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Category
Drilling & Well Engineering
Work Pattern
Offshore 28/28 rotation / Onshore for land rigs
Reports To
Drilling Supervisor (Company Man) / Directional Drilling Coordinator
Position Overview
The Directional Driller (DD) is responsible for steering the wellbore along a predetermined trajectory to reach subsurface targets, using rotary steerable systems (RSS), measurement-while-drilling (MWD), and logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools. This is a highly specialised service-company role that demands a combination of engineering expertise, real-time decision-making, and the ability to work under pressure in demanding offshore environments. Experienced DDs are among the most sought-after professionals in the drilling industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and execute directional drilling programmes to place the wellbore at the designated target coordinates.
- Select and configure BHA (bottom hole assembly) components including RSS, MWD, and LWD tools.
- Monitor real-time survey data and adjust well trajectory to maintain within the approved tolerance envelope.
- Operate and troubleshoot rotary steerable systems and downhole steering tools.
- Communicate trajectory adjustments to the driller and ensure proper tool-face orientation.
- Manage anticollision risk when drilling in proximity to existing wells (cluster drilling, platform drilling).
- Prepare directional drilling plans, including wellpath design, torque and drag modelling, and casing wear analysis.
- Provide real-time geosteering support in collaboration with the geology team to optimise reservoir penetration.
- Generate end-of-well directional drilling reports with actual vs. planned trajectory comparison.
- Mentor junior directional drillers and MWD engineers during operations.
Qualifications
Required
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Mechanical, or Drilling Engineering (extensive field experience may substitute).
- Certifications: IWCF Level 3 minimum; BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS; Offshore Medical; H2S Awareness.
- Experience: 8–15+ years in directional drilling with independent well delivery experience across multiple well types.
- Technical Skills: Expert proficiency in RSS and MWD/LWD tool operation; advanced wellpath planning software (Compass, Sysdrill); strong geosteering capability; torque and drag analysis expertise.
Preferred
- Experience with extended-reach drilling (ERD) wells (>10 km measured depth).
- HPHT directional drilling experience.
- Geosteering experience in thin reservoir sections.
- Familiarity with automated drilling systems and digital DD technologies.
Market Intelligence
$1,050–$1,460/day
Shortage Level: Critical
Key Skills Gap: Independent directional drillers who can take full responsibility for well trajectory without senior supervision are scarce; RSS experience is concentrated among a small talent pool; service company retention makes poaching difficult.
Regions in Highest Demand: Middle East, North Sea, West Africa, Southeast Asia
Demand Drivers: Record ERD and horizontal well counts; RSS adoption approaching 100% in deepwater creating demand for skilled DDs; service company training pipelines insufficient to meet demand.