Senior Drilling Engineer - Well Design

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 335,000 - 502,000; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Group in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer - Well Design to lead technically robust drilling programs and ensure safe, cost-effective well delivery. You will own trajectory planning, casing, cementing, hydraulics and reliability across the full engineering cycle, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to maintain well integrity and operational performance.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in drilling,

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering is required.
• At least 5 years of drilling, well design, completion design or related experience.
• Strong understanding of high-pressure high-temperature well environments.

Responsibilities

• Design well trajectories to meet reservoir and operational needs.
• Develop drill string configurations and BHA for planned conditions.
• Prepare drilling and completion procedures aligned with standards.
• Coordinate with operations, subsurface, service providers and HSE.
• Monitor costs and schedules; optimize drilling performance and safety.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Well design

Well trajectory planning

Well integrity assurance

HPHT wells

Drilling program development

Completion engineering

Workover engineering

Casing design

Cementing program design

Drill string design

Bottom hole assembly design

Directional drilling

Collision avoidance

Drilling hydraulics

Bit selection

Weight-on-bit optimization

Rotary speed optimization

Drilling fluids

Mud program development

Completion fluids

Brine systems

Drilling chemicals

Logging while drilling

Wireline logging

Coring programs

Well control risk assessment

Lost circulation management

Wellbore stability assessment

Stuck pipe prevention

Well abandonment planning

Drilling cost estimation

Authorization for Expenditure

Technical verification

HSE compliance

ISO-aligned processes

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Job description

Role snapshot

Senior Drilling Engineer - Well Design Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Industry: Oil and Energy Function: Engineering Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience Job Type: Full-time Position Overview Senior Drilling Engineer - Well Design in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is an Oil and Energy opportunity with ADNOC Group focused on well planning, drilling engineering, completion design, well integrity and high-pressure high-temperature operations. The role is suited to an experienced petroleum or mechanical engineer capable of designing safe, efficient and technically robust drilling programs while optimizing well construction performance, controlling costs and supporting reliable field operations.

Job details

Country: United Arab Emirates City: Abu Dhabi Industry: Oil and Energy Function: Engineering Salary: 30000-45000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role context

The Senior Drilling Engineer - Well Design is responsible for developing technically sound drilling, completion and workover solutions that support safe and efficient well delivery. The position covers the full engineering cycle from trajectory planning and casing design through drilling hydraulics, directional programs, well evaluation, cost estimation and abandonment planning. The role requires close coordination with drilling operations, subsurface specialists, completion teams, service providers and HSE functions. Engineering decisions must protect well integrity, manage operational risks and ensure that drilling activities remain aligned with approved budgets, technical standards and field development objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Design well trajectories according to reservoir, drilling and operational requirements while optimizing the overall well profile.


• Develop drill string configurations and bottom hole assemblies suitable for planned drilling conditions.


• Prepare engineering requirements for inspection and verification of drilling-related equipment.


• Develop rig mobilization, demobilization and rig orientation plans.


• Prepare wellhead and well approach plans to support safe rig positioning and operational readiness.


• Design casing programs based on expected pressure, temperature, geological and mechanical conditions.


• Prepare cementing programs that support long-term well integrity and zonal isolation.


• Select appropriate drilling bits based on formation characteristics and expected operating conditions.


• Establish drilling hydraulics, rotary speed and weight-on-bit parameters to improve drilling performance.


• Develop drilling mud programs and define suitable fluid properties for different hole sections.


• Prepare bottom hole assembly programs for directional and conventional drilling operations.


• Develop directional drilling programs including trajectory control and collision avoidance requirements.


• Generate time-depth and cost-depth curves to support drilling planning, scheduling and performance monitoring.


• Account for simultaneous drilling and production activities when preparing drilling programs.


• Develop well evaluation programs covering logging while drilling, wireline logging and coring requirements.


• Assess potential drilling hazards including lost circulation, well control incidents, borehole instability and stuck pipe risks.


• Prepare detailed drilling, completion and workover procedures aligned with approved technical standards.


• Review and optimize well construction programs to improve execution efficiency and reduce operational exposure.


• Specify material and equipment requirements for drilling, completion and workover activities.


• Support the selection of drilling and completion equipment suitable for well conditions and operational objectives.


• Evaluate drilling and completion materials including mud systems, brines and treatment chemicals.


• Conduct technical reviews and verification of well completion designs.


• Develop well abandonment programs that maintain regulatory compliance and long-term well integrity.


• Prepare drilling-phase cost estimates and Authorization for Expenditure documentation.


• Monitor engineering performance against approved schedules, budgets and technical objectives.


• Investigate significant cost or performance variances and support corrective action.


• Coordinate activities within the assigned engineering area to ensure functional targets are achieved.


• Provide technical guidance and development support to assigned personnel.


• Contribute engineering input to department budgets, work plans and resource requirements.


• Implement approved engineering procedures, systems, standards and work practices.


• Identify new engineering tools and techniques that can improve drilling quality, efficiency and reliability.


• Evaluate internal processes against industry best practices and ISO-related requirements.


• Maintain compliance with HSE procedures, sustainability requirements, applicable legislation and ADNOC Codes of Practice.


• Provide accurate technical inputs for management information systems and progress reporting.

Ideal profile

The successful candidate will hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering and have at least 5 years of relevant experience in drilling, well integrity assurance, completion design or stimulation operations. Practical experience with high-pressure, high-temperature wells is important, together with a strong understanding of drilling engineering principles, well construction risks and completion requirements. The role requires proven capability in well trajectory design, casing and cementing programs, drilling hydraulics, directional drilling, well evaluation and drilling cost estimation. Candidates should be comfortable reviewing complex technical information, identifying operational risks and making engineering recommendations that support safe and commercially efficient well delivery. Strong coordination skills are important because the role interacts with multidisciplinary engineering, operations, drilling and service company teams throughout the well lifecycle.

Skills

* Drilling engineering * Well design * Well trajectory planning * Well integrity assurance * High-pressure high-temperature wells * Drilling program development * Completion engineering * Workover engineering * Well stimulation * Casing design * Cementing program design * Drill string design * Bottom hole assembly design * Directional drilling * Collision avoidance * Drilling hydraulics * Bit selection * Weight-on-bit optimization * Rotary speed optimization * Drilling fluids * Mud program development * Completion fluids * Brine systems * Drilling chemicals * Logging while drilling * Wireline logging * Coring programs * Well control risk assessment * Lost circulation management * Wellbore stability assessment * Stuck pipe prevention * Well abandonment planning * Drilling equipment selection * Completion equipment selection * Time-depth analysis * Cost-depth analysis * Drilling cost estimation * Authorization for Expenditure preparation * Technical verification * Drilling performance optimization * HSE compliance * Engineering standards * ISO-aligned process improvement * Technical reporting

Why join us

This position provides the opportunity to contribute directly to complex well construction activities within one of the world\'s most established integrated energy organizations. Engineers in this role work across challenging drilling environments where sound technical decisions can improve safety, protect well integrity, reduce non-productive time and strengthen overall field performance. The position also offers valuable exposure to high-pressure high-temperature wells, advanced drilling practices and multidisciplinary petroleum operations. Continued investment in production efficiency, technology and responsible energy development creates strong long-term demand for experienced drilling and well engineering professionals within the Oil and Energy sector.

About the company

Founded in 1971, ADNOC Group is a diversified energy organization wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Its integrated businesses operate across the energy value chain and support the responsible development, processing and supply of energy resources. ADNOC continues to invest in operational efficiency, lower-carbon technologies and future energy solutions while developing technically demanding projects across the United Arab Emirates.