Principal Reservoir Engineer - Oil & Gas Exploration

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

International assignments

Access to advanced technology

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Reservoir Engineer to lead advanced reservoir studies and optimize hydrocarbon recovery in complex offshore assets. The role emphasizes using cutting-edge simulation techniques, reservoir characterization, and strategic planning to maximize asset value.

You will collaborate with geoscientists, drilling and production engineers, and management to drive development plans, evaluate opportunities, and mentor junior staff while

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of hands-on experience in reservoir engineering with exploration and development focus in complex reservoirs.
• Expertise in reservoir simulation software (e.g., Petrel RE, Eclipse, CMG Suite).
• Strong understanding of petrophysics, geology, and production engineering principles.
• Proven ability to perform economic evaluations and risk assessments for oil and gas projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with ability to convey complex technical information.
• Experience in leading technical teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Familiarity with offshore operations and deepwater exploration is a plus.
• Membership in relevant professional organizations (e.g., SPE) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced reservoir engineering studies, including performance analysis, forecasting, and economic evaluation of oil and gas assets.
• Develop and implement reservoir management strategies to optimize production and enhance recovery rates (EOR/IOR).
• Utilize reservoir simulation software to model reservoir behavior under various production scenarios.
• Perform detailed reservoir characterization using geological, geophysical, and well log data.
• Collaborate with geoscientists, drilling engineers, and production engineers to define development plans and production strategies.
• Identify and evaluate new exploration opportunities and undeveloped reserves.
• Mentor and guide junior reservoir engineers, fostering technical excellence within the team.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for management and joint venture partners.
• Stay current with the latest technologies and methodologies in reservoir engineering and management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards and best practices in the Energy exploration field.

Skills

Reservoir engineering

Petroleum engineering

Reservoir simulation

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Masters or PhD in Petroleum/Reservoir Engineering

Tools

Petrel RE

Eclipse

CMG Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the exploration and production of oil and gas, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Reservoir Engineer to join their advanced technical team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This senior role is critical for evaluating and optimizing hydrocarbon recovery from complex geological formations. The successful candidate will leverage cutting‑edge simulation techniques, in‑depth reservoir characterization, and strategic planning to maximize asset value within the Energy sector. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to high‑impact exploration and development projects in a dynamic offshore environment. We are looking for an expert to drive strategic decision‑making for our client's key Energy assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced reservoir engineering studies, including performance analysis, forecasting, and economic evaluation of oil and gas assets.
• Develop and implement reservoir management strategies to optimize production and enhance recovery rates (EOR/IOR).
• Utilize reservoir simulation software to model reservoir behavior under various production scenarios.
• Perform detailed reservoir characterization using geological, geophysical, and well log data.
• Collaborate closely with geoscientists, drilling engineers, and production engineers to define development plans and production strategies.
• Identify and evaluate new exploration opportunities and undeveloped reserves.
• Mentor and guide junior reservoir engineers, fostering technical excellence within the team.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for management and joint venture partners.
• Stay current with the latest technologies and methodologies in reservoir engineering and management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards and best practices in the Energy exploration field.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of hands‑on experience in reservoir engineering, with a significant focus on exploration and development in complex reservoirs.
• Demonstrated expertise in reservoir simulation software (e.g., Petrel RE, Eclipse, CMG Suite).
• Strong understanding of petrophysics, geology, and production engineering principles.
• Proven ability to perform economic evaluations and risk assessments for oil and gas projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical information.
• Experience in leading technical teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Familiarity with offshore operations and deepwater exploration is a plus.
• Membership in relevant professional organizations (e.g., SPE) is advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance‑based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options and long‑term incentive plans.
• Contribution to a retirement savings plan.
• Relocation assistance for candidates relocating to Mossel Bay, Western Cape.
• Opportunities for international assignments and professional growth.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art technology and exploration data.
• A challenging and intellectually stimulating work environment within the global Energy industry.
• Significant influence on strategic decisions for major energy projects.