truTV: Not Reality. Actuality.

MOTORMAN keeps the rig's engines, water lines and boilers up and running. He does not wear a cape or a mask.

MUD is pumped inside the drill pipe to cool down the extremely hot temperature near the bit as well as bringing loose debris back to the surface.
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MUDMAN is responsible for mixing the drilling fluid. It's his job to make sure that debris doesn't clog the well bore and that the bit doesn't get too hot. No cape or mask here, either.

A NIPPLE is a tubular pipe fitting threaded on both ends and used for making connections between pipe joints and other tools. Fortunately, most West Texas roughnecks are extremely poised and exceedingly serious, so they hardly ever laugh about this name.

ROUGHNECK can refer to anyone on the rig other than the driller. A Roughneck's duties include general tasks involved with connecting or disconnecting pipe. It's also a really cool thing to put on your Facebook page.

SPINNING THE CHAIN is the process by which roughnecks screw one pipe more quickly into the next. It can be highly dangerous if the floor crew isn't careful. Loose clothing or worse, fingers, may become trapped in the unspooling chain and be crushed or even sliced right off in a fraction of a second.
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TONGS are huge plier-like tool which allow roughnecks to grab and torque pipe.

The TOOL PUSHER keeps the rig supplied with all necessary tools and equipment. He's the megamart of an oil rig.

TRIPPING PIPE is the act of pulling the drill string – all the pipes that lead down to the bit – out of the hole for replacement. A pipe trip is usually done because the bit has dulled or has otherwise ceased to be effective.
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To TWIST OFF means to accidentally break the drill pipe due to either stress or too much torque. To confuse matters, it also means failing to fulfill an obligation or to get drunk. Sometimes in West Texas, the last one will lead to the first.

The UPPER KELLY COCK is a valve that can be closed manually to protect the rotary hose from high pressure that may exist in the drill stem. As with the Nipple, most West Texas roughnecks are too poised and serious to… oh, let's be honest, they laugh at this name pretty often. In West Texas the oil is refined. The Roughnecks not so much.

A WILDCATTER is a prospector, owner or partner who funds the oil rig operation. He reaps the gains and bears the losses. If a rig drills for too long without striking oil, he's the one who decides whether or not to shut it down. He's also the one who signs the checks, so it's a good idea not to make him angry.

The WORM is the least experienced member of the crew. In exchange for on-the-job training he gets stuck with the most menial and dirtiest tasks.
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