What You'll Do

  • Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
  • Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
  • Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
  • Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
  • Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools.
  • Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
  • Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
  • Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
  • Supervise oil pumpers and other workers engaged in producing oil from wells.
  • Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 4.0/5
Operation and Control 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.12/5
Troubleshooting 3.12/5
Repairing 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Active Listening 2.88/5
Reading Comprehension 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Integrity, Initiative, Self-Control

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.5/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Control Precision 3.25/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.25/5
Reaction Time 3.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.12/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Moxa software Operational databases SAP software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.64/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.32/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.27/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.23/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.15/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Field Operator Gas Lease Pumper Gas Well Pumper Lease Attendant Lease Operator Oil Field Operator Oil Field Plant Operator Oil Field Pumper Oil Field Technician Oil Field Worker Oil Pumper Oil Well Pumper Oil Well Service Operator Oilfield Plant Operator Pumper Well Field Technician Well Head Pumper Well Tender Wellhead Pumper