84101

Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators

TEER 4 — High-school diploma or several weeks of training

Express Entry skill level: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural resources & agriculture

8 › 84 › 841 › 8410

Definition

Oil and gas well drilling workers operate drilling and service rig machinery as intermediate members of the rig crew. Oil and gas well services operators drive trucks and operate specialized hydraulic pumping systems to place cement in wells or to treat wells with chemicals, sand mixtures or gases to stimulate production. They are employed by drilling and well service contractors and by petroleum producing companies.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Oil and gas well drilling workers
Use specialized equipment, information and maps to determine and document the location of buried pipelines and other utilities in preparation for seismic exploration and drilling activities
Align and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem from platform on rig derrick during removal and replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill bit
Operate and maintain drilling mud systems and pumps during drilling, and mix mud, chemicals and additives
Record mud flows and volumes and take samples
Operate and maintain drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions and other mechanical equipment
Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs
Supervise floorhands and labourers.
Oil and gas well services operators
Drive well services truck to well site
Assemble pumping equipment and attach pumps and hoses to wellhead
Operate hydraulic pumping systems to pump chemicals, gases, sand, cement or other material into well
Read gauges to monitor pressure, density, rate and concentration and adjust pumping procedure as required
May mix chemicals and cements.

Example job titles

•acidizer - oil field services
•blender operator - oil field services
•control room operator - offshore drilling
•derrickhand
•motorhand - oil and gas drilling
•offshore drilling rig technician
•oil well cementer - oil field services
•pumper operator - oil field services

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, NOC 84101 designates oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators. Classified under TEER 4, these workers perform essential duties on drilling and service rigs, including operating pumps, handling and aligning drill pipes, casing and tubing, and assisting with the setup, transit, and dismantling of rig structures. Standard positions under this NOC include derrickhands, motorhands, and floorhands, who play a critical role in the extraction and maintenance operations of Canada’s energy sector.

While TEER 4 occupations are typically excluded from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry, candidates working under NOC 84101 have viable pathways to Canadian permanent residency. Key programs include the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), and specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams targeting semi-skilled energy sector workers. Eligibility for these pathways generally requires a valid job offer, secondary school education, and language proficiency equivalent to at least CLB 4.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute official legal or immigration advice. For specific guidance on Canadian immigration programs, consult IRCC or a licensed immigration professional.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

Commonly confused codes

83101Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers 85111Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.