WILLISTON, N.D. – Here is a look at what it takes to work on a drilling rig, with video courtesy of Ryan Babb and photos by Carrie Snyder, both of The Forum. This crew that I wrote about this weekend works on a rig that drills in the Williston area.
Mark Christensen, foreground, gets a hammer while Chris Green, center, and Joe Gilbert prepare for Green to be lifted in the safety chair.
Steven Mason, 20, of Weatherford, Okla., has been working as a floorhand near Williston, N.D., since February. He requested to work in North Dakota because the pay is higher.
Mark Christensen, left, and Chris Green are supported by safety harnesses while hooking up the kelly hose, a flexible, high-pressure hose.
One of Chris Green’s responsibilities as derrickhand is to mix chemicals used in the drilling mud.
Driller Robert Berryman, 43, of Tullos, La., has worked in the oil industry for 23 years.
