Mudlogger

Mudloggers play a vital role in the drilling of oil and gas by gathering information from rock samples, circulated to the surface in drilling mud

As a mudlogger, you'll be part of the drilling team, monitoring and recording activity on the rig and providing crucial information about the status of a well. The data you collect and interpret (known as the mud log) helps geologists and engineers make important decisions about efficiency, safety and where to continue drilling.

You'll use a range of equipment and laboratory techniques, such as binocular microscopes, ultraviolet fluorescence and thin-section analysis, to create mud logs showing a geological record of the site being drilled.

Mudloggers are also sometimes known as logging geologists, mudlogging geologists or mudlogging technicians. The work is also called hydrocarbon well logging.

Types of mudlogging data

Drilling parameters that are monitored include:

• speed of rotation
• rate of penetration
• oil and gas shows (whether oil or gas is present)
• pit levels
• cutting rate
• mud-flow rate.

You’ll also make sure samples are collected at the right intervals and log any issues that come up during drilling.

Responsibilities

As a mudlogger, you'll need to:

• work in wellsite units collecting, processing, recording data in a well log and describing rock samples
• use various laboratory techniques to analyse samples
• monitor computer recordings of drillings
• interpret information and feed it back to the data engineer and drilling team to enhance safety and success
• operate and maintain a real-time computer-based data acquisition system, which records all aspects of rig activity
• undertake on-site maintenance when necessary
• play a key role in health and safety by constantly monitoring critical drilling parameters
• predict dangerous situations, such as over-pressured formations
• assist the wellsite geologist during coring operations
• provide written reports to the data engineer, drilling team and company.

Salary

• During training, salaries can be modest, at £20,000 to £25,000, but once trained, starting pay is usually £25,000 to £30,000.
• With experience, salaries rise to around £45,000 and can reach £65,000 to £70,000 for senior roles.
• Benefits usually include free accommodation, meals and travel when you're working offshore, and hardship posts may attract extra pay.

Benefits usually include free accommodation, meals and travel when you're working offshore, and hardship posts may attract extra pay.

Multinational service companies tend to offer the best pay, working conditions and opportunities for progression.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Mudloggers usually work 12 hours a day, seven days a week, typically two weeks on a rig followed by two weeks at home. In some cases, rotations can be four weeks on, four weeks off.

What to expect

• Work is usually in small teams, based in units or self-contained labs, which are the safest and most comfortable parts of the rig.
• Most jobs are offshore, often via service companies that contract you to oil companies. Opportunities also exist in water-well and mineral exploration.
• In the UK, most jobs are linked to the North Sea. International work is also common, in regions such as the Middle East and Africa.
• Life on a rig can be intense, both physically and mentally. You’ll live in close quarters with others and spend long periods away from family and friends.
• Freelance and contract work is available through specialist agencies.

Qualifications

Most mudloggers have a degree in geology, but other relevant subjects include physical sciences, maths, engineering and applied sciences. Useful degree areas include:

• applied physics
• chemistry
• geochemistry
• geophysics or geotechnology
• mineral, mining or petroleum engineering
• petroleum geology
• physics.

Some companies will accept HNDs in geology or related subjects if you have strong practical experience. Postgraduate study isn't usually required.

You'll also need to meet international medical and fitness standards, assessed by a medic.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• good computer skills and the ability to work with sophisticated technology
• the ability to absorb a range of technical information in areas such as geology, chemistry, mechanics, electricity, electronics and computer science
• strong mathematical skills
• analytical and critical thinking
• decision-making ability
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• the ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team
• the ability to cope with the challenging working environment of the oil industry.

English is the main language of the oil industry, but other languages (especially French or German) can be an advantage for international work.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience isn't essential, but vacation work, internships or placements in the oil and gas sector will make you more competitive.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Exploration and extraction is an international business, and most jobs are overseas. Large service companies and oil majors recruit globally, with strong competition from graduates in the US and Europe. Smaller companies may recruit locally, but demand for mudloggers rises and falls depending on global oil prices and exploration levels.

Speculative applications are common in this industry. Jobs may be advertised on graduate recruitment sites, but often you’ll need to apply directly to companies.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Energy Jobline
• Energy JobSearch
• OILANDGAS.org.uk
• Rigzone

Professional development

Training varies by employer, but you'll almost always start with a course in general oil well drilling. This usually covers:

• drilling equipment and techniques
• the physics and mechanics of oil-bearing rocks
• downhole pressure and its impact on well safety.

Training in computer systems is normally provided on the job.

To work offshore, you'll also need safety and survival training. In UK waters this means completing the BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) course, which includes offshore safety, survival skills and helicopter travel. The course takes three days and is valid for four years, with refresher training required.

Mudlogging is generally seen as an entry-level role in the oil and gas industry. There isn’t a dedicated professional body or accreditation scheme for mudloggers, but the role can lead on to more senior positions where professional registration is relevant. For example, geologists may join the Geological Society of London, and engineers can work towards Engineering Council registration (CEng/IEng) through bodies such as the IMechE or IOM3.

More information on training can be found through OPITO and the Energy Institute.

Career prospects

Mudlogging is often seen as an entry-level route into the oil and gas industry. It gives you broad exposure to drilling operations and can lead to promotion as a data engineer or crew chief after two to three years.

From there, you can specialise in roles such as:

• pressure analyst
• flow detection specialist
• hole stability engineer
• wellsite geologist.

Some mudloggers stay in the role long term, while others move into other areas of the oil industry, or even into related careers such as training, HR or marketing.