You have the training – now get your act together

Published in Blowout  February 1992
Leroy McGregor

CLANGING metal, shouted orders, indescribable filth and regular accidents … to outsiders, a drill-floor operation seems like a scene from Armageddon. It is sad to reflect that of those who hire, supervise, fire and harass drill crews, many have never swung a tong with feeling.
Being part of a five-man team who can move one-ton lengths of steel with precision, skill and grace, can be a spiritually uplifting experience. By working together and covering each other’s weaknesses you gain respect for the rest of the crew and a unique insight into the fundamentals of “making hole”.
The job you learn on the drill floor would be a great apprenticeship for further responsibilities with a service company, in the office or as an oil company representative. If people with practical drill-floor experience were given wider responsibility in their industry they could avert many accidents and eliminate much dubious expenditure.
In the real world, the drilling hand must keep his mouth shut or quit. To quit in favour of a company which knows how to treat a skilled man is a time-honoured tradition. Unfortunately this tradition relates to an industry where there is genuine competition from contractors to employ the “good hands”.
To quit the drilling industry altogether is a popular career decision which keeps many office boys and girls in regular work. This choice will leave you feeling frustrated and defeated.
To stay in the kitchen and keep your mouth shut requires a great deal of self-control and I have every respect for those who can do it. Unfortunately, human psychology can take only so much pressure and the frustrations you bottle up on the job have to come out, often on the beach. Often with catastrophic results for your marriage and your life.
Our employers, the drilling contractors and their employers the oil companies, act collectively on matters which affect them collectively. This is strictly against oil industry traditions concerning free competition.
Having tried to look at every possibility for recovering the loss of prestige which my trade suffered in 1986, I would be glad to read about anyone else’s suggestions. If you have any ideas about how we can influence the powers that be in our industry, write to Blowout.

As a member of a drill crew you have been trained to act collectively. We have a duty to act collectively and take no more shit.

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