Gas and oil drillers operate the equipment that is used to drill for gas and oil.

Gas and oil drillers have different tasks depending on the work they do.

Derrick operators install derricks, tower-like steel structures that support drilling equipment. They build foundations for the derricks. They stabilize the drill rig with jackscrews and other means of support. They make sure the drilling fluid is processed correctly and flows through the drill pipes. Derrick operators regularly inspect the derrick and keep it clean.

Rotary drill operators help to prepare drill holes. Sometimes they use explosive charges. Rotary drill operators also control machines that drill holes in the ground by chipping and cutting rock with a rotating bit. They connect sections of drilling pipe and attach the proper drill bit. Drillers watch pressure gauges and control the power-driven derrick that raises and lowers the drilling bit into the well bore.

Drill operators collect and inspect samples of the rock being drilled. In addition, drillers use pumps to circulate water or drilling mud through the drill pipe into the well hole. This cools the drill bit and removes drilling particles. They regularly inspect and clean the drills, pulleys, blocks, and cables.

Service unit operators operate and maintain wells. They inspect all equipment by observing gauges and listening for defective parts. They operate the pumps that control the water and other fluids that flow through the well. Some operators drive truck-mounted units to well sites.

Sometimes gas and oil drillers remove obstructions in gas or oil wells that are not working properly. They use other instruments to locate and remove obstacles that are blocking the flow.

Gas and oil drillers keep records of drilling progress. They record data about the footage drilled and the nature of the rock layers. Some gas and oil drillers direct the work of helpers or other drillers.