OIL 150: Every industry has its own jargon but the oil
industry’s is particularly colorful. Several RTSs in recent months
have been devoted to that terminology but, with today’s celebration
of oil’s 150th birthday, we couldn’t leave the subject just
yet.

We concentrate today on some of the oilfield workers.

A “roustabout” is any unskilled manual laborer on the rigsite.
They typically perform various jobs requiring little training.
However, they frequently turn out to be long-term employees and
take on more difficult and sometimes dangerous jobs as they gain
experience. Most go on to at least become roughnecks if they work
for the oil rig company for more than a few months.

As for “roughneck,” the name itself conjures up certain images
but, in the hierarchy of an oil rig, his duties could be general
tasks around the oilfield such as connecting and “tripping” of pipe
down the well bore.

A side note: The Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League
used to use an oil rigging roughneck, with a hockey stick, as one
of its secondary logos. The roughneck, as a symbol of hard work and
toughness, was the inspiration for the Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse
and the Tulsa Roughnecks soccer team.

A “toolpusher” is the boss of all crews on the drilling
location. He may stay on location for a few days at a time during
crucial operations, whereas the individual drilling crews work only
8- or 12-hour shifts.

“Driller” is the head or boss of the crew. Responsible for the
control of the rig’s machinery during drilling operation and most
other rig operations.

On the low end of the totem pole is the “worm,” an inexperienced
oilfield worker that is not yet a “hand.” Worms may be required to
wear orange hard hats or stickers that say “new on job.”

“Worms” or rookies are often tricked by being told to “go find
the key to the V Door.” Since none exists, it is loads of fun for
the broke out hands.

“Hand.” A rig worker or service hand that has passed the “worm”
stage and can work unsupervised.

Our thanks to Wikipedia for providing this information and our
apology, if necessary, to the local drillers who have adapted their
terminology to his region’s particular circumstances. If any local
oilmen can clarify the terms, or explain their origins, we’d be
happy to listen.