SS Optimisation Engineer

Job description
Job Title: Well Optimisation Engineer
Department: Operations / Optimisation team
Location: Basra, Iraq
No of Positions: 2

Role Synopsis:

• The Well Optimisation Engineer is a frontline technical and operational role within Operations, working closely with Production Optimisation, Subsurface, and Station Operations teams to ensure wells are operated safely, efficiently, and within approved operating limits.
• The role leads daily well surveillance, supports troubleshooting of natural flowing, ESP, and injection wells, and drives choke management and New Oil Delivery (NOL) readiness to sustain reliable production.
• The position provides on-site technical guidance, ensures production data integrity, and coordinates closely with field, control room, and subsurface teams to resolve well and system performance issues promptly.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide daily well surveillance and optimisation support for natural flowing, ESP, water injection, and Dammam wells to maximise safe production.
• Monitor well performance, flowrates, pressures, and temperatures to identify anomalies, losses, and optimisation opportunities.
• Execute choke management activities in line with Safe Operating Limits (SOLs) and subsurface guidance.
• Support New Oil Delivery (NOL) readiness and start-up of new and reactivated wells, including field checks and operational reviews.
• Coordinate with station operations, control room, and subsurface teams on well movements, shut-ins, restarts, and optimisation actions.
• Maintain accurate and timely updates in the Field Management Database (FMD), ensuring data integrity and alignment with field conditions.
• Lead initial troubleshooting of underperforming or ceased wells and recommend appropriate corrective actions prior to well intervention.
• Support shutdown, restart, and production deferral management activities to minimise production losses.
• Ensure full compliance with HSE requirements, including H₂S procedures, permit-to-work, and operating discipline standards.
• Provide on-site technical guidance to field technicians and operators, promoting strong operational discipline and data quality.

Criteria & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum, Production, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in oil and gas operations, production optimisation, or well operations roles.
• Strong understanding of surface well operations, production surveillance, choke management, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working with natural flowing, ESP, and water injection wells; exposure to high water-cut and H₂S environments preferred.
• Working knowledge of production monitoring and data systems (e.g. PI Vision, Power BI, field databases).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret well and facility performance data.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a rotational, field-based operational environment.
• Good communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

If you find this position matching your skills & if you would like to apply for the role please drop your CVs on sayali.kothmire@nesfircroft.com

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.