Principal Reservoir Engineer

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and incentives

Relocation assistance

Professional growth opportunities

Support for attending industry events

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Reservoir Engineer in Benoni, Gauteng to lead advanced reservoir characterization, modeling, and field development planning for upstream operations. You will drive simulations, economic assessments, and EOR evaluations while mentoring engineers and coordinating with geologists and production teams.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, data-driven decision making, and collaboration across disciplines to maximize asset value in a dynamic energy portfolio.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Petroleum Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of reservoir engineering experience with simulation and field development planning.
• Expertise in reservoir simulation software (ECLIPSE, CMG) and well performance analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of petrophysics, sedimentology, and structural geology.
• Proven ability to conduct detailed economic evaluations and risk assessments.
• Strong written and verbal communication and leadership skills.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute reservoir characterization studies, integrating geological and engineering data.
• Perform complex reservoir simulations to model fluid flow, predict reservoir behavior, and evaluate development scenarios.
• Determine optimal well placement, completion strategies, and production profiles to maximize economic recovery.
• Conduct material balance calculations, decline curve analysis, and uncertainty assessments.
• Evaluate potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods and recommend implementation strategies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for management and investment decisions.
• Mentor junior reservoir engineers and provide technical leadership within the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop integrated field development plans.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in reservoir engineering.

Skills

Reservoir engineering

Simulation modeling

EOR

Leadership

Petrophysics

Education

MSc or PhD in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

ECLIPSE

CMG

Petrophysics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent energy exploration and production company, is seeking an experienced Principal Reservoir Engineer to contribute to their upstream operations in Benoni, Gauteng. This senior role involves advanced reservoir characterization, performance analysis, and development planning to maximize hydrocarbon recovery and asset value. The Principal Reservoir Engineer will leverage sophisticated simulation tools and analytical techniques to evaluate reservoir potential, optimize production strategies, and forecast future performance. This position requires a deep technical understanding of reservoir engineering principles, including fluid flow, rock properties, and recovery mechanisms. You will work closely with geologists, production engineers, and management to define strategic development plans and ensure efficient resource management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive reservoir characterization studies, integrating geological and engineering data.
• Perform complex reservoir simulations to model fluid flow, predict reservoir behavior, and evaluate development scenarios.
• Determine optimal well placement, completion strategies, and production profiles to maximize economic recovery.
• Conduct material balance calculations, decline curve analysis, and uncertainty assessments.
• Evaluate potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods and recommend implementation strategies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for management and investment decisions.
• Mentor junior reservoir engineers and provide technical leadership within the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop integrated field development plans.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in reservoir engineering.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, or a related field with a strong focus on reservoir engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in reservoir engineering, with significant exposure to simulation and field development planning.
• Expertise in reservoir simulation software (e.g., ECLIPSE, CMG) and well performance analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of petrophysics, sedimentology, and structural geology.
• Proven ability to conduct detailed economic evaluations and risk assessments for reservoir projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Leadership capabilities and experience mentoring junior engineers.
• Familiarity with various EOR techniques.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and relocation assistance if required.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and attending industry conferences are provided.
• This role is based in Benoni, Gauteng, offering a significant impact on the company's upstream portfolio.

We foster a collaborative and innovative work culture.