THE COMPANY:
Our client is one of the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies with year-end, 2011 proved reserves of 2.4 billion barrels oil equivalent (BBOE) of proved reserves; 5.5+ BBOE in development and another +35 BBOE (risked) in exploration for a total of 11+BBOE. The company has laid out a plan to be 3.0 BBOE by EY2014. The company’s sales volumes included a record 297,000 barrels per day of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) sales volumes annually. The company employs over 5,000 people working in the company’s numerous domestic U.S. offices and supporting its operations across the globe in Brazil, China, Algeria, Mozambique and West Africa.
The Exploration and Production portfolio at the company is split into three primary groups:
The first group consists of 10 major U.S. onshore natural gas resource plays in which the company holds premier positions. These resource plays, predominantly located in the Rocky Mountains, East Texas and the Mid-Continent, comprise natural gas production from multiple tight gas and CBM formations, with some oil production coming from EOR operations. Recently, the company has acquired significant acreage in three shale gas resource plays in the Marcellus (PA), Haynesville (TX / LA), and Eagle Ford basin (TX). The positive results coming from the first wells drilled on these shale gas assets have encouraged the company to make them a primary focus going forward.
Second in the portfolio is the company’s position as a leading deep water producer in the Gulf of Mexico. 2010 & 2011 have deferred drilling due to the moratorium and the permitatorium, but the company has 2 rigs drilling and has contracted for 2 new-build drill ships.
To round-out the portfolio, the company has taken its proven success as an explorer in both deep water provinces and the onshore, Internationally. Its ongoing onshore operations in Algeria are currently exporting +400,000 BOPD and a new development will come to fruition in 2012 adding 80,000 BOPD, and its deep water production from West Africa is currently 80,000 BOPD. While discoveries in Africa over the last two years position the company for ongoing success in its International exploration and development projects, more discoveries are expected with the company’s strong exploration program.
U.S. Onshore Shale Exploration: (2nd Qtr: 2011)
Marcellus:
· During the 2nd quarter, the Marcellus set a weekly high production rate of 456 MMcf/d
(116 MMcf/d net) from 117 wells. Current gross production is averaging more than 500
MMcf/d from 125 wells.
· The company spud 29 operated wells during the quarter with eight rigs, and participated in
33 wells with about 15 non-operated rigs.
· Drilling performance in the 2nd quarter achieved a quarter-overquarter reduction in cycle
times from 26.8 days to 19.6 days from spud.
Eagle Ford:
During the quarter, the company closed its approximate $1.00 bn+ Eagle Ford joint-venture|agreement.
· The company exited the quarter with gross production of 45,000 BOE/d, which compares to
the exit rate of 36,000 BOE/d at the end of the first quarter of 2011– a growth of about
25%.
· The company ended the second quarter with 10 rigs and spud 60 wells during the quarter,
while achieving first production on 33 wells.
· The company continued to set records during the quarter, drilling its longest lateral at 8,340
feet and drilling another well in a record 8.3 days. The company has now drilled 22 Eagle
Ford wells in less than 10 days.
Haynesville:
The company’s average sales volumes for the quarter were 34 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), a 56% increase over the 2nd quarter of 2010. The company’s 20-stage completion design has increased the estimated EUR of the wells from about 3.5 Bcf to more than 6 Bcf per well, while the well costs remained essentially flat, resulting in a dramatic improvement in well economics.
Niobrara:
The company continued to evaluate the horizontal Niobrara opportunity in its industry-leading 900,000 net acreage position in the DJ Basin.
Utica:
The company announced recently its entry into the Utica liquids rich window in 300,000 acres gross prospective and has just spurred its first well.
THE POSITION:
Experience:
The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience with emphasis in rock mechanics, geomechanics and hydraulic fracture stimulation. Of particular importance is experience in tight gas sands, and gas shales. The candidate must have mastered the skills in rock mechanics for hydraulic fracture simulation, and be able to model hydraulic fracturing of shales. He/she should also be familiar with wellbore stability during drilling. The candidate must be a team player and able to excel in a team environment.
Role and Responsibilities:
· Candidate must have excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively
interact with experienced field and engineering personnel.
· Compile pre-frac stress state of the zone to be stimulated, compile a 3D simulation of the
hydraulic fracture on all shale hydraulic fracturing stimulation jobs and work with the
other disciplines in the asset teams to get as accurate a picture as possible of the
stimulation. This would include pre-frac performance forecasting, stimulation design
and pre-frac expectations. Such information must be clearly communicated to asset
teams.
· Mentor asset team engineers on horizontal shale multi-stage hydraulic stimulation jobs
whether onsite or remote. Maximize use of real-time fracture diagnostics and
simulation. Provide detailed post-job reports on all jobs including modeling of most
-likely fracture geometry obtained from net pressure matching and other data.
· Provided post-frac well performance forecasting based on fracture geometries
approximated from real-time data acquisition and pressure matching.
· Integrate core analysis date, logging data and reservoir description into a rock model.
Provide guidance to the drilling and completions engineer to optimize these processes.
· Expert understanding of the rock mechanics modeling. Ability to generate wellbore
stability and pore pressure predictions from core, log and seismic data.
· Have a fundamental understanding of the “Fracture Registry” and the new regulatory
requirements.
· Participate actively with asset teams and communicate best practices. This will involve
communication across property and division boundaries. The candidate selected must be
able to communicate effectively with experienced personnel and be able to effect change
when necessary to optimize the stimulation process.
· Maintain a complete understanding of new technologies in the industry and determine
the correct application of new technologies.
Qualifications and Requirements:
· A minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical
Engineering. PhD. in Rock Mechanics preferred.
· A Professional Engineering License would be preferred.
SUMMARY:
As the company increases its asset holdings and exploration activity to significant levels in the nation’s primary shale gas basins, as well as globally in deepwater, the Rock Mechanics Specialist’s role will be critical to the company’s success. This role is ideally suited to a successful engineer, with leadership skills, who seeks to leverage his/her experience in a leading but continually growing Independent. This is a challenging position in an exciting and rewarding environment where leadership, teamwork and enthusiasm, combined with technical and financial savvy have proven to be a successful combination. Our client promotes a positive, friendly work environment where individuals and teams have the advantage of utilizing the best facilities and technology. Successful candidates are given the opportunity to make a major impact and will be rewarded accordingly.
Base salary will be very competitive with significant upside incentive compensation inclusive of equity participation and performance bonuses. Equity compensation is a key value of the company and all employees participate through a restricted stock program. In addition, the company offers a generous 401K plan with company matching to 6%, together with medical benefits and other industry standard fringe benefits including outstanding “on-site” health club facilities. An attractive relocation package will be available if required.
All contact will be confidential and interested candidates should contact Julian Langham at 713-781-6881 or email:
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