Water Operations Engineer

Whitecap Resources Inc.; Grande Prairie; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitecap Resources Inc. is seeking a Water Operations Engineer to lead the planning, execution, and optimization of frac water operations to support the annual completion program.

The role will focus on the Kaybob asset and may be based in Grande Prairie, Whitecourt or Calgary with occasional field travel. You will coordinate water sourcing, licensing, and infrastructure, develop execution plans for each well, and ensure compliance with HSE standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical diploma.
• 5+ years of upstream oil and gas experience, with exposure to completions, water management, or operations.
• Experience with Alberta water licensing and AER requirements is an asset.
• Strong Excel, analytical, written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the frac water demand forecast, operations planning, and execution strategy to support annual and long-range development plans.
• Develop a frac water operations execution plan and job package for each well completion pad, including water balance, licensing, and transfer design.
• Work with field-based water operations team and service providers to ensure plans are executed in line with HSE standards.
• Manage water service providers and contractors including assignment of work, performance reviews, and invoice approvals.
• Maintain accurate water volume, cost, infrastructure, and compliance data and provide regular reporting and performance metrics.
• Coordinate inspections and maintenance programs for water infrastructure and liaise with AER on water-related applications and approvals.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Engineering degree or technical diploma

Job description

Whitecap Resources Inc. is a leading Canadian energy company committed to delivering reliable returns to shareholders through the responsible development of oil and natural gas assets in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. With a strong track record of profitable growth and a sustainable dividend, Whitecap delivers long-term value to investors, supported by investment-grade financial strength. Since September 2009, Whitecap has experienced remarkable growth, increasing production from 850 boe/d to over 365,000 boe/d. We have unconventional and conventional assets exclusively focused in Western Canada and the asset base includes the Weyburn EOR Project. As a majority owner and operator of the Weyburn EOR Project, annually we safely sequester approximately 1.5 million tonnes of CO\249 making it a unique project within our portfolio. We currently employ 1,200 people, including our valued contract staff. At Whitecap, our corporate culture is entrepreneurial. We strive to create a culture of purpose and integrity where initiative and innovation are encouraged and valued. Our corporate philosophy allows us to develop skills, collaborate alongside our teammates, and ultimately have a fulfilling career.

The Water Operations Engineer is accountable for the planning, execution, optimization, and fiscal management of frac water operations supporting Whitecap's annual completion program. This role will support the Kaybob asset and be based out of Whitecap's Grande Prairie, Whitecourt or Calgary office, with occasional travel to field locations to support the water operations team. The position level will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the frac water demand forecast, operations planning, and execution strategy to support annual and long-range development plans.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary asset team to develop strategies for water sourcing and infrastructure to ensure alignment with drilling and completion schedules; identify constraints and opportunities to optimize water use, infrastructure utilization, and operating costs.
• Develop a frac water operations execution plan and job package for each well completion pad, including:
  • Water balance and volume requirements
  • Source/supply strategy, water licensing, tracking, and usage reporting
  • Transfer design and routing via temporary surface pipelines for water conveyance (TSPW) or permanent pipelines; coordination of permitting requirements with surface land and environmental teams
  • Auxiliary requirements such as AWSS storage and heating
  • Operational risks and contingency plans
  • Cost estimate (AFE), execution schedule, cost tracking, change management
  • AER notifications
• Work closely with Whitecap's field-based water operations team and service providers to ensure frac water operations are planned and executed in accordance with Whitecap's HSE standards. This includes design reviews, field kick-off meetings, post-job assessments, and participation in hazard assessments, field safety reviews, and incident investigations, as required.
• Manage water service providers and contractors including assignment of work, performance reviews, and invoice approvals.
• Maintain accurate water volume, cost, infrastructure, and compliance data and provide regular reporting and performance metrics to the asset team and leadership.
• Coordinate inspections and maintenance programs associated with water infrastructure and dam safety obligations.
• Liaise with the AER regarding water-related applications, approvals and compliance matters.
• Represent Whitecap at industry water committees, operator groups, and technical forums.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical diploma in a related discipline.
• Consideration will be given to experienced candidates without post-secondary education for the Water Operations Coordinator level.
• 5+ years of upstream oil and gas experience, with direct exposure to completions, water management, or operations.
• Experience with Alberta water licensing, AER requirements, and regulatory compliance is an asset.
• Strong Excel, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, completions, operations, land, environmental, and regulatory teams.
• Valid Class 5 driver's licence and willingness to travel to field locations, as required.
• Self-starter capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Our employees enjoy a collaborative, innovative, and rewarding workplace culture where they can thrive and develop skills to enhance their career journey at Whitecap. Our market-competitive compensation package offers base salary, vacation, a comprehensive health benefits package, pay-for-performance compensation via our short-term and long-term incentive programs (as applicable), competitive allowances for our field-based employees, and the opportunity to join our share purchase matching savings program. Whitecap supports giving back to our communities in which we live and work, with an emphasis on children's health, education, and wellness. We also have an employee charitable-matching program to support our employees' causes that are important to them. Whitecap advocates for our youth joining our industry and has a robust student program where our mentors work with students to apply critical learnings, develop business skills, and gain valuable work experience in office and field environments. We are always happy to welcome our returning students, many of whom have joined Whitecap full-time following completion of their degree.