Sand Geomechanics Modeler

Entity:

Production & Operations

Job Family Group:

Subsurface Group

Job Description:

Please note that roles based out of SJS or Sunbury will move to Timber Square, Southwark, from Q4 2027.

Our purpose is to deliver energy to the world, today and tomorrow. For over 100 years, bp has focused on discovering, developing, and producing oil and gas in the nations where we operate. We are one of the few companies globally that can provide governments and customers with an integrated energy offering. Delivering our strategy sustainably is fundamental to achieving our ambition to be a net zero company by 2050 or sooner!

Role Purpose

Over the past five years, sand‑related deferrals have routinely exceeded 2 mboed net (~1.3 mmboe/yr) equivalent to ~$80MM/yr at $60/bbl. This excludes the additional opex and capex required to restore well capacity, often resulting in paying twice for the same reserves and consuming rig time that could otherwise be directed toward new wells.

With lower oil prices and increasing development complexity, improving production reliability, capital efficiency, and simplicity becomes even more critical. In several operating regions (e.g., North Sea, Deepwater GoM, Asia Pacific), as well as for water injectors, the range of viable mechanical sand‑control options is often limited to lower cost solutions like Standalone Screens or Cased and Perforated, which increases the need for higher‑confidence sand prediction and assurance, particularly in environments that fall outside our historical operating experience.

As a greater share of production comes from complex, sand‑prone reservoirs, and as well costs continue to rise, bp requires an integrated sand management strategy that can detect, mitigate, and remediate sanding risks early.

Strengthening sand management in operated assets also enhances our influence in NOJV and JV partnerships, which represent a material portion of our capital and production delivery.

The Sand Geomechanics Modeler provides advanced technical expertise in predictive modeling for sanding onset and limits, safe well operating envelopes, and emerging reservoir and well sanding analysis. This role leads development and application of advanced predictive models incorporating flux-based risk assessment, CFD-DEM simulations, and finite element modeling frameworks (Enhans). The Sand Geomechanics Modeler ensures integration of modeling insights with surveillance and operational strategies to optimize well operating envelopes across reservoir, well, facility, and export chokes.

About the Team

Global Subsurface Solutions (GSS) leverages global experience to deliver prioritized, fit-for-purpose products and unbiased technical support to regional businesses. The Sand Management Central Team plays a critical role in safeguarding asset integrity, optimizing production, and embedding proactive sand management practices across bp’s global portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and validate flux-based sanding prediction models using advanced numerical and empirical approaches.

• Apply CFD-DEM and finite element simulations (Enhans) to quantify sanding risk under dynamic downhole conditions.

• Generate and maintain global fieldwide sanding databases for predictive analytics and operational decision-making.

• Integrate PLT data, reservoir simulations, and surveillance into modeling workflows for dynamic risk assessment and completion recommendations.

• Establish empirical correlations between sanding severity and critical parameters (flux, annular velocity, watercut).

• Support perforation design optimization and sandface geometry modeling for flux control.

• Document modeling methodologies, uncertainty analysis, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.

• Lead capability-building initiatives to uplift modeling competencies across global teams.
   

Technical Scope

• Flux-based sanding prediction transitioning from drawdown-based criteria.

• Finite element modeling incorporating viscous and pressure drag forces using Biot’s consolidation framework.

• CFD-DEM and lattice-Boltzmann simulations for granular-scale interactions.

• Empirical Hill-Koch-Ladd (HKL) viscous drag correlation integrated into numerical models.

• Dynamic data integration: PLT, reservoir simulation, and surveillance for real-time risk assessment.

• Global fieldwide sanding database generation for well-specific sanding estimation and decision support.

• Emerging focus areas: sanding under low gas/water flux regimes, PVT changes with depletion, and perforation design optimization.
   

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree or equivalent in Geomechanics, Geoscience, Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or related disciplines.

• Experience in predictive modeling for sanding and well operating envelopes within oil and gas operations.

• Strong analytical and computational skills with proficiency in modeling software and data integration.

• Proven ability to collaborate across multi-discipline teams and global stakeholders.

• Excellent communication and technical assurance capabilities.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in sanding prediction and reservoir modeling.

• Experience with industry-standard modeling tools and workflows.

• Knowledge of sand management strategies across the four chokes (reservoir, well, facility, export).
   

Skills

• Predictive modeling and simulation

• Data integration and interpretation

• Technical assurance and standardization

• Multi-discipline collaboration

• Continuous improvement and technology adoption

• Curiosity, coachability and courage
   

Travel Requirement

Up to 10% global travel may be required to support regional modeling campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
 

Relocation Assistance

This role is not eligible for relocation
 

Grade

G or H
 

Success Measures

• Improved accuracy of sanding onset and limit predictions.

• Increased adoption of modeling-driven decision-making across regions.

• Reduction in sanding-related well failures and unplanned deferrals.

• Uplift in modeling capability and technical assurance globally.
   

Why join us?

At bp, we support our people to grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity.

There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, excellent retirement benefits, among others!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Reinvent your career as you help our business meet the challenges of the future. Apply now!

Travel Requirement

Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Skills:

Artificial Lift, Data Analysis, Formation Damage, Geomechanical analysis, Measuring and Verification for Carbon Storage, Monitoring, Nodal Analysis, Petrophysical Dynamic Reservoir Description, Reservoir Forecasting and Business Planning, Reservoir geomechanics, Rock Properties Framework, Subsurface integration, Subsurface Knowledge Management, Subsurface uncertainty and risk management, System modelling optimization, Vertical lift performance, Well and Area Performance Management, Wellbore geomechanics, Well integrity management, Well Productivity, Well surveillance troubleshooting

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.