ConstructionO*NET: 47-5013.00
Will AI Replace Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?
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.
77out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
77/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
12
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- ▸Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- ▸Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- ▸Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (2)
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
⚡AI-Assisted (7)
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- 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.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 77/100. 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