PRINCIPAL DRILLING ENGINEER - OPTIMISATION AND PLANNING at ADDAX Petroleum

Position Description
Review well engineering planning, the drilling process and completion activities with a view to improving performance

Position Requirements
1.Review and revise databases, especially the reporting database (IDS) to ensure data is adequately and correctly organised ready for use and easy to access.
2.Carry out a monthly review of the Technical Work Plan (TWP) to optimise well delivery and minimise costs.
3.Compare actual drilling schedules to planned schedule and highlight challenges that could impede successful well operations.
4.Perform preliminary well planning at the project identification and evaluation stages.
5.Use DWOP results to determine means of improving well plans to save cost or reduce time and provide feedback to the operating teams in this respect.
6.Evaluate opportunities for drilling optimization and utilization of drilling technical limit concepts for wells in order to improve operational efficiency.
7.Ensure, on a weekly basis, the compilation of each team’s performance data and present feedback to the operation as means of encouraging performance improvements.
8.Oversee the compilation of the Quarterly and Annual Performance Reports. Coordinate and facilitate quarterly meetings to review and critique the periodic performance.
9.Ensure the timely availability of comparative statistics of actual well performance against Rushmore benchmarks.
10.Ensure the timely update of the Rushmore database, promote the use of the data amongst the rig teams and provide performance benchmarking statistics.
11.Review new materials, tools, techniques and procedures and recommend trials of those that have a high degree of success to effect performance improvements. Develop proposals for the trials and document the results, justifying the implementation if successful.
12.Review and remain up to date with the company/statutory guidelines for drilling, completion and testing operations. Ensure drilling teams are aware of any changes and monitor compliance with same.
13.Management of all drilling software, ensuring its availability, the timely installation of upgrades and arranging training as required. Ensure the timely payment of annual fees, etc.
14.The review of new software / systems and recommend and arrange trials of programmes or systems that will improve efficiency.
15.Oversee the management of the Wellbore Survey Database ensuring compliance with Company policies and procedures.
16.Coordination of After Action Reviews and periodic Lessons Learnt meetings and ensuring the close out of action items.
17.Review, optimise as required and standardise End of Well Reports (EOWR) across all OML’s. Ensure the timely availability of EOWR’s, directional end of well reports, mud recaps, etc by working with each operating team to have these reports issued in a timely manner.
18.Oversee provision of performance data for TECOM’s and other meetings.
19.Develop the annual drilling budget, working closely with Well Cost Accounting and the Principle Engineers in each drilling team.
20.Supervise and mentor engineers on the role of Optimisation Engineer.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR:
1.Organized database in line with agreed departmental structure.
2.Availability of updated and accurate TWP’s for every rig operation.
3.Publishing of periodic Performance Reports to be shared across the teams and review meetings.
4.Updating the Rushmore database and ensuring the statistics are utilised in well planning.
5.New tools and process are properly analysed, benefits demonstrated and properly contracted.
6.Accuracy and availability of End of Well Reports.
7.Accuracy and maintenance of the Permanent Electronic Well File system and ensuring adequate back-up.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS / PERFORMANCE GOALS:
1.Organized Database Structure.
2.Timely availability of accurate and up to date TWP’s for each drilling team.
3.Accurate, good quality and annotated annual drilling budget.
4.Accurate and up to date tracking of well planning and drilling schedules.
5.Up to date Rushmore database.
6.Timely availability of periodic Performance Reports and corresponding review meetings.
7.Trials of new equipment, tools, procedures or processes.
8.Closure of action items from AAR’s, NPT, lessons learnt and other operations meetings.
9.Planning and operations compliance with regulations and Company’s policies and procedures.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
BS degree in Engineering (minimum)
Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers. Member IADC. Attended industry courses in well engineering, well operations management, project management.
> 15 years

KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIREMENTS:
Good technical knowledge of well planning and operations. Ability to analyse well operations and determine areas requiring improvement.
Resourceful, self starter with the imagination and initiative to improve well operations.
Team leader with presentation and organisational capabilities, able to coordinate and facilitate meetings.
Good interpersonal skills, communications and organizational skills are essential.

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