SENIOR DRILLING ENGINEER

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to provide technical leadership and engineering support across well planning, drilling programme development and drilling execution activities.

The role will be responsible for developing drilling programmes, well trajectories, casing and cementing designs, execution strategies, cost and schedule estimates, and providing technical support throughout drilling operations.

The successful candidate will bring strong drilling engineering expertise, sound well-control knowledge and the ability to optimise drilling performance while maintaining well integrity, HSE and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programmes, well trajectories, casing designs, cementing programmes and drilling execution plans.
• Prepare drilling cost estimates, time estimates, Authorisations for Expenditure (AFEs) and detailed drilling schedules.
• Provide technical engineering support during drilling operations and assist in resolving operational and technical challenges.
• Conduct drilling engineering studies and evaluate alternative approaches to improve well delivery.
• Lead or participate in Drilling the Well on Paper (DWOP) sessions, risk assessments, technical reviews and pre-drill planning activities.
• Optimise drilling performance, reduce Non-Productive Time (NPT) and improve well delivery efficiency without compromising well integrity or HSE.
• Monitor drilling performance and identify opportunities for improved operational efficiency.
• Coordinate drilling contractors, service companies and other technical stakeholders to ensure effective execution.
• Provide technical assurance for drilling programmes, designs, procedures and operational decisions.
• Support well-control planning, risk management and contingency planning.
• Review drilling reports, operational data and lessons learned to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Capture and communicate lessons learned from drilling campaigns and incorporate them into future well designs and programmes.
• Ensure drilling activities are aligned with approved technical standards, regulatory requirements and company procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience in the oil and gas industry, with strong upstream Exploration & Production (E&P) exposure.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience in drilling engineering, well design and drilling execution.
• Strong experience developing drilling programmes, casing and cementing designs and well trajectories.
• Practical experience supporting drilling operations and resolving complex operational challenges.
• Valid IWCF or IADC Well Control certification is strongly preferred.
• Membership of a relevant professional engineering body is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of HSE requirements, operational controls, technical procedures and documentation standards.

Technical Expertise

• Drilling engineering and well design.
• Drilling programme development and execution planning.
• Well trajectory and directional drilling planning.
• Casing design and cementing programmes.
• Well control and drilling risk management.
• Drilling performance optimisation and NPT reduction.
• Drilling cost estimation and schedule control.
• Authorisation for Expenditure (AFE) preparation and cost monitoring.
• Drilling contractor and service company management.
• Technical assurance and engineering review.
• DWOPs, risk assessments and lessons-learned processes.
• Well integrity and barrier management.
• Drilling data analysis and performance monitoring.
• Technical problem-solving and operational decision support.

What We Value

• Strong safety mindset and personal accountability.
• Sound technical judgement and structured problem-solving ability.
• Ability to make effective engineering decisions under operational pressure.
• Strong analytical and technical evaluation skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Effective coordination of drilling contractors, service companies and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and execution discipline.
• Ability to identify, communicate and escalate operational and technical risks promptly.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and lessons-learned implementation.
• Integrity, professionalism and adherence to approved technical and operational procedures.

HSE & Compliance

• Comply with applicable company HSE policies, procedures, Permit-to-Work requirements, risk assessments, isolation controls and emergency-response arrangements.
• Incorporate well integrity, well control, process safety and operational risk considerations into drilling programmes and execution plans.
• Ensure drilling designs and operational decisions adequately address identified technical and HSE risks.
• Stop or escalate unsafe work and promptly report incidents, near misses, equipment defects and abnormal operating conditions.
• Participate in relevant safety reviews, pre-job meetings, risk assessments and operational readiness activities.
• Maintain required role-specific medical, safety and professional certifications throughout the assignment.
• Ensure drilling activities comply with approved company standards, applicable regulations and recognised industry practices.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to contribute to well delivery, drilling performance optimisation and safe upstream operations, working with multidisciplinary Wells and Operations teams to deliver technically robust, cost-effective and safely executed drilling programmes.