Most commonly reported Work Activities

• 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 Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 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.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 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 of materials.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

The Work

Offshore drilling workers work in a variety of roles on oil or gas rigs. You could be working as a driller, assistant driller or a derrickman. You’ll be looking after the drill and other tools used to explore and extract gas and oil from a well.

As a derrickman, you usually work 20 to 25 metres above the rig floor on a platform attached to the derrick (the mast that supports the drilling equipment). You work under the supervision of the driller and assistant driller.

As a driller, you supervise the drilling team and control the rate of drilling. Your work in this highly skilled role would include:

• controlling operations on the drill floor
• overseeing assembly of the drilling tools, and connecting sections of the drill pipe
• operating and controlling the machinery that raises and lowers the drill
• keeping records of the drilling process
• making sure the whole team follows health and safety rules

As an assistant driller, it’s your job to coordinate the activities on the drill floor, for example by passing on instructions and information from the driller to the rest of the drilling team.

In this job, you’ll often be working away from home for weeks at a time. The job can be physically demanding so a good level of physical fitness is important. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
• Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
• Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
• Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
• Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
• Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
• Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
• Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
• Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
• Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Derrickman employment & career entry pathways are mainly drawn from engineer & maritime careers. Pathways into maritime careers can be varied from shipping staff to enginering IMDO  or Bord Iascaigh mhara Fishing & crewing pathways 

Key Skill certs 

-Banksman/ slinger for communicaiton & signalling with work team 

-Safepass 

-Manual Handling

-Fire Sea safety & Occupational First Aid

These Key skill certs may be available at low or no cost Search our FET Coursefinder

Training & Development 

-MIST: OPITO Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) is an introductory safety training programme that introduces new starters to the oil and gas industry

An NFQ level 5 qualification and experience in Engineering improves options of applying for roles in offshore careers regulated by HSA health & safety authority 

The role of Derickman/ Derrickhand is physically intensive and predominently offshore along with Roughneck drilling suport roles OPTIO offshore safety standards MIST & drilling certs will be sought by employer for roles in offshore careers.

A foundation knowledge in Engineering may be of benefit to you in the Derrickman role, as you work fits in to other Engineering work in your team. 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering & manufacturing operations NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder 

FET Centre PLC course: Preliminary Engineering & Engineering Technology NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Engineering & Geo Drilling Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €72k

Salary based on UK figures. Salaries vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Reed/ Salary explorer/ NCS UK / Morgan McKinley/ Salary expert

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong five-year annual average employment growth rate, the numbers employed declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. Over half (55%) were employed in the professional activities sector with the remainder spread across industry and other sectors. The number of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly (and remained strong in the first five months of 2023) in roles including electrical, mechanical, automation, and validation engineers. There is evidence in the Recruitment Agency Survey of difficulties in filling vacancies for roles in electrical, automation, mechanical, and environmental health & safety (EHS) engineers.

Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills data highlight issues with sourcing mechanical, automation and process engineers, with project management, Lean Six Sigma, and CAD/AutoCAD skills in particular demand for these roles. Despite a 3% fall in 2022, this occupation was amongst the most frequently mentioned in online job adverts. Overall demand for this occupation may moderate, although this may be offset by any increase in the extension of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5 technologies to more traditional manufacturing sectors and smaller sized companies; in addition, increased activity associated with the generation of green energy (mechanical/electrical) will also drive demand for these skills. As such, difficulty in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced engineers is expected to continue, albeit in smaller numbers.

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Offshore Operators Association (IOOA)

  • Click Here