Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upstream Technician Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Upstream Technician Assistant is an entry-level to early-career field role that supports upstream oil & gas operations, including drilling, completions, production testing, wellsite maintenance, and basic instrumentation. Working under the supervision of senior technicians, engineers, and wellsite supervisors, the Assistant performs equipment setup and tear-down, routine inspections, data recording and reporting, inventory tracking, and strict adherence to HSE and regulatory procedures. This role is ideal for candidates with mechanical aptitude, basic electrical/instrumentation familiarity, and a commitment to safety and operational discipline.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Service Helper / Laborer
Drilling Crew Assistant / Roustabout
Equipment Operator / Mechanic Apprentice

Advancement To:

Upstream Technician / Field Technician
Production Technician / Well Testing Technician
Senior Wellsite Technician / Lead Technician
Wellsite Supervisor / Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician (mechanical/hydraulic)
Instrumentation & Controls Technician
Logistics Coordinator / Field Logistics Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Support wellsite and pad setup and demobilization by assembling, aligning, and securing surface equipment such as manifolds, choke lines, pit tanks, flowback equipment, and pressure control gear according to site drawings and SOPs.
Perform pre-use inspections, routine preventive maintenance, and post-job checks on pumps, generators, pneumatic and hydraulic tools, pressure gauges, flowmeters, and well testing skids; log maintenance activities into the CMMS or site logbook.
Assist in running and recovering wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, and well-testing tools; handle cables, lines, and winches safely while following rigging and load-handling procedures.
Set up and calibrate field instrumentation including pressure transducers, temperature sensors, flowmeters, and RTUs; verify instrument signals and communicate anomalies to the technician or engineer.
Prepare and monitor fluid sampling programs: collect formation, produced water and crude samples, label and preserve samples per chain-of-custody and laboratory requirements, and complete sample documentation.
Operate and support well flowback and production testing activities by managing test separators, flowlines, and meters; assist with flow rate calculations and accurate UoM recording.
Support drilling/completions activities by providing tool support, maintaining mud systems connections, assisting with rig-down and rig-up, and handling tubulars and connection torqueing under supervision.
Execute pressure control and wellhead operations support including monitoring BOP/Christmas tree components, assisting with spanner work, and participating in pressure testing and leak-check procedures.
Assist with chemical handling and mixing for stimulation, corrosion inhibition and scale control; follow MSDS, dilution protocols, and spill response procedures while maintaining accurate chemical inventory records.
Monitor and record operational data (pressures, temperatures, flow rates, run times) in daily reports and electronic logs; ensure data quality and timely upload to central systems or engineering teams.
Maintain accurate inventory of spare parts, consumables, PPE and tools; issue and return parts via SAP/CMMS, support logistics for resupply, and participate in toolbox talks about inventory control.
Support well logging operations by rigging-in logging units, ensuring logging tool cleanliness, handling gamma/sonic tools, and assisting with sample correlation and basic QC of logs.
Assist with basic electrical and PLC troubleshooting tasks under supervision: checking power supplies, replacing fuses, tracing simple wiring faults and reporting issues for advanced intervention.
Execute confined space entries, hot work permits and lock-out/tag-out under supervision; act as an attendant or support person during high-risk maintenance tasks in accordance with HSE protocols.
Perform surface environmental monitoring tasks including hydrocarbon spill checks, waste segregation, and secondary containment inspections; complete required environmental reporting and handover paperwork.
Support corrosion monitoring and NDT sampling by cleaning access points, assisting inspectors with pit gauge measurements, and facilitating coupons or ultrasonic inspection setups.
Operate skid-mounted and trailer-mounted pumps, compressors and generators following safe start-up/shutdown sequences and fuel/maintenance checks; promptly report abnormal vibrations or alarms.
Carry out routine housekeeping and site safety tasks: secure loose equipment, maintain clear egresses, manage cable runs, and ensure safe storage of hazardous materials in line with site HSE plans.
Assist in emergency response drills and actual incidents by acting as a muster point coordinator, basic first responder (first aid/CPR certified), and supporting evacuation or containment tasks as directed.
Liaise with contractors and service companies on-site to coordinate deliveries, ensure contractors follow site procedures, and assist in contractor orientation and induction processes.
Provide on-site administrative support by preparing job packs, completing permit-to-work forms, maintaining shift handover logs, and preparing daily shift reports for supervisors and engineers.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by reporting near-misses, suggesting operational efficiencies, documenting non-conformances, and helping implement corrective actions.
Assist in basic well testing data validation and preparation of test data packages for engineers; flag any atypical readings and help assemble run sheets, calibration certificates and instrumentation checklists.
Support seismic or exploration crews onshore by preparing geophone spreads, running cable, ensuring battery/recorder readiness, and assisting with metadata logging during surveys.
Aid in training and mentoring of new field hires and site visitors by demonstrating safe tool use, basic equipment operation, and site-specific SOPs under guidance from senior technicians.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist engineering and operations teams with scheduled audits and regulatory inspections, providing records and corrective action evidence as requested.
Support seasonal activities such as freeze protection, winterization, and hot-season equipment checks to maintain continuous operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Mechanical aptitude with experience using hand tools, power tools, torque wrenches, and rigging equipment.
Familiarity with hydraulic and pneumatic systems: basic troubleshooting, hose connections, and pressure testing.
Basic electrical knowledge: AC/DC fundamentals, fuse replacement, connector troubleshooting and safe isolation procedures.
Instrumentation fundamentals: pressure transducers, temperature sensors, flowmeters, RTUs and basic calibration practices.
Competence in handling well testing equipment: separators, test headers, chokes, flow meters and sampling systems.
Experience with wireline, slickline or coiled tubing support tasks including cable handling and winch operation.
Knowledge of pressure control equipment and safe working limits for BOPs, wellheads and tubing/annulus testing.
Working knowledge of CMMS/SAP or equivalent inventory and work-order systems for logging maintenance and parts movements.
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, site layouts, SOPs, and permit-to-work documentation.
Basic computer literacy: Microsoft Office (Excel for simple data logs), mobile data entry, and transferring field data to central systems.
Familiarity with HSE documentation: JSA/JHA preparation, permit-to-work systems, incident reporting and near-miss logging.
Understanding of sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures for laboratory testing.
Basic familiarity with PLC/SCADA concepts and ability to assist with routine remote telemetry checks.
Competence in radio and field communications protocols, GPS waypoint recording and site tagging.

Soft Skills

Strong safety-first mindset and ability to enforce procedures in high-risk environments.
Excellent attention to detail for accurate data logging, inventory control and asset tracking.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for site handovers, reporting and contractor coordination.
Ability to work in physically demanding, remote, and variable outdoor environments with changing schedules.
Problem-solving orientation and ability to escalate complex technical issues appropriately.
Team-player attitude with willingness to support multi-disciplinary crews and shift-based operations.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize maintenance, inspections and operational support tasks.
Adaptability and resilience when dealing with operational delays, weather impacts and evolving job scopes.
Customer-service orientation when liaising with internal stakeholders and external service providers.
Continuous learning mindset to upskill into full technician, instrumentation or supervisory roles.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma / GED with completion of relevant safety and technical certificates (H2S, First Aid, Basic Rigging).

Preferred Education:

Associate degree, technical diploma or trade certification in Mechanical Technology, Petroleum Technology, Instrumentation, Electrical or similar.
Additional certifications in well control awareness, well testing fundamentals or instrumentation calibration are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Petroleum Engineering Technology
Mechanical/Industrial Technology
Electrical/Electronics or Instrumentation Technology
Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) certifications
Welding, Fabrication, or Heavy Equipment Operation (beneficial)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in upstream oil & gas, drilling/completions support, production operations, or field maintenance (entry to early-career).

Preferred:

1–3 years’ hands-on field experience supporting wellsite operations, rig support, production testing, or maintenance roles.
Demonstrated experience with on-site HSE practices, permit-to-work systems, and confined-space/working-at-heights protocols.
Experience using CMMS/SAP, mobile reporting tools, and basic troubleshooting of mechanical and instrumentation systems.