Who’s who on a land rig?

While each rig will be a little different, there are six positions which you will consistently see on any land drilling site.

1) Leasehand: This is an entry level position on a land rig. Leasehands are responsible for general labour and maintenance tasks.

2) Roughneck: The roughneck, or floorhand, handles drill pipe on the rig floor. In some cases, rigs won’t have leasehands and roughnecks must also cover their duties. They generally work in teams of two or three.

3) Motorhand/Lead Roughneck: Aside from working on the rig floor, the motorhand helps with the training of new employees and maintaining the diesel motors. 

4) Derrickman: The derrickman controls the top end of the pipe from the monkey board. They also monitor fluid rates and mix drilling mud. 

5) Driller: The driller is primarily in charge of operating the draw works and rotary equipment. They also supervise all work crews on the rig floor. They are responsible for training new hands and report directly to the rig manager.

6) Rig Manager/ Tool Pusher: The tool push is the big boss on a drilling rig. They manage rig operations, coordinate daily operations, provide leadership and are generally responsible for keeping the entire operation running smoothly.