Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Human Advantage 69%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.5 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As: Coiled Tubing Operator, Fishing Tool Operator, Gather Operator, Oil Processing Technician, Oil Well Fishing Tool Technician, Oil Well Service Operator, Oil Well Service Unit Operator, Oil and Gas Equipment Operator +22 more
Core Tasks
- 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.
Supplemental Tasks (7)
- 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.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on rigs, equipment, and other tools.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
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.
On-the-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.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (11)
Tools & Equipment (50)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Resource Extraction Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas You are here
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Architectural and Engineering Managers 74% match
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