What will you do?
The role is also known as a driller, borehole technician or drilling fluids technician. You install the drilling structure, check the safety devices, prepare the drilling mud and drill the ground. You clean the boreholes, seal and reinforce the well walls, place casing and monitor the drilling and pumping parameters.
- Install the drilling structure and check the safety devices
- Prepare the drilling mud and drill the ground
- Clean the boreholes and lubricate the drill bit
- Seal and reinforce the walls of the well
- Place casing in the borehole
- Monitor the drilling and pumping parameters
- Report deviations and production faults
Skills to develop
- Physically fit for demanding outdoor work
- Careful monitoring of drilling and pumping parameters
- Ability to work safely with heavy drilling equipment
- Environmental awareness on and around the site
- Willingness to work in shifts, including offshore or onshore
Your foundation for this occupation
This broad group covers drilling and extraction installations; water extraction differs greatly from oil or gas projects. Ask about medium, plant and assigned duty. Process or drilling education provides background, while project training defines your work. Offshore roles may need additional selection and training.
From preparation to your first day
Develop the practical skills
Read assignments and maintain plant and process records accurately. Under supervision, recognise normal and unusual trends without exceeding instructions. Make handovers clear about reading, time and follow-up. Continuous work depends on communication between crews.
Check your work
Check records and report unclear readings or material issues. Observation is not permission to alter settings or components. Ask how authority, supervision and escalation work. Explain factual reporting of a technical deviation at interview.
How can you grow?
Specialise in equipment, monitoring or coordination. Compare onshore and offshore rotation, travel, accommodation and training. A Belgian employer does not imply a Belgian worksite; clarify location and schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Are water drilling and oil or gas extraction the same job?
Not in practice. Some terminology overlaps, but plants, media, conditions and requirements differ. Choose training and vacancies by the actual activity rather than the broad title.