The driller is a professional person who possess current knowledge and skills. He doesn't just drill the hole. He knows what it's for, advises his crew what the job involves, observes and corrects drilling practices that could affect the job's progress, reports additional information to that required, plans the drilling operation to make the best use of available funds and machinery, works as a team member with geologists or engineers and provides them with advice on all drilling matters.
Ideally, the driller possess a certain flexibility to adjust the drilling practices to fit in with any changes. The may include the use of alternative methods and equipments or more careful control over the drilling and sampling procedures. The driller operates the drill rig, adjusting speed and feed to meet various insitu conditions.

Consequently, drillers need to be able to think as well as being able to use equipment. The mental skills that come from practical knowledge are even more important than the practical skills of handling the equipment. Every driller is the operator and manager of his own drill rig as well as the technician, mechanic and organiser.  

The broad range of skills gained by an experience driller are listed below:

• Operating Skills
• Drill Rig
• Ancillary Equipment
• Vehicles
• Technical Skills
• Drilling
• Mechanical
• Hydraulics
• Electrical
• Welding
• Fitting
• Plumbing
• Engineering
• Geological
• Managerial and organisational Skills
• Planning
• Controlling
• Checking
• Problem Solving
• Instructing
• Ingenuity
• Persistence

A drillers assistant or trainee driller does not have this full range of skills and therefore has a requirement for training. Most drillers will also find training needs in many areas.

In summary the driller is everything from cook to project manager. He accepts a high level of responsibility and consultancy makes decisions. His knowledge and skills coupled with drive, initiative and persistence are always in high demand. From
the profile outlined it is easy to understand why drillers are the backbone of the industry. No drilling project could be effectively commenced or completed without experienced drillers. They are the key people in the industry.

Next month we will continue this series as to how these drilling persons drill a pilot hole with a emphasis to details of functions of major components of a drilling rig and well design and construction features.