Operations Geologist - Shallow Gas

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 367,242 - 477,414; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE is seeking an Operations Geologist – Shallow Gas for geological operations support in Abu Dhabi. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor Degree in Geology or Engineering Geology with a minimum of 8 years of experience in exploration geology and drilling.

The role involves overseeing drilling programs, interpreting subsurface data, and ensuring geological objectives are met safely. Candidates should have strong experience in real-time drilling support and collaboration with project teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in exploration operations geology, development operations geology, and drilling support.
• Strong experience supporting exploration, appraisal, and development wells in oil and gas operations.
• Practical knowledge of wellsite geology, mudlogging, LWD, MWD, wireline logging, coring, directional drilling, testing, and stimulation.

Responsibilities

• Provide geological operations support for biogenic shallow gas exploration.
• Oversee geological operations for active drilling programs.
• Interpret subsurface data and support real-time operational decisions.

Skills

Operations geology

Shallow gas geology

Biogenic gas projects

Exploration drilling support

Appraisal drilling support

Development drilling support

Wellsite geology

Mudlogging

LWD and MWD

Wireline logging

Conventional coring

Directional drilling

Testing and stimulation

Real-time drilling monitoring

Subsurface data interpretation

Well log interpretation

Geological marker prognosis

Tops selection

Stratigraphic correlation

Quick-look log interpretation

Geologic hazard assessment

Pore pressure assessment

Fracture gradient assessment

Wellbore stability

Geosteering support

Horizontal wells

Deviated wells

Well trajectory monitoring

Reservoir contact optimization

Correlation panels

Cross sections

Geological data acquisition

Core point determination

Core handling

Geochemical data acquisition

Perforation interval selection

Geological model update

Pad drilling planning

End of Well Report

Post-drilling summary

Technical reporting

Geological software

Contractor coordination

Service provider coordination

HSE compliance

Education

Bachelor Degree in Geology or Engineering Geology

Job description

Operations Geologist – Shallow Gas (Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Industry: Oil and Energy; Function: Geology; Experience: Minimum 8 years in exploration or development operations geology and drilling.)

Role Overview

Senior Oil and Energy role focused on geological operations support for biogenic shallow gas exploration, appraisal, development drilling, well planning, real‑time drilling interpretation, and G & G data integration. The role supports ADNOC Group by overseeing geological operations for active drilling programs, interpreting subsurface and drilling data, supporting well placement decisions, and ensuring geological objectives are achieved safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide geological operations support for biogenic shallow gas exploration, appraisal, and development drilling projects.
• Oversee geological operations for active drilling programs and ensure well objectives are met.
• Interpret subsurface data, drilling data, well logs, and geological markers to support real‑time operational decisions.
• Prepare pre‑drill geological inputs including offset well correlation panels, geological marker prognosis, and well program support.
• Attend pre‑spud meetings, peer reviews, technical alignment sessions, and drilling planning meetings.
• Ensure service contractors provide suitable tools and services that operate effectively and cost‑efficiently to meet well objectives.
• Provide technical support and quality oversight for wellsite geology processes including mudlogging, LWD, MWD, wireline logging, coring, directional drilling, testing, stimulation, and data acquisition.
• Support planning, execution, and look‑back analysis for wells drilled near the project area, including vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells.
• Work closely with project geologists, geomodelers, and geophysicists to optimize data sources, geological models, and uncertainty reduction.
• Provide geological input for planned wells and incorporate this information into well prognosis, marker prognosis, and drilling execution plans.
• Plan, advise, and supervise well design inputs, mudlogging programs, conventional coring, LWD, MWD, wireline logging, advanced formation evaluation tools, drilling operations, testing, and stimulation programs.
• Collaborate with geomechanics specialists, reservoir engineers, and drilling engineers to assess pore pressure, fracture gradient, and wellbore stability.
• Advise on appropriate well design based on geological risk, drilling conditions, and reservoir objectives.
• Perform real‑time monitoring and interpretation of data acquired while drilling.
• Interpret drilling reports to support geologic hazard assessment, tops selection, and operational decision‑making.
• Maintain clear communication with project geologists, geomodelers, petrophysicists, drilling engineers, petroleum engineers, OPCO operations geologists, and drilling teams.
• Oversee sample examination, cuttings collection, petrophysical analysis, log acquisition, geochemical data acquisition, perforation planning, testing plans, and stimulation plans.
• Monitor planned versus actual well trajectory and reservoir geology to ensure the well remains on target.
• Perform geological interpretation, stratigraphic correlation, marker determination, and quick‑look log interpretation of hydrocarbon zones while drilling.
• Determine casing points, coring points, logging points, landing points, and final well total depth in coordination with the project team.
• Work with OPCO operations geologists and geosteering service providers during highly deviated and horizontal wells on a 24‑hour operation basis when required.
• Support accurate wellbore placement within target intervals to maximize reservoir contact and field potential.
• Prepare correlation panels, cross sections, and geological interpretation materials requested by the project team.
• Coordinate and quality‑check geological data acquisition and data gathering during drilling.
• Maintain daily and weekly geological operations reporting systems and provide technical inputs for management reports.
• Support candidate interval selection for perforation, testing, and stimulation by integrating well logs, gas while drilling, petrophysical data, and subsurface information.
• Coordinate coring jobs from planning stage through core point recommendation, acquisition strategy, core handling, transportation, and storage.
• Finalize geological markers and survey interpretations in collaboration with project geologists, geomodelers, petrophysicists, and OPCO operations geologists.
• Upload and maintain approved geological files in corporate folders and databases.
• Prepare Geological End of Well Reports and post‑drilling summary reports for completed wells.
• Support development plan optimization through well location input, pad drilling planning, trajectory review, and geological model updates.
• Contribute to conventional and unconventional geological maturation studies for biogenic shallow gas opportunities.
• Participate in evaluation of well proposals, geological studies, and data gathering plans for exploration, appraisal, and development wells.
• Maintain contact with geological software suppliers and stay updated on software developments and new applications that may add value to the project.
• Recommend acquisition of geological software and hardware when it adds technical or operational value.
• Attend technical conferences, seminars, and review technical publications to support continuous improvement.
• Supervise, train, and develop assigned staff on operations geology, drilling support, reporting, and technical workflows.
• Provide input for section or department budgets and support approved work plans.
• Implement approved policies, processes, systems, standards, and procedures in line with company and international requirements.
• Comply with HSE policies, procedures, controls, applicable legislation, sustainability guidelines, and ADNOC Code of Practices.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor Degree in Geology or Engineering Geology.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in exploration operations geology, development operations geology, and drilling support.
• Strong experience supporting exploration, appraisal, and development wells in oil and gas operations.
• Practical knowledge of wellsite geology, mudlogging, LWD, MWD, wireline logging, coring, directional drilling, testing, and stimulation.
• Experience interpreting drilling reports, well logs, geological markers, gas while drilling data, subsurface data, and operational geology information.
• Ability to perform real‑time drilling monitoring, tops selection, stratigraphic correlation, quick‑look log interpretation, and geologic hazard assessment.
• Good understanding of pore pressure, fracture gradient, wellbore stability, geosteering, well trajectory monitoring, and horizontal well placement.
• Experience working with project geologists, geomodelers, geophysicists, petrophysicists, reservoir engineers, drilling engineers, petroleum engineers, OPCO teams, and service providers.
• Ability to prepare offset well correlation panels, cross sections, marker prognosis, well program inputs, daily reports, weekly reports, and end‑of‑well reports.
• Experience with core acquisition planning, core handling, geochemical data acquisition, perforation interval selection, testing support, and stimulation planning.
• Knowledge of geological and office software applications used in drilling operations and subsurface interpretation.
• Strong technical report writing, presentation, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to work under operational pressure and support 24‑hour drilling activities when required.
• Commitment to HSE compliance, safe drilling operations, sustainability, data quality, and ADNOC Code of Practices.

Skills Set

• Operations geology
• Shallow gas geology
• Biogenic gas projects
• Exploration drilling support
• Appraisal drilling support
• Development drilling support
• Wellsite geology
• Mudlogging
• LWD and MWD
• Wireline logging
• Conventional coring
• Directional drilling
• Testing and stimulation
• Real‑time drilling monitoring
• Subsurface data interpretation
• Well log interpretation
• Geological marker prognosis
• Tops selection
• Stratigraphic correlation
• Quick‑look log interpretation
• Geologic hazard assessment
• Pore pressure assessment
• Fracture gradient assessment
• Wellbore stability
• Geosteering support
• Horizontal wells
• Deviated wells
• Well trajectory monitoring
• Reservoir contact optimization
• Correlation panels
• Cross sections
• Geological data acquisition
• Core point determination
• Core handling
• Geochemical data acquisition
• Perforation interval selection
• Geological model update
• Pad drilling planning
• End of Well Report
• Post‑drilling summary
• Technical reporting
• Geological software
• Contractor coordination
• Service provider coordination
• HSE compliance