TOOLPUSHER JOB DESCRIPTION

Tool Pusher, also known as a lead driller or rig manager, supervises all drilling operations
and manages the crew working in oil and rig fields. His role is mainly administrative and
includes working with the leading heads of various drilling departments. The toolpusher job
description integrates all the optimal responsibilities, knowledge of different oil drilling
technology, processes, and the prowess required to become one. Let’s first take a quick look
at his responsibilities;  

Working Environment
Because the drilling process can’t be stopped, the majority of toolpushers work 12 hours per
day, 7 days per week. Most toolpushers working for major oil & gas companies are remote,
working at offshore and international rig locations, which will force them to leave home for a
long time.

Tool Pusher Duties and Responsibilities

As a supervisor, a tool pusher primarily renders adequate guidance and direction to the rig
crew on specific tasks to ensure smooth and efficient drilling operations. He has full authority
to oversee all drilling activities and enforce productivity standards to meet. As a specialist, he
should perform the following Tool Pusher responsibilities.

 Administrates all drilling work practices and rig operations to ensure that all the
activities meet the performance criteria, contractual requirements, and mandatory
rules and regulations.
 Directs the drilling crew in rig moving operations; instructs the team to erect,
dismantle, and lift drilling rigs Types and ensures safe working conditions on the rig
site.
 Ensure employees have sufficient rig components, spare parts, and tools to continue
efficient operations.
 Manages and assists in setting up and operating power units, draw works, and other
drilling apparatus.
 The tool pusher should direct and coordinate the crew in mixing drilling and
circulating mud in the borehole and utilizing particular mud weight to avoid blowouts
from gas pressure.
 Orders installation of valve device and control head to regulate the flow of oil in the
drilling procedures.
 Controls oil and gas well cementing according to operational needs and makes sure
that all the significant equipment, tools, and resources are available.
 Ensures that the drill string tally is kept accurate and up to date. Also, Manages the
supplies deficiencies and keeps the senior drilling supervisor informed of the status of
such deprivations.
 Cooperate with the technical drilling engineers to maneuver a detailed maintenance
plan for the proper use of the drilling equipment.
  Tool Pusher also monitors subordinates’ day-to-day performance and makes sure their
progress meets up to the standard. Moreover, addresses attendance issues and makes
sure the crew is provided with appropriate tools and supplies.
 Do essential paperwork related to the rig crew, including the payroll, company
benefits, insurance, and related matters.
 Ensures that health and safety procedures are met and correct use of protective gears.
It includes completion of risk assessment where required and dealing with any
problems that arise.
 Leads the drilling meetings daily and plans for future operational activities related to
equipment, personnel, and logistics preferences.
 Optimizes a congenial working environment in which open communications can
occur within all drilling departments, with all heads or crews and third parties as
required.
 Tool pusher assures that all the participants properly understand all the inventory used
in the rig oilfield operations.
 Do recruiting, onboarding, and proper training of new hires in oil and rig departments
and conduct sessions to train them fully according to the requirements.
 Assists the other rig crew members, like the driller and derrickman, with the rig’s
effective operation and schedules their shifts and rotations.
 Ensures that project scope and goals are met within the approved budgets. Also,
initiates change in the pre-approved program if required.
 Report to the senior superintendent or OIM/Master daily and provide detailed
handover at the end of hitch or shift.

Tool pusher performs his management task efficiently if he properly understands the
following technical tools used in the oilfield drilling operations.

 Know how the components work in well control systems to optimize them according
to the customer’s need. Have a proper understanding of rig floor mud manifold, inside
bop, bop stack, choke & kill lines, bop accumulator, bop control manifold, etc.
 Have proper knowledge of drilling rig floor systems and rig components used in the
rig procedures.
 Aware of hoisting system components in drilling rig like crown block, traveling
block, top drive, rotary table, draw works, drilling line, deadline anchor.
 Understand the functions of drilling rig equipment used on the surface and in the
subsoil. It consists of drill pipe, casing, fluid system, cement, and drilling bit.
 Be aware of the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safety during
drilling activities. It includes safety glasses with side shields, hard hats, boots, and
protective gloves.
 As the Tool pusher’s duties are primarily administrative, he must also be familiarized
with office tools such as mobile phones, faxes, and computers.
 Have proper knowledge to set up an appropriate mechanism of prime movers,
transformers, DC Motor, digital driller console, sprockets, pulleys, power engines,
turbines, etc.
 Know about the functioning of mud circulatory system components of drilling rigs.
For instance, know the adequate functioning of mud pits, mud pumps, mud mixing
hoppers, mud pumps (high and low pressure), and shale shakers.
 Acknowledge the proper functioning of blowout preventers for monitoring the oil
and gas wells. Also, tool pusher should have a proper understanding of floor and
underwater equipment.
 Take significant measures in an emergency and know how to repair the equipment or
manage the alternatives.