Senior Drilling Engineer

Elemental Energies; Westhill; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Elemental Energies in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Drilling Engineer responsible for drilling engineering, design and technical integrity across the well lifecycle (Drill, Complete, WO, repurpose, P&A). You will provide input to well construction, reviews, design projects and support to well operations.

You will lead well design and planning, manage costs and schedules, interface with subsurface, projects, and supply chain, ensure compliance with policies and regulatory requirements,

Qualifications

• BSc / BEng or equivalent technical degree in engineering, technology or science.
• Offshore medical, survival.
• Proven track record in drilling engineering roles.

Responsibilities

• Directs well design and validates engineering calculations.
• Leads well material selection and QA.
• Leads well planning per Well Delivery Process.
• Manages cost, time and safety for well operations.
• Interfaces with subsurface, projects and supply chain.
• Ensures compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
• Prepares End of Well Reports and captures lessons learned.
• Mentors junior engineers and supports knowledge transfer.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Well design

Mentoring staff engineers

Independent & team work

Well delivery process

Education

BSc / BEng in engineering

Tools

Compass

Wellplan

StressCheck

Job description

Responsible for drilling engineering, design and technical integrity aspects of wells, ensuring the safe and efficient execution of projects covering the full lifecycle (Drill, Complete, WO, repurpose, P&A).

Associated responsibilities: -

• Provides input to well construction, workover and abandonment studies, reviews and design projects.
• Provides engineering support to well operations.

KEY DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Technical Leadership:

• Directs the design of the well, checking and confirming the validity of engineering calculations and assumptions.
• Leads engineering input well material and equipment selection and quality assurance.
• Leads the well planning process in accordance with the Well Delivery Process (Terra).
• Manages well engineering and design activities to ensure delivery of well operations that are safe, on time, within budget, fit for purpose.
• Works closely with the Drilling Superintendent / Project Manager to ensure well design and programmes meet the agreed objectives.
• Interfaces effectively with other teams (e.g. subsurface, projects, supply chain, finance) to ensure safe and successful project execution.
• Ensures projects are planned in full compliance with corporate policies, standards, procedures, guidelines, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Ensures well verification procedures are followed across all phases.
• Ensures detailed risk assessments are prepared for planned well operations and that risks are appropriately managed and mitigated.

Contractor Management:

• Prepares and evaluates tenders; acts as Technical Sponsor for selected contracts.
• Provides technical advice during prequalification and tender evaluation phases, ensuring contractor and supplier selection meets technical objectives and company standards.
• Supports the contractor management process by developing positive relationships with contractors and suppliers, and by ensuring contractor delivery against KPIs and scorecards.

Technical Analysis:

• Responsible for preparation of well cost estimates (AFEs) for both future budgets and current operations, ensuring accuracy and reliability of cost data.
• Continuously monitors daily time and cost of operations, with regular reporting, cost forecasting, benchmarking, and performance analysis.
• Appraises new drilling technology and products to evaluate their potential to improve safety and performance.

Project Execution:

• Plans and schedules the supply of drilling materials and services for each operation.
• Prepares rig-based activity programmes and time & cost documentation for each phase of the project.
• Support project delivery activities, including participation in execution readiness reviews.
• Ensures all consents and legislative requirements are met in a timely manner.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Prepares and submits End of Well Reports in a timely manner.
• Captures lessons learned and prepares performance analysis documentation.
• Ensures continuous reporting of operational performance, including benchmarking and cost tracking
• Reviews and proposes modifications to wells standards and guidelines to enhance safety and operational performance.
• Appraises new technologies and approaches for their value-adding potential across the well delivery lifecycle.
• Implements feedback and performance analysis to support continuous learning and improvement.
• Captures and closes out lessons learned and analyses non-productive time (NPT) events.
• Mentoring junior engineers and supporting knowledge transfer.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge & Qualifications:

• BSc / BEng or equivalent technical degree in an engineering, technology or science discipline.
• Offshore medical, survival.

Skills:

• Competent in Drilling Engineering Software (Compass, Wellplan & Stresscheck (or equivalent).
• Competent in all aspects of Well Design.
• Competent in using a Well Delivery Process.
• Capable of mentoring and training staff engineers.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team

Experience:

• Proven track record with an Operator or Well Management Company in a well engineering role.