Drilling Optimization Engineer

About the Role

The Drilling Optimization Engineer will drive performance analytics and optimization initiatives for Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, LLC. This role involves analyzing drilling data to support field operations, engage stakeholders, and optimize on-shore drilling rigs, focusing on improving key performance indicators (KPIs), developing reports and visualizations, and supporting operational excellence and a safe work environment. The engineer will work closely with local operations, support teams, and third-party personnel, acting as a liaison with Technology and Marketing Groups, and spending time in the field understanding conditions and building relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Interface directly with all stakeholders, both internally and externally, to drive performance initiatives for assigned customers.
• Track, analyze, and manage KPIs to identify areas for improvement.
• Evaluate drilling performance and create recommendations related to drilling practices and/or drilling parameters to improve KPIs.
• Assess processes on the rig site or elsewhere to identify inefficiencies, collaborate with operations, management, and customers to propose improvements, and execute performance improvement plans.
• Develop and maintain roadmaps and heatmaps for operational phases.
• Own performance-improvement plans and drive corrective actions to completion.
• Serve as a technical performance advisor to operations, sales, and related groups.
• Promote innovation and new technologies.
• Provide training and coaching to operations to enhance rig KPI performance.
• Perform root cause analysis for incidents, equipment failures, and operational issues, and integrate improvements company-wide.
• Coordinate with customers at all organizational levels, aligning goals and responding to data/report requests.
• Coach and train operations personnel on the Patterson PTEN+ portal and other performance tools.
• Analyze large datasets and develop visuals and reports in Tableau, Spotfire, Power BI, etc.
• Develop a company-wide repository of best practices to standardize operations.
• Lead the evaluation and enhancement of rig/equipment monitoring, state detection, and notification systems.
• Define requirements and contribute technical expertise to design and develop visualizations, control applications, customer web portals, and other initiatives.
• Diagnose and resolve complex drilling-performance related issues, supporting Superintendents.
• Participate in handover meetings with Operations and support groups.
• Collaborate with Business Analytics Managers to share cost information, optimizing costs regionally.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ability to thoroughly learn the details of the business quickly through extensive training.
• Ability to build engaging relationships at all levels of the organization and with customers.
• Ability to analyze complex processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to think strategically and translate concepts into action plans and track results.
• Ability to simplify and explain complex topics for coaching and training.
• Ability to manage challenging situations, make difficult decisions, deliver uncomfortable messages, provide feedback, and present data effectively to customers with professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Proficient in utilizing advanced logical and mathematical calculations.
• Excellent verbal and written English Language communication.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite and other business systems such as Oracle Outsourcing, Electronic Drilling Recorder, and internal Management System.
• Familiarity with smart phones, laptops, and tablets.
• Ability to learn data analytics tools like Qlik, Tableau, PowerBI and perform data analytics.
• Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, twist, or crawl during field visits.
• Ability to listen for unusual noises that may indicate equipment or machinery issues.
• Ability to stay alert and focused, including during occasional extended work periods.
• Ability to maintain spatial awareness to safely navigate environments with moving objects and wear required PPE.
• Ability to travel regularly to worksites, which may include extended travel to remote locations and/or overnight stays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or related field.
• Prior internship or field-based experience.
• Eligible to drive Company or personal vehicle for Company purposes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on programming experience in Python or C#/Java and different databases.
• Experience working in the oilfield service industry with working knowledge of multiple basins within US Land Shale Plays.