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Dictionary Of Occupational Titles

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

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.

PERMIT AGENT, GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING

Negotiates permits with property owners to allow prospecting, surveying, and testing for petroleum and gas deposits: Searches public records to determine legal ownerships of proposed exploration sites. Precedes prospecting party to area and interviews local authorities and landowners to determine legal and highway regulations and to draw up trespass agreements. Draws sketches of prospecting locations and terrain to be traversed. Drives stakes in ground to indicate locations of shot holes and recording instruments for use in surveying land and conducting seismic, magnetic, and gravity tests.

oil-well-sounding-device operator

Operates equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells, or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells, using specialized subsurface tools and instruments: Directs SAMPLE-TAKER OPERATOR (petrol. & gas) to assemble and connect pipe and hydraulic lines of flushing equipment to wellhead. Starts pumps which circulate water, oil, or other fluid through well, removing sand and other materials obstructing free flow of oil. Perforates well casing or sidewall of borehole with explosive charge [PERFORATOR OPERATOR, OIL WELL (petrol. & gas)]. Assembles and lowers detection instruments into wells having drill pipe, drilling tools, or other obstructions wedged in well. Interprets instrument readings to ascertain depth of obstruction. Directs lowering of specialized equipment to point of obstruction and pushes switches or pulls levers to back-off pipe by chemical or explosive action, or to sever pipe at point of obstruction, permitting recovery of pipestring and resumption of drilling operations. Assembles and operates sound wave generating and detecting mechanisms for determining fluid level in wells. May operate hoist to lower and raise tools [HOIST OPERATOR (petrol. & gas)].

PETROLEUM 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).

pipe inspector

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.

pipe-line gauger

storage tanks, and regulates flow of oil and, other petroleum products into pipelines at wells, tank farms, refineries, and marine and rail terminals, following prescribed standards and regulations: Gauges quantity of oil in storage tanks before and after delivery, using calibrated steel tape and conversion tables. Lowers thermometer into tanks to obtain temperature reading. Turns bleeder valves, or lowers sample container into tank to obtain oil sample. Tests oil to determine amount of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials, using centrifugal tester. Calculates test results, using standard formulas. Records readings and test results. Starts pumps, and opens valves on pipelines and tanks to regulate and direct flow of oil from and into tanks, according to delivery schedules. Reads automatic gauges at specified time intervals to determine flow rate of oil into or out of tanks and amount of oil in tanks. Inspects pipelines, valves, and flanges to detect malfunctions, such as loose connections and leaks. Tightens connections with wrenches, greases and oils valves, using grease gun and oilcan. Reports leaks or defective valves to maintenance personnel. Clamps seal around valves to secure tanks. May gauge tanks containing petroleum and natural gas byproducts, such as condensate or natural gasoline. May operate pumps, teletype, and mobile radio. May clean pumps, machinery, and equipment. May issue delivery or receiving tickets. May record meter and pressure readings at gas wells. May regulate flow of products into pipelines, using automated pumping equipment. When gauging oil received from and delivered to terminals, tank farms, and refineries, may be designated Gauger, Delivery (pipe lines).

pipe puller

pulling-machine operator; rig operator; tube puller; work-over rig operator Controls power hoisting equipment to pull casing, tubing, and pumping rods from oil and gas wells for repair and to lower repaired equipment, testing devices, and servicing tools into well: Attaches cable clamp to top of pump rod or casing and starts winch or hydraulic jack that raises rod or casing. Disconnects sections of rod or casing, using hand and power wrenches and tongs. Runs packer (plug device) into well to control flow of oil, water, or gas during well-pulling operations. Lowers swabber into well to clear mud from screens at bottom of well and to establish flow of oil. Lowers pressure-recording device into well and interprets charts. Lowers special tools into well to fish for broken rods and tubing and to scrape paraffin and incrustations from casing or tubing. Plugs well with cement [CEMENTER, OIL WELL (petrol. & gas)]. Tests pipe for leaks, using hydraulic-testing equipment. May drive truck equipped with portable hoisting equipment. May be designated according to type of equipment used as Hydraulic Oil-Tool Operator (petrol. & gas).

Pipe Racker

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).

PIPE TESTER

Operates hydraulic pump and auxiliary equipment to test oil well tubing or casing for high-pressure leaks: Attaches wire line pulley to crown block of rig, and hydraulic hose to testing tool, pump, and source of water, using wrenches. Lowers testing tool and high-pressure packing device into pipe to seal it and retain water in specified section, using winch. Moves lever on hydraulic pump to fill section with water under specified pressure and observes gauge to detect leaks [HYDRO-PNEUMATIC TESTER (any industry)].

pipe-thread inspector

Inspects threads on joints of steel casings, tubings, drillpipes, and other tubular oil well equipment to detect defects and to determine conformance to specified tolerances in taper, lead, and threads per inch, using precision gauges and instruments: Measures machined threads and outside diameter of pipes to determine thread size, taper, threads per inch, and size of pipe to ensure clearance for lowering pipe into well, using thread gauge and micrometer. Determines whether combinations of thread elements will form joints capable of withstanding weight of entire string of piping in well and of preventing entrance of outside fluids or gases, applying knowledge of standard and obsolete thread forms.

playback operator

Operates electronically controlled sound reproducing and photographic equipment (section plotter) to record seismic waves from magnetic tape recordings of explosions reflected or refracted from subsurface strata: Starts equipment and moves controls to align adjacent recordings uniformly on positive photographic film, following tracings of wave form shown on indicator. Verifies identification data on magnetic tape container to ensure specified order of sound reproduction. Clamps magnetic tape around drum of sound reproducer, starts machine, and observes wave form on oscillograph to detect malfunctions. May develop and print photographic recordings in darkroom. May test circuits, resistors, transistors, and related equipment parts, using schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, and electronic test equipment. May replace defective parts and repair faulty connections, using soldering iron.

PNEUMATIC-JACK OPERATOR

Operates pneumatic jack on offshore oil drilling barge that raises or lowers barge to facilitate drilling: Moves levers to start jack which is lowered to caisson on ocean floor for purpose of lifting barge to facilitate drilling. Coordinates movement of jack with movement of other jacks on barge. Raises jack to lower barge back into water so that barge may be moved to another drilling location.

Production Engineer

production 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)].

Property-And-Equipment Clerk

Compiles and maintains records of quantity, type, and value of material, equipment, merchandise, or supplies stocked in establishment: Counts material, equipment, merchandise, or supplies in stock and posts totals to inventory records, manually or using computer. Compares inventories to office records or computes figures from records, such as sales orders, production records, or purchase invoices to obtain current inventory. Verifies clerical computations against physical count of stock and adjusts errors in computation or count, or investigates and reports reasons for discrepancies. Compiles information on receipt or disbursement of material, equipment, merchandise, or supplies, and computes inventory balance, price, and cost. Prepares reports, such as inventory balance, price lists, and shortages. Prepares list of depleted items and recommends survey of defective or unusable items. May operate office machines, such as typewriter or calculator. May stock and issue materials or merchandise. May be designated according to item inventoried as Property-And-Equipment Clerk (petrol. & gas); or type of inventory as Inventory Clerk, Physical (clerical).

PROSPECTING 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

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