Senior Drilling / Well Intervention Subsea Advisor at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Reporting To: Drilling Manager / Well Intervention Manager / Wells Superintendent
Contract Duration: As specified by project requirements and expatriate assignment terms.

Job Purpose

• The Senior Drilling/Well Intervention Subsea Advisor is responsible for providing expert technical leadership, strategic guidance, and operational oversight for subsea drilling, completion, workover, and well intervention activities.
• The role ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of offshore well operations while maintaining compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. The position also plays a key role in mentoring personnel, optimizing operational performance, and supporting knowledge transfer initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership and Advisory Support:

• Provide expert technical advice and strategic guidance for subsea drilling, completion, workover, and well intervention operations.
• Review and approve drilling programs, well intervention procedures, risk assessments, contingency plans, and operational strategies.
• Lead technical evaluations and provide recommendations for operational optimization and performance improvement.
• Support the planning and execution of deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling and intervention campaigns.
• Ensure compliance with well integrity and barrier management requirements throughout all phases of operations.
• Participate in technical reviews, operational readiness assessments, and project assurance activities.

Subsea Systems Oversight:

• Provide technical oversight of subsea equipment and systems, including:
  • Blowout Preventers (BOPs)
  • Marine riser systems
  • Subsea trees
  • Wellheads
  • Subsea control systems
  • Choke and kill systems
  • Completion and intervention equipment
• Review equipment performance, maintenance strategies, reliability data, and certification requirements.
• Support equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure investigations.
• Ensure operational readiness and integrity of critical well control equipment.

Well Intervention and Drilling Operations:

• Provide technical leadership during critical drilling and intervention operations.
• Support wireline, electric line, coiled tubing, pumping, stimulation, and mechanical intervention activities.
• Monitor daily drilling and intervention operations and recommend improvements to reduce Non-Productive Time (NPT).
• Participate in well planning, operational reviews, and performance management processes.
• Review operational reports, lessons learned, and performance indicators.
• Support contractor management and service quality assurance activities.

Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Responsibilities:

• Promote and enforce compliance with company HSE policies and industry best practices.
• Lead HAZID, HAZOP, SIMOPS, JSA, and operational risk assessment activities.
• Ensure strict compliance with well control and barrier management requirements.
• Participate in incident investigations and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Foster a strong safety culture throughout drilling and intervention operations.

Project and Stakeholder Management:

• Support project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation activities.
• Interface with operators, drilling contractors, service companies, regulatory authorities, and project stakeholders.
• Participate in project reviews, audits, and assurance activities.
• Provide strategic recommendations to improve operational efficiency and asset performance.

Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Development:

• Mentor and coach local drilling, well intervention, and subsea personnel.
• Lead structured knowledge transfer and competency development initiatives.
• Facilitate technical workshops, training sessions, and lessons-learned reviews.
• Support localization and succession planning programs in line with national content objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Master's Degree in a relevant engineering or management discipline is advantageous.
• Professional engineering registration or membership in a recognized engineering institution is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 25 years' experience in offshore drilling, well intervention, and subsea operations within the oil and gas industry.
• Minimum of 20 years' experience in senior supervisory, advisory, superintendent, or management roles related to drilling and well intervention operations.
• Extensive experience with subsea drilling systems, BOPs, marine risers, wellheads, subsea trees, and well control equipment.
• Proven experience supporting deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling and intervention campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in complex well operations, well integrity management, and operational optimization.
• International offshore project experience is highly preferred.

Required Certifications:

• IWCF or IADC Well Control Certification (Supervisor Level or Equivalent).
• BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS.
• HUET Certification.
• Offshore Medical Certificate.
• HAZID/HAZOP and Risk Assessment Training.
• Incident Investigation Training.
• Any client-specific or project-required certifications.

Technical Skills:

• Expert knowledge of drilling, completion, workover, and well intervention operations.
• Extensive understanding of subsea well systems and well control equipment.
• Strong knowledge of well integrity and barrier management principles.
• Familiarity with API, ISO, IOGP, IWCF, and international drilling standards.
• Experience in drilling performance optimization and operational assurance.
• Ability to review engineering designs, well programs, procedures, and technical specifications.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and drilling management software.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong planning, coordination, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage high-risk operations and critical situations.
• Strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and international project environments.

Preferred Additional Requirements:

• Experience with MODUs, drillships, semi-submersibles, intervention vessels, and offshore production facilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in deepwater and ultra-deepwater developments.
• Proven capability in mentoring and developing local technical personnel.
• Experience supporting major offshore field development, brownfield intervention, and production optimization projects.
• Strong understanding of international regulatory requirements and offshore industry best practices.