Mud Engineering

Mud Laboratory/ Daily Mud checks

• All Mud lab testing is conducted to API RP 13B-1 standards, with a minimum of 3 Mud checks in 24 hrs
• Ensure all Mud lab test equipment is available for use and is calibrated. Ensure an accurate inventory of all items is maintained and that required spares are ordered with a sufficient lead time
• Recommend and implement appropriate pilot testing procedure/s in the Mud Lab, so that results can be applied to address any unscheduled mud-related issues that may develop

Solids Control Equipment

• Be familiar with a wide range of Solids Control Equipment (SCE) and optimize the efficient operation of the same
• Ensure sufficient spare parts are available for use with the SCE, including adequate quantities and ranges of appropriately sized API shale shaker screens
• Co-ordinate with the drill crew any remedial maintenance and/or repair work to ensure closure of any corrective actions
• Check and ensure the Mud tanks are in good condition for operation, initiate any maintenance work on flow lines, piping, valves, gates, agitators, piping, pumps, mixing hoppers, safety equipment, etc

Health and Safety

• Promote and apply safe work practices and procedures (e.g. JSA, Safety audits) at all times to ensure that all operations are conducted in compliance with Client corporate HSE policies and procedures.
• Be proactive in demonstrating a healthy respect for safety, whilst ensuring all chemicals/ equipment are mixed/ handled in a safe and proficient manner
• Assist in the design of appropriate control measures that may be deemed prudent to enhance the safe handling procedures for chemicals on site
• Ensure all required MSDS are available for reference by the Drilling crew members prior to commencing any mixing operations.  Assist with official Safety audits completed on-site by the Contractor or Client
• Promote safety leadership with the drilling crews in the safe management of all mud chemicals on site and ensure required chemical segregation is in place with regard to non-compatible or hazardous chemicals

Waste management

• Manage and coordinate the disposal of packaging, drums, and waste with regards to Mud Engineering in a safe and co-ordinated manner in compliance with Client Waste Management Policy & Procedures
• Record and report Environmental Impacts
• Conduct regular inspection of mud chemicals stocks to ensure there is no exposed risk/ impact on the environment or to the local community
• Waste Pit contents: check/ record the PH level and salinity of fluid contents in order to manage this fluid
• Ensure any required testing is conducted on appropriate samples in a timely manner for HSE purposes

Reporting

• Must be fluent in English, Reading, and Writing along with the ability to use the Microsoft Office package
• Be familiar with the API IADC Daily Drilling Report and extraction of pertinent information for inclusion within the DMR
• Be familiar with the API Daily Mud Report (DMR) and the completion of same every 24 hrs, with the input of data, volume and hydraulics calculations, ECD management, hole cleaning, recommendations, etc
• Supply Weekly/ Monthly Inventory reports to Client management and Client representatives, as required
• Assist in the preparation of the Drilling Fluids Final Well Report/ End of Well Report (EOWR)

Logistics

• Maintain an accurate Mud Product Inventory at all times, with weekly physical checks to confirm the same
• Physically check/ confirm the delivery of all mud products received at the rig site
• Ensure adequate stocks of mud chemicals (including contingency products) are available at all times on site
• Liaise with the Project Engineer on a regular basis to raise any concerns ref stock levels

Job Requirements

Technical knowledge and application

• A minimum of 5 years of on the well-site experience
• Be familiar with a range of Water Based Mud (WBM) products in order to formulate various mud systems to comply with the Mud Program and to maintain the programmed chemical and physical properties of the same
• Be familiar with a range of Lost Circulation Materials (LCM) products to control incidents of lost circulation
• Provide engineering support at the rig site whenever technical problems arise and submit recommendations to all client management representatives on a timely basis
• Be familiar with required Engineering calculations, Mass Balance calculations, and typical conversion factors applied with field drilling fluids
• Recommend and implement the formulation of various sweeps, pills, and spacers to enhance fluid operations at the rig site
• Prior experience in the formulation of pipe-freeing pills to address any incidents of stuck pipes is essential

How to Apply

All candidates to meet the Roles & Responsibilities for this technical engineering position, as outlined below:  Send your CV to: [email protected]

Note: Use "Mud Engineering" as the subject line of your email!