Principal Reservoir Engineer - Oil and Gas Exploration

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus potential

Premium medical coverage

Retirement savings plans

Generous leave allowances

Professional development opportunities

Cutting-edge technology

Job summary

Placements24 is representing a leading energy company in Rustenburg, North West, seeking a Principal Reservoir Engineer. This senior role aims to optimize hydrocarbon recovery and lead complex reservoir studies in a hybrid office/site setting.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with geologists and drilling teams, evaluate EOR options, and implement advanced reservoir technologies to guide development decisions.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive reservoir engineering experience in oil and gas.
• Experience in complex reservoir characterization and simulation studies.
• Proficiency with reservoir simulation software (ECLIPSE, CMG, PETREL RE).
• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience with EOR techniques is advantageous.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and travel to sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run reservoir simulation models to predict performance and optimize recovery.
• Perform material balance, decline curve analysis, and volumetric estimates.
• Evaluate and recommend Enhanced Oil Recovery methods.
• Conduct uncertainty analysis and risk assessments for development plans.
• Collaborate with geologists, geophysicists, and drilling engineers to integrate data.
• Develop production forecasts and economic evaluations for new developments.
• Monitor reservoir performance and propose corrective actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio management of assets.
• Mentor junior reservoir engineers and geoscientists.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Petroleum/Reservoir Engineering

PhD (preferred)

Tools

ECLIPSE

CMG Suite

PETREL RE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the Energy industry, is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Reservoir Engineer to join their esteemed team based in Rustenburg, North West . This senior position is crucial for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery from existing and new reservoirs. You will be responsible for leading complex reservoir studies, developing strategic production plans, and implementing advanced recovery techniques. The role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor junior engineers. Working in a Hybrid model, you will have the flexibility to balance office-based analysis with occasional site visits and collaborative sessions. This is an exceptional opportunity to influence the direction of exploration and production activities for a major energy provider in Rustenburg .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute reservoir simulation models to predict performance and optimize recovery.
• Conduct material balance calculations, decline curve analysis, and volumetric estimations.
• Evaluate and recommend Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods.
• Perform uncertainty analysis and risk assessment for reservoir development plans.
• Collaborate with geologists, geophysicists, and drilling engineers to integrate subsurface data.
• Develop production forecasts and economic evaluations for new developments and infill drilling opportunities.
• Monitor reservoir performance, identify potential issues, and propose corrective actions.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and portfolio management of exploration and production assets.
• Mentor and guide junior reservoir engineers and geoscientists.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies in reservoir engineering.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in reservoir engineering, with a strong focus on oil and gas exploration and production.
• Proven track record in complex reservoir characterization and simulation studies.
• Expertise in reservoir simulation software (e.g., ECLIPSE, CMG Suite, PETREL RE) and decline curve analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of fluid flow in porous media, petrophysics, and well test analysis.
• Experience with unconventional reservoirs and/or Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Experience working in the North West region or similar challenging operational contexts.
• Willingness to travel to operational sites near Rustenburg as needed.

Benefits

Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a highly competitive base salary, significant bonus potential, and extensive benefits such as premium medical coverage, retirement savings plans, and generous leave allowances. You will have access to cutting-edge technology and professional development opportunities.