Plug & Abandonment Engineer

1) Job Summary

The Plug & Abandonment (P&A) Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing plug and abandonment operations for oil and gas wells in accordance with approved programmes, regulatory requirements, client specifications, and company HSE standards. The role ensures safe, cost-effective, and technically sound well abandonment while maintaining well integrity, managing operational risks, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle.

2) Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Operational Planning

• Develop detailed Plug & Abandonment programmes in accordance with regulatory requirements and client specifications.
• Prepare engineering calculations, well barrier designs, cementing programmes, and abandonment procedures.
• Review well history, integrity data, and operational risks before execution.
• Coordinate operational planning with drilling, intervention, completion, and production teams.
• Prepare technical work packs, risk assessments, and contingency plans.

Project Execution

• Monitor and support Plug & Abandonment operations to ensure compliance with approved procedures.
• Coordinate service providers, contractors, and offshore personnel during field execution.
• Monitor operational progress, costs, and schedule performance.
• Provide technical guidance to resolve operational issues during abandonment activities.
• Ensure accurate reporting of daily operations, lessons learned, and project documentation.

Well Integrity & Regulatory Compliance

• Verify compliance with company standards, client requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure that permanent well barriers are designed, installed, and verified in accordance with industry standards.
• Participate in well integrity assessments and barrier verification processes.
• Ensure abandonment documentation is complete and submitted to relevant stakeholders.

3) Authorities

• Recommend Plug & Abandonment engineering solutions in accordance with company standards and delegated authority.
• Suspend engineering activities or recommend stopping operations where well integrity, personnel safety, or environmental risks are identified.
• Coordinate technical activities with contractors and service providers during project execution.
• Review and recommend approval of operational procedures, engineering calculations, and technical documentation within delegated authority.
• Escalate technical, operational, or HSE concerns the Lead Plug & Abandonment Engineer or P&A Superintendent.

4)  Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Well Intervention, Drilling, Completions, or Plug & Abandonment operations within the Oil & Gas industry.
• Experience in planning and executing Plug & Abandonment projects.
• Experience with offshore and/or onshore well abandonment operations.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and service providers.
• Knowledge of well integrity management and regulatory abandonment requirements.

Languages: Good command of English, both written and spoken.

Technical Knowledge:

• Plug & Abandonment Engineering.
• Well Integrity and Barrier Management.
• Well Intervention and Drilling Operations.
• Cementing and Well Barrier Verification.
• Risk Assessment and Management of Change (MOC).
• Well Engineering Software and Technical Reporting.
• Applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements (API, ISO, PETRONAS Technical Standards where applicable).
• Mandatory certifications may include BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS, H₂S Training, Offshore Medical Certificate, and other client-required certifications.

5) Preferred Skills and Competencies

Core Skills

• Strong engineering analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop safe, practical, and cost-effective Plug & Abandonment solutions.
• Effective project planning, coordination, and execution.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Competent in technical documentation, reporting, and engineering calculations.
• Sound decision-making under operational constraints.

Behavioural Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Maintains a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence.
• Works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and client representatives.
• Adapts effectively to changing operational requirements.
• Demonstrates initiative and continuous improvement mindset.
• Maintains attention to detail while delivering quality engineering outcomes.
• Promotes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and professional development.