Drilling Fluid Specialist

Job Description

Positions reports to Head Drilling Engineering

Provides technical and specialist advice on all aspects related to drilling and completion fluids.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Provide specialist technical input to Drilling Operations on drilling and completion fluids through the review and preparation of drilling and completion fluid programs and the update of the Drilling Reference Manual (DRM) to ensure safe and efficient drilling performance and the minimum impairment of reservoirs in an economic and environmentally acceptable manner.
2. Attend all pre-spud meetings for offshore wells to ensure that the drilling and completion fluid aspects are full understood by operational staff and the on-site mud engineer.
3. Act as the contract holder for the Offshore Mud Engineering contract to ensure that the contract is implemented in accordance with CLIENT standards and requirements and that corrective action is taken by the contractor in the event of problems or poor performance.
4. Evaluate and make recommendations on the implementation of new developments (techniques, chemicals, products etc.) in drilling and completion fluids.
5. Monitor and manage data on costs and technical performance of drilling and completion fluids and techniques. Report findings, lessons learnt and document successes / failures in technical report.
6. Ensure full compliance with Corporate, Directorate and Departmental QHSE policies and procedures. Set a clear leadership example to promote a high degree of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment awareness. Ensure that process safety and personal safety requirements are full understood and implemented by the fluids contractor and by operational staff.
7. Assist in technical and HSE audits/inspections as required by management ensure contractors / suppliers comply with CLIENT regulations / requirements.
8. Identify the need for contract variations for equipment, materials and services not covered under the contract. Initiate variations and ensure variations are completed in time.
9. Manage operational and QHSE performance of contractor by coordinating biannual Service Quality Meetings (SQM) to review the performance, monitor follow up of recommendations and proper close out of findings.
10. Evaluate the corrosion of BHAs cause by drilling fluids by monitoring corrosion coupons and corresponding mud properties. Make recommendations to adjust the mud properties to minimize corrosion problems.

Decision Making Authority

The incumbent works in accordance with CLIENT Policies and the Drilling Reference Manual and broad guidance from the Assistant Manager Drilling Engineering (DRE). The incumbent is empowered to:

1. Review and update the DRM standards and procedures relating to Drilling, Completion and Workover Fluids.
2. Propose work plans relating to drilling and completion fluids that can improve drilling and production performance.
3. Initiate new technology proposals.
4. Exercise discretion in deciding how to deliver defined objectives and to deal with operational problems. Work is of a varied, complex nature and influenced by continually changing circumstances. Sets priorities for work depending on criticality and endeavors to avoid drilling related problems at all times.

Context / Special Features / Challenges

This is a specialist engineering position involving the resolution of problems across a range of drilling and completion operations. The scope of problem solving ranges from trade-off decisions required for different fluid solutions to the contractual issues associated with the mud engineering contractor. Some examples are:

1. To evaluate and recommend the best course of action in the event of operational emergencies such as severe fluid losses or well control problems. These problems require an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects of drilling and fluid engineering and the ability to plan and work effectively under operational pressure.
2. To develop solutions to improve drilling performance and to avoid formation impairment. Sound knowledge of applying principles of fluid engineering design, and the ability to work effectively in a team of other engineering specialists is required to properly evaluate technical and economic trade-off decisions.
3. To optimize drilling and fluid programs and to perform the work with a clear focus on personal and process safety. This involves the assessment and optimization of factors such as: fluid design; mud cleaning equipment, chemical requirements environmental impact and cost. These are on-going challenges that require an ability to identify the correct priorities and to influence operational engineers to accept and implement the recommended solutions.
4. To manage the mud engineering service provider and make recommendations to resolve any contractual disputes or conflicts. This requires an understanding of the technical and contractual aspects related to the provision of mud engineering services and a thorough knowledge the contract scope and the terms and conditions.
5. To visit the offshore rig site once per month or as required to review the performance of the mud treatment facilities and the performance of the contractors mud engineer. Make a written report with recommendations for improvement and follow-up as appropriate.
6. To liaise and work closely with counterpart in Dukhan to ensure that best practices in drilling and completion fluids are implemented across all drilling operations and that the mud contractor services are managed consistently. Shall act a delegate for the onshore (Dukhan) based mud specialist as and when required.

Qualifications / Knowledge / Skills / Experience

1. BSc. in Petroleum, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related Engineering discipline, plus relevant drilling industry courses.
2. Fluent in written and spoken English Language.
3. Minimum fifteen (15) years of experience in Oil & Gas industry include minimum of 8 years drilling experience with considerable exposure to drilling and completion fluids engineering.
4. A thorough understanding of all chemical / physical aspects of these fluids is required, particularly relating to the corrosion process.
5. Innovative with the ability to challenge conventional methods and capacity to drive through new initiatives.
6. Experience in Underbalanced drilling is preferred but not essential.

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