The Senior Drilling Engineer reports directly to the Drilling Engineering Supervisor and is expected to work closely with the Drilling Superintendents, Drilling Engineering Team, and the Drilling Wellsite Contractors that oversee the daily drilling execution. This role will play a crucial role in the planning, execution, and optimization of drilling (and indirectly completions) development projects. The position is accountable to develop, formalize, and implement advanced engineering solutions and plans for the drilling team that are aligned with the strategy and outcomes set for the department. They will be accountable for timely and accurate drilling procedures, optimization of drilling workflows, performance tracking, necessary reporting, and contingency planning to enable the team to execute with regards to safety, operational risks, and cost effectiveness. The Drilling Engineer’s expertise will contribute to efficient and consistent well delivery, ensuring sound well construction and profitability of our operations.
Role & Responsibilities
- Accountable for the drilling engineering planning, data-driven AFE estimates with capital accuracy, and the detailed drilling program preparation aligned with the program’s standardized operational efforts and adherence to the organization’s basis of design and operational best practices.
- Accountable to manage and prepare engineering studies and analysis projects, technical recommendations, well designs, and appropriate level of detail for operational support and contingency plans and risk assessment in a timely manner. Recommend, perform, and complete special engineering projects and reports related to all phases of drilling operations, including but not limited to, drilling fluids, cementing, directional drilling, solids control equipment, downhole tool testing, and remedial operations. Analyze data and performance of new or existing technologies to determine the need for or benefit from studies, recommendations, and operating efficiency consistent with established safety and operating requirements.
- Prepare and manage evaluations/studies and reports, provide recommendations, alternative proposals, preliminary designs, and program outlines with statistical cost data, appropriate economic analyses, back-up data and visualizations, and/or assist in the presentation of studies and proposals to the team, management, and other operating groups.
- Responsible for writing cost estimates and drilling procedures for contingent and remedial operations, utilizing the appropriate basis of design, and level of detail for effective execution.
- Simultaneously manage multiple projects to leverage improvement opportunities to yield cost saving and/or efficiencies.
- Monitor daily drilling activity, QC daily drilling report data to maintain drilling database metrics, and provide appropriate recommendations for continuous improvement and capital reduction.
- Evaluate and implement current and new technology to advance the drilling program, with the ability to document formally and knowledge share with the team.
- Support and participate in field development planning with the asset team(s).
- Provide analytical cost review using accounting and analytical tools. Also develop performance tracking tools and dashboards, maintain drilling database metrics and facilitate service provider KPI/QPR reviews for formal performance assessment.
- Prepare and update sound drilling engineering basis of design documents and standardized best practices.
- Contribute to and help drive a safety-focused culture across all locations and service providers.
- Timely review and processing of invoices.
- Provide and maintain end-of-well records/reports and complete appropriate “end-of-pad” reviews and “lookbacks” to document operational successes, lessons learned, improvement opportunities, and challenges, and to ensure capital tracking accuracy.
- Visit rigs regularly with active participation in pre-tour safety and planning meetings and develop productive relationships with on-site personnel.
- Support tender process for third party services, as needed, working with the management and supply chain teams.
- Stay updated with Company and industry best practices and technology.
Knowledge/Skills/Competencies
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, able to articulate ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of settings with diverse audiences.
- Project management skills and methodical ownership of projects and responsibilities, displaying a high level of accountability and initiative.
- Strong technical engineering skills with a high level of accountability, initiative, innovation, open-mind, and the passion to learn continuously.
- Ability to work within a team environment, as well as effectively on an independent basis.
- Ability to build/function in a collaborative environment with other operations and technical groups within the company
- Strong organizational and time management skills, enabling efficient planning and execution of work to meet established deadlines.
- Open-minded and continuous improvement-driven with a willingness to adapt to changes related to operational practices, corporate methodologies, and engineering protocols.
- Ability to be “on-call” outside of normal business hours.
- Ability and willingness to travel (typically to rig sites, service provider facilities, meetings, etc.).
- Familiarity working in the Permian Basin preferred.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related Engineering degree from an ABET accredited university.
- Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in the oil and gas industry with an emphasis on Drilling and Completions engineering and operations.
- Familiarity with industry regulations, safety protocols, and environmental standards.
- High level of proficiency in Spotfire/PowerBi, WellView, Torque & Drag modeling, Hydraulic modeling and Well Planning software(s).
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft 360 suite (Outlook, TEAMS, Excel, Word).
SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.