Roustabout

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

• become a crane driver on an oil or gas rig
• train more to become an offshore drilling worker
• train to fix underwater pipes as a commercial diver

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• problem-solving skills
• physical fitness and endurance
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of public safety and security
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• complete basic offshore safety induction and emergency training
• be over 18 years of age
• have an offshore medical certificate

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Engineering - Roustabouts work directly with heavy drilling equipment, pumps, and mechanical systems on oil and gas rigs. Understanding engineering principles helps them maintain, prepare, and assist in repairing the complex machinery used in offshore drilling operations.
• Design and Technology - Roustabouts use tools and work with their hands every day – repairing equipment, checking pipes, and operating lifting gear. Practical skills in using, maintaining, and understanding how mechanical systems are put together are central to the role.
• Physics - Roustabouts need to understand forces, pressure, and mechanics when operating lifting gear, handling heavy loads, and working with drilling equipment. Knowledge of how fluids behave under pressure is also relevant when checking pipes for leaks.
• Mathematics - Roustabouts use maths when calculating load weights for lifting operations, reading pressure gauges, and measuring pipe dimensions. Being confident with numbers helps them carry out safety checks and follow technical instructions accurately.

Also relevant

• Physical Education - Roustabouts need excellent physical fitness and endurance to work long shifts in demanding conditions, often outdoors and at height. The role involves heavy lifting, climbing, and sustained physical effort over 10–12 hour days.
• Chemistry - Roustabouts work around oil, gas, and various industrial chemicals on a daily basis. Understanding the properties of these substances – including how they behave under different conditions – helps them work safely and recognise potential hazards.
• Geography - Roustabouts work in the offshore energy sector, which is closely tied to where natural resources are found and how they are extracted. Understanding geology, ocean environments, and weather patterns gives useful context for the conditions they work in.