Principal Drill String Advisor

As a Principal Drill String Advisor, you will play a key role in NOV Downhole Broadband Solutions' global Wired Drill Pipe strategy, supporting the safe, reliable and efficient deployment of WDP assets.

This is a highly customer-facing technical advisory position, combining extensive drill string knowledge with a practical understanding of drilling operations and customer requirements. You will work directly with drilling operators and contractors to evaluate equipment performance, investigate failures and provide objective technical recommendations that improve operational reliability and asset utilization.

An important part of the role involves navigating technically complex and sometimes sensitive customer discussions, particularly when recommendations require changes to established procedures or ways of working. Your ability to understand operational challenges from the customer's perspective, communicate findings clearly and build confidence in technical recommendations will be essential.

Initially, your focus will be on supporting key customers, including Aker BP and Equinor, while contributing to the longer-term strategy for managing and optimizing NOV's global Wired Drill Pipe fleet. Based in Stavanger, the role involves primarily domestic travel, with occasional international travel to locations such as the US and Middle East.

• Serve as a principal technical advisor for Wired Drill Pipe assets, providing expert guidance to customers and internal teams on drill string performance, reliability and operational best practices.
• Advise drilling operators and contractors on pipe selection, drill string configurations, deployment strategies, torque and drag considerations, and operational risk management.
• Lead technical investigations into drill pipe failures, fatigue, wear, conductor issues and other reliability concerns, identifying root causes and recommending practical corrective actions.
• Work closely with customers to assess equipment performance and recommend improvements to operational procedures, inspection practices and ways of working, including in technically sensitive situations.
• Support WDP fleet management and asset lifecycle optimization, including utilization, inspection, maintenance, repair and long-term fleet planning.
• Promote the effective adoption and use of NOV asset management solutions, including Max Tracker and TallyMaster, to improve asset visibility and operational decision-making.
• Collaborate with Grant Prideco, engineering and product development teams to provide structured feedback on product performance, field experience, technical challenges and potential design improvements.
• Support customer workshops, technical reviews, training and business development activities, communicating complex technical information clearly to both technical and operational stakeholders.
• Act as a key technical link between customers, drilling operations, project teams, engineering and product specialists to ensure consistent application of best practices and lessons learned.

Required

• Extensive experience in drill pipe operations, drilling, fleet management or asset integrity.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of drill string mechanics, pipe performance, inspection standards and failure mechanisms.
• Ability to investigate equipment failures and provide practical, objective technical recommendations.
• Excellent customer-facing communication skills, including the ability to influence operational decisions and changes to procedures.
• Professional English proficiency and willingness to travel.
   

Preferred

• Experience with drilling operators, contractors, drill pipe owners or inspection companies.
• Knowledge of Wired Drill Pipe technology and drill pipe manufacturers' products.
• Experience in subsea drilling operations, regardless of geographical region.
  
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