Fishing Operations

Term from Oil Extraction industry explained for recruiters

Fishing Operations in oil and gas refers to the specialized process of retrieving lost or stuck equipment from oil wells. Just like fishing in water, these operations involve using various tools to 'catch' and recover expensive equipment that has become trapped deep underground during drilling or production. This is a critical skill in oil extraction because lost or broken equipment can halt production and cost companies millions of dollars. When someone mentions fishing operations on their resume in an oil and gas context, they're talking about their experience with these recovery procedures, not traditional fishing.

Examples in Resumes

Successfully completed 50+ Fishing Operations to recover stuck drilling equipment

Led Fishing Operation teams recovering over $2M worth of downhole equipment

Supervised complex Fishing Operations and tool recovery in deep-water wells

Typical job title: "Fishing Operations Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Fishing Tool Supervisor Well Intervention Specialist Fishing Operations Engineer Fishing Tools Operator Wellbore Recovery Specialist Oil Well Recovery Expert

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a particularly challenging fishing operation you managed and how you resolved it?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and deep technical knowledge. They should explain how they assessed the situation, chose the right tools, and led the team to successful equipment recovery while maintaining safety standards.

Q: How do you decide when to continue a fishing operation versus plugging and abandoning a well?

Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and decision-making processes. They should mention considering factors like equipment costs, lost production time, and safety risks.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What types of fishing tools have you worked with, and how do you select the appropriate tool for different situations?

Expected Answer: Candidate should be able to describe common fishing tools (like overshots, spears, mills) and explain how well conditions and stuck equipment type influence tool selection.

Q: Explain your process for planning a fishing operation.

Expected Answer: Look for answers that cover safety procedures, equipment inspection, team coordination, and understanding of well conditions. They should mention the importance of having backup plans.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic safety considerations in fishing operations?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety protocols, personal protective equipment requirements, and understanding of common hazards in fishing operations.

Q: What's the difference between a washing over operation and a conventional fishing operation?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain these basic concepts in simple terms, showing understanding of different approaches to equipment recovery.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic knowledge of fishing tools
  • Understanding of well safety procedures
  • Ability to assist in basic recovery operations
  • Knowledge of equipment maintenance

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent operation of fishing tools
  • Problem diagnosis abilities
  • Emergency response handling
  • Team coordination experience

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex recovery operation management
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Team supervision and training
  • Budget and resource management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No hands-on experience with fishing tools
  • Lack of safety certification or awareness
  • Unable to explain basic well recovery procedures
  • No experience with emergency response situations