Deepwater Drilling Manager at Hyprops Nigeria Limited

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of deepwater drilling operations, from spud to completion.
• Ensure drilling programs are executed safely, on time, and within budget.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including geologists, engineers, and offshore rig crews, to optimize well designs and drilling strategies.
• Monitor daily drilling performance and adjust operations to mitigate risks and improve efficiency.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize Non-Productive Time (NPT) and optimize rig performance.
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE):
• Ensure compliance with all offshore safety standards, environmental regulations, and company policies.
• Foster a strong safety culture, emphasizing hazard identification, risk mitigation, and incident prevention.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, and emergency drills in collaboration with the HSE team.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and the development of corrective actions.
• Project Planning and Budgeting: Develop and manage deepwater drilling budgets, ensuring cost control and forecasting accuracy
• Plan and approve well construction programs, including selecting equipment, materials, and contractors.
• Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of equipment and resources.
• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Provide expert guidance on well design, mud programs, casing and cementing, well control, and drilling fluids in deepwater environments.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges related to high pressures, extreme depths, and complex well conditions.
• Stay updated on new technologies, innovations, and industry trends to improve deepwater drilling processes.
• Mentor and train junior drilling engineers and offshore personnel.
• Vendor and Contractor Management:
• Oversee the performance of drilling contractors, service companies, and equipment suppliers to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Review and approve contracts and ensure that all contractors meet company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders, including joint venture partners, regulatory bodies, and third-party vendors.
• Ensure that all operations comply with local and international regulatory standards, including deepwater-specific rules.
• Work with regulatory bodies to secure necessary permits and licenses for deepwater drilling operations.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting for audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all deepwater drilling operations, reporting regularly to senior management.
• Provide detailed updates on operational performance, project milestones, and safety records.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to align drilling operations with broader business objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in drilling operations, with at least 7 years in deepwater drilling management.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of well construction, blowout preventers (BOP), managed pressure drilling (MPD), well control, and rig operations in deepwater environments.
• Certifications: Valid Well Control certification and other offshore safety certifications such as HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) and BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training).
• Proven ability to work in diverse geographical regions and offshore environments, adapting to different regulatory and cultural conditions
• Strong leadership abilities with proven experience managing offshore drilling teams and large-scale projects.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to make critical decisions under pressure, particularly in challenging offshore conditions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (knowledge of additional languages is a plus).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Expatriate benefits including travel benefits, medical insurance.
• Offshore rotational schedule (e.g., 28 days on / 28 days off or as client requires.
• Work in deepwater offshore environments, often in remote and challenging conditions.
• Adherence to strict safety protocols and offshore operational guidelines.