Oil Field Trash Roughneck Tales From The Rig Floor - Greig Grey

Descriere

nJohn Q. Public fills his tank without a thought as to how the gas got there. Here's the story Johnny-of the Oil Field Trash, tearing through formations, pubs, and rig-rides, in search of black gold, so that you can swipe that plastic and get back on the road. Sociologists claim they're a subculture, but you may not want to tell them that. They might rip off your head, or buy you a beer. Ride along with Greig and his fellow roughnecks, risking life and limb in the most physically demanding industry outside of professional sports. The perils are often higher as the boys blow off steam away from the rig: dodging beer bottles, law men, and frenzied locals as the Oil Field Trash invades their turf. The tool-pusher frequently doubled as a bail bondsman, rescuing a hand or a whole crew from the clutches of law after a night of taking things a little too far. So, do you think that you want to be a roughneck? Here's an excerpt from the book, detailing what you'll be facing in your new career. No oilman ever forgets his first day, and it is their one common bond; everyone started out as a worm. It should be noted that worm is an actual job title for a vital position on a crew. Weevil is a more accurate title for a new guy: a greenhorn. Training is the scourge of any profession and it was no different in the oil patch. Weevils were thrown in head first, baptized in salt brine and pipe dope-educated on the fly while makin' hole. The chain-hand is saddled with most of the schooling, and he knows all too well that the new guy will probably not be back tomorrow. Orientation was kept to a minimum until the prospect shows signs that he's got the sand to make a hand. A weevil is introduced to the make up tongs first: slabs of iron the size of a half-grown alligator-basically pipe wrenches controlled by the driller-for tightening or breaking out pipe. Then on to the rest of his primary tools: 170 pound drill pipe slips, collar slips, wedding bands, collar subs, elevators, sledge hammers, 48s, 24s, grease guns, scrub brushes, and a worm rod. He is told the basics: Stand here. Don't stand there. This will kill you. That will maim you. Push on this. Pull on that. Push harder! Pull harder! Make 'em bite worm! The physical demand is the first hurdle to jump. A drilling day is easy money for an experienced hand but will eat most new guy's lunch. Grappling with the tongs, wrestling the kelly, and jerking the slips. The noise and surroundings are mentally and physically overwh