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What Does it Take to Be an Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator?
Position Description 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.
A Day in the Life of an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
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What Every Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator Should Know
Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Reverse Unit Operator
- Work Over Rig Operator
- Tar Processing Technician
- Well Cleaner
- Fishing Tool Supervisor
Job Opportunities for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators
In the United States, there were 41,400 jobs for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,700 new jobs for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,400 positions for Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator are Wyoming, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Michigan, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator Average Salary
The average yearly salary of an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator ranges between $32,430 and $78,840.
Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators who work in Alaska, New Mexico, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,550 |
| Alaska | $63,720 |
| Arkansas | $52,240 |
| California | $56,730 |
| Colorado | $56,310 |
| Florida | $44,140 |
| Illinois | $45,440 |
| Indiana | $44,220 |
| Kansas | $42,170 |
| Kentucky | $47,000 |
| Louisiana | $54,000 |
| Michigan | $49,860 |
| Mississippi | $57,570 |
| Montana | $60,480 |
| New Mexico | $63,040 |
| North Dakota | $60,760 |
| Ohio | $55,370 |
| Oklahoma | $45,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,470 |
| Tennessee | $51,750 |
| Texas | $51,850 |
| Utah | $54,160 |
| West Virginia | $50,110 |
| Wyoming | $55,410 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Inventory tracking software
- SAP software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Time and attendance software
- Data logger software
Becoming an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator
Individuals working as an Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as an Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Jeffrey Beall via Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
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