Principal Pore Pressure & Fracture Gradient

About Woodside Energy

We know great results come from our people feeling valued, getting the support they need to reach their full potential as well as bring their whole self to work. We also recognise that enduring, meaningful relationships with communities are fundamental to maintaining our licence to operate.

Technology and innovation are essential to our long-term sustainability. We are growing our carbon and new energy businesses using technology to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint of our products. We are working to improving energy efficiency, offset emissions, reduce emissions intensity and explore options for lower-carbon energy. Woodside led the development of the LNG industry in Australia and is applying this same pioneering spirit to solving future energy challenges.

Our global headquarters are based in Perth and our state-of-the-art campus reflects the quality of life Perth is known for - with a six Green Star rating, advanced wellness features and flexibility in how you work.

About the Role:

About the Function

Global Wells & Seismic provides engineering, drilling and completions, seismic and geotechnical surveying and specialist geological services to internal Woodside Energy customers. Service delivery includes customers across Woodside Energy’s investment portfolio spanning Australian Business, New Energy, Business Development & Commercial and International Business.

About the Role

You will work as a member of a vibrant and diverse multidisciplinary Wells Subsurface internal-service team that delivers shallow geohazards, geopressure, geotechnical engineering, well-bore geomechanics and operation geology spanning Woodside Energy’s Australian Projects, Exploration, Development, Production, Decommissioning and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Sequestration customers. You will develop formation pore pressure and fracture gradient forecasts, wellbore stability models and work with drilling engineers to select a safe range of mud-weight to, as far as possible, avoid kicks, wellbore instability and loss of circulation through fractures. You will formally recommend, and informally influence, the full well lifecycle; from well planning and the Basis for Well Design & Abandonment, to well operations and post-operational analysis that culminates with lessons learnt. You will enjoy well established and regionally specific flexible work options.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Predict Pore pressure and fracture gradient forecasting that integrates seismic velocities, offset well data, production data and geology for Woodside operated wells to drill, evaluate and complete in a safe and economic manner.
• Provide well-bore stability analysis that integrates log, drilling, cavings, image and caliper data to recommend minimum mud-weight for the safe drilling, completion and abandonment of wells.
• Integration of pore pressure, fracture gradient and well-bore stability with the multidisciplinary Wells Subsurface team and work hand in hand with the Well Planning Team to optimise well design.
• Operations support for pressure and fracture detection based on analysis of real-time drilling, log and geological indicators. Analyse and interpret formation integrity tests for safe well operations.
• Science communication to the drilling team, leadership, partners and government regulators.
• Updated on local regulation related to pore and fracture pressure and potential impacts on well operations.
• Technical coaching, career mentoring and leading formal training to capability development.
• Support well operations; occasionally travel; revise standards; and own pore pressure and fracture gradient technical guidelines.
• Analyse relevant data to predict seal capacity and column heights using common industry techniques.
• Understand conventional drilling and managed pressure drilling operation and their impact on pore pressure and fracture gradient.

Skills & Experience:

• Geophysics, geology, geomechanics and / or engineer MSc and / or PHD qualification/s.
• At least 10 years applied industrial operator experience integrating geophysics, geology, operations and geomechanics to predict pore pressure and fracture gradient supporting exploration, development and carbon-capture and sequestration well planning, drilling, production and decommissioning.
• Proficiency with seismic interpretation and petrophysical software for the management, viewing and analysis of wellbore and seismic data.
• Effective communicator of complex science through influential presentations of results and uncertainties.
• Motivated to collaborate within an integrated team and with customers to improve individual and team service delivery.
• Knowledge of SLB software Techlog is preferred but not a requirement.
• At least 10 years applied industrial operator experience integrating geophysics, geology, operations and geomechanics to predict pore pressure and fracture gradient supporting exploration, development and carbon-capture and sequestration well planning, drilling, production and decommissioning.
• Proficiency with seismic interpretation and petrophysical software for the management, viewing and analysis of wellbore and seismic data.
• Effective communicator of complex science through influential presentations of results and uncertainties.
• Motivated to collaborate within an integrated team and with customers to improve individual and team service delivery.
• Knowledge of SLB software Techlog is preferred but not a requirement.

If you think you can do this job but don’t meet all the criteria, that’s OK! Please apply. At Woodside, we value people with diverse experiences and backgrounds, as they provide unique perspectives that help us innovate.

Recognition & Reward:

What you can expect from us:

• Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs, coaching and mentoring
• Industry-leading 18 weeks’ paid parental leave for primary carer, and maintenance of superannuation or retirement benefits at the current rate during any period of unpaid parental leave for up to 24 months (plus secondary carer leave entitlements)
• Values led culture
• Active employee community groups for gender equality, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and LGBTI+ staff and allies, and Neurodiversity
• Community volunteering opportunities
• Relocation assistance (if required)
• A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives and above-industry superannuation contributions

Woodside is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce culture, which is supported by our Values. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain a truly diverse and high-performing workforce. 

Diversity encompasses differences in age, nationality, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, intersex status, gender identity or expression, relationship status, disability, neurodiversity, cultural background, thinking styles, experience, family background, including caregiving commitments, and education. Inclusion centres on all employees creating a climate of trust and belonging, where people feel comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

We offer supportive pathways for all employees to grow and develop leadership skills. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those seeking a more flexible working environment, including part-time opportunities

Applications close at 11:59pm AWST on 31st October 2024.

Click APPLY to submit your application

Please note Woodside Energy will only accept direct candidate applications. We do not accept applications from Recruitment Agencies.