This role requires a deep understanding of reservoir engineering principles, geology, and production operations to maximize hydrocarbon recovery, ensure economic efficiency, and contribute to the company’s long-term production goals. The Development Lead is a senior technical position responsible for overseeing and optimizing the subsurface evaluation, development planning, and reservoir management strategies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Well Planning and Design:

• Lead and coordinate the design, engineering, and planning of wells to ensure optimal performance, safety, and cost-efficiency.
• Develop well architecture and well construction plans based on subsurface requirements, drilling feasibility, and operational constraints.
• Conduct detailed well trajectory planning and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal well control policies.

Well Execution Management:

• Oversee the execution of drilling and completion operations, ensuring adherence to safety standards, timelines, and budgets.
• Implement performance improvement initiatives for drilling efficiency and rig utilization.
• Ensure seamless coordination between field operations and engineering teams to optimize well performance and minimize non-productive time (NPT).

Contractor and Vendor Management

• Collaborate with third-party service providers, ensuring performance meets contract terms and operational requirements.
• Evaluate contractor performance and provide recommendations for continuous improvement and contract negotiations.
• Ensure service delivery is aligned with the well objectives and safety regulations.

Cost Management

• Prepare well cost estimates, track actual costs against budget, and provide variance reports.
• Implement cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies without compromising well integrity or safety.
• Review and approve AFE (Authorization for Expenditure) for well projects.

Well Integrity and Technical Excellence

• Ensure that well design and construction comply with the company’s Well Integrity Management standards and industry’s best practices.
• Monitor well integrity during the lifecycle of the well, ensuring long-term performance and regulatory compliance.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement new technologies and techniques to enhance delivery performance.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Regularly communicate with asset management teams, partners, and JV stakeholders on well performance, challenges, and progress.
• Report well status and performance metrics to senior management and external partners.

Team Leadership and Coordination

• Manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, including drilling, completion, and well integrity engineers.
• Serve as the focal point for communication between internal and external stakeholders, including field operations, subsurface teams, contractors, and regulatory authorities.
• Provide mentoring and development to junior and mid-level engineers to build a high- performing well delivery team.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILL REQUIRED
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of well delivery processes, including drilling, completion, and well integrity management. Proficiency in well design software and drilling operations.

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor cross-functional teams in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical and operational issues.

• Project Management: Experience in managing large-scale well delivery projects, ensuring on-time, within-budget execution.

• HSE Focus: Strong knowledge of HSE regulations in the oil and gas industry and a commitment to fostering a safety-conscious work environment.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, JV partners, and contractors.

• Cost Control: Strong commercial acumen with experience in well cost estimation, monitoring, and management.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying technical and non-technical information to different audiences.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. A Master’s Degree will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in well delivery, drilling, and completions within the upstream oil and gas sector.
• Extensive knowledge of onshore and offshore drilling operations, with a track record of successful well delivery projects in Nigeria.
• Previous experience working on challenging assets such as OML blocks or similar fields.
• Strong understanding of Nigerian oil and gas regulations and compliance requirements.
• IWCF Well Control Certification or equivalent is mandatory.
• Proficiency in drilling and well planning software such as WellCat, Landmark, or other industry-standard tools.