As a seasoned oilfield worker with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the world of “Landman” is as rough and unforgiving as the Texas terrain itself. Having started out as a lowly Worm, I can relate to young Cooper’s struggles to prove himself on the patch. The hierarchy in this industry is as complex as the drilling rigs themselves, with each role from Toolpusher to Roughneck playing its part in the grand scheme of things.
With each new episode of “Landman” starring Billy Bob Thornton streaming on Paramount+, viewers delve into the distinctive jargon of West Texas’s oil industry. The series, devised by Taylor Sheridan, follows the journey of Tommy Norris, a crisis manager within the billion-dollar oil and gas sector. As Tommy strives to enrich his company, he encounters various external challenges and rival competitors in the industry.
After watching the first four episodes of “Landman”, viewers may find themselves curious about the specialized language used by the oil and gas workers. A handy glossary can serve as a helpful reference to understand the terminology used in the show. Key phrases such as Worm, Ginsel, Chainhand, and Toolpusher are essential industry terms frequently mentioned on “Landman”.
Blowout
According to Landman’s terms, a “Blowout” is an incident that leads an oil well to burst uncontrollably. This event was shown in the initial episode when an external force hit a massive oil well, causing it to explode and send flames and dark smoke soaring into the sky. It’s important to note that blowouts don’t always involve fires. However, due to oil and gas being flammable, blowouts can potentially become very hazardous.
Chainhand
A Chainhand is another name for a Floorhand, a unique occupation within the oil rigging industry. These professionals often work on the floor of an oil well or rig during a process called Racking Stands. Their primary roles involve handling chains to rotate connections and managing the oil pipe during drilling. In the film “Landman,” Manuel (J.R. Villarreal) plays the role of a Chainhand for Cooper’s (Jacob Lofland) crew. As many of their duties have become automated, Chainhands typically aid Worms in their work nowadays.
Derrick & Derrickhand
As a passionate enthusiast, I’d like to share that an Oil Derrick is essentially my personal marvel – a towering metal contraption housing pipes, drills, pumps, filters, and other vital machinery. Its primary purpose is to extract crude oil from the Earth, refine it, and ready it for widespread use. Back in the day, these structures were pyramid-like. However, today’s oil derricks are more advanced, equipped with cranes and cables that delicately tend to the ground to draw out precious natural gas from our planet. In the captivating series on Paramount+, the majority of the action unfolds around oil derricks and fracking machines.
Driller
Drillers, as their title implies, utilize large drills to penetrate the Earth and extract oil and gas, which are later refined for everyday use. Contrary to what their title might suggest, drillers often assume leadership roles within oil drilling operations, overseeing their colleagues when they’re not manning heavy machinery. The character “Boss” from the book “Landman” by Mustafa Speaks exemplifies this multifaceted role of a driller, demonstrating authority in West Texas oil fields.
Fracking
Another term for this process is Hydraulic Fracking. Essentially, it’s a technique employed in the oil and gas sector where they force high-pressure water into the ground to fracture rock formations. However, fracking has been met with criticism due to its perceived dirtiness, inefficiency, and potential pollution. Despite concerns about its environmental impact, fracking persists as a means to maintain an oil well and extract the gas trapped beneath a malfunctioning one.
Ginsel
In the fourth episode of “Landman” Season 1, titled “The Sting of Second Chances,” an experienced worker in the oil industry is seen reminiscing in a bar. He shares with another patron that he has primarily worked with individuals he refers to as “worms, ginsels, and skinheads.” Although not yet shown performing their roles in the upcoming series, “Ginsels” are essentially entry-level oil crew members who are tasked with performing laborious, undesirable jobs that most others refuse to do.
Kill the Well
As a dedicated cinephile, I can easily grasp the command “Shut Down the Well” from the perspective of Season 1, Episode 3 of Landman, titled “Hell Has a Front Yard.” Monty Miller (Jon Hamm) wrestles with the practicality of halting the well’s operation to perform necessary repairs in this scenario. Ceasing oil flow inevitably halts the cash influx, leaving Monty torn between ensuring safety and maximizing profits by keeping the well operational.
Roughneck
The term “Roughneck” refers to all workers involved in the oil and gas industry, including Chainhands, Derrickhands, Toolpushers, Drillers, and others, who operate near an oil well. However, those at a lower level, such as Ginsels and Worms, need to prove themselves and gain the trust of their superiors before they can be considered Roughnecks. The series revolves around “roughnecks” and “wealthy tycoons” in the oil-drilling environment of West Texas, providing a glimpse into the drama that unfolds in this industry.
Toolpusher
In simpler terms, Toolpushers are like foremen who manage the entire oil drilling operation without physically doing the work themselves. In the TV series “Landman,” Season 1, Episode 4 “The Sting of Second Chances,” Tommy goes to an oil field and is informed by the local supervisor (Toolpusher) that an employee named Antonio was injured on duty. Later, the Toolpusher informs Tommy that Cooper will take over the operation as the new Derrickhand.
Worm
As an ardent film enthusiast, I’d like to share my understanding of the term “Worm” in the context of ‘Landman’. To put it simply, a “Worm” is essentially a greenhorn or novice worker on an oil site, be it a patch, well, or rig. These rookies start at the lowest rung of the ladder and work their way up through the ranks. In the beginning of the series, Cooper is a Worm, toiling in two different oil crews. Over time, he manages to prove his mettle and ascends the hierarchy, eventually earning the coveted position of Derrickhand. Both Worms and Ginsels must initially gain the respect of their senior crew members before they can tackle more challenging duties.
Landman is available to stream on Paramount+.
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2024-12-05 07:01