Lead - Well Drilling Engineer

Job Title: Lead Well Drilling Engineer.

Department: Technical.

Location: Lagos / Warri.

Directly Reports to: Well Engineering Manager.

JOB SUMMARY

To lead detailed well planning and engineering design activities and provide technical coordination during drilling and completion operations.

The Lead Wells Drilling Engineer supports the successful delivery of drilling campaigns by ensuring robust engineering design, cost control, operational readiness, and compliance with company, regulatory, and HSE standards.

The role provides technical leadership to junior engineers and supports the Senior Wells Drilling Engineer in campaign execution and performance optimization.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead detailed well planning and well construction design for drilling and completion activities.


• Design well trajectories using Halliburton Landmark Compass and perform casing design using StressCheck.


• Conduct collision risk analysis, anti-collision planning, and offset well reviews to identify risks and mitigation strategies.


• Prepare drilling programs, detailed procedures, and engineering documentation to support safe and efficient execution.


• Perform and validate drilling engineering calculations including hydraulics modelling, cementing volumes, mud volumes, torque & drag, casing/liner tallies, and space-outs.


• Develop well cost estimates (AFE), monitor daily well costs, and support cost control initiatives to improve efficiency.


• Analyze operational performance, track NPT and ILT, and document lessons learned to enhance future well delivery.


• Provide real-time engineering support to rig operations and liaise with drilling supervisors, service companies, and contractors to ensure adherence to approved programs.


• Develop technical scopes of work and specifications for drilling and completion services and participate in vendor technical and commercial evaluations.


• Support governance reviews, budgeting processes, and stakeholder engagements as required.


• Ensure compliance with company HSE policies, environmental standards, and regulatory requirements throughout well planning and execution.


• Review and validate technical work prepared by junior engineers and provide mentorship and technical guidance.


• Act as technical focal point during assigned projects and provide delegated leadership support in the absence of the Senior Wells Engineer when required.

QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.


• 6–8 years’ relevant experience in well engineering and drilling operations.


• Experience in development well planning and execution (land/swamp experience preferred


• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Land drilling campaign.


• Demonstrate communication skills, technical maturity and flexibility to adjust to change.


• Good data management and computer literacy.


• Requires ability to read and interpret information well logs and interpret directional survey information and other well-site data.


• Proficient using Landmark Suite, Sysdrill or any other drilling engineering software package.


• Good knowledge of drilling operations.

COMPETENCIES

• PETEX IPM Suite (GAP, MBAL, PROSPER)


• Drilling hydraulics and well integrity modelling


• Cost estimation and AFE preparation


• NPT analysis and performance optimization


• Tender technical evaluation


• Advanced well design capability


• Strong reporting, analytical and problem-solving skills


• Operational risk assessment


• Cost awareness and optimization mindset


• Mentoring and technical leadership ability


• Strong communication, collaboration, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.


• Flexibility and innovative thinking.


• Mobility and availability for regular travels.


• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).


• Integrity and commitment.