Who are the people in a typical drilling crew?
Roustabouts are often the youngest people in a drilling crew. They clean, maintain, and move equipment and help the other workers. Roustabouts want better jobs, so they work hard, listen carefully, and learn fast.
Roughnecks are like roustabouts, but they are more skilled. They work on the drilling floor. They connect the heavy drill pipes and put them into the hole, or they disconnect the pipes as they come up out of the hole.
The derrickman works high up on the monkey board about 25 metres above the floor. He guides the top part of the drill pipe. At other times, he helps the mud engineer (or 'mud man'): he checks the mud and maintains the pump. The mud must not be too thick or too thin, and the pump must keep working.
The driller supervises and trains the drilling crew, and he controls the drilling equipment. For example, he operates the motor that lifts the drill pipes. He controls the speed of the drill, which must not be too fast or too slow. On very modern rigs, the driller sits in a special driller's chair. The chair has joystick controls and display screens - like a computer game.
The rig manager or toolpusher is the most senior person in the drilling crew. He is usually the oldest and most experienced person too. He makes sure the crew has all the right equipment. He is responsible for their safety and for paperwork.
Ex.2. Choose the correct words. Explain your choices.
1. Roustabouts do ___________ work.
a skilled b hard c desk
2. Roughnecks usually prepare the ____________
a drill string b mud c hole
3. Derrickmen should wear ___________
a face guards b glasses c a safety harness
4 The driller helps the crew to _____________
a learn b clean equipment c lift things
5 The rig manager __________ new equipment.
a makes b repairs c orders
Vocabulary “Welding”
Read the text and look at the picture. Answer the questions.
1. What problems can arc rays cause?
2. What problems can smoke cause?
3. What problems can sparks cause?
4. Why is leather good for protection?
5. What do welders wear to protect their faces?
Welding is joining two pieces of metal together by making them very hot. One type of welding machine uses electricity to make a very hot spark called an arc. The arc melts the pieces of metal and they join together. Welding makes smoke, sparks, and a type of light called arc rays.
Welding hazards
• Sparks can cause fires.
• The electricity that makes the arc can also shock or burn you.
• Arc rays can burn skin (like sunburn) and eyes.
• Smoke can hurt your eyes, nose, and mouth. It can also cause problems with breathing.
Welding protection
Welders wear a helmet that protects their eyes and head. They also wear leather shoes and leather gloves to protect their hands and feet from sparks, arc rays, and hot metal. Leather is made from the skin of animas is very strong and it doesn't melt.
It's my job
Ex.1. Listen. Answer the questions.
1. Who does Joao work closely with?
2. What happens to the pipes before Joao welds them?
3. Who assembles the pipes after the welding?
4. What do the inspectors do after they inspect the pipes?
5. What three welding hazards does Joao mention?
Ex.2. Number the steps in order.
a) Inspectors inspect the pipes.
b) Pipe-fitters read the plans.
c) Workers paint the pipes.
d) Pipe-fitters prepare the pipes and put parts together.
e) Pipe-fitters assemble the pipes.
f) Welders join the sections of pipe.
Ex.3. Would you like to do Joao's job? Why / why not?
Listening “Welding hazards and precautions”
Ex.1. Look at the picture. Match the names with the parts.
a) gas cylinder
b) valve
c) regulator
d) cylinder cap
e) cart
Ex.2. Match each sign with a warning.
1. Don't drop the cylinder!
2. Be careful. Don't trip and fall.
3. Secure the gas cylinder.
4. This could explode.
5. Use the ventilation fan.
Ex.3. Listen to the health and safety officer talking to a team of welders and pipe-fitters. Number the welding hazards in the order you hear them.
a) gas cylinders d) smoke
b) arc sparks e) electric shock
c) arc rays f) trips and falls
Ex.4. Match each hazard (a-f) in 3 above with a precaution.
1. Weld dry.
2. Always move it safely.
3. Cover up skin and eyes.
4. No pockets!
5. Know the material we're welding.
6. Keep the work area clean and tidy.
Ex.5. Listen again. Tick (V) the pieces of safety equipment you hear.
1. safety glasses |
7. respirator |
2. welder's helmet |
8. boots |
3. face guard |
9. ventilation system |
4. gloves |
10. ear protectors |
5. cotton trousers |
11. safety harness |
6. welding jacket |
12. leather shoes |
Ex.6 What safety precautions do you take when you drive a car, or ride a motorcycle or bicycle?
It's my job
Ex.1. Dave Bristow, 22, is an instrument technician. He works on a production platform in the North Sea, off the east coast of the UK.
1. Which instruments do you think Dave uses?
2. Can you explain these verbs?
adjust; diagnose; inspect; install;
maintain; repair; solve; test;
3 Do you think Dave does all these things?
Ex.2. Listen to part 1 and check your answers to 1.
Ex.3. In part 2, Dave talks about life on the platform. Listen and complete the information. Use these words and numbers:
books |
TV |
comfortable |
12 |
7 |
2 |
good |
gym |
• weeks on and weeks off: _______ a on, ________ b off
• working hours per day: _______c
• working days per week: ________d
• free time: ________e, _______f , _______g small
• accommodation: ________ h, ________i
• food: ________j
Ex.4. Dave says 'For me, it's better than onshore work.'
Discuss the questions.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of offshore work?
2. Would you like Dave's job? Why / why not?