Will “Churn Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Churn Drill Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #488 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

Job Description

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,240.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
Currently, there are 18,500 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Churn Drill Operator”

Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Fabricate well casings.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Design well pumping systems.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.

Related Technology & Tools

Digital video cameras
Lube guns
Grout pumps
Tablet computers
Power augers
Mud guns
Truck-mounted water pumps
Truck mounted cranes
Rotary drilling tools
Air rotary drills
Adjustable combination wrenches
Trenchers
Cable tool drills
Pipe retrieval fishing tools
Precision levels
Desanders
Backhoe-equipped tractors
Mud mixers
Bobcats
Downhole well testing equipment
Water monitoring samplers
Personal computers
Mud balances
Submerged arc welding tools
Drill pipe tongs
Water test kits
Drilling collars
Alternating current AC generators
Marsh funnels
Water sampling bailers
Field forklifts
Chain slings
Mud pumping equipment
Shale shakers
Mud rotary drills
Handheld remote thermometers
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Core drill rigs
Portable air compressors
Water level meters
Laptop computers
Water logging tools
Work trucks
Earth drilling machines
Downhole hammers

Global positioning system GPS software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Data entry software