Senior Reservoir Engineer

Through its merger with Oil Search, Santos has acquired and assumed operatorship over a world-class portfolio of oil leases on the Alaskan North Slope, USA.

Our focus in Alaska is advancement of our Pikka Phase 1 project, which includes a single drill site, an oil processing facility, and other infrastructure to support production of 80,000 barrels of oil per day.

Pikka has been identified as being among the top quartile of oil and gas development projects for greenhouse gas emissions performance. Pikka is poised to play an important role in the energy transition and is aligned with our company goal of managing climate change risk. The project has achieved a successful final investment decision in August 2022. Initial sustained production is estimated to occur in June 2026.

The Pikka Unit is one of the largest conventional oil discoveries made in the United States in the last 30 years, and the Pikka Phase 1 Project is the most significant development on Alaska's North Slope in more than 20 years.

The permitted Pikka development project includes two additional drill sites. The Alaska assets also include discoveries made from both the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020. These opportunities combine to offer a clear path to long-term growth in Alaska.

Position Purpose

The Sr. Reservoir Engineer is a key member of the Well Delivery Team, part of the Subsurface Team, that is primarily tasked with the development of the Pikka Unit Phase 1 Development on the North Slope of Alaska. The Pikka Unit, which is located adjacent to several giant producing oil fields, was discovered in 2013. Approximately 20 exploration and appraisal wells have been drilled in the unit area, which, combined with full coverage of 3D seismic data, have delineated a giant oil resource. The initial Phase 1 development targets approximately 450 million barrels of oil in the field, with first production anticipated in 2026 and plateau production rates of 80,000 barrels per day (gross). Construction of a central processing facility, seawater treatment plant, and a 50+ well drill site is progressing with active drilling, stimulation, and well testing underway.

Reporting to the Production Surveillance Lead, the Sr. Reservoir Engineer will have primary responsibility for the design and evaluation of initial development well flowbacks and well tests including pressure transient analysis (PTA). This will require working collaboratively with other Subsurface Team members as well as the Operations and Drilling & Completion Teams. The Sr. Reservoir Engineer will also be tasked with performing long and short-term production modelling and forecasting. Reservoir simulation skills would be beneficial as these skills could be used to help evaluate initial well results via history matching existing models. Additional responsibilities include design and evaluation of fluid sampling for PVT analyses, water compatibility studies, core studies for flow assurance, and field development planning.

Key Accountabilities

Reservoir Development and Management: Work as an integrated member of the Subsurface Team to develop initial post frac flowback, well testing and pressure transient analysis for the Pikka Phase 1 Nanushuk development wells.

Well Planning: Contribute to appraisal and development well planning to ensure that all well objectives are achieved (e.g. flow testing, fluid samples, lab work oversite, etc.).

Project Delivery: Work as an integrated team member with petrophysicists, geoscientists, and drilling and project engineers to develop an appropriate approach to reservoir characterization and depletion/ development planning to determine optimal well placement and stimulation strategy, leading to selection of the preferred development architecture for the field.

Forecasting: Support the Subsurface Team to develop production and reserve/resource profiles for input into operational activities, business unit and corporate year end reporting.

Data Management: Help to build and maintain accurate and comprehensive databases gathered in conjunction with other Subsurface Team members.

Professional Development: Maintain and enhance professional development through evaluation of the latest technological trends, advancements and innovations in reservoir description and management; self-directed through technical reading, webinars, and courses.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in an engineering discipline (Petroleum Engineering preferred).
• Applicants must be eligible and authorized to work in the United States and must have their employment eligibility verified by a completed Form I-9.

Skills & Technical Capabilities

• Extensive experience as a reservoir/petroleum engineer with an Operator, preferably with experience on a wide range of development and production projects and reservoirs.
• Substantial experience in PVT and well-bore modelling, and other reservoir engineering techniques.
• Operational experience (production, well testing, stimulation, etc.)
• Substantial experience in PTA in horizontal and fracture stimulated wells.
• Experience of horizonal and high-angle well planning and operations, and artificial stimulation technologies.

• Up to date working knowledge of technical software including [Saphir, PROSPER, IPM, MBAL, PVTp, and PetroVR or similar tool], other analytical tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with reservoir simulation dynamic modelling is a benefit.
• Familiarity with hydrocarbon resources estimation and reporting.
• Ability to characterise and succinctly articulate the subsurface issues and recommendations to other relevant disciplines and management is required.
• Well developed presentation skills using PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, but also work effectively within a multi-discipline team environment to develop clear, business-focussed recommendations and appropriate work programs.
• Up to date working knowledge of technical software including [Saphir, PROSPER, IPM, MBAL, PVTp, and PetroVR or similar tool], other analytical tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with reservoir simulation dynamic modelling is a benefit.
• Familiarity with hydrocarbon resources estimation and reporting.
• Ability to characterise and succinctly articulate the subsurface issues and recommendations to other relevant disciplines and management is required.
• Well developed presentation skills using PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, but also work effectively within a multi-discipline team environment to develop clear, business-focussed recommendations and appropriate work programs.
• Clear and concise written and oral communication skills. Strong business sense and commercial skillset. Ability to build consensus across the organization.

Experience

• Approximately 10-15 years of oil and gas industry experience with a strong background in petroleum engineering techniques.
• Ideally, candidates should have experience working on Alaskan field development projects, preferably with an Operator.