Explore careers

Useful experience for drillers includes:

• operating machinery
• driving heavy vehicles
• construction industry work
• electrical work
• engineering or general labouring.

Drillers may do some or all of the following:

• dismantle, move, and assemble drilling rigs and machinery
• oversee assembly of the drilling tools
• operate drilling and hoisting equipment
• weld machinery
• operate pumps to expel air, water, and mud from holes being drilled
• take samples of soil, ore, liquids, and gases
• maintain, repair, oil and clean machinery
• keep written records of drill depths
• ensure the plant and its equipment are operating safely.

Low demand for oil and gas drillers

Opportunities for oil and gas drillers (hydrocarbon drillers) are decreasing. This is due to:

• low global prices for oil and gas
• limits on opening new oil and gas fields in New Zealand.

Opportunities for drillers in construction, coal and goldmines may increase

Opportunities for drillers in the coal industry have been poor due to coal mine closures. However, demand for drillers who work in construction, coal and goldmines is predicted to increase. This is due to:

• new mines and quarries opening because of expected price rises for coal and gold
• drillers leaving for higher paid work in Australia
• drillers leaving the job due to its high physical demands
• a continuing construction boom, which means drillers are needed to work in quarries and on building sites
• an ageing workforce, which means many drillers will retire soon.

According to the Census, 873 drillers and 129 driller assistants worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

A wide range of businesses employ drillers, including:

• oil, gas, and geothermal exploration companies
• geotechnical agencies, to monitor earth movements
• construction companies
• firms that drill water bores or wells
• mining and quarrying companies.

Energy Skills Association of New Zealand

(06) 757 5995 - sheree.long@psanz.org.nz - www.energyskills.co.nz

MITO

0800 882 121 - www.mito.org.nz

Drillers may progress to set up their own drilling business, or move into management roles, such as toolpusher or rig superintendent.

• Mine/quarry manager job information

With further training, drillers may progress to become drilling engineers.

• Mining engineer job information

Drillers can specialise in a number of roles, including: 

Assistant Driller

Assistant drillers communicate instructions from the main driller to other drill workers to ensure the correct operation of the drill.

Bore Driller

Bore drillers drill for water.

Derrickman

Derrickmen control the top part of a drill from the derrick (high tower) on an oil or gas rig.

Hydrocarbon Driller

Hydrocarbon drillers drill for oil or gas both on and offshore.

Non-Hydrocarbon Driller

Non-hydrocarbon drillers drill holes in the ground for reasons other than discovering oil and gas. They might drill into the ground to locate water for a well, or into large rocks so explosives can be used to break them up, or at a construction site to help prepare foundations.

Drillers need to be:

• safety-conscious and able to remain calm in emergencies
• able to concentrate for long periods
• adaptable
• observant, with an eye for detail
• able to follow instructions.