to obtain data for locating rock strata favorable to further petroleum exploration activities: Transports electrical equipment and instruments to designated locations, and directs and assists in laying out and connecting cables, electrodes, instrument panels, and other electrical equipment. Adjusts electrical instruments to eliminate electrical interferences from earth currents or weather conditions. Opens and closes circuits to send electrical current through electrodes into earth. Reads dials and records data of millivoltmeter readings at various receptor points along cable to detect loss of potential due to resistance of earth formations. Diagnoses cause of malfunctioning of instruments and cables and makes repairs.

OBSERVER, GRAVITY PROSPECTING

operator; recorder, gravity prospecting Records readings of gravity meter, torsion balance, and other gravity-measuring instruments at various points in terrain to obtain data regarding gravity characteristics indicating potential source of metallic ore or petroleum deposits: Sets up or directs set-up of instruments at specified location and records readings. Examines readings for accurate registration and adjusts instruments to specifications. Reads thermometers, barometers, and other instruments and records variations in temperature, barometric pressure, elevation, and other physical factors that affect instrument readings. May be designated according to instrument used as Gravity-Meter Observer (mine & quarry; petrol. & gas); Magnetometer Operator (mine & quarry; petrol. & gas).

observer helper

recorder helper, seismograph; seismograph-operator helper Performs any combination of following tasks in seismic prospecting for petroleum-bearing rock strata: Drives equipment truck to work sites. Unloads and carries explosives and seismometers to designated locations on terrain. Unreels and connects electrical cables between seismometers and recording equipment in truck. Guides drill pipe and casing into shotholes. Loads shotholes with explosives. Runs water or pours sand into shotholes to tamp charge. Washes printed seismograph records with solutions. Repairs automotive and prospecting equipment. May be designated according to specific duty performed as Prospecting-Driller Helper (petrol. & gas); Shooter Helper, Seismograph (petrol. & gas).

OBSERVER HELPER, GRAVITY PROSPECTING

gravity-prospecting-operator helper; recorder helper, gravity prospecting Drives truck to transport gravity prospecting personnel and equipment to petroleum-exploration areas. Sets up gravity meter, torsion balance, and other gravity-measuring instruments under direction of OBSERVER, GRAVITY PROSPECTING (petrol. & gas). May read thermometer and barometer and record readings.

OBSERVER, SEISMIC PROSPECTING

oil dispatcher

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).

OIL-FIELD EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Repairs, maintains, and installs oil well drilling machinery and equipment, using handtools and following oral and written work orders: Attaches hoisting cables to pumps, transmissions, diesel engines, and other equipment at drill sites, lashes equipment to trucks for transfer to repair yard, and guides lowering of equipment onto blocks in or near repair shop. Disassembles engines and mechanical units, using hand and power wrenches, screwdrivers, and other handtools. Cleans parts, such as pistons, valves, and parts of transmissions and clutches, using steam hose and detergents. Inspects parts for defects. Installs specified new or reconditioned parts, such as relined brake bands and clutch plates, sprockets, pump cylinders, and other parts of engines and mud pumps. Reassembles complete units. Tests function of pumps and other mechanical units, using auxiliary power. Test-runs engines at various speeds and observes efficiency of operations. Welds broken structures, such as engine mounts, hand rails, machine guards, and pipe racks, using electric and acetylene welding equipment. Paints reconditioned units, using spray gun. Installs repaired equipment at drill sites, observes operations, and readjusts components, as necessary. May maintain, repair, and install machinery and equipment at drill sites and be designated Field Mechanic (petrol. & gas).

OIL-FIELD EQUIPMENT MECHANIC SUPERVISOR

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in inspecting, dismantling, testing, rebuilding, and storing oil field tools and equipment: Reviews drilling schedules and assigns worker activities. Inspects repaired equipment for conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments. Requisitions replacement parts. Performs other duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any industry) Master Title.

Oil-Field Pipeline Supervisor

Inspects steel tubing, casing, drill pipe, and other tubular oil well equipment for defects, using magnetic and optical inspection equipment: Positions scanner (ring-shaped object containing induction coils) around pipe and connects wire to automatic graph recorder. Presses switch to start self-propelled scanner along pipe length and observes lines on graph that indicate location, type, and extent of metal blemishes, cracks, and molecular weakness. Inspects interior of pipe for surface imperfections, using optical instrument. Reports findings to engineering personnel.

OIL-PIPE INSPECTOR

Inspects tubular metal equipment as assistant to OIL-PIPE INSPECTOR (petrol. & gas) by performing any combination of following tasks: Inspects interior and exterior of tubing, casing, drill pipe, and other tubular metal equipment used in drilling and producing oil or gas wells to detect incrustations, cracks, or other defects, using mechanical and electronic instruments. Interconnects electric conductor cables to instruments, control panels, and generator sets, using wrenches and screwdrivers. Rolls and segregates pipe on rack for inspection. Inserts magnetic poles (shooting prods) into ends of pipe and sprinkles magnetic powder on magnetized pipe to reveal exterior defects. Observes surface of pipe and paints colored bands on pipe to indicate nature and location of defect. Inserts tubular instrument through interior of pipe. Clamps self-propelled electronic instrument to pipe, observes instrument moving lengthwise on pipe, and marks location and nature of defect on pipe. Cleans and repairs equipment. Performs other duties as described under HELPER (any industry) Master Title.

OIL-PIPE-INSPECTOR HELPER

OIL PUMPER

Operates steam, gas, gasoline, electric, or diesel pumps and auxiliary equipment to restore and control flow of oil from wells: Opens valves to regulate flow of oil from wells to storage tanks or into pipelines. Turns valves to adjust pressure of separator which separates natural gas from oil. Reads flowmeters, gauges oil in tanks with calibrated steel tape, and prepares reports of amount and quality of oil pumped and in storage. Collects and bottles samples of oil for laboratory analysis. Lubricates and repairs pumps, using grease gun, oilcan, and handtools. Examines pipelines for leaks. Reports major breakdowns and well difficulties. May test and treat oil to reduce water and sediment content according to specifications for pipeline transportation of oil.

oil-well-electrical-wall-sampling-device operator

oil-well-electrical-wall-sampling-device operator Obtains sample of earth formations in sidewalls of oil well boreholes, using electrically exploding device: Loads explosives into gun chambers of tubular firing device. Connects gun chambers to electric detonating cable, using handtools. Signals HOIST OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) to lower sample-taking gun into well. Observes wire line measuring device, weight indicator, and instrument panel of control equipment in truck to position sample-taking gun at specified point in well. Moves controls to set off electrical igniters that fire cylinders into sidewall of rock formation to obtain sample of earth. Signals HOIST OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) to raise equipment and sample from well. May be required to have license for handling explosives. May operate hoist to lower and raise tools and equipment from well.

oil-well-fishing-tool operator

oil-well-fishing-tool operator Analyzes conditions of unserviceable oil or gas wells and directs use of special well-fishing tools and techniques to recover lost equipment and other obstacles from boreholes of wells: Confers with SUPERINTENDENT, DRILLING AND PRODUCTION (petrol. & gas) to gather information regarding size of pipes and tools and borehole conditions in wells. Plans fishing methods and selects tools for removing obstacles, such as liners, broken casing, screens, and drill pipe from wells. Directs drilling crew in applying weights to drill pipes, in using special tools, in applying pressure to circulating fluid (mud), and in drilling around lodged obstacles or specified earth formations, using whipstocks and other special tools. Observes load variations on strain gauge, mudpump, and motor pressure indicators, and listens to sounds of engines and rotary chains to detect signs of faulty operations or unusual conditions in wells. Quotes prices to customer and prepares reports of services rendered, tools used, and time required, to serve as basis for billing customer. May direct drilling crew in installation of well-bottom equipment.

oil-well formation tester

testing-tool operator Analyzes samples of fluids from specified formations in oil well to determine productivity of strata, using special testing equipment: Assembles valve device and automatic pressure recorder on drilling floor, using handtools. Directs ROTARY DRILLER (petrol. & gas) to lower section of drill pipe containing instruments into well to specified depth. Opens valve by surface control to obtain sample of fluids in valve device and to chart pressure of fluid-giving formation. Closes valve and directs ROTARY DRILLER (petrol. & gas) to raise pipe and equipment. Analyzes chemical content of sample and interprets pressure readings to determine presence and quantity of oil, gas, water, or other materials in formation. May send sample of fluids from formation to laboratory for analysis. May perforate boreholes [PERFORATOR OPERATOR, OIL WELL (petrol. & gas)].

oil-well gun-perforator operator

gun-perforator operator Operates truck-mounted hoisting equipment and electrical control panel to position and explode charges in oil or gas wells to pierce drill pipes, casings, tubings, and fracture earth formations: Assembles tools and equipment at well site, using handtools. Lowers perforating gun into well, using hoist. Observes odometer, weight indicator, and instrument panel in truck, and positions gun at predetermined point in well. Moves controls at panelboard to detonate charge in gun which propels bullets through wall of bore to pierce or fracture oil- or gas-bearing formations, or to ignite chemical charge which burns fissures in rock formations for passage of oil or processing fluid, such as mud or cement. Observes instrument on control panel to verify detonation of charge in gun. Repairs electrical instruments, using electrician's handtools. Loads perforating guns at well site for special shots.

oil-well-logging engineer

engineer Measures sonar, electrical, or radioactive characteristics of earth formations in oil- or gas-well boreholes to evaluate productivity of oil- or gas-bearing reservoirs, using sonic, electronic, or nuclear measuring instruments: Signals HOISTING ENGINEER (any industry) to lower instruments into well, observing oscillograph and meters on control panel to verify operating condition of instruments. Turns dials on control panel to adjust instrument for specified recording and starts recording device when instruments reach bottom of borehole. Prints copies of recorded graphs in truck darkroom [DEVELOPER (photofinishing)]. Interprets graphs for customer to indicate identity, porosity, oil- or gas-bearing content, and productivity of geological formations. Measures borehole diameters, direction of borehole, and inclination of geological strata, using microcalipers, directional indicators (clinometers), and dipmeters. May be designated according to measuring instruments used as Acoustical Logging Engineer (petrol. & gas); Nuclear Logging Engineer (petrol. & gas).

oil-well pumper

OIL-WELL-SERVICE OPERATOR

Controls pumping and blending equipment to acidize, cement, or fracture gas or oil wells and permeable rock formations: Consults with SUPERINTENDENT, DRILLING AND PRODUCTION (petrol. & gas) to determine well conditions, pipe sizes, and amounts of acid, cement, or fracturing chemicals to be used. Gives directions to OIL-WELL-SERVICE-OPERATOR HELPER (petrol. & gas) to unload pipes, fittings, and chemicals, and to correct pipes between pumps and well, using handtools. Mixes acids, chemicals or dry cement according to service specified by customer. Observes meters and pressure gauges to regulate quantity and consistency of materials and to control pump pressure. May perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment. May be designated according to specialty as Acidizer (petrol. & gas); Acidizer, Water Well (construction); Cementer, Oil Well (petrol. & gas); Formation-Fracturing Operator (petrol. & gas).

OIL-WELL-SERVICE-OPERATOR HELPER

Assists OIL-WELL-SERVICE OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) in controlling blending and pumping equipment to treat oil or gas wells and permeable rock formations with cement, acid, or chemicals: Drives truck equipped with acid pumps, mixers and related equipment to well site. Unloads and assembles pipes and pumping equipment, using handtools. Dumps acids, cement, or other treating materials in mixer to blend solution. Opens valve as directed to admit specified amounts of solution into well. Dismantles and loads equipment on truck after treatment. May be designated according to duty performed as Acidizer Helper (petrol. & gas); Cementer Helper (petrol. & gas); Formation-Fracturing-Operator Helper (petrol. & gas).

OIL-WELL-SERVICES SUPERVISOR

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in operating pumping and blending equipment to cement, acidize, and fracture oil and gas wells: Confers with SUPERINTENDENT, DRILLING AND PRODUCTION (petrol. & gas) to determine well conditions, pipe sizes, and characteristics of oil-or-gas-bearing rock formations to be treated. Computes amount of cement, acid, or fracturing material to be used and devises procedures to be followed according to conditions of individual wells. Directs workers in mixing and blending of cement, acid, and other chemicals and in assembling and connecting pipe and pipe fittings between pumping equipment and well head. Observes dials and pressure gauges to ensure that specified pump pressure is being maintained and that equipment is functioning properly. Informs workers when adjustments are needed and directs maintenance and repair of equipment. Assigns new employees to experienced worker for on-the-job training and assists in training. Evaluates job performance of workers and recommends personnel actions, such as promotions, pay raises, or discharges. May operate blending and pumping equipment and connect pipe and pipe fittings between pumping equipment and well head during peak work periods or for training purposes. May contact established customers to solicit work and maintain good will.

PERFORATOR OPERATOR, OIL WELL

shooter Detonates torpedoes in bored oil wells to start or renew flow of oil in wells: Connects torpedo and electric cable terminals, using wrench. Signals HOIST OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) to lower torpedo into well. Presses switch or drops go-devil (detonating device) down well to detonate charge. May load torpedoes with explosives. May be required to have license for handling explosives.

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