Mudlogger
Mudloggers collect and monitor information from drilling operations. This includes drilling data, gas and samples. They use a range of equipment and laboratory techniques, such as binocular microscopes, ultraviolet fluorescence and thin section analysis, and also monitor the following drilling parameters:
Mudloggers usually work in oil field drilling operations on rigs and are contracted to an oil company via a service company. They feed information and advice back to the drilling team for operational purposes, which are then reported back to the oil company. Less commonly they work in water well and mineral exploration.
Mudloggers are also known as logging geologists, mudlogging geologists or mudlogging technicians. Mudlogging is also known as hydrocarbon well logging.
Tasks typically involve:
Most mudloggers hold a degree in geology, but relevant degree subjects also include physical/mathematical/applied science and engineering. Joint degrees with geology (sedimentology) are also acceptable. In particular, the following subjects may increase your chances:
The minimum entry requirement is usually a degree as it provides the necessary scientific understanding. However, HNDs in geology or similar subjects are accepted by some companies, particularly if coupled with relevant practical experience.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed.
While pre-entry experience is not essential, vacation work and practical experience in the industry will improve your chances of finding employment.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
English is the accepted international language of the oil business. Ability in other languages (principally French and German) can be useful.
In good years, major employers welcome speculative applications. Some advertise on major graduate recruitment websites. Recruitment can vary between no positions advertised at all to hundreds available in any one year.
A high level of health and fitness is also required and this is assessed by a stringent medical to international standards. Some forms of colour blindness and levels of deafness can rule out applicants, though this is rare. If you have questions about your own situation, contact an employer before making your application.
The working conditions of exploration and production may prove very difficult for graduates with certain physical disabilities, but there are equivalent opportunities in shore-based work like seismic analysis, geology and process engineering.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training varies from company to company but will almost certainly involve a course in general oil well drilling. This will cover:
Training in computer systems, such as the advanced logging system (ALS), is normally carried out on the job and outside work.
Mudlogging is sometimes seen as an entry point into the industry and regarded as an ideal position from which to gain knowledge and observe the practices and operation of an oil rig. However, some companies employ senior mudloggers who have been in the profession for years.
There is no professional institution accreditation associated with mudlogging. It sometimes leads on to more senior work in the oil industry, for which professional institution accreditation does exist.
Safety and survival training is obligatory and varies depending on location. In the case of working in UK waters, the BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) Offshore Survival Certificate takes three to five days to complete and is valid for four years. The course covers first aid, survival at sea, general safety and environmental awareness. Participants must pass an underwater helicopter escape course, which involves submersion and escape from an upturned helicopter simulator. Subsequent refresher courses are mandatory.
The Energy Institute offers training programmes in various aspects of the oil and gas industry. For more information, see Energy Institute Training .
Larger multinational companies tend to offer better conditions and opportunities to progress.
Some mudloggers progress to data engineer/crew chief, a senior member of the mudlogging crew. Whereas a mudlogger collects the rock samples and analyses them, the data engineer/crew chief monitors the drilling and collates and analyses the data. Mudloggers typically serve two to three years before being promoted to this role. The job is largely sedentary and requires 12-hour shifts at a computer terminal for the duration of the two-week spell offshore. There is considerable responsibility to maintain the safety of the well. The data engineer/crew chief is expected to be able to retrieve data and field questions from oil company representatives on all relevant parameters and events related to the drilling operations.
There are ex-mudloggers in all positions throughout the drilling industry. Some opt for related oil careers such as directional drilling or wellsite geology. Others leave to gain an MSc or PhD leading to more specialist careers. Occasionally, mudloggers enter areas such as human resources and marketing in the oil industry.
The exploration and extraction business is worldwide and many of the jobs are based overseas. Major employers recruit internationally with many applicants coming from the United States and Europe, so UK graduates are competing with nationals of other countries. Smaller mudlogging companies may also recruit globally, although there is a tendency to recruit locally where possible.
When there is a demand for oil exploration, the demand for mudloggers is correspondingly high and you may be able to find work anywhere in the world. However, the oil industry is strongly affected by economic and political trends.
In the extraction phase, recruitment, training patterns and job titles will vary from company to company. In particular, some employers do not distinguish at entry level between petroleum, drilling and support engineering. Instead, they prefer to recruit people with wide potential and deploy them after training where individual preference and company need coincide.
Many companies, particularly the larger ones, welcome speculative applications as they do not always advertise their vacancies.
Recruitment agencies are not widely used in this area, but for information on specialist recruitment agencies handling vacancies in oil exploration services, visit the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) website.
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