Senior Drilling Engineer

Kintec Recruitment Ltd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading oil and gas operator is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer with deepwater expertise to lead complex offshore well planning and execution. The role includes responsibilities such as deepwater well design, riser analysis, and providing engineering support during drilling operations. Candidates should have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering and 10-15 years of deepwater drilling experience. This position is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is open to Malaysian candidates only.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of drilling engineering experience with significant deepwater exposure.
• Proficiency with deepwater well engineering software.
• IWCF or IADC Well Control certification at Supervisor level.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of deepwater and ultra-deepwater wells.
• Provide real-time engineering support during offshore drilling campaigns.
• Ensure compliance with deepwater well control standards.

Skills

Deepwater well engineering

Project management

Leadership skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

WellPlan

Compass

StressCheck

Drillbench

WellCat

Job description

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Job Title: Senior Drilling Engineer - Deepwater

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Malaysian candidates only)

Overview

A major oil and gas operator is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer with deepwater expertise to lead the planning and execution of complex offshore wells. The role focuses on deepwater well design, riser and subsea systems, and high-specification drilling operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective well delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Deepwater Well Engineering & Design

• Lead design of deepwater and ultra-deepwater wells, including casing design, riser analysis, and BOP/wellhead specifications
• Conduct advanced pore pressure and fracture gradient studies, shallow hazard assessments, and wellbore stability modelling
• Develop detailed well programs, equipment specifications, AFEs, time/cost curves, and barrier philosophies

Execution & Operational Support

• Provide real-time engineering support during offshore drilling campaigns on DP rigs and deepwater floaters
• Manage critical deepwater operations including riser running/pulling, BOP testing, dual-gradient or managed-pressure drilling, and deepwater cementing
• Troubleshoot complex well issues such as kicks, shallow water flows, wellbore instability, and casing wear challenges
• Collaborate with subsea engineering on wellhead systems, tree designs, connectors, and BOP stack configurations
• Coordinate with drilling contractors to ensure rig readiness and emergency disconnect sequences compliance
• Lead verification and audits for subsea equipment integrity and operational readiness

HSE, Regulatory & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with deepwater well control standards and regulatory requirements
• Lead risk assessments, DWOP sessions, HAZOP/HAZID, and well control emergency response planning
• Promote a strong HSE culture and operational excellence

Vendor, Contract & Performance Management

• Engage with service companies for deepwater tools and technologies (LWD/MWD, MPD, liner hangers, cementing)
• Support tendering, contract evaluation, and vendor performance reviews
• Drive continuous improvement via post-well reviews and technical innovation

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Integrate subsurface, subsea, completions, and marine teams for optimized well delivery
• Mentor junior engineers and build deepwater capability across the wells organisation
• Prepare technical documentation and present designs and performance updates to senior leadership

  Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
  • 10-15+ years of drilling engineering experience with significant deepwater exposure
  • Proficiency with deepwater well engineering software (WellPlan, Compass, StressCheck, Drillbench, WellCat)
  • Experience on DP deepwater floaters (6th/7th generation), subsea BOP systems, and riser operations
  • IWCF or IADC Well Control certification at Supervisor level
  • Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills