Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

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Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.

Sample of reported job titles: Pulling Unit Operator, Reverse Unit Operator, Rig Operator, Service Operator, Service Rig Operator, Tool Pusher, Well Servicing Rig Operator, Wireline Operator

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Tasks

All 19 displayed

Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.
Close and seal wells no longer in use.
Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
Apply green technologies or techniques, such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.
Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.
Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.
Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions.
Monitor sound wave-generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels.
Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.

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Technology Skills

All 11 displayed Show 43 tools used

Analytical or scientific software — Data logger software
Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Microsoft SharePoint
Enterprise resource planning ERP software — SAP software
Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Industrial control software — Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Inventory management software — Inventory tracking software
Office suite software — Microsoft Office
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software — Time and attendance software
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

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Knowledge

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Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

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Skills

All 17 displayed

Operations Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

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Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Auditory Attention — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Gross Body Equilibrium — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Rate Control — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without “giving out” or fatiguing.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Work Activities

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Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities

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Inspect equipment or tools to be used in construction or excavation.
Maintain extraction or excavation equipment.
Monitor extraction operations.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Prepare operational reports.
Install plumbing or piping.
Direct construction or extraction personnel.
Communicate with other construction or extraction personnel to discuss project details.
Operate pumps or compressors.
Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
Measure work site dimensions.
Select construction equipment.
Apply new technologies to improve work processes.
Operate detonation equipment.
Prepare excavation or extraction sites for commissioning or decommissioning.

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Work Context

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Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 100% responded “Every day.”
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 97% responded “Every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 93% responded “Every day.”
Contact With Others — 84% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Exposed to Contaminants — 77% responded “Every day.”
Duration of Typical Work Week — 86% responded “More than 40 hours.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 83% responded “Every day.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 76% responded “Very important results.”
Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety — 70% responded “Very high responsibility.”
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 76% responded “Every day.”
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — 87% responded “Every day.”
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 74% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 63% responded “Extremely important.”
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions — 77% responded “Every day.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 42% responded “Extremely important.”
Time Pressure — 56% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Standing — 28% responded “More than half the time.”
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 20% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Consequence of Error — 61% responded “Extremely serious.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 64% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection — 73% responded “Every day.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 76% responded “Some freedom.”
Physical Proximity — 81% responded “Moderately close (at arm’s length).”
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 49% responded “Very high responsibility.”
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions — 30% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings — 68% responded “Every day.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 43% responded “Extremely important.”
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment — 43% responded “Very important.”
Telephone — 14% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 20% responded “Very important.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 61% responded “Some freedom.”
Exposed to High Places — 19% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 36% responded “Less than half the time.”
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 25% responded “Less than half the time.”
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment — 52% responded “Every day.”
Level of Competition — 31% responded “Moderately competitive.”
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting — 46% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles — 33% responded “Less than half the time.”
Spend Time Walking and Running — 25% responded “About half the time.”
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 36% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance — 34% responded “Less than half the time.”
Outdoors, Under Cover — 26% responded “Every day.”
Deal With External Customers — 23% responded “Important.”
Letters and Memos — 33% responded “Never.”

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
Not available	High school diploma or equivalent
Not available	Less than high school diploma

Credentials

Interests

All 3 displayed

Interest code: RCI Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

All 16 displayed

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Work Values

All 3 displayed

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Related Occupations

All 10 displayed

37-3013.00	Tree Trimmers and Pruners
47-4061.00	Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
47-5012.00	Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Bright Outlook
47-5022.00	Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
47-5081.00	Helpers–Extraction Workers
49-3043.00	Rail Car Repairers
51-4023.00	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-9012.00	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
53-4022.00	Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
53-7071.00	Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2020)	$22.78 hourly, $47,380 annual
State wages
Local wages	ZIP Code:

Employment (2020)	43,100 employees
Projected growth (2020-2030)	Much faster than average (15% or higher)
Projected job openings (2020-2030)	6,600
State trends

Top industries (2020)	Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data external site and 2020-2030 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

Sources of Additional Information

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American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

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