Derrickhand – Drilling Rig Operator (14/14 Rotation)

Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, LLC; Dickinson (ND); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, LLC is seeking a Derrickhand to monitor and maintain mud systems, weigh mud, and control viscosity, while supervising Floorhands and Motorhand under the Driller. The role involves heavy physical work, outdoor conditions, and strict adherence to safety procedures.

Responsibilities include rig-up/down support, daily equipment checks, PPE usage, and clear English communication. Candidates must meet pre-employment testing and travel on a 14 on/14 off rotation.

Qualifications

• Must be comfortable working at heights (50 ft or more) for extended periods.
• Able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces.
• Demonstrate clear English reading, writing and speaking abilities; follow instructions promptly.
• Internal candidates: at least 3 months as Motorhand; external: at least 3 months Derrickhand experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mud systems: mud weight/viscosity, mixing chemicals, pumps, shakers and tanks.
• Oversee Floorhands and Motorhand; assist Driller and support day-to-day operations.
• Rig up/down procedures; guide pipe into/out of elevators; supervise safety protocols.
• Inspect rig equipment, perform preventative maintenance, and keep work areas clean.
• Wear PPE, communicate with signals, and work outdoors on long shifts (14 on/14 off).

Skills

English proficiency

Communication

Safety awareness

Supervisory experience

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Mud pumps

Shakers

Mud tanks

Rig equipment

Job description

The Derrickhand is responsible for the mud systems. This includes measuring mud weight and viscosity, mixing chemicals, and maintaining mud pumps, shakers, and tanks. Other responsibilities include steadying pipe during connections/disconnections and guiding pipe into and out of elevators. The Derrickhand works closely with and oversees the Floorhands and Motorhand and works under the supervision of the Driller and assists in day-to-day operations.

Detailed Description:

• Stand or stand and walk for a minimum of 3.5 hours and up to 12 hours without being able to sit and while wearing steel-toed boots
• Frequently climb steep stairs
• Frequently climb ladders and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform
• Independently use heavy-duty handheld and long-handled tools
• Utilize proper hand signals when working on the board to communicate with others
• Work independently while staying on task for the majority of the tour work shift
• Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Take initiative and work independently during downtime
• Frequently measure mud weight and viscosity using a scale and timer
• Regularly maintain and inspect mud systems (mud levels, pumps, shakers, and tanks)
• Regularly check rig and equipment for problems and safety issues on an ongoing basis
• Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment above the rig floor and all equipment associated with the drilling fluid system
• General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning, painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection
• Inspect the following items in the derrick every tour: all hanging sheaves for wear and grease; all lights on derrick; boom and boom lines; derrick climbing device and derrick ladder; and the stand pipe and Kelly hose
• Work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals
• Performs daily inspections of the following: crown block (sheaves and cables); proper working order of the shale shaker (grease bearings, check or loose bolts and replace screens as required); mud agitators; mud mixing equipment; and mud pumps
• Quickly follow instructions from Mud Engineer and Driller to ensure operational mud systems
• Handle and mix hazardous chemicals into the mud as directed by Mud Engineer, while properly using required Personal Protective Equipment
• Prepare stands and steady and guide pipe into and out of elevators during drilling activities
• Ensure correct mud pit valves are open / closed
• Monitor Floorhands who are assisting in the pits or with chemical sacks
• General upkeep and housekeeping of mud pit area
• Assist with rig up / down procedures
• Support other crew members as needed, ensure compliance with safety procedures, and other additional tasks as assigned
• Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description

Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully complete all duties of a Floorhand and Motorhand
• Must be comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time
• Able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces
• Ability to frequently climb ladders and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform.
• Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English
• Understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English; along with the ability to provide clear and understandable verbal, non-verbal and written direction to others in English.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl throughout the tour work shift
• Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of surroundings, work with moving pipe, watch and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties
• Accurate recall over short and long-term memory
• Able to stay alert and focused up to 12.5 hours while performing repetitive and routine activities
• Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around work environment with many moving objects
• Willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays
• Willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice
• Must be willing and able to attend and successfully complete classroom training and testing to qualify for a rig assignment
• Able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws)

Minimum Qualifications

• Internal applicants will have at least 3 months of experience as a Motorhand and the external applicant will have at least 3 months of Derrickhand experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 months of experience as a Derrickhand
• High School Diploma or GED

Additional Details

This position requires the person to work outdoors for an entire tour work shift in all kinds of weather conditions, including precipitation, cold / heat, high wind, and turbulent conditions. They will be exposed to the typical conditions of the local area where the rig is located. Southern states generally experience hot summers where temperatures range from 80 to low 100 with high humidity; winters have temperatures that generally do not go below 20. Northern states generally have hot summers with similar conditions and have cold, windy winters, with low temperatures that can be as cold as -40.