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Operations Superintendent - Deep Drilling
About the job Operations Superintendent - Deep Drilling
We are seeking an Operations Superintendent – Deep Drilling Land Rigs (3000 HP / HPHT) for our client in Kuwait.
Position Overview: The Operations Superintendent is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of deep drilling land rig operations, ensuring compliance with client requirements, company policies, and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations Management:
- Manage the day-to-day operational performance of assigned 3000 HP deep drilling land rigs.
- Ensure drilling operations are executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved drilling programs.
- Monitor rig performance and implement initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reduce non-productive time (NPT).
- Support rig start-ups, mobilizations, commissioning, and demobilization activities.
- Coordinate operational resources to meet contractual obligations and client expectations.
- Provide technical and operational guidance to Rig Managers and field leadership.
HSE & Well Control:
- Promote a strong HSE culture across all drilling operations.
- Ensure compliance with company HSE policies, client requirements, and local regulatory standards.
- Verify implementation of well control procedures and emergency response plans.
- Participate in incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
- Lead operational risk assessments and management of change (MOC) processes.
- Ensure operational readiness for HPHT drilling activities.
HPHT & Deep Drilling Operations:
- Oversee execution of HPHT drilling operations while maintaining operational integrity.
- Monitor drilling parameters and operational risks associated with deep wells.
- Ensure equipment suitability for high-pressure drilling environments.
- Coordinate with engineering, drilling, and maintenance teams to manage operational risks.
- Review drilling performance and recommend continuous improvement initiatives.
Client Management:
- Serve as the primary operational interface with clients.
- Attend daily operational meetings and performance reviews.
- Ensure timely reporting of operational performance.
- Resolve operational issues while maintaining strong client relationships.
- Support contract execution and service delivery objectives.
Personnel Leadership:
- Provide leadership and coaching to Rig Managers, Toolpushers, and field supervisors.
- Promote teamwork across multicultural workforces.
- Identify training and competency development requirements.
- Conduct operational audits and performance evaluations.
- Support succession planning and workforce development.
Financial & Performance Management:
- Monitor operational costs and identify efficiency improvements.
- Support budgeting and cost control initiatives.
- Review KPIs, including:
- Non-Productive Time (NPT)
- Rig uptime
- Safety performance
- Drilling efficiency
- Operational reliability
- Optimize resource utilization while maintaining operational integrity.
Planning & Coordination:
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Logistics, Procurement, HSE, and Engineering departments.
- Ensure availability of equipment, consumables, and personnel.
- Participate in operational planning meetings.
- Manage contingency planning for critical operations.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related technical discipline (preferred).
- Proven experience of 12+ years of drilling operations with minimum 5 years as Operations Superintendent or equivalent.
- Experience managing multiple drilling rigs simultaneously.
- Proven leadership of 3000 HP deep drilling land rig operations in HPHT environments.
- Strong operational experience across Middle East drilling projects.
- Ability to manage multicultural teams and build high-performing operational cultures.
- Demonstrated success in reducing NPT and improving drilling performance.
- Strong client-facing experience with international operators and drilling contractors.
- Comprehensive knowledge of drilling operations, well control, and HSE management systems.
- Excellent planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- High level of commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational performance, safety, and cost efficiency.
- Experience supporting rig upgrades, commissioning, and major operational improvement projects.
- Valid IWCF or IADC WellSharp Supervisor certification.
- Candidates from Canada, United States, Europe, Eastern Europe, Australia, China are preferred.