Captains of industry

The pivotal role of well-site supervisor in the successful drilling of an oil or gas well is described. In general, the well-site supervisor is the ultimate authority on the job-site; although often a contract employee, he represents the exploration and production companies, in contrast to the rig manger, commonly known as the tool push, who supervises the drilling staff. Well-site supervisors generally live at the drilling location, working for two-to-three week stretches with a week off to recuperate. They supervise anywhere from six to thirty-five people, depending on the activities conducted at the site ant any given time. They tend to be veterans of the industry, with vast experience on virtually all rungs of the oilfield employment ladder, well versed in all relevant machinery, people, the natural environment and the behaviour of underground geological forces. They have to be computer-literate; people skills also invariably rank high among the list of qualifications. Although the job is not taught in schools, well-site supervisors are certified in multiple skills, including well control, well service blow-out prevention, first aid, CPR, transportation of dangerous goods, workplace hazardous materials information systems, hydrogen sulfide rescue, surface casing minimum requirements, energy application and schedules development, and well abandonment. Major oil companies have their own well-site supervisors, but the industry-wide trend is outsourcing for expert help through engineering firms