Wells Team Lead - Cross Project in London

Since its creation in 2014, Harbour has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse independent oil and gas companies. Today, Harbour is producing between 475,000 and 485,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with significant production in Norway, the UK, Germany, Argentina and North Africa. Harbour benefits from competitive operating costs and resilient margins, and a broad set of growth options including near-infrastructure opportunities in Norway, unconventional scalable opportunities in Argentina and conventional offshore projects in Mexico and Indonesia. With low GHG emissions intensity and a leading CO2 storage position in Europe, Harbour remains committed to producing oil and gas safely and responsibly to help meet the world’s energy needs. Harbour is headquartered in London with approximately 5,000 staff and contractors across its operations and offices. Ours is an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to their job and feel recognised for the value they add. We are committed to creating a genuinely inclusive and supportive working environment to ensure everyone has a positive experience at work. At Harbour Energy, we aim to recruit, retain and promote our people based on their unique skills, regardless of race, gender or background. We need excellent people to help shape and develop the future of our company. Could this be you? If so, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of Role: Conduct technical design, detailed engineering, and operational execution of offshore exploration wells, ensuring strict alignment with project timelines, HSES requirements, and BU and corporate standards. Serve as the primary technical authority for well integrity and drilling performance, proactively identifying hazards and implementing robust risk-mitigation strategies. Oversee the drilling engineering team, driving high engineering standards, operational discipline, and technical competence across all exploration and cross-project deliverables. Collaborate directly with the Wells Manager, Subsurface exploration teams, HSES, and Supply Chain to translate project objectives into correct field execution programs. Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement by integrating lessons learned, performance benchmarking, and best-in-class drilling technologies into well construction.

Critical Responsibilities (MAE/MATTE/HSES*):

• Provide technical leadership and active oversight during offshore well construction operations, ensuring strict adherence to engineering programs, regulatory permits (ASEA/SENER), service quality standards, and well integrity protocols.
• Active participation in process safety and well integrity risk assessments (HAZID, HAZOP, DWOP) to identify, eliminate, or control risks related to Major Accident Events (MAE) and environmental releases.
• Ensure all well designs and operational procedures strictly comply with corporate safety policies, local regulations (ASEA, SENER), and international industry standards.
• Drive cross-functional integration across Subsurface, HSES, Supply Chain, Operations, and HQ to ensure alignment with project delivery standards and seamless interfaces.
• Conduct evaluations and technical interfaces with service providers, supporting the Cross-project Wells Manager in securing reliable, innovative, and cost-effective drilling solutions.
• Actively enforce Management of Change (MoC) protocols for any design or operational deviations to prevent well control incidents or loss of containment.
• Foster a proactive safety culture across the engineering team and offshore rig sites, prioritising Stop Work Authority and zero-harm execution.
• In coordination with Cross Project Wells Manager, conduct post-job evaluations and capture lessons learned to drive continuous improvement across Drilling operations.

Ethics and Compliance Responsibilities: Ensure that all activities and behaviours are carried out in accordance with Harbour Energy’s Ethics and Compliance Policies and Procedures and to complete any compulsory compliance training as required.

Areas of Accountability, Responsibility and Competence:

• Well Design & Engineering: Lead the preparation and review of drilling programs, well schematics, casing design, fluids/cementing strategies, and probabilistic time/cost estimates (AFE). Coordinate and participate in the Well Delivery Process for the different stages in the drilling of a Well.
• Offshore Operational Oversight: Supervise daily offshore well construction activities, providing real-time technical decision support to the rig team and ensuring compliance with approved programs.
• Contractor & Interface Management: Manage technical interfaces and performance of key service providers (rig contractor, directional drilling, fluids, wellhead) to guarantee service quality.
• Technical Mentorship & Governance: Directly guide and develop senior and junior drilling engineers, ensuring high quality in technical calculations, simulations, and peer reviews.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Conduct thorough post-well reviews, performance benchmarking (NPT/ILOT tracking), and capture critical lessons learned to elevate future campaign execution. Contribute to BU-wide performance assessments, explore innovative well technologies, and assist the Wells Manager in supporting digital tools and rig communications across projects.

Technical Skills Essential:

• Proven track record in Exploration & Appraisal well planning and execution.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Deep technical command of casing design, well control, hydraulics, pore pressure prediction, and industry-standard well planning software (Landmark or Oliasoft suite: StressCheck, WellPlan, COMPASS, etc.).

Preferred (Advantage): Familiarity with automated drilling analytics, real-time performance tracking tools (e.g., proNova, WellView), or predictive engineering workflows.

Non-Technical Skills Essential:

• Highly organised and adaptable professional capable of managing dynamic workloads and communicating effectively across cross-functional engineering, field, and vendor teams.
• Strong technical leadership, sound judgment, and decisive problem-solving under operational pressure, paired with uncompromising integrity and the ability to navigate complex ethical situations.

Professional Experience Essential:

• 10–12+ years of relevant experience in drilling engineering and well operations with a strong focus on offshore environments (Jack-ups, Semi-submersibles, or Drillships).
• Hands-on well site operations experience with a performance-driven, problem-solving mindset, capable of working effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated background in drilling procurement processes alongside proficiency in probabilistic cost-estimating methodology and specialised software.

Preferred (Advantage): Hands-on experience applying Power Apps, automated workflows, and practical AI tools to streamline operational data, improve tracking, and drive engineering efficiency. Local experience in Mexico (offshore operations, shallow/deepwater context) and direct familiarity with local regulators (ASEA, CNH/SENER).

Education Essential:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• IWCF / IADC Well Control Certification (Supervisor level).

Language: Proficient in English (spoken & written). Spanish is an advantage.

Harbour Principles and Values: Strong alignment with Harbour Energy’s core values, behaviours, and commitment to operational excellence and integrity.

Inclusive recruitment is a vital part of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. Whatever your background, if you feel you need an adjustment during our selection process to suit your needs, please let us know, and we will be happy to help.