Drilling Optimization Engineer - Houston

The Drilling Optimization Engineer will drive performance analytics and optimization initiatives for Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, LLC by analyzing drilling data to support field operations, engage stakeholders, and optimize on-shore drilling rigs. They will focus on improving key performance indicators (KPI’s), developing reports and visualizations, supporting operations teams, driving operational excellence and a safe work environment. The engineer will work closely with local operations, support teams, and third-party personnel, and act as a liaison with Technology and Marketing Groups. They will also spend time in the field understanding conditions and building relationships with personnel and customers. The ideal candidate is analytical, collaborative, and able to interface effectively with both field and office teams.

This role reports directly to the Drilling Optimization Manager.

Detailed Description:

• Interfaces directly with all stakeholders, both internally and externally, to drive performance initiatives for assigned customers.

• Track, analyze, and manage KPI’s to identify areas for improvement.

• Evaluates drilling performance and creates recommendations as needed related to drilling practices and/or drilling parameters to improve KPI’s internally and externally.

• Assesses processes on the rig site or elsewhere to identify inefficiencies in our current work habits, collaborate with the operations team, senior management, and customers to propose improvements to those processes, and write and execute performance improvement plans to improve key performance indicators.

• Develop and maintain roadmaps and heatmaps for operational phases.

• Own performance-improvement plans and drive corrective actions to completion as designated by management or customers.

• Serve as a technical performance advisor to operations, sales, and related groups to ensure customer expectations are met.

• Promotes innovation and new technologies of value to the customer

• Provide training, coaching, and pre-project planning to operations to enhance rig KPI performance.

• Perform root cause analysis for incidents, equipment failures, and operational issues, and integrate improvements companywide.

• 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., to communicate critical information.

• 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 on rig labor and M&S, optimizing costs regionally.

Job Requirements:

• Able to thoroughly learn the details of our business quickly through extensive training
• Build engaging relationships at all levels of the organization as well as with customers
• Analyze complex processes and identify opportunities for improvement
• Able to think strategically and translate concepts into action plans and track results
• Simplify and explain complex topics for the purposes of coaching and training
• Ability to manage challenging situations, make difficult decisions, deliver uncomfortable messages, provide feedback, and present data effectively to customers with professionalism.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously to meet challenging deadlines
• Proficient in utilizing advanced logical and mathematical calculations
• Excellent verbal and written English Language communication with employees, customers and third parties at all levels
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite and other business systems such as Oracle Outsourcing, Electronic Drilling Recorder, and internal Management System, as well as use of smart phones, laptops, and tablets. Able 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.
  • Listen for unusual noises that may indicate equipment or machinery issues.
  • Stay alert and focused, including during occasional extended work periods.
  • Maintain spatial awareness to safely navigate environments with moving objects, including overhead machinery, and wear required PPE.
  • Travel regularly to worksites, which may include extended travel to remote locations and/or overnight stays.

Minimum 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 including ability to meet requirements of Company’s Vehicle Use Agreement and Driving Policy

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