Lease Operator

Danos; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Danos seeks a Lease Operator to safely operate, monitor, and maintain wells, processing units, and related facilities in Midland, TX. You will focus on oil, gas, and water separation, startup, and training while following procedures and safety rules.

Ideal candidates bring experience with facility startup, rotating shifts, and strong communication. You will inspect equipment, document production data, and support environmental initiatives while coordinating with field teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5–10 years of oil and gas operations experience preferred.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing surface equipment used in oil and gas production.
• Experience with oil, gas, and water separation facilities preferred.
• New-facility startup and commissioning experience is highly desirable.
• Willingness to work a rotating shift and respond to call-outs as needed.
• Strong computer, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.
• Ability to lift more than 50 pounds and climb ladders and stairways.
• Must be able to wear SCBA and gas detectors.

Responsibilities

• Follow and enforce all safety rules and procedures.
• Serve as the primary operations contact for assigned facilities.
• Understand process flow, operating conditions, equipment lineups, and safety equipment.
• Review data and schematics to optimize production processes.
• Physically inspect equipment and work areas for proper operation.
• Issue Safe Work Permits and evaluate safety risks.
• Perform gas testing before maintenance activities when required.
• Gauge tanks, read meters, collect samples, and document data.
• Monitor pressures, temperatures, levels, and flow rates.
• Adjust process parameters to maintain specs and efficiency.
• Check valve positions and verify lineups.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance (oil/water, filters, steam traps).
• Coordinate oil sales and saltwater hauling when necessary.
• Maintain gauge sheets and document production changes.
• Communicate needs to Production Foreman.
• Seasonal equipment prep (winterization/summerization).
• Monitor field equipment with handheld devices and computer systems.
• Inspect safety valves and other safety equipment.
• Maintain company vehicle in safe condition.
• Follow environmental policies to minimize emissions and spills.
• Participate in continuous improvement.
• Maintain reliable attendance and support team objectives.

Skills

Safety procedures

Process monitoring

Equipment inspection

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SCADA systems

Electronic gauges

Job description

Overview

Lease Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation, monitoring, and maintenance preparation of wells, processing units, and related facilities. This position focuses on oil, gas, and water separation facilities, major utilities, facility startup, operating procedures, work permitting, and employee training. Candidates with new-facility startup and operations experience are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Follow and enforce all company safety rules and procedures.
• Serve as the primary operations contact for assigned facilities.
• Understand process flow, operating conditions, equipment lineups, basic chemistry, isolation points, and safety equipment.
• Review computer data and system schematics to optimize production processes.
• Physically inspect equipment and work areas using sight, hearing, smell, and touch to verify proper operation.
• Issue Safe Work Permits and evaluate chemical, personnel, and process-safety risks.
• Perform gas testing before maintenance activities when required.
• Gauge tanks, read meters, collect product samples, and accurately document production data.
• Monitor pressure, temperature, levels, flow rates, vibration, differential pressure, chemical-injection rates, leaks, freezing, and overheating.
• Adjust process parameters to maintain product specifications and efficient operations.
• Check control-valve positions and verify proper equipment lineups.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance, including adding oil or water, tightening valve packing, changing filters and steam traps, and clearing equipment.
• Coordinate oil sales and saltwater hauling when necessary.
• Maintain accurate electronic or paper gauge sheets and document reasons for production changes.
• Communicate equipment conditions, production changes, and operational needs to the Production Foreman.
• Perform seasonal equipment preparation, including winterization and summerization.
• Monitor field equipment using handheld electronic devices and computer-monitoring systems.
• Inspect safety valves, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, breathing apparatuses, and other safety equipment.
• Maintain the assigned company vehicle in safe working condition.
• Follow environmental policies and minimize flaring, emissions, spills, and other environmental impacts.
• Participate in continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Maintain reliable attendance, work independently when appropriate, and support team objectives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Five to ten years of relevant oil and gas operations experience preferred.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing surface equipment used in oil and gas production.
• Experience with oil, gas, and water separation facilities preferred.
• New-facility startup and commissioning experience is highly desirable.
• Must be willing and able to work a rotating shift and respond to call-outs as needed.
• Strong computer, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.
• Ability to lift more than 50 pounds and climb ladders and stairways.
• Ability to wear and use a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), gas detectors, and other required safety equipment.
• Must be able to meet all conditional job offer requirements including background, drug test, MVR, agility and fit for duty.