Drilling Fluids Representatives know everything about the drilling fluids that are critical to a drilling operation. These fluids keep the drill bit cool and clean, carry cuttings up from the wellbore and ensure the drill doesn’t get stuck. A Drilling Fluids Representative’s mastery of mud, math, motion and molecules allows oil and gas wells to function safely and efficiently.

What a typical day looks like:

Drilling Fluids Representatives make sure the drilling fluids used in an oil and gas well are the best ones for the job. They start by gathering information about the ground formation and drilling pressure that is being used during that day’s drilling. They evaluate this information against their knowledge of chemistry and density to make sure the best combination of drilling fluids are being used (e.g., muddy, salty [brine] or oily [invert]).

Drilling Fluids Representatives test the fluids and maintain and calibrate the equipment required to apply them. During a drilling job, they also analyze drilling fluids, ensure compliance with applicable safety codes and policies, identify drilling problems and propose solutions. They are also responsible for preparing daily reports and maintaining the inventory on drilling fluid stocks.

Throughout the operation, Drilling Fluids Representatives test the fluids and maintain and calibrate the necessary test equipment to ensure compliance. They advise crews on the safe handling and use of drilling fluids and provide expert advice on the proper disposal of waste fluids. They may also coordinate with Solids Control Technicians to ensure that drilling fluids are being properly cleaned for re-use.

People in this role should expect a good deal of travel to remote locations in both onshore and offshore environments. Typically employed in the oil and gas services sector of the oil and gas industry, they don’t mind working outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions.

The kinds of problems Drilling Fluids Representatives solve at work:

Drilling Fluids Representatives need to understand the chemistry and density of different drilling fluids in order to be able to understand and predict how they will perform under certain pressures and in different ground formations. During the drilling process, they use this knowledge to identify potential problems with the drilling and suggest different fluids to be used to correct the issue. Throughout the process, they make calculations and recommendations to ensure that proper drilling and well control procedures are followed.

Skills used most on the job:

Drilling Fluids Representatives have a strong understanding of chemistry, mathematics and computers. They also must have strong active listening skills and keen attention to detail. Drilling Fluids Representatives are the quality control analysts onsite, so their judgement and decision making skills are vital to the operation.

Drilling Fluids Representatives work alongside the drilling crew to ensure the drilling fluid used on an oil or gas well site meets all the required specifications for the type of well in development and is compatible with the oil or gas formations being drilled. They are the experts when it comes to the best fluids to complete the job.

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