DRILLING MANAGER

About the role

The Drilling Manager will lead and oversee all offshore drilling and completions operations for the project, ensuring wells are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with technical design and regulatory requirements. This role acts as the senior technical and operational authority for drilling activities, managing rig contractors, drilling service providers, and the multidisciplinary drilling team, while serving as the primary interface between offshore operations and the onshore project management team.

This role requires deep technical expertise in offshore well construction, strong leadership under high-risk operational conditions, and the ability to manage complex interfaces between drilling, subsurface, and facilities teams, particularly where wells feed into new or modified surface processing systems.

Key responsibilities

Drilling Operations Leadership

• Provide senior oversight and accountability for all offshore drilling, completion, and well intervention operations
• Develop and implement the offshore well construction program in alignment with the overall project schedule and development plan
• Oversee rig operations, ensuring adherence to well design, drilling programs, and approved procedures
• Manage rig scheduling, well sequencing, and mobilization/demobilization logistics across the drilling campaign
• Serve as the escalation point for critical operational decisions, well control events, and technical drilling issues
• Ensure seamless handover between drilling and completions phases, and from completions to production/facilities teams

Rig & Contractor Management

• Manage offshore drilling rig contracts (day rate, turnkey, or integrated services models), ensuring contractual compliance and performance
• Oversee performance of drilling service providers: mud engineering, cementing, wireline, directional drilling, well testing, and subsea services
• Conduct rig audits and technical assessments to ensure equipment readiness and crew competency
• Lead contract negotiations, rig selection processes, and vendor performance reviews
• Manage rig move logistics, marine operations coordination, and logistics support (supply vessels, helicopters)

Cost & Schedule Management

• Develop and manage the drilling AFE (Authorization for Expenditure) budget for the offshore campaign
• Monitor well costs against AFE, tracking variances and driving cost control initiatives
• Track drilling performance metrics (days per well, NPT %, cost per foot) against benchmarks and type curves
• Report drilling progress, cost performance, and forecast updates to the Senior Project Manager and JV partners
• Identify and mitigate schedule risks, including rig availability, weather windows, and equipment lead times

HSE & Well Control

• Champion a strong HSE and well control culture across all rig operations, targeting zero incidents
• Ensure full compliance with well control certification requirements (IWCF/IADC) for all drilling personnel
• Lead or oversee well control risk assessments, BOP testing programs, and emergency response drills
• Ensure compliance with offshore safety regulations
• Lead investigations into drilling incidents, near-misses, and non-productive time events; implement corrective actions
• Oversee environmental compliance related to drilling discharges, spill prevention, and waste management
• Ensure Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) protocols are followed when drilling occurs alongside platform construction, production, or other rig activities

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of drilling engineers, wellsite supervisors (company men/OIMs where applicable), and drilling support staff
• Oversee competency assurance and training programs for drilling personnel
• Foster a strong safety culture and collaborative working relationship between offshore crews and onshore support teams
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development of drilling team members

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related technical field
• Relevant well control certifications (IWCF or IADC)
• 15+ years of offshore drilling experience, with progressive responsibility
• Minimum 5+ years in a Drilling Superintendent, Senior Drilling Engineer, or Drilling Manager role
• Proven track record managing offshore drilling campaigns
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-well drilling campaigns and rig contractor relationships
• Deep technical knowledge of well design, casing/cementing, drilling fluids, and completions engineering
• Strong understanding of well control principles, kick detection, and blowout prevention systems
• Proficiency with drilling engineering software
• Strong crisis management and decision-making skills under high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions