Mud Engineers
A mud engineer is a person responsible for keeping the drilling fluid (mud) within specific parameters, also known as a drilling fluid engineer, mud man, or drilling fluids specialist. The duties of this position are often key to drilling cost, productivity, and safety of the entire operation. Although an oil and gas operator will usually hire a mud engineering company to simply give recommendations, the mud engineer on a drilling site location is also responsible for ensuring the properties of the drilling fluid are within the designed specifications of the entire operation. Most companies and consulting firms work a 14&14 rotating schedule and pay is typically dependent on experience. Some mud companies also pay drive time, bonuses and per diem.