An oil rig roughneck is a laborer who works on the rig. Roughnecking is a difficult and often dangerous job, and you’ll almost certainly need to start out in another entry-level position before becoming a roughneck. To get started, apply for any manual labor position available at an oil company. You can expect to work this job for up to six months before being promoted to roughneck, and you’ll need to go through some training once you get the chance.
Physically prepare yourself for the demands of the job. A person who wants to work as a roughneck must be willing to work physically demanding jobs for long periods of time, which can be exhausting and lead to injury. If you want to be a roughneck, you’ll need a lot of strength and mobility, as well as the stamina to keep up with the typical oil rig schedules. This usually entails working on a rig for several weeks at a time, with a week or two off in between.
If you’re new to oil rigs, the most likely category of work is rogue work. Roustabouts do a variety of manual labor jobs, and it’s unlikely that they’ll be directly involved in any drilling operations. He could instead perform other tasks that aren’t related to drilling operations. When there is a shortage on a team, or when the roustabout is ready for the rigors of the job, job foremen may choose roustabouts to become roughnecks. The new roughneck could help with drilling rigging, pipe connections, and other mechanical issues. After gaining some experience, the person may be able to work directly on the rig deck, connecting drill pipes that will extend down into the drilling hole.
Roughnecks may also be responsible for other tasks, such as operating heavy machinery or maintaining a mudroom. If you want to become a roughneck, it helps to have relevant work experience on your resume; if you have previous experience working with heavy machinery or even construction on dry land, you will be more likely to secure a position or work your way up the ladder quickly. Prepare a resumé that highlights your most relevant work experience and send it to the oil company. Make sure you follow up in a week or two to see if you’re still in the running for a job.