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A typical shift

Twelve hours, days or nights, in whatever weather West Texas or North Dakota is having. Pre-shift safety meeting, then the work: making up and breaking out drill pipe, handling tongs and slips, mixing mud, hosing down the floor, greasing everything. Noise so constant you talk in hand signals. Lunch out of a cooler. The rig never stops, so the other crew takes over the second you step off. Then a trailer or a camp bed, sleep, and do it again for thirteen more days.