Lead Performance Drilling Engineer

bp; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Discretionary annual bonus program

401(k) matching program

Job summary

bpx energy, a major oil and gas producer, is seeking a Performance Drilling Engineer to optimize drilling performance, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining HSE standards. The role emphasizes safe operations, data-driven decisions, and leadership in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include designing cost-effective drilling projects, analyzing inefficiencies, and coordinating with field execution teams to deliver improvements in

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering from an accredited university (USA standard).
• 8+ years as Drilling Engineer in an independent or major oil company in similar capacity.
• Experience with modelling software for casing design, directional well plans, hydraulics, torque & drag.
• Knowledge of drilling horizontal wells and related operations.
• Experience in drilling including casing design, directional drilling, drill string/BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, contingency planning.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with a safety-focused mindset.
• Industry training such as WC Certification, Murchison, Extended Reach drilling (preferred).
• Ability to develop ideas and technical proposals with minimal supervision.
• Track record of optimizing drilling performance and promoting continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate leadership in managing an HSE compliant operation.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute safe, cost-effective drilling projects with engineering and field teams.
• Drive continuous improvement for reliability and consistency.
• Analyze drilling inefficiencies and recommend parameter/BHA changes.
• Identify risks and mitigation with assessments, MOC processes, and alignment with standards.
• Collaborate with Drilling Engineers, Superintendents, cross-functional teams, and vendors.
• Communicate findings clearly to peers and cross-functional teams.
• Secure bids from reputable sub-contractors and ensure safety performance standards.
• Research offset wells and evaluate new drilling ideas and techniques.
• Manage variable workload with rig activity and project goals.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and engaging work environment.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Wellbore design

Casing design

Directional drilling

Hydraulics & torque/drag

Data analytics basics

HSE leadership

Education

Petroleum engineering (BS)

Mechanical engineering (BS)

Civil engineering (BS)

Tools

Casing design modelling tools

Directional well planning software

Hydraulics modelling tools

Torque & drag analysis tools

Job description

Job Family Group:

Wells Group

Job Description:

bpx energy, a major oil and gas producer in the United States, leverages its expertise in unconventional gas, including shale, to deliver hydrocarbon production and technical knowledge worldwide. With operations in Texas and Louisiana, our US onshore business has become both a premier oil and gas producer and a leader in reducing methane emissions.

As part of BP, a global industry leader, we foster a high-energy, high-intensity environment built on accountability, collegiality, innovation, and empowerment. At bpx, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and challenging environment where collaboration, continuous improvement, and inclusion are valued.

Discover your place with us and help our business meet the challenges of reimagining and reinventing the future of energy.

Role Synopsis

The Performance Drilling Engineer will be responsible for the safe optimization of and improvements in ft/day and $/ft within drilling. They will work with engineering peers, well site supervisors, remote operations center, and subsurface team members to achieve this goal. The focus of the Performance Team is to work with the team to deliver improvements in on bottom and flat time metrics with impactful gains to the Drilling organization. They are expected to demonstrate by action good technical judgment, professionalism, one team spirit, leadership skills in promoting a safe operation at the well site and together with the Team to drill safe and compliant wells in bpx energy.

Key Accountabilities

• The Performance Drilling Engineer will work with engineering and field execution teams to design and execute safe, technically sound, and cost-effective drilling projects. Performance Drilling Engineer is responsible for the technical performance improvements withing the drilling program and will support execution of various drilling performance projects across the company.
• Drive Continuous Improvement based on standardization as key to deliver overall operational reliability and consistency.
• Analyzing and diagnosing drilling inefficiencies and making parameter / BHA recommendations.
• Thorough identification of risks and mitigating controls for all recommended procedures - includes risk assessments, MOCs, and ensuring alignment with corporate, regulatory, and asset standards.
• Work with Drilling Engineers, Drilling Superintendents, cross functional team members, and vendors to solve problems and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including preparing and presenting information to peers and cross functional teams.
• Secure bids for services from reputable and approved sub-contractors. Engage competent and qualified contractors that work to a company standard of operational and safety performance.
• Conduct research on offset wells, evaluate new ideas and drilling technics. Be open and willing to aggressively seek better methods and techniques of drilling wells.
• Manage a variable workload as rig activity rises and falls based on the goals of the company.
• Communicate effectively, treat all employees and contractors with respect, promote safe, inclusive, and engaging environment.

Essential Experience and Education

• BS degree in Engineering from an accredited (USA accreditation standard) university. Preferred degrees are Petroleum, Mechanical or Civil Engineering.
• Experience as a Drilling Engineer for 8 or more years with an independent or major oil company in similar capacity. Work experience with an industry service provider is a plus.
• Experience with computer software for modelling casing design, directional well plan, hydraulics, torque & drag.
• Have detailed and demonstrated technical knowledge of drilling horizontal wells.
• Engineering and operational experience in drilling including casing design, directional drilling, drill string/BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning.
• A strong awareness of the critical factors that affect performance such as rock mechanical properties, drill bits, drilling fluids, downhole drilling vibration and BHA /performance components.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills required along with a high-energy personality.
• Have industry training, such as WC Certification, Murchison, Extended Reach drilling or similar courses is preferred.
• Ability to develop ideas and technical proposals with minimal supervision.
• Track record optimizing drilling performance and promoting continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate an aggressive ability to seek new and more efficient ways to improve drilling performance.
• Understand and demonstrate leadership in all aspects of managing an HSE compliant operation without sacrificing operational efficiency.
• Familiar with data analytics tools and basic programming skills.

Compensation & Benefits

How much do we pay (Base)?

$200,000-$235,000

Note that the pay range listed for this position is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting.

We offer a reward and wellbeing package designed to support your life both inside and outside of work. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Discretionary annual bonus program
• Long-term incentive program
• 401(k) matching program

Legal authorization requirements:

Must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States for any employer other than your current employer

Must not require sponsorship now or in the future for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.)

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other employment benefits and privileges. Please contact us to request accommodations.

Travel Requirement:

Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status.Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process,please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.