Field operator positions are common in the energy industry, especially in oil and gas drilling. There are various levels of seniority to achieve, and individual tasks will likely vary depending on the nature of the drilling project. Some companies hire field operators for local daytime shifts, while others hire them for evening shifts or international projects. Field operator jobs may require some heavy lifting, and individuals are also expected to operate drilling machinery.
A field operator’s job in the energy industry may require some travel to remote oil and gas drilling sites to monitor project progress. For example, if there are issues with the drilling equipment, the field operator may be responsible for assessing the problem and assigning a solution. Field operators may also be in charge of keeping track of drilling activity at specific job sites.
Energy field operators must be familiar with the various gauges that are used to display drilling activity. These workers are responsible for determining the amount of oil and gas that can be accessed by drillers at a given location, as well as ensuring that the equipment is operational and capable of handling the output. If there is any contamination in the oil and gas fluids, field operators may be required to coordinate the cleanup of those reserves before they are refining.
Field operator jobs are most likely associated with oil and gas exploration and production (E&P). Companies that are hiring for evening shifts may require these professionals to check the performance of drilling equipment that was used earlier in the day. Field operators may be expected to work long shifts, including overtime, depending on the level of drilling activity performed in relation to a project’s capacity.
When a position as an overseas field operator becomes available, it may be critical that industry professionals be able to work independently with little supervision. Field operators may be expected to take charge of projects without the standard reporting procedures used on local projects if the primary company operations are located elsewhere. In order to keep other personnel informed about the status of a project, these professionals may need several years of industry experience and strong communication skills.