Senior Drilling Engineer

Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the energy industry, with a diverse client portfolio including many of the world’s leading energy companies.

We design, build, manage and maintain infrastructure for our clients. We recruit, reward, and develop our people based on merit regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. We value our people and treat everyone who works for or with Petrofac fairly and without discrimination.

The world is re-thinking its energy supply and energy security needs; planning for a phased transition to alternative energy sources. We are here to help our clients meet these evolving energy needs.

This is an exciting time to join us on this journey.  

We support flexible working requests and have adopted a hybrid approach for most of our office-based roles. We ask employees to be present in the office at least three days per week.

 Are you ready to bring the right energy to Petrofac and help us deliver a better future for everyone?

Job Title: Senior Drilling Engineer

Department: Well Engineering

Reports To: Wells Project Manager

Location: Petrofac Office Based, UAE

ROLE PURPOSE

The Senior Drilling Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, and execution support of drilling operations, ensuring delivery of wells in a safe, cost-effective, and technically optimized manner. The role includes preparing well design, tenders, drilling programs, and supporting well operations, while ensuring full compliance with HSE standards, client requirements, and industry best practices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Accountable for HSE performance, ensuring all activities comply with company, client, and regulatory requirements
• Lead well planning and drilling engineering design activities from concept through execution
• Ensure cost-effective delivery of wells aligned with project objectives and AFE
• Interface with project teams to align well objectives and execution strategy
• Ensure compliance with Well Engineering Management System (WEMS) and applicable standards

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Well Planning & Design

• Develop Basis of Well Design (BOD) and conceptual well designs
• Design well trajectories, casing programs, cementing programs, and drilling fluids programs
• Perform drilling engineering calculations including hydraulics, torque & drag, surge/swab, and well control
• Utilize industry software such as: Landmark WellPlan , StressCheck / WellCat , Compass / OpenWells

2. Tendering & Contract Strategy

• Develop technical requirements and evaluation criteria for wells tenders
• Prepare scope of work (SOW), cost estimate, technical specifications, and bid evaluation reports
• Support contract strategy development and vendor selection

3. Project Execution Planning

• Develop detailed drilling programs and procedures
• Prepare AFE cost estimates and budgets

4. Operations Support

• Provide real-time technical support to drilling operations
• Monitor drilling performance and ensure alignment with approved programs
• Analyze drilling data and optimize performance
• Troubleshoot well complications and operational challenges
• Liaise with rigs, service companies, and field personnel

5. Cost & Performance Management

• Monitor and control drilling costs vs AFE
• Identify opportunities for optimization and cost reduction
• Track KPIs and well performance metrics

6. Risk Management & HSE

• Identify drilling risks and uncertainties and develop mitigation plans
• Ensure compliance with HSE standards and well control requirements
• Participate in risk assessments, HAZID/HAZOP, and well reviews

7. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare:
  • End-of-well reports
  • Weekly progress reports
• Maintain accurate technical records and lessons learned

8. Stakeholder & Team Coordination

• Collaborate with:
  • Geologists and reservoir engineers (well placement optimization)
  • Completions and production teams
  • HSE and project teams
• Lead technical meetings and project reviews

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in petroleum, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline
• Minimum 12 years’ experience in drilling engineering

CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid IWCF Level 4 (or equivalent well control certification)
• Strong knowledge of HSE standards and regulatory compliance

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Leadership and team coordination capability
• High attention to detail and results-oriented mindset
• Strong planning and organizational skills

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with international operators and PMC environments
• Experience in Middle East operations, Preferred in UAE
• Exposure to FDP development and concept selection

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