Lead Well Planning and Operations Geologist

Crescent Petroleum Company; Sharjah; On-site; AED 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Crescent Petroleum Company is seeking a Lead Well Planning and Operations Geologist in Sharjah to oversee subsurface inputs for well design, trajectory optimisation, PPFG modelling, and real-time operational support across exploration, appraisal, and development wells.

You will drive rigorous QA/QC, mentor junior staff, and champion HSSE excellence while coordinating with subsurface, drilling, and completions teams to deliver high-quality well programmes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Geology or Geoscience; MSc/PhD preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant experience, international operator exposure preferred.
• Strong experience in well planning, PPFG modelling and operational geology.
• Proficiency with Petrel and geological workflows.
• Excellent analytical, communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a systematic review of offset and analogue wells.
• Execute rigorous QA/QC on subsurface and drilling datasets (logs, DDRs, EOWRs, pressure tests, LWD/WL).
• Analyse historical drilling events NPT to identify geohazards and root causes.
• Transform lessons learned into actionable technical recommendations for future well programmes.
• Evaluate data gaps for structural reinterpretation or new data acquisition.
• Develop and manage Petrel-based geological models for high-fidelity deliverables.
• Design and optimise deviated and horizontal well trajectories.
• Mitigate risk by integrating uncertainties into trajectory planning.
• Coordinate with LWD/WL programs, BHA/RSS, and completion requirements.
• Perform Anti-Collision Analysis within PPFG constraints.
• Develop PPFG models and calibrate real-time data (LOTS/FIT/XLOT).
• Deliver SoR and contribute to BoD; mentoring junior staff.
• Oversee service procurement and QA/QC for subsurface operations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and communicate with internal teams and service providers.
• Foster professional relationships and uphold HSSE standards.

Skills

Geology

Well planning

PPFG modelling

Petrel

Data QA/QC

HSSE

Leadership

Communication

Education

Geology degree

Tools

Petrel

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Lead Well Planning and Operations Geologist

Date: 9 Oct 2026

Location: Sharjah, AE

Job Description: About the Role

• Crescent Petroleum is seeking a Lead Well Planning and Operations Geologist to oversee delivery of all subsurface inputs for well design, trajectory optimisation, pore pressure and geomechanics modelling, and real time operational support across exploration, appraisal, and development wells. In this role, the successful candidate will drive high quality offset well reviews, ensure rigorous data QA/QC, design risk mitigated well trajectories in Petrel, develop robust PPFG models, and act as the key interface between subsurface, drilling, and completions teams. You will contribute to Statement of Requirements and Basis of Design documentation, manage subsurface service procurement, support operations to ensure timely communication of geological understandings, and champion lessons learned, risk management, and HSSE excellence while mentoring junior staff.

Key Responsibilities
Well Planning & Data Quality

• Lead a systematic review of offset and analogue wells.
• Execute rigorous QA/QC on all subsurface and drilling datasets, including logs, DDRs, EOWRs, pressure tests, and LWD/WL data.
• Analyse historical drilling events NPT to pinpoint geohazards and determine root causes.
• Transform lessons learned into actionable technical recommendations for future well programmes.
• Evaluate data gaps for structural reinterpretation, or strategic new data acquisition.

Trajectory Design

• Develop and Manage Petrel-based geological models to ensure high-fidelity operational deliverables.
• Design and optimise deviated and horizontal well trajectories to maximise reservoir exposure.
• Mitigate Risk by integrating structural, stratigraphic, and geo-mechanical uncertainties into comprehensive trajectory planning.
• Synchronise well designs with LWD/WL acquisition programmes, BHA/RSS capabilities, and completion requirements.
• Execute Anti-Collision Analysis and design architectures that adhere strictly to PPFG and geohazard constraints.

Pore Pressure & Geomechanics

• Develop and calibrate high-resolution pre-drill and dynamic real-time PPFG models.
• Characterise Pressure Compartments to establish optimized, safe mud weight windows and prevent wellbore instability.
• Mitigate Operational Risk by integrating historical drilling events including kicks, losses, and instability into comprehensive geohazard assessments.
• Execute Rigorous QA/QC on real-time pressure data, including LOT/FIT/XLOT results and direct formation pressure measurements.
• Optimise Well Architecture by providing PPFG-driven recommendations for casing seats, liner points, and section Total Depths (TDs).

Operational & Documentation Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development of the Statement of Requirements (SoR) and provide critical technical contributions to the Basis of Design (BoD)
• Define subsurface uncertainties and mitigation plans.
• Deliver High-Impact Operations Support, providing real-time geological steering and decision-making during active drilling phases.
• Deliver End-of-Well Reports (EOWR), incorporating comprehensive NPT root-cause analysis to drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee Service Procurement and QA/QC for essential subsurface operations, including LWD, Wireline, Mudlogging, and Coring services.
• Participate in DWOP and stage gate reviews; maintain lessons learned.
• Cultivate Talent by mentoring junior staff and fostering a proactive, industry-leading HSSE culture.

Advanced Mud Logging & Data Integration

• Reservoir Characterisation: Interpret complex gas ratios to evaluate fluid types, maturity, and reservoir connectivity.
• High-Resolution Analysis: Lead detailed cuttings descriptions and integrate XRD/XRF and isotope data to refine lithostratigraphic models.

HSSE Accountability

• Support the implementation of all applicable Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) policies and initiatives,
• Promote Crescent Petroleum’s Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) policies within geological operations activities. Adhere to regulatory authority requirements, environmental guidelines, and Company rules during the well preparation process and operational follow-up.

Teamwork & Communication:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and maintain effective communication with both internal team and external service providers,
• Foster and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, contractors, and Crescent Petroleum’s management, while consistently demonstrating a high standard of professionalism and work ethics.

Qualifications

• Degree in Geology, Geoscience, or related discipline (MSc/PhD preferred).
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably with an international operator with exposure to fractured carbonate reservoirs; Middle East and Iraq experience an advantage.
• Strong experience in well planning, PPFG modelling, and operational geology.
• Proficiency in Petrel and geological operations workflows.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and cross disciplinary collaboration skills.