Subsurface Reliability Engineer

Job Description

The Subsurface Reliability Engineer is part of the Production Engineering team within the Chevron ENGINE Center and is responsible for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of subsurface operations across Chevron’s Shale and Tight (S&T) assets. The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize production and mitigate risks associated with the extraction of hydrocarbons from shale and tight formations.

Key Responsibilities

• Reliability Analysis: Conduct detailed reliability and risk assessments of subsurface equipment and processes, identifying potential failure modes and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
• Data Management: Utilize advanced data analytics to monitor performance metrics and trends, providing insights and recommendations for improving asset reliability.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, production engineers, and other stakeholders to develop and implement reliability programs tailored to specific asset needs.
• Failure Investigation: Lead root cause analysis of subsurface equipment failures, develop corrective actions, and implement preventive measures to enhance system reliability.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance equipment design, maintenance practices, and operational procedures.
• Technology Integration: Evaluate and integrate new technologies and methodologies that enhance the reliability and performance of subsurface operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all subsurface reliability activities comply with industry regulations and company standards.
• Reporting: Prepare and present detailed reports and presentations on reliability performance, trends, and improvement initiatives to management and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of subsurface equipment and technologies used in shale and tight formations.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in reliability engineering, reservoir engineering, or production engineering within the oil and gas industry, with a focus on shale and tight oil and gas assets.
• Proficiency in reliability engineering tools and methodologies, such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA,) RCA, and reliability modeling software.
• Familiarity with industry regulations and best practices related to subsurface operations.

Selection Criteria

1. Technical Qualifications

• Proficiency in using statistical and analytical tools to interpret complex data sets and derive actionable insights for reliability improvements.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with industry-standard software and tools such as MATLAB, Python, or R for data analysis, as well as specialized reliability modeling software like ReliaSoft or RAMS.
• Reservoir Simulation: Experience with reservoir simulation software (e.g., Eclipse, CMG, Petrel) to model subsurface behavior and predict production performance.
• Geomechanics: Knowledge of geomechanical principles and their application to assess wellbore stability and fracture propagation in shale and tight formations.
• Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques: Understanding of EOR methods applicable to shale and tight reservoirs, such as gas injection or chemical flooding, and their impact on asset reliability.
• Production Optimization: Experience in optimizing production systems, including artificial lift technologies (e.g., ESPs, rod pumps) and their reliability considerations.
• Asset Integrity Management: Familiarity with asset integrity management practices, including corrosion monitoring and control, to ensure long-term reliability of subsurface equipment.
• Well Intervention and Workover Strategies: Knowledge of well intervention and workover techniques to address subsurface reliability issues and enhance production efficiency.
• Environmental and Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of environmental regulations and compliance requirements specific to shale and tight oil and gas operations.

2. Communication

• Clarity and Precision: Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including geoscientists, reservoir engineers, and other key stakeholders.
• Reporting Skills: Proficient in preparing detailed reports and presentations, with the capability to present findings and recommendations persuasively to management and team members.

3. Leadership Behaviors

• Influence and Inspire: Ability to lead and motivate teams towards achieving reliability goals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Decision Making: Demonstrated capability to make informed decisions under pressure, balancing technical requirements with operational constraints.
• Ethical Standards: Commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring compliance with industry regulations and company policies.

4. Deliver Results

• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proven track record of identifying issues, developing solutions, and implementing effective action plans.
• Project Management: Experience in leading projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery of results that meet or exceed expectations.
• Performance Monitoring: Skilled in using data analytics to monitor performance metrics, identify trends, and drive improvements in asset reliability and operational efficiency.