Table of Contents
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
The 52% risk score reflects the overall automation risk of your profession on a scale of 0–100. The higher the score, the more likely parts of your role could be handled by AI, increasing efficiency, but also raising the possibility of job disruption. Nearly all jobs include tasks that are automatable to some degree.
In this role, you rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole. Your job is considered Mid Risk for AI automation.
Below is your job's AI vulnerability profile with detailed breakdowns of tasks, knowledge areas, skills, and abilities. Each item includes AI risk scores and importance ratings to help you prioritize what to focus on. Plus, explore the technology section to see what tools and software you'll likely encounter in this role.
You're already ahead of the curve by checking your risk and exploring your options. This project goes beyond one role, we’re building a global job warning system to help everyone stay ahead of AI. By supporting our research, you’ll unlock your full job profile, including detailed risk breakdowns, trend alerts, and priority access to new research. Supporting our research not only gives you deeper insights into your own role, it helps us keep this project alive for millions of others navigating the future of work, but don't worry, if you are not ready to support us, we provide enough free insights to get you started.
In the meantime explore the sections below, and don't miss the What to do next? section for practical steps you can start today.
Jump to Section
On the job, you would
On-the-job activities and responsibilities that define your role. Each task is analyzed for automation potential and contributes to your overall AI risk assessment.
Inspecting derricks involves visual assessment and decision-making, which can be partially automated with AI and sensors, but human oversight is still crucial for safety and nuanced judgment.
Maintaining drilling equipment involves both inspection and physical maintenance tasks, which can be partially automated but still require human intervention for complex issues.
Controlling fluid viscosity and weight can be automated with AI systems that monitor and adjust parameters, though human oversight remains important for unexpected conditions.
Repairing pumps and related equipment requires hands-on skills and problem-solving, which are difficult to automate fully with current AI technology.
Setting and bolting crown blocks involves physical assembly tasks that require human precision and adaptability, limiting automation potential.
Listening to mud pumps and checking for issues can be partially automated with sensors and AI, but human judgment is needed for complex problem-solving.
Starting pumps and circulating mud can be automated to some extent with AI systems, but human oversight is necessary for monitoring and adjustments.
Positioning and aligning derrick elements require physical skills and adaptability, which are challenging to automate fully.
Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge and understanding required for your position. Knowledge areas are evaluated for AI replacement likelihood and factor into your risk score.
Administration and Management
2.68RiskAdministration and Management involve repetitive, data-driven tasks (e.g., scheduling, reporting, workflow automation) that AI can handle efficiently, while strategic decision-making remains partially human-centric.
Customer and Personal Service
2.36RiskThis domain includes both routine customer service tasks (automatable) and personal interaction needs (less automatable), with AI likely to handle 60% of potential automation in the next five years.
Personnel and Human Resources
2.37RiskPersonnel and Human Resources involves repetitive tasks like payroll, scheduling, and resume screening that AI can automate efficiently, with growing capabilities in data analysis and process optimization.
Production and Processing
2.15RiskProduction and Processing involve repetitive, structured tasks that AI can automate efficiently, such as quality control, data analysis, and workflow management.
Engineering and Technology
2.23RiskEngineering and Technology involve repetitive, data-driven tasks (e.g., coding, simulations, diagnostics) that AI can automate efficiently, with growing capabilities in complex problem-solving and system design.
Building and Construction
2.48While AI can automate repetitive tasks like scheduling, design, and drone inspections, complex decision-making, safety compliance, and on-site adaptability remain heavily reliant on human expertise.
Mechanical
3.58RiskMechanical tasks involve both routine (e.g., simulation, design) and complex (e.g., physical intuition, creative problem-solving) elements, with AI capable of automating data-driven aspects but limited in handling novel, non-repetitive challenges.
Mathematics
3.31RiskAI already excels in computational mathematics, theorem proving, and problem-solving, with further advancements likely to automate more complex tasks in the next five years.
Physics
2.41RiskPhysics involves repetitive tasks like data analysis, simulations, and mathematical modeling that AI can automate efficiently, though creative theory development remains a human-centric aspect.
Skills
Practical abilities and competencies you need to perform your job effectively. Skills are assessed for automation vulnerability and help determine your AI risk level.
Reading Comprehension
2.88Active Listening
3.25Writing
2.75Speaking
3.38Mathematics
2.38Critical Thinking
3.5Active Learning
2.75Learning Strategies
2.75Monitoring
3.38Abilities
Innate and learned capabilities that enable you to succeed in your role. Abilities are analyzed for AI replication potential and contribute to your overall risk assessment.
Oral Comprehension
3.25RiskOral comprehension involves nuanced understanding of speech, context, and tone, which AI is advancing but not yet fully automated in complex real-world scenarios.
Written Comprehension
2.75RiskWritten comprehension involves tasks like text analysis, summarization, and question-answering, which AI already excels at through advanced NLP models. These capabilities are likely to be fully automated within 5 years.
Oral Expression
3.38RiskOral Expression involves complex, context-dependent communication that requires nuance, adaptability, and real-time interaction, which current AI systems struggle to fully replicate, though some aspects like script generation may be automated.
Written Expression
2.75RiskWritten Expression involves nuanced understanding, creativity, and context, which AI can partially replicate but not fully, limiting automation potential in complex or original tasks.
Fluency of Ideas
2.38Fluency of Ideas involves complex, context-dependent creativity and adaptability that current AI lacks, even with advancements in generative models.
Originality
2.25Originality requires creative insight and novel synthesis of ideas, which AI currently lacks, though it may generate novel content based on patterns rather than true originality.
Problem Sensitivity
3.63Problem Sensitivity requires nuanced judgment, contextual understanding, and adaptability, which current AI systems lack. While AI can analyze data, true problem sensitivity involves human intuition, ethics, and creativity.
Deductive Reasoning
3.38RiskAI excels in structured deductive tasks but may struggle with complex, context-dependent reasoning requiring human intuition.
Inductive Reasoning
3.25RiskInductive reasoning involves pattern recognition and generalization, which AI already excels at through machine learning, with further advancements likely to enhance this capability in the next five years.
Technology Used
Tools, software, and technological systems you use in your work.
Expert Insights
Expert comments on the job, click on the expert to see their answers.
Loading expert insights...
Loading expert insights...
What to do next?
Your job faces a moderate automation threat. A few timely moves can put you back in the safe zone. Choose your strategy below:
Recommended for Mid Risk:
- • Upskill: Develop skills that complement AI rather than compete with it
- • Use AI: Master AI tools to increase your efficiency and value
- • Pivot Smart: Consider transitioning to roles that require human judgment and creativity
- • Stay Alert: Get notified of industry changes that could affect your role
Each tab contains curated resources designed to help you take the next step. More resources will be added over time.
Top Learning Platforms
Coursera
Unlimited access to 2,000+ courses from top universities.
LinkedIn Learning
Short, practical videos for on-the-job upskilling.
ADPList
Free global mentorship from experienced professionals in design, product, and tech.
Skillshare
Hands-on creative workshops to build your portfolio.
Udemy
Affordable deep dives on tech, leadership & more.
Top Learning Platforms
Coursera
Unlimited access to 2,000+ courses from top universities.
LinkedIn Learning
Short, practical videos for on-the-job upskilling.
ADPList
Free global mentorship from experienced professionals in design, product, and tech.
Skillshare
Hands-on creative workshops to build your portfolio.
Udemy
Affordable deep dives on tech, leadership & more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, a this role has a 52% AI risk score, which is considered mid risk. While some tasks in this role may be automated, the profession as a whole is moderately vulnerable from complete replacement. The key is understanding which specific aspects of your job are most vulnerable, some of which are shown on this page.
Want more detailed insights about your AI risk?
Get personalized recommendations, detailed task analysis, and ongoing AI risk monitoring with our premium insights.
Unlock Premium InsightsWill You Let AI Replace You?
Stay ahead of AI changes in your field. Get personalized updates about its impact on your career.
Join our community to receive curated insights about AI's impact on your role and industry.
Ad Space
This section is reserved for relevant ads or promotions.