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Category
Drilling & Well Engineering
Work Pattern
Onshore (with regular rig visits)
Reports To
VP Drilling / Wells Director
Position Overview
The Drilling Superintendent provides senior operational leadership for drilling campaigns, overseeing multiple rigs and well delivery teams. This role carries accountability for HSE performance, well delivery (time and cost), contractor management, and regulatory compliance across the drilling portfolio. As the most senior operational drilling role below VP level, the Drilling Superintendent is a pivotal position requiring a rare combination of technical depth, leadership, and commercial acumen.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the safe and efficient delivery of drilling programmes across multiple rigs (onshore and/or offshore).
- Provide senior operational guidance and decision-making authority for complex drilling operations.
- Manage and develop drilling supervisors (Company Men) and drilling engineering teams.
- Ensure HSE compliance across all drilling operations and drive continuous safety improvement.
- Approve drilling programs, AFEs, and operational deviations within governance limits.
- Manage drilling contractor and service company performance through KPIs, performance contracts, and service quality meetings.
- Coordinate rig scheduling, mobilisation, and logistics across the drilling programme.
- Lead incident investigations, regulatory interactions, and authority approvals.
- Drive cost optimisation initiatives including NPT reduction, benchmarking, and technology application.
- Interface with senior management on drilling performance reporting, budget management, and strategic planning.
Qualifications
Required
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Mechanical, or Drilling Engineering (Master's or MBA preferred).
- Certifications: IWCF Level 4 (Supervisor) — mandatory; BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS; Offshore Medical.
- Experience: 15–25+ years in drilling operations with significant time in supervisory and management roles; multi-rig oversight experience essential.
- Technical Skills: Expert-level drilling operations knowledge; commercial and contract management capability; leadership and people management; strategic planning and budget management.
Preferred
- Experience managing deepwater drilling programmes with 3+ simultaneous rigs.
- HPHT well delivery management experience.
- Familiarity with drilling automation and digital operations centres.
- Industry leadership roles (SPE, IADC committees).
Market Intelligence
$1,200–$1,700/day
Shortage Level: Critical
Key Skills Gap: Very few professionals combine the operational credibility to command respect from Company Men with the strategic and commercial capability to manage multi-rig programmes and interface with C-suite; the role is typically filled from a very small, ageing talent pool.
Regions in Highest Demand: Middle East, West Africa, North Sea, Australasia
Demand Drivers: Multi-rig campaigns in the Middle East and Africa; retirement of the generation of superintendents hired in the 2000–2010 boom; increasing programme complexity requiring seasoned leadership.