What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Internal promotion from Roughneck with an indicative minimum of 2 years on an offshore drill floor, per contractor matrix.
- Valid fundamental/introductory well control (IADC WellSharp Fundamental or IWCF Level 2 — indicative per contractor).
- Work at height with rescue (OPITO or equivalent), BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS and offshore medical.
Basic STCW
- A-VI/1
- OPITO BOSIET
- Certified work at height
Specific courses
- Derrick escape and rescue; daily harness and fall-arrest inspection
- Drilling fluids: density, funnel viscosity, product mixing and compatibilities
- H2S safety and mud chemistry (sack handling, SDS, ventilation)
- Tripping communications with the Driller and hands-free discipline
Indicative experience
Indicative: 2-3 years as a Roughneck with completed tripping assessments; supervised monkey-board hours and mud-room competence set the promotion pace.
Observations
An industrial billet with no dedicated STCW certificate. Drilling ladder: Roustabout → Roughneck → Derrickman → Assistant Driller → Driller. On automated derricks (pipe handling) the role shifts towards systems-and-mud operator (indicative per unit).
What this role does
Works the derrick's monkey board, 25-30 metres above the floor, racking and presenting drill pipe during trips; when the derrick is idle, owns the mud room: densities, viscosities, mixing and transfer pumps. The job pairs critical work at height with control of the fluid that holds the well.
Typical watches
- 12 hour guards at height
Key responsibilities
- Work on the work platform (Monkey Board) at 25-40 meters high.
- Stacking and guiding drill pipes (drill pipe stands).
- Mud manifold operation and fluid control.
- Monitoring and maintenance of sludge circulation systems.
- Support in the management of the Blowout Preventer (BOP) when applicable.
Operational scope
- Monkey Board (altura)
- sludge room
- Circulation equipment
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.