Gas Well Operations Engineer

Longfellow Energy, LP; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Longfellow Energy, LP seeks an early-career Operations Engineer in Dallas, TX to plan, coordinate, and execute a vertical well plugging & abandonment program.

The role emphasizes hands‑on field work, with significant travel and mentorship. You will grow toward broader production, completions, and operations responsibilities while building a foundation in field engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline related to oil and gas.
• 0–3 years of professional engineering experience.
• Ability to read and interpret wellbore schematics and drawings.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; good communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain plugging plans for vertical wells.
• Review historical files, schematics, and regulatory records.
• Prepare wellbore schematics and plugging procedures.
• Perform cementing volumes, hydrostatic pressures, and other calculations.
• Coordinate contractors, budgeting, and field operations.
• Spend substantial time in the field overseeing plugging ops.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Written & verbal comms

Read technical drawings

Excel proficiency

Field travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Excel

Job description

Longfellow Energy, LP is a privately owned oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on underdeveloped or overlooked onshore U.S. basins . Founded in 2006 by Malone Mitchell, 3rd, the company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operates with a small, family-oriented culture. Longfellow Energy combines an entrepreneurial, aggressive approach to exploration with a substantial capital structure that supports long-term growth. Financial and accounting management are provided by Riata Corporate Group, LLC, giving the organization stable operational and financial oversight. Applicants can expect a dynamic environment where technical expertise and initiative are highly valued.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking an early-career Operations Engineer to join our team in Dallas, Texas. The engineer's initial assignment will be to help plan, coordinate, and execute a multi-well vertical well plugging & abandonment (P&A) program in our West Texas gas fields, primarily in the Fort Stockton area.

This is a hands‑on, field-oriented engineering position offering significant responsibility early in an engineer's career. The successful candidate does not need prior P&A experience. We are looking for strong technical fundamentals, practical problem‑solving ability, sound judgment, initiative, and a desire to learn oil and gas operations firsthand. Training and mentorship will be provided, with the expectation that the engineer will progressively take ownership of individual well projects and larger portions of the program.

Although P&A will be the engineer's initial assignment, the position is an Operations Engineer role intended to build a broad foundation for future responsibilities in production, completions, workovers, and other field operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain plugging plans for vertical oil and gas wells.
• Review historical well files, wellbore schematics, completion and workover records, cementing records, logs, production history, and regulatory records.
• Prepare current and proposed wellbore schematics and detailed plugging procedures.
• Perform engineering calculations including cement volumes, displacement volumes, plug depths, hydrostatic pressures, and other operational requirements.
• Assist with regulatory filings, permits, notifications, and final documentation associated with plugging operations.
• Develop well-level cost estimates and assist with program budgeting, forecasting, and cost tracking.
• Solicit and evaluate bids from plugging contractors and service companies.
• Coordinate plugging contractors, cementing services, wireline, trucking, equipment rentals, and other vendors.
• Spend significant time in the field overseeing and supporting plugging operations.
• Monitor daily operations and recommend adjustments to plugging procedures as actual well conditions are encountered.
• Work with field personnel and contractors to troubleshoot operational problems and develop practical solutions.
• Verify work is performed in accordance with the approved program, company requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Review field tickets, contractor invoices, cement tickets, and other operational documentation.
• Maintain accurate well records and prepare final plugging documentation.
• Track program performance, including wells completed, cost per well, schedule performance, contractor performance, and operational issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, reduce cost, and increase the efficiency and consistency of the P&A program.

FIELD AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position is based in Dallas, Texas, but is not primarily a desk-based engineering role. During active plugging operations, approximately 60-80% travel should be expected, primarily to Fort Stockton and surrounding West Texas field locations. Travel schedules will vary with operational activity and may include multiple consecutive days in the field.

Travel between Dallas and West Texas will frequently be aboard small company-owned aircraft. Candidates must be comfortable with frequent travel in small aircraft as part of their normal job responsibilities.

• Working outdoors at active oil and gas locations and around well-service rigs, pressure‑control equipment, and heavy equipment.
• Early mornings and occasional extended workdays dictated by field operations.
• Flexibility when operational conditions require changes to planned schedules.
• Driving between field locations and traveling independently when required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0-3 years of professional engineering experience.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and practical/mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, wellbore schematics, and operational data.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with field personnel, contractors, vendors, and engineers.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 60-80% during active plugging operations.
• Comfort traveling regularly aboard small aircraft.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently to field locations.

PREFERRED

Previous experience is helpful but not required in:

• Oil and gas field operations; drilling, completions, production, or workover operations.
• Well plugging and abandonment or cementing operations.
• Internship or field experience with an oil and gas operator or service company.
• Texas Railroad Commission regulations and filings.
• Wellbore schematic preparation.
• Cost estimating, AFE preparation, or operational cost tracking

WHO FITS THIS ROLE?

Technical knowledge is important, but we do not expect an early-career engineer to arrive knowing how to run a plugging program. We are looking for someone with the aptitude and attitude to learn. Success in this role looks like:

• Eagerness to learn oil and gas operations in the field, not exclusively from an office.
• Is comfortable taking ownership of a problem and following it through to completion.
• Asks good questions and is willing to learn from experienced field personnel.
• Can combine engineering analysis with practical field judgment.
• Communicates effectively with contractors, field personnel, management, and other engineers.
• Is organized and capable of managing multiple wells, contractors, and priorities simultaneously.
• Has a strong commitment to safe operations.
• Remains effective when plans change or unexpected well conditions are encountered.
• Knows when to make a decision and when to ask for additional technical or operational support.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

The initial P&A assignment is intended to give an early-career engineer substantial operational responsibility and direct exposure to well construction, workover operations, cementing, regulatory compliance, contractor management, cost control, field supervision, and operational decision‑making.

As experience is gained, the engineer will be expected to take increasing responsibility for planning and executing individual projects and to grow into broader production, completions, and operations engineering responsibilities.