Service-Unit Operator, Oil Well Job Description:

Operates equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells, or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells, using specialized subsurface tools and instruments: Directs Sample-Taker Operator (petrol. & gas) to assemble and connect pipe and hydraulic lines of flushing equipment to wellhead. Starts pumps which circulate water, oil, or other fluid through well, removing sand and other materials obstructing free flow of oil. Perforates well casing or sidewall of borehole with explosive charge [Perforator Operator, Oil Well (petrol. & gas)]. Assembles and lowers detection instruments into wells having drill pipe, drilling tools, or other obstructions wedged in well. Interprets instrument readings to ascertain depth of obstruction. Directs lowering of specialized equipment to point of obstruction and pushes switches or pulls levers to back-off pipe by chemical or explosive action, or to sever pipe at point of obstruction, permitting recovery of pipestring and resumption of drilling operations. Assembles and operates sound wave generating and detecting mechanisms for determining fluid level in wells. May operate hoist to lower and raise tools [Hoist Operator (petrol. & gas)].