| RIG |
Any offshore (or land based) drilling unit, including SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE, JACKUP, BARGE-BASED or PLATFORM BASED. |
| BOAT JOB |
Employment on a tugboat, workboat, crewboat, pipeline barge, anchor barge or other vessel. |
| GALLEY |
Kitchen/dining room (canteen) aboard a rig or any vessel. |
| BR HAND |
Bedroom Hand. Housekeeping position inside the accommodation quarters of a rig or vessel. |
| TOOLPUSHER |
Also known as the OIM (Offshore Installation Manager). The BOSS of a rig. |
| TOUR |
A work shift. |
| TOURPUSHER |
The person in charge of all outside operation during his (usually 12 hour) tour. |
| HITCH |
Time aboard a rig or vessel. |
| ROUGHNECK |
Someone working on the drilling floor of the rig. Directed by the driller. |
| DRILLER |
Operates the drilling machinery on the drilling floor. |
| BARGE ENGINEER / BARGE CAPTAIN |
Person in charge of operations regarding rig stability and maintenance |
| MUD |
Fluid circulated down the well being drilled. |
| ROUSTABOUT |
General labourer on a rig. |
| SHAKER |
Mechanically separates solids from mud. |
| COMPANY MAN |
Overseas drilling operations for the oil / gas company |
| HAND |
Anyone working on a rig or vessel. |
| JEETCHET |
“Did you eat yet” |
| MAKIN’ HOLE |
Drilling |
| GUMBO ATTACK |
Gumbo clay returning up to the top of the well. |
| BLOWOUT |
Uncontrolled pressure from the well. |
| B.O.P. |
Blowout preventer |
| GROCERY BOX |
Large container brought to offshore rig via a boat. Usually containing groceries and/or supplies. |
| FISHERMAN |
Someone who retrieves stuck oil tools from downhole. |
| DOWNHOLE |
Beneath the surface of the well. |
| ANCHOR BOAT |
Configures anchors to stabilize semi-submersible rigs or “floaters”. |
| PLATFORM |
Stationary offshore gas/oil production facility. |
| PIPELINE BARGE |
Vessel used for constructing offshore pipelines. |
| OIL TOOLS |
Any drilling bit or other special tool to drill or configure a well. |
| BREAKIN’ OUT |
A new hand on a rig doing a good job. “He’s breakin’ out”. |
| SERVICE HAND |
Anyone who temporarily arrives on a rig or vessel, to perform a specific job. |
| SERVICE COMPANY |
Well service companies associated with drilling or other operations. |
| LOGGING |
Gathering data from down hole. |
| SUMBITCH |
“Sonofabitch”. |
| THE BEACH |
Land..........solid ground! (home, for instance) |
| THE YARD |
Operation base of rig/ vessel. (Port of operation) |
| BARGE RIG |
Vessel that can operate in shallow (inland) water. |
| JACKUP |
A rig supported by legs. |
| FLOATER |
Other name for a Semi-submersible rig. |
| OFFICE PUKE |
A person working in the office of a drilling or boat company. |
| RIG PIG |
Also known as “Oilfield Trash”. Person who works on a rig or any oilfield job. |
| OILFIELD |
Refers to anything related to Oil/Gas industry. |
| MOTORMAN |
Engineer who maintains the diesel engines that powers a rig. |
| OIL PATCH |
Refers to Oil- or Gasfield. |
| WATERWELL |
Pump which draws up seawater for use on rig or vessel. |
| BACK TO BACK |
Person doing your job during your time off. |
| BOND |
Shop on the rig where you can buy items |
| CHANGE OVER |
Change of shift |
| GREENHAND |
A person that has just started working on any oil rig. |
| OIL RIG TIGHT |
Normally the answer you get, when asked "How tight do you want the bolt?". Extremely tight! |
| PLASTIC YANK |
Gaining the accent and mannerisms of Americans after working with them for a while |
| SMOKO |
Morning/Afternoon tea breaks. |
| SMOKO SHACK |
Tea break room (Two types: One for smokers, one for non-smokers) |
| TAG LINE |
A rope, tied to the lifting rope, to control it (prevent swaying) |
| TRIP |
The length of time on the rig (eg. 3 weeks, 27 days etc.) |
| TIGHT HOLE |
Keeping information a secret about what has been found, whilst drilling |
| ON TOUR |
Normally a 12 hour shift on the rig |
