GLOSSARY OF OILFIELD TERMS
RIG
Any offshore (or land based) drilling unit including SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE, JACKUP, BARGE-BASED or PLATFORM BASED.
BOAT JOB
Tugboat, workboat, crewboat, pipeline barge, anchor barge or other vessel-based employment.
GALLEY
Kitchen / dining room aboard a rig or vessel.
BR HAND (Bedroom hand)
Housekeeping position inside the living quarters of a rig or vessel.
TOOLPUSHER
Sometimes referred to as OIM (offshore installation manager) THE BOSSMAN of a rig.
TOUR
Your work shift
TOURPUSHER
In charge of all outside operation during his tour (usually 12 hours)
HITCH
Your time aboard a rig or vessel.
ROUSTABOUT
General labourer aboard a rig.
ROUGHNECK
Works on the drilling floor of the rig, directed by the driller.
DRILLER
Operates the drilling machinery on the drilling floor.
MUD
Drilling fluid circulated down the well being drilled.
BARGE ENGINEER / BARGE CAPTAIN
In charge of operations involving rig stability and maintenance
SHAKER
Mechanically separates solids from mud.
COMPANY MAN
Overseas drilling operations for the oil / gas company
HAND
Anyone working on a rig or vessel.
JEETCHET
“Did you eat yet”
MAKIN’ HOLE
Drilling
GUMBO ATTACK
Gumbo clay returning up to the top of the well.
BLOWOUT
Uncontrolled pressure from the well.
GROCERY BOX
Large container brought to offshore rig by boat containing groceries / supplies.
FISHERMAN
Specialist who retrieves stuck oil tools from downhole.
DOWNHOLE
Beneath the surface of the well.
ANCHOR BOAT
onfigures anchors to stabilize semi-submergible rigs or “floaters”
PLATFORM
Stationary offshore gas/oil production facility
PIPELINE BARGE
Vessel constructing offshore pipelines
OIL TOOLS
Any drilling bit or other special tool to drill or configure a well.
BREAKIN’ OUT
A new hand on a rig doing a good job. “He’s breakin’ out”
SERVICE HAND
Anyone who arrives on a rig or vessel temporarily to perform a specific job.
SERVICE COMPANY
Well service companies associated with drilling or other operations
LOGGING
Gathering data from down hole.
SUMBITCH
“Sonofabitch”
THE BEACH
Land..........anywhere! (home etc.)
THE YARD
Port or operations base for rig or vessel.
BARGE RIG
Operates in very shallow inland water.
JACKUP
A rig supported by legs.
FLOATER
Another name for a Semisubmersible rig.
OFFICE PUKE
One who works in the office of a drilling or boat company.
RIG PIG
Sometimes “Oilfield Trash” one who works on a rig or any oilfield job.
OILFIELD
Refers to anything related to Oil/Gas industry.
MOTORMAN
One who maintains the large diesel engines that power a rig.
WATERWELL
Pump which draws up seawater for use on rig or vessel.