Lead - Well Drilling Engineer at Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited

Department: Technical
Directly Reports to: Well Engineering Manager.

Job Summary

• To lead detailed well planning and engineering design activities and provide technical coordination during drilling and completion operations.
• The Lead Wells Drilling Engineer supports the successful delivery of drilling campaigns by ensuring robust engineering design, cost control, operational readiness, and compliance with company, regulatory, and HSE standards.
• The role provides technical leadership to junior engineers and supports the Senior Wells Drilling Engineer in campaign execution and performance optimization.

Key accountabilities

• Lead detailed well planning and well construction design for drilling and completion activities.
• Design well trajectories using Halliburton Landmark Compass and perform casing design using StressCheck.
• Conduct collision risk analysis, anti-collision planning, and offset well reviews to identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare drilling programs, detailed procedures, and engineering documentation to support safe and efficient execution.
• Perform and validate drilling engineering calculations including hydraulics modelling, cementing volumes, mud volumes, torque & drag, casing/liner tallies, and space-outs.
• Develop well cost estimates (AFE), monitor daily well costs, and support cost control initiatives to improve efficiency.
• Analyze operational performance, track NPT and ILT, and document lessons learned to enhance future well delivery.
• Provide real-time engineering support to rig operations and liaise with drilling supervisors, service companies, and contractors to ensure adherence to approved programs.
• Develop technical scopes of work and specifications for drilling and completion services and participate in vendor technical and commercial evaluations.
• Support governance reviews, budgeting processes, and stakeholder engagements as required.
• Ensure compliance with company HSE policies, environmental standards, and regulatory requirements throughout well planning and execution.
• Review and validate technical work prepared by junior engineers and provide mentorship and technical guidance.
• Act as technical focal point during assigned projects and provide delegated leadership support in the absence of the Senior Wells Engineer when required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 6–8 years’ relevant experience in well engineering and drilling operations.
• Experience in development well planning and execution (land/swamp experience preferred
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Land drilling campaign.
• Demonstrate communication skills, technical maturity and flexibility to adjust to change.
• Good data management and computer literacy.
• Requires ability to read and interpret information well logs and interpret directional survey information and other well-site data.
• Proficient using Landmark Suite, Sysdrill or any other drilling engineering software package.
• Good knowledge of drilling operations.

Competencies:

• PETEX IPM Suite (GAP, MBAL, PROSPER)
• Drilling hydraulics and well integrity modelling
• Cost estimation and AFE preparation
• NPT analysis and performance optimization
• Tender technical evaluation
• Advanced well design capability
• Strong reporting, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Operational risk assessment
• Cost awareness and optimization mindset
• Mentoring and technical leadership ability
• Strong communication, collaboration, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Flexibility and innovative thinking.
• Mobility and availability for regular travels.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Integrity and commitment.