Job ID: 1795791
Reference Code: KP-Drilling-Engineer - Oil/Gas
We are seeking a highly capable Drilling Engineer to design, plan, and safely execute development drilling programs across our assets in Kern County, California. This role focuses on maximizing drilling efficiency, lowering well costs, and optimizing production well delivery in established fields.
The ideal candidate will combine rigorous technical engineering with daily support for field operations, working closely with geologists, production teams, and rig crews while strictly navigating California's complex regulatory landscape.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans
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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.
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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Key Responsibilities
~ Planning & Well Design Well Programs: Author comprehensive, safe, and cost-effective drilling programs, including detailed casing designs, cement planning, bit selections, and mud program specifications.
~ Cost Management: Prepare detailed Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) estimates and actively monitor day-to-day drilling costs against project budgets.
~ Vendor Coordination: Evaluate and select third-party service contractors (rigs, directional drilling, fluids, casing services), ensuring contract terms and technical benchmarks are met.
~ Performance Tracking: Conduct offset well reviews to establish performance benchmarks and identify opportunities to improve Rate of Penetration (ROP).
~ Operations & Field Support Operational Execution: Provide real-time engineering support to Field Superintendents and Toolpushers to resolve downhole challenges and eliminate Non-Productive Time (NPT).
~ Post-Well Analysis: Perform end-of-well evaluations to analyze performance gaps, capture key lessons learned, and integrate best practices into future well designs. Regulatory
~ Compliance Permitting: Prepare and submit technical well designs and data packages to secure necessary drilling permits from CalGEM (California Geologic Energy Management Division) and local county environmental agencies.
~ Safety & Environmental Standards: Ensure all well designs strictly adhere to California’s rigorous groundwater protection, blow-out preventer (BOP) testing, and emissions mandates.
~ Qualifications & Requirements Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
~ Experience: 3 to 7+ years of direct drilling engineering experience, MUST BE within the San Joaquin Basin or similar California heavy oil/complex fields.
~ Technical Skills: Proficiency in standard drilling engineering software suites (e.g., Landmark/Halliburton Compass, WellPlan, StressCheck, or industry equivalents). Strong foundational understanding of directional and horizontal drilling techniques.
~ Certifications: Valid IADC or IWCF Well Control Certification (Supervisory level preferred).
~ Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record of working effectively alongside multi-disciplinary asset teams and field personnel.