ConstructionO*NET: 47-5012.00
Will AI Replace Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
76out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
76/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
- ▸Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
- ▸Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- ▸Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (2)
- Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
- Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
- Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.
⚡AI-Assisted (11)
- Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
- Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
- Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
- Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
- Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
Key Skills Analysis
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.38/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.25/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 76/100. 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