Operations Geologist

Job Title:

Location:

Job Summary:

The Operations Geologist is responsible for all elements of operations geology planning and execution of shale exploration and appraisal drilling operations. Working closely with the geoscience, pore pressure and geomechanics, reservoir engineering, petrophysics, drilling and frac engineering team members to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate drilling of both vertical and horizontal wells in a high-pressure high temperature undrilled environment adjacent to existing oil and gas fields.

The role will ensure appropriate equipment is ordered and available to facilitate cost-effective and accurate formation evaluation and safe, efficient drilling. This will include pore pressure and temperature prediction, to enable efficient drilling as well as effective evaluation of shale parameters to inform future drilling and resource evaluation.

Key Responsibilities:

•Sole Operations Geology expert for drilling, logging and completion operation for HPHT and vertical and horizontal wells

•Ensure appropriate equipment is ordered and available at site when needed to achieve objectives of program within or below cost.

•Coordinate with wellsite geologists, mud loggers, wireline/LWD engineers and directional drillers for formation tops, pressure predictions, loss potentials, and kick detection

•Prepare geological montage and geological inputs for well planning

•Provide real-time decisions and geological interpretation using LWD/MWD data in high-angle and extended reach drilling (ERD) wells.

•Manage geological data acquisition: cuttings, core, logs, formation pressure, and fluid sampling. Prepare LQC and monitor logging jobs

•Ensure compliance with HPHT and high-angle wells drilling guidelines, formation integrity and diagnostic testing (e.g., FIT, XLOT, and DFIT), and wellbore stability protocols.

•Employ knowledge of unconventional shale geology, including TIV, weak bedding, natural fracture, and hydraulic fracturing application (e.g., brittleness).

•Maintain constant communication with drilling and subsurface teams during critical drilling intervals.

•Deliver geological end-of-well reports, composite logs, and contribute to lookbacks and lessons learned.

•Apply pore pressure prediction models and update pressure profiles in real time if needed.

•Ensure QA/QC of all geological data during the well lifecycle.

•Support regulatory reporting and ensure adherence to HSE requirements.

Qualifications & Experience:

•Must have a minimum of 8–12 years of relevant geological operations experience, with significant exposure to HPHT and deviated & horizontal onshore wells (minimum >50 wells including 10+ HPHT wells).

•Proven track record in geosteering and horizontal well placement in complex geological settings (Minimum 10+ wells experience with HZ wells)

•IWCF or equivalent well control certification preferred.

Preferred Attributes:

•Familiarity with RTOC environments and remote support systems.

•Strong written and verbal communication for reporting and interfacing with drilling supervisors and asset teams.

•Strong knowledge of LWD, MWD, wireline, and real-time data integration

•Sound understanding of pore pressure prediction, wellbore stability, and operational geomechanics.

•Ability to work under high operational pressure and interface with multi-disciplinary teams effectively.

•Proficient in pore pressure softwares (Predict or JewelSuite)