
Texas is among the largest producer of crude oil in the US and is home to numerous oil rigs that extract oil and gas from beneath the earth’s surface. The oil and gas industry in Texas provides employment opportunities for thousands of workers, including oil rig jobs. These jobs are physically and mentally demanding, requiring long hours, challenging work conditions, and often, extended periods away from home, however, the compensation is high salaries.
If you’re looking to work in the oil and gas industry in Texas, you’re at the right place. We have made a list of the various positions available, the qualifications required, and the potential career paths available in the industry.
List Oil Rig Jobs in Texas available
- Design Engineer II
- Oilfield Rig Hand
- Petroleum Inspector
- Odessa Yard Inspections Crew
- Pump Technician
- Combustion Technician
- Drilling Rig Certified Welders
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Casing Floorhand
- Water Transfer Technician
#1. Design Engineer II
Design engineers research and design new products and systems for their company. They draft blueprints, create test prototypes, and oversee the manufacturing process on an oil rig. The engineer selected for the job will collaborate with the design and production teams on various design projects, leading the way with their in-depth knowledge of the latest design trends and engineering software.
In addition to excellent communication skills, candidates should have creative thinking abilities and outstanding problem-solving skills. In this job role, you can quickly get a part-time $40 an hour Job in the oil drilling industry
Primary Duties and Responsibilities of a Design Engineer
This job involves performing fundamental engineering tasks within the established Product Development Process, including:
- Modifying existing products to meet internal or external customer requirements.
- Creating engineering layouts for fit, form, and function.
- Preparing calculations and design packages as required to complete design reviews.
- Organizing, checking, and/or directing the preparation of detailed drawings and layouts.
- Coordinating the manufacture of prototypes.
- Developing experimental test programs and building test tools and fixtures in the test lab.
- Conducting experimental test programs and analyzing test data to determine if the product meets predetermined technical specifications.
- Preparing documentation as required for Engineering files.
- Developing new products and services to meet company goals.
- Preventing or eliminating defects in new or existing products through continuous improvement efforts.
#2. Oilfield Rig Hand
A rig hand or roughneck is a crucial worker performing various oil rig duties. Their primary responsibility is to maintain the drilling rig and equipment, although the specific tasks they perform may differ based on their position. The rig hand is an umbrella term that describes several jobs in this field.
The lease hand, the lowest position in the rig’s hierarchy, undertakes general maintenance duties on the drilling rig. Moving up the floor and is responsible for setting up and dismantling the drilling operation, managing pipes, drilling tools, and other necessary materials on the rig.
The following three roles, namely the motor hand, derrick hand, and driller, are the promotion tiers of the rig technician. They have additional responsibilities, such as keeping the rig’s engines in working order, monitoring the drill systems, and operating the drill.
Key Responsibilities of a Oilfield Rig Hand
- Safely operate the drill rig and equipment during the system installation process.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more as hole depths increase and changing drill bits as needed.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment.
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and position and align drills.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure for drilling into different materials.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or blow dust from holes.
- Assemble and position machines, drills, casing pipes, and other equipment using hand and power tools.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Start, stop, and control the drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
#3. Petroleum Inspector
The role of a Petroleum Inspector involves carrying out essential tasks related to the supervision of bulk liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon or chemical cargo. This includes gauging, sampling, and reconciling transfers from shore tank, barge, or ship to shore tank, barge, or ship. The Inspector complies with the industry standards, Client, and SGS Operational Excellence practices.
- Perform basic activities for bulk liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon or chemical cargo supervision services.
- Gauge, sample, and reconcile transfer from shore tank, barge, or ship to shore tank, barge, or ship.
- Follow safety standards and perform the job efficiently according to defined technical processes, procedures, or methodologies.
- Utilize various methods dictated by the company and American Petroleum Institute (API) procedures to sample, measure, and take the temperature of the vessels and shore tanks.
- Calculate and report quantities of the bulk liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon transferred and perform complete reconciliation.
- Complete all required reports and forms using the SGS propriety Ship Inspection Report (SIR) and/or Site Acceptance Test (SAT) systems.
- Work with client’s representatives, US Customs, vessel personnel, government agents, and shore facility personnel.
- Maintain regular communication with the business unit office staff regarding job status, problems, concerns, etc.
- Maintain knowledge and adhere to the latest industry, client, and SGS internal standards, policies, and procedures.
#4. Pump Technician
Pump technicians are critical in installing, maintaining, and repairing pumps across diverse industrial settings. They specialize in working with pumps that facilitate the movement of liquids and other materials from one location to another.
To excel, pump technicians must deeply understand the pumps they work with. This involves having a comprehensive knowledge of the various components of the pump, their individual functions, and how they interact with each other. They also need to be well-versed in the workings of different pump types under diverse operating conditions to identify and resolve issues that may arise effectively.
Pump Technician Job Responsibilities
- Install, repair, and maintain pumps and other equipment in various industrial facilities.
- Replace motors, seals, bearings, and other parts to ensure proper functionality.
- Utilize tools such as ultrasonic testing equipment and bubble levels to inspect pumps for signs of wear and damage.
- Keep records of maintenance and repair work done on pumps to monitor performance.
- Test newly installed pumps to guarantee they are operating correctly
- Identify and troubleshoot issues with pumps or other equipment to determine the causes of malfunctions
- Repair or replace seals, bearings, couplings, or other components on pumps
- Install, maintain, repair, and replace pumps, valves, and other equipment for water treatment plants, power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities.
#5. Combustion Technician
A combustion engineer is a specialized professional who possesses expertise in harnessing the energy generated from fuel heating. This entails installing combustion systems and verifying their functionality once they are operational. These engineers are also responsible for troubleshooting and resolving any issues with malfunctioning equipment.
The applications of combustion technology are widespread, often used in heating systems for buildings, vehicles, and other industrial applications. A combustion engineer’s job demands high technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to ensure equipment functions efficiently and effectively.
Combustion Engineer Job Duties
- When you get an oil rig job in Texas for the role, You will utilize SolidWorks to draft and model complex components and product packaging materials to enable effective shipping and storage.
- Create jigs and fixture configurations using SolidWorks
- Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations
- Design ventilation and humidification systems to enhance the comfort of missile combat crews and control pollutant concentrations inside facilities
#6. Drilling Rig Certified Welders
In the oil and gas industry, welders play a crucial role in the fusion of metals using a variety of cutting, gouging, and welding techniques. They are responsible for performing various duties on the job site, including working on pipeline systems, repairing derricks and pump jacks, installing equipment, and shutting down or closing off producing wells.
In addition to welders, there are also welding engineers who specialize in solving welding engineering problems. They are experts in analyzing weld failures, identifying and eliminating weld defects, providing expert witness services, and developing welding procedures. Welding engineers typically have extensive experience working with various metals, including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and other types commonly used in the industry.
Drilling Rig Welders Jobs’ Responsibilities
- Interpretation of technical drawings and blueprints of industrial equipment to assemble them correctly.
- Welding of the mast, derrick, and other support infrastructures.
- Construction of new metal structures like storage tanks by welding metal pipes, plates, and other materials.
- Inspection of welds to ensure strength, durability, and adherence to specifications.
- Assembly and repair of pipelines for oil and natural gas companies.
- Welding of large structures such as boilers, oil platforms, and ships.
- Maintenance and proper storage of welding equipment.
- Testing and inspecting vessel and/or piping systems for leaks or defects.
- Installation, repair, troubleshooting, and replacement of damaged valves, joints, or pipes using power and hand tools, gas torches, and welding equipment.
#7. Drilling engineer
As a drilling engineer, your responsibilities will include planning, developing, and supervising the operations required for drilling oil and gas wells. Your involvement in this process will begin with the initial well design and extend to testing, completion, and abandonment. Additionally, you will be responsible for cost estimation.
In this role, you could get offshore oil rig jobs in Texas, work on land, offshore platforms, or mobile drilling units. Your employer could be the operating oil company, a specialist drilling contractor, or a service company.
As a drilling engineer, you will collaborate with other professionals, such as geologists and geoscientists, to oversee drilling progress, safety management, and environmental protection.
Job Responsibilities of a Drilling Engineer
- Managing staff on rigs.
- Working to strict schedules and deadlines.
- Supervising drilling and solving technical problems.
- Enforcing safety and disaster recovery procedures.
- Measuring operations against budgets.
- Analyzing daily data on productivity.
- Costing and scheduling drilling operations.
#8. Reservoir Engineer
Reservoir engineers play a crucial role in various oil and gas production stages. They are involved in field evaluation and exploration and in designing and implementing extraction equipment and processes. This job role is one of the most in-demand oil rig jobs in Texas that you can explore.
Job Responsibilities of a Reservoir Engineer
- Producing mathematical models to forecast the amount of oil and gas that could be extracted from a field
- Designing wells, pipe networks, and surface facilities required for production
- Using specialist technology and surveillance data to monitor the quantity and flow of oil and gas being extracted
- Proposing improvements to maximize production, such as flow rate enhancement
- Overseeing the progress and work of the operations of the well and liaising with the drilling team
- Ensuring that all design and operations meet health, safety, and environmental regulations
- Liaising with other professionals, such as geologists or engineers, as well as contractors, suppliers, and clients
- Maintaining project documents and writing reports for management.
#9. Casing Floorhand
A floor hand is a crucial member of the crew working on an oil rig. Their primary responsibility is assisting other crew members with setting up and cleaning up daily. They perform various manual labor tasks and work closely with other crew members such as roustabouts, derrick hands, crew pushers, and equipment operators, whether on rigs offshore or onshore.
Job Responsibilities of a Casing Floorhand
- Setting up and taking down necessary equipment for daily projects
- Preparing the rig floor
- Repairing machinery
- Following company policies and procedures
- Making drilling connections
- Digging ditches
- Assisting in rigging up or rigging down
- Assembling and organizing tools, pipes, and other materials
- Moving, adjusting, and recalibrating machinery
- Mixing chemicals
- Running safety checks
- Transporting equipment on trucks and operating other vehicles
- Removing debris and waste from the work site
- Following instructions from the driller or other crew leaders
#10. Water Transfer Technician
As a water technician, your job responsibilities will include the safe and efficient setup and dismantling of equipment for water transfer, the operation of heavy machinery, and the ability to lift heavy materials.
Job Responsibilities of a Water Transfer Technician
- Safely and efficiently operate equipment for water transfer.
- Load necessary equipment for the job with safety and effectiveness.
- Transport loaded trailers to and from job sites.
- Identify and troubleshoot potential problems throughout the job.
- Collaborate as a team to successfully complete the job.
- Follow daily safety procedures.
- Lift heavy equipment as required.
How to Apply For Oil Rig Jobs?
Each drilling company may have unique requirements, but some fundamental aspects remain constant when securing a job on an oil rig.
One helpful feature of many companies is the ability to evaluate your skills and interests, allowing you to find a position that aligns with your strengths. In addition, all job candidates must have completed a safety certification program. The specific requirements for safety certification can differ between oil rig companies.
- Learn more about the oil industry
- Gain relevant professional experience
- Explore internship opportunities
- Create a resume and cover letter
- Apply for entry-level positions
Learn More About the Oil Industry
When considering a career in the oil industry, remember that oil companies often establish their own safety standards and requirements for the extraction process. It is essential to carefully review these standards and requirements to meet the minimum qualifications before submitting your application. Familiarize yourself with industry terminology and current events.
Gain Relevant Professional Experience
Consider taking courses or earning a degree in a field related to the oil industry, such as geology, engineering, or environmental science.
Explore Internship Opportunities
Look for internships in the oil industry that align with your interests and skills. Check company websites, job boards, and industry organizations for opportunities.
Create a Resume and Cover Letter
Craft a strong resume and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Customize your application materials for each job you apply for.
Apply for Entry-level Positions
Apply to as many positions as possible and follow up with companies after submitting your application. Keep refining your resume and cover letter as you receive feedback.
FAQs
The profitability of oil and gas companies is well-known. These corporations generate substantial revenue, which often benefits their staff. If you seek a lucrative career, the energy sector is undoubtedly worth exploring, with oil rig jobs in Texas topping the chart.
The national average salary for an oil rig worker in the United Kingdom is £30,305; in the USA, it is approximately $76,000 annually. Based on these figures, it can be concluded that a career in the oil rig industry is highly lucrative.
Yes, there are plenty of oil rig jobs available in Texas that don’t require applicants to have previous experience to be qualified. To find these opportunities, all you need to do is research them.
Conclusion
There are various types of oil rig jobs available in Texas, including offshore oil rig jobs, entry-level oil rig jobs, and oil rig driving jobs. These jobs offer good salaries, with a high potential for pay increases, bonuses, and other incentives depending on the work location and duration.
However, it’s worth noting that offshore oil jobs can be physically and mentally demanding, which can be draining for some individuals. Nevertheless, if you are a hardworking and energetic person with a passion for adventure and seeking a career in a new and exciting location, then you could be the perfect candidate for a career on an offshore oil rig.
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