Senior Drilling Engineer

1) Job Summary

The Senior Drilling Engineer is responsible for the planning, engineering design, execution support, optimization, technical assurance, and post-well evaluation of drilling operations. The role provides technical leadership throughout the well lifecycle, ensuring drilling activities are executed safely, efficiently, economically, and in full compliance with company standards, client specifications, and regulatory requirements. The Senior Drilling Engineer serves as the technical focal point for drilling engineering, supporting drilling superintendents and field supervisors while driving continuous improvement, technology adoption, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.

2) Key Responsibilities

Well Planning

• Develop detailed drilling programs.
• Prepare drilling engineering basis.
• Design well trajectories.
• Select casing design.
• Design tubing programs.
• Develop cementing programs.
• Design drilling fluid programs.
• Prepare hydraulics calculations.
• Prepare torque and drag analysis.
• Conduct anti-collision analysis.
• Develop BHA design.
• Prepare directional drilling programs.
• Design bit selection strategy.
• Develop contingency plans.

Engineering Design

• Well architecture design
• Casing design
• Tubing design
• Cement design
• Mud design
• Hydraulics modelling
• Torque & drag calculations
• Surge & swab calculations
• Kick tolerance analysis
• Wellbore stability modelling
• MAASP calculations
• BOP selection
• Rig equipment verification

Operational Support

• Support offshore drilling supervisors.
• Monitor drilling performance.
• Review daily drilling reports.
• Optimize drilling parameters.
• Investigate NPT.
• Resolve engineering issues.
• Support well control events.
• Approve engineering modifications.
• Coordinate technical service providers.

Risk Management

• HAZID
• HAZOP participation
• Risk assessments
• Barrier reviews
• MOC
• Well control risk analysis
• Equipment failure assessment
• Operational contingency planning

Cost Control

• Prepare AFE estimates.
• Monitor drilling cost.
• Optimize equipment utilization.
• Reduce NPT.
• Evaluate contractor performance.
• Improve operational efficiency.

Technical Assurance

• Verify engineering calculations.
• Review drilling procedures.
• Conduct peer reviews.
• Verify engineering standards.
• Review lessons learned.
• Update engineering manuals.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate new technologies.
• Benchmark drilling performance.
• Develop engineering standards.
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Conduct technical training.

3) Authorities

The Senior Drilling Engineer is authorized to:

• Approve drilling engineering calculations.
• Recommend engineering changes.
• Reject technically unacceptable designs.
• Escalate technical risks.
• Recommend suspension of operations where engineering integrity is compromised.
• Approve engineering documentation within delegated authority.
• Participate in technical acceptance of contractors.

4) Qualifications & Requirements

• Education : Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or equivalent. Preferred Master's Degree & Professional Engineer (PEng).
• Experience : Minimum 12 years oil & gas experience, 8 years drilling engineering, Offshore drilling      experience, Jack-up, Semi-submersible, HPHT wells, Directional drilling, Managed Pressure Drilling, Multi-well campaigns. Preferred Deepwater, International operations & Digital drilling systems.
• Languages : Able to write and communicate in Bahasa Malaysia and English.
• Technical Knowledge : Technical Skills Landmark Compass, Well Plan, OpenWells, EDM, WellView Torque & Drag Software, Hydraulics Software, Excel Advanced, Power BI, & SAP

5) Preferred Skills & Competencies

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking, Technical Leadership, Coaching, Innovation, Decision Making, Client Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Commercial Awareness & Planning, Problem Solving.

Behavioral Competencies

• Must have an Integrity, Accountability, Professionalism, Analytical Thinking, Adaptability, Initiative, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Ethical Conduct, Resilience

Mandatory Certifications

• Must haveIWCF Level 4, BOSIET / FOET, H₂S, Offshore Medical, Permit to Work, Incident Investigation, Risk Assessment, First Aid (preferred), PMP (preferred)