ConstructionO*NET: 47-5011.00
Will AI Replace Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas?
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
75out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
75/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
15
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- ▸Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- ▸Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- ▸Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (2)
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
⚡AI-Assisted (10)
- 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.
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Management of Personnel ResourcesAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.88/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 75/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research