Senior Petrophysicist - Exploration and Reservoir Evaluation

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Group in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Petrophysicist to lead interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of petrophysical data for hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir studies. You will oversee well log and core data quality, develop SCAL programs, and provide technical recommendations for data acquisition and testing.

The role requires collaboration across geoscience, drilling, reservoir engineering, and petroleum teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 9 years of varied experience in petrophysical engineering.
• Experience in field and office-based roles.
• Proficiency with petrophysical software and data handling.
• Experience coordinating consultants and data quality control.

Responsibilities

• Lead petrophysical interpretation and reservoir evaluation for exploration wells.
• Evaluate hydrocarbons presence and reservoir properties from logs and core data.
• Establish log interpretation parameters and QA of datasets.
• Coordinate SCAL programs and correlate datasets across fields.
• Support multidisciplinary studies with geoscience, drilling, and reservoir teams.
• Mentor junior staff and ensure quality of petrophysical deliverables.
• Prepare and present petrophysical findings to management.

Skills

Petrophysical interpretation

Well log analysis

Data quality control

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Mentoring staff

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

Petrophysical software

Job description

Senior Petrophysicist - Exploration and Reservoir Evaluation Job Snapshot - Role: Senior Petrophysicist - Exploration and Reservoir Evaluation - Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Oil and Energy - Function: Environmental and Geological Engineering - Experience: Minimum 9 years in petrophysical engineering - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview ADNOC Group is seeking an experienced Senior Petrophysicist to lead the interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of petrophysical data supporting hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir studies in Abu Dhabi. The role is responsible for evaluating well logs, core measurements, laboratory rock and fluid data, and other subsurface information to determine hydrocarbon presence, reservoir characteristics, fluid contacts, and rock properties. These evaluations support hydrocarbon resource and reserves assessments, exploration prospect ranking, well proposals, and multidisciplinary reservoir studies. The successful candidate will lead petrophysical quality assurance activities, develop Special Core Analysis (SCAL) programs, establish log interpretation parameters, and provide technical recommendations for exploration well data acquisition and testing. The position also involves coordinating third-party studies, maintaining corporate petrophysical databases, evaluating new technologies, and mentoring less experienced technical personnel.

Job Details

• - Country: United Arab Emirates
• - City: Abu Dhabi
• - Industry: Oil and Energy
• - Function: Environmental and Geological Engineering
• - Salary: Not disclosed
• - Gender: No Preference
• - Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• - Job Type: Full Time
• - Work Arrangement: On-site

Job Specific Accountabilities

Petrophysical Interpretation and Reservoir Evaluation

• - Lead the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of petrophysical data from exploration wells.
• - Determine the presence, quality, and type of hydrocarbons using available well information.
• - Evaluate fluid contacts, rock matrix constituents, and reservoir rock properties.
• - Establish appropriate petrophysical log interpretation parameters.
• - Integrate laboratory rock and fluid measurements into petrophysical evaluations.
• - Support hydrocarbon resource and reserves assessments through reliable subsurface interpretation.
• - Review petrophysical analytical reports prepared by technical teams and consultants.
• - Investigate anomalous results, non-standard parameters, and questionable interpretation methodologies.
• - Provide technical recommendations based on evaluated well and reservoir information.

Exploration Studies and Prospect Evaluation

• - Contribute petrophysical expertise to exploration play reviews and prospect evaluation activities.
• - Support prospect ranking and maturation studies.
• - Participate in multidisciplinary studies to identify and assess exploration prospects and leads.
• - Provide petrophysical inputs for hydrocarbon resource definition.
• - Support preparation of exploration well proposals and related technical justifications.
• - Contribute to exploration snapshots and other subsurface evaluation deliverables.
• - Coordinate with geoscience, drilling, reservoir, and petroleum engineering teams.
• - Present relevant petrophysical findings to support exploration decisions.

Well Log and Core Data Quality Control

• - Lead quality assurance and quality control of received well log and core data.
• - Assess the accuracy, completeness, and suitability of acquired measurements.
• - Review data quality before incorporating results into technical interpretations.
• - Identify potential measurement errors and inconsistencies.
• - Evaluate assumptions and approximations affecting core analysis results.
• - Coordinate resolution of data quality concerns with relevant technical personnel and service providers.
• - Maintain consistent standards for petrophysical data evaluation.

Special Core Analysis Programs

• - Prepare and coordinate Special Core Analysis programs.
• - Define relevant analytical requirements for reservoir rock evaluation.
• - Monitor the progress of SCAL activities.
• - Review and quality-control laboratory results.
• - Correlate SCAL measurements with reservoir rock types across the field.
• - Identify errors, uncertainties, and assumptions associated with core analysis.
• - Reconcile SCAL measurements obtained from different contractors and historical programs.
• - Evaluate compatibility between datasets collected during different periods.
• - Support effective utilization of available SCAL information in reservoir studies.

Exploration Well Logging and Testing

• - Support the technical definition of exploration well proposals.
• - Provide petrophysical input into logging and well testing programs.
• - Select appropriate logging tool string configurations for planned data acquisition.
• - Determine logging acquisition sequences based on technical objectives.
• - Specify relevant recording modes, logging speeds, and measurement resolutions.
• - Identify well intervals and depths requiring additional or specialized measurements.
• - Recommend appropriate Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT) measurement points where applicable.
• - Identify requirements for extended measurements and well testing.
• - Coordinate technical requirements with relevant drilling and subsurface teams.
• - Support acquisition of representative and accurate petrophysical data.

Well Completion and Drilling Engineering Support

• - Contribute petrophysical recommendations to multidisciplinary well planning decisions.
• - Provide technical input concerning well completion requirements.
• - Advise on casing depths based on relevant subsurface information.
• - Review cementation quality considerations.
• - Provide input on tubular goods required for anticipated surveys.
• - Consider relevant corrosion-related requirements when evaluating survey arrangements.
• - Coordinate recommendations with drilling, reservoir, and petroleum engineering personnel.

Petrophysical Studies and Consultant Management

• - Identify requirements for specialized petrophysical studies.
• - Prepare technical proposals and justifications for external studies.
• - Develop scopes of work for consultants and third-party service providers.
• - Participate in technical tender evaluations.
• - Review consultant methodologies and proposed analytical approaches.
• - Monitor progress against approved study requirements.
• - Quality-control technical deliverables and interpretation results.
• - Verify adherence to agreed scopes of work and contractual requirements.
• - Identify technical deficiencies and coordinate necessary clarifications.
• - Ensure completed studies provide accurate and clearly documented findings.

Petrophysical Reporting and Technical Presentations

• - Prepare petrophysical interpretation reports and technical evaluations.
• - Review and quality-control reports developed by other team members.
• - Integrate petrophysical results with relevant multidisciplinary studies.
• - Present findings and recommendations to management and concerned stakeholders.
• - Contribute to regular management reporting requirements.
• - Provide inputs for weekly highlights and action-point reports.
• - Support preparation of daily exploration well drilling reports.
• - Maintain accurate technical records supporting exploration and reservoir decisions.

Petrophysical Data Management

• - Coordinate receipt of petrophysical information from relevant internal and external sources.
• - Verify data quality before incorporation into corporate and exploration databases.
• - Ensure appropriate calibration and updating of received petrophysical datasets.
• - Maintain reliable well log, core, and related technical information.
• - Coordinate data submissions from service providers and ADNOC Group Companies.
• - Manage relevant information received from SPC companies, new joint ventures, and third parties.
• - Support the consistency and accessibility of corporate petrophysical records.
• - Coordinate technical data requests and related database activities.

Regional Data Exchange and Exploration Support

• - Identify opportunities for petrophysical data exchanges with companies operating in neighboring countries and emirates.
• - Prepare proposals for appropriate technical data exchange arrangements.
• - Support regional studies through access to relevant subsurface information.
• - Contribute to the development and completeness of ADNOC 's corporate database.
• - Participate in exploration bid rounds and data room activities.
• - Support preparation of technical data packages, presentations, and reports.
• - Coordinate relevant petrophysical information for exploration assessments.

Petrophysical Software and Technology

• - Maintain awareness of developments in petrophysical interpretation software.
• - Liaise with software suppliers regarding relevant applications and technical capabilities.
• - Evaluate new technologies that may benefit petrophysical analysis and exploration activities.
• - Recommend acquisition of suitable software and hardware.
• - Participate in preparing technical and business justifications for proposed acquisitions.
• - Review relevant technical publications and industry developments.
• - Participate in conferences and seminars to maintain professional technical knowledge.
• - Identify opportunities to improve petrophysical interpretation and data management processes.

Multidisciplinary Coordination

• - Work closely with geoscience, drilling, reservoir, and petroleum engineering teams.
• - Integrate petrophysical findings into exploration and reservoir studies.
• - Coordinate technical inputs required for well proposals and data acquisition activities.
• - Participate in joint studies involving ADNOC Group Companies and external stakeholders.
• - Maintain regular communication with relevant divisional personnel.
• - Support technical collaboration with SPC companies, new joint ventures, and international shareholders.
• - Coordinate assigned technical projects and ad-hoc requests.
• - Support appropriate data and technical information requests from universities and other third parties.

Supervision and Staff Development

• - Plan, supervise, and coordinate assigned petrophysical activities.
• - Provide technical direction to less experienced staff.
• - Review technical work and support the development of interpretation capabilities.
• - Mentor personnel in petrophysical analysis and quality control.
• - Assist in identifying relevant training requirements.
• - Coordinate technical learning and development activities.
• - Support achievement of functional and business objectives.
• - Participate in relevant training requests, including those associated with UAE University.

Budget and Performance Management

• - Provide input into functional and departmental budget preparation.
• - Assist with implementation of approved budgets and work plans.
• - Monitor relevant activities against established financial requirements.
• - Investigate and highlight significant budget variances.
• - Support effective performance monitoring and cost control.
• - Contribute to achievement of approved functional performance objectives.

Policies and Continuous Improvement

• - Implement approved policies, procedures, systems, and technical standards.
• - Ensure assigned activities follow relevant company and international requirements.
• - Identify opportunities to improve petrophysical workflows and analytical quality.
• - Develop and apply tools and techniques that improve operational efficiency.
• - Review existing practices against relevant industry standards.
• - Recommend practical improvements to technical processes and data management.
• - Support consistent implementation of approved work programs.

Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability

• - Comply with relevant ADNOC HSE policies, procedures, and controls.
• - Follow applicable legislation and sustainability guidelines.
• - Maintain compliance with relevant international standards and industry practices.
• - Apply applicable ADNOC Codes of Practice.
• - Support safe execution of assigned technical and field-related activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• - Bachelor 's degree in Petroleum Engineering or an equivalent discipline.
• - Minor or advanced coursework in petrophysics, applied physics, or mathematics.

Minimum Experience

• - At least 9 years of varied experience in petrophysical engineering.
• - Experience must include both field and office-based work.
• - Extensive experience using petrophysical software and associated hardware.

Required Technical Knowledge and Skills

• - Advanced petrophysical interpretation and evaluation.
• - Exploration well log analysis.
• - Core data interpretation and quality control.
• - Special Core Analysis program development and evaluation.
• - Reservoir rock typing and petrophysical characterization.
• - Hydrocarbon identification and fluid contact evaluation.
• - Laboratory rock and fluid data analysis.
• - Petrophysical data calibration and reconciliation.
• - Exploration prospect evaluation and resource assessment.
• - Well logging program design and acquisition planning.
• - Logging tool configuration and measurement selection.
• - MDT measurement planning and well testing support.
• - Pressure and reservoir-related subsurface data interpretation.
• - Multidisciplinary exploration and reservoir studies.
• - Petrophysical software and hardware applications.
• - Technical scope-of-work development.
• - Consultant study supervision and technical quality assurance.
• - Corporate exploration database management.
• - Technical reporting and presentation.
• - Knowledge of geosciences, drilling, reservoir engineering, petroleum engineering, and exploration activities.
• - Ability to mentor technical personnel and coordinate multidisciplinary work.

Professional Certifications

• - Relevant professional certifications, as applicable.

Working Relationships Internal

• - Daily coordination with divisional and functional personnel.
• - Collaboration with geoscience, drilling, reservoir, and petroleum engineering teams.
• - Technical coordination with exploration and subsurface specialists.
• - Communication with management regarding project execution and technical findings.

External

• - ADNOC Group Companies.
• - SPC companies.
• - New joint ventures.
• - International shareholders.
• - Petrophysical consultants and service providers.
• - Software and hardware suppliers.
• - Universities and other relevant third parties.

Work Conditions

• - Physical effort: Minimal.
• - Work environment: Primarily air-conditioned.
• - Site visits: Occasional exposure to heat, humidity, dust, and prevailing weather conditions.

Job Family

Job Family: Operations - Sub-Family: Exploration and Development

Role Contribution

The Senior Petrophysicist contributes to ADNOC Group 's exploration and reservoir evaluation activities by delivering reliable petrophysical interpretations, quality-controlled subsurface data, and technical recommendations for exploration prospects and wells. Through detailed well log analysis, core evaluation, data acquisition planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration, the role supports hydrocarbon resource assessment, exploration decision-making, and the development of technical capabilities within the organization.