Senior Cost Engineer

Confidentail; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidentail is seeking an experienced Upstream Cost Engineer to oversee all cost control activities for drilling, exploration, field development and reservoir management projects in Abu Dhabi. You will manage cost breakdown structures, develop detailed estimates, and track forecasts against budgets.

The role requires 10–15 years of upstream cost engineering experience, preferably in drilling and development phases, with strong risk analysis and report-writing skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent in a relevant field.
• 10–15 years of proven Upstream Cost Engineering experience.
• Experience in drilling, exploration, field development, and reservoir management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cost control for upstream oil & gas projects, incl. drilling, exploration, field development, and reservoir management.
• Develop and manage cost breakdown structures for all project phases.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost estimates for drilling operations and development plans.
• Track forecasts, variance logs, and implement corrective actions for budgets.
• Prepare timely cost reports comparing actuals to plan and flag overruns.
• Lead cost reviews with internal teams and external partners.
• Conduct cost risk analysis and mitigation planning for cost uncertainties.
• Support man-hour planning and resource allocation for rigs and campaigns.
• Prepare and update annual project budgets and work programs.

Skills

Cost control

Cost estimation

Budgeting

Risk analysis

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Cost management systems

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of cost control for upstream oil gas projects including drilling exploration field development and reservoir management activities
• Establish and manage the project cost management system ensuring accurate development of cost breakdown structures for different project phases
• Develop and maintain detailed cost estimates for drilling operations, exploration activities, field development plans and reservoir management strategies
• Track and update the cost trend register monthly forecasts and variance logs across multiple upstream activities and implement corrective actions for budget variances
• Collect, organize and analyze construction and operational cost data for drilling and development projects maintaining an efficient expense filing system and project database
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate project cost reports that compare actual performance to the plan and identify potential cost overruns
• Lead the cost review process both internally and with external partners ensuring project costs are aligned with the budget
• Conduct cost risk analysis for exploration and development projects including drilling and reservoir management and develop mitigation strategies to manage cost uncertainties
• Support the preparation of man-hour plans and resource allocation strategies for drilling rigs exploration campaigns and field development projects
• Prepare, manage and update annual project budgets and work programs for upstream activities including new exploration wells development projects and reservoir optimization
• Support the implementation of project control procedures across all phases ensuring strict adherence to schedules and cost targets
• Prepare daily weekly and monthly status reports keeping management informed of project progress cost performance and key risks
• Work closely with the project teams task managers and engineers to define scope of work for exploration and field development and identify any cost variations from the original plan
• Advise senior management on potential cost-related risks in drilling exploration and field development providing recommendations to control costs
• Develop and maintain cost distribution models to provide a clear breakdown of expenditures for each phase of the project from exploration through to field development and reservoir management

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering preferably in Petroleum Mechanical or Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field

Minimum Relevant Experience

10–15 years of proven experience in Upstream Cost Engineering, preferably within the drilling, exploration, field development, and reservoir management phases of oil and gas project