The Deputy Drilling Manager leads drilling, completion, and workover operations within the JV, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective program delivery. The role owns technical performance, HSES compliance, budgets, contractor management, and well integrity throughout the well lifecycle. It involves leading and mentoring drilling teams, driving continuous improvement. Success requires strong technical drilling knowledge, managerial/commercial skills, and the ability to lead multidicplinary/multicultural teams in fast-paced, high-risk environments.
Position Title: Deputy Drilling Manager
Location: Field location/ Egypt
Job Purpose
- The Deputy Drilling Manager is responsible for leading and managing all drilling and well operations activities within the JV to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of drilling programs in line with company objectives.
- The role oversees planning, execution, and performance of drilling, completion, and workover operations while ensuring compliance with HSES standards, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence principles.
- It provides technical leadership and strategic direction for well delivery activities, manages contractor performance, optimizes operational efficiency, controls costs, and supports continuous improvement initiatives across drilling operations.
- Ensure all drilling and well operations are executed safely and in compliance with company HSES policies and international standards.
- Manage Rig intake process and rig moves
- Lead and promote a strong safety culture across drilling teams and contractors.
- Ensure operational risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated through proper planning and execution.
- Deliver drilling campaigns within approved budgets and schedules while maintaining operational integrity.
- Coordinate closely with subsurface, production, engineering, and procurement teams to support field development objectives.
- Monitor drilling performance and implement optimization initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce non-productive time (NPT).
The Deputy Drilling Manager is accountable for the overall technical performance, safety compliance, and successful execution of drilling and well operations activities. Key areas include:
Drilling Operations Governance:
Ensuring all drilling activities comply with company standards, well engineering practices, and regulatory requirements.
Well Delivery:
Accountable for safe, timely, and cost-effective execution of drilling, completion, testing, and workover operations.
Health, Safety, Environment & Security (HSES):
Ensuring drilling operations are conducted with the highest standards of safety, environmental protection, and process integrity.
Budget and Resource Management:
Managing drilling budgets, cost forecasts, contracts, and resource allocation to optimize operational performance.
Contractor & Stakeholder Management:
Managing drilling contractors and service companies while ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders.
Technical Integrity:
Maintaining well integrity standards throughout the well lifecycle and ensuring adherence to drilling engineering best practices.
Areas of Responsibility:
Leadership & Team Management
Lead drilling engineers, wellsite supervisors, and operational support teams.
Mentor and develop drilling personnel to support competency growth and succession planning.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Drilling & Well Operations Management
Develop and oversee drilling programs, procedures, and operational plans.
Review and approve well designs, drilling procedures, and risk assessments.
Monitor drilling operations performance and ensure adherence to approved programs.
Manage well control preparedness and emergency response readiness.
Project Execution
Support field development planning and drilling campaign execution.
Coordinate rig schedules, logistics, and operational resources.
Monitor operational KPIs including NPT, cost performance, and safety metrics.
Ensure lessons learned are captured and implemented across operations.
Compliance and Assurance
Ensure compliance with local regulations and international drilling standards.
Lead operational audits, technical reviews, and incident investigations.
Promote continuous improvement through performance analysis and operational reviews.
Areas of Competence
The Deputy Drilling Manager must demonstrate strong technical, operational, managerial, and interpersonal competencies essential for drilling operation in the oil and gas industry.
Technical Competence
Strong knowledge of drilling, completion, and well intervention operations.
Well control and well integrity management expertise.
Familiarity with drilling engineering software and reporting systems.
Understanding of rig operations, directional drilling, cementing, and drilling fluids.
Managerial Competence
Strong leadership and operational management skills.
Financial and commercial understanding for drilling cost control and contract management.
Strategic planning and decision-making abilities.
Ability to manage high-risk operations under dynamic conditions.
Behavioral / Interpersonal Competence
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Strong commitment to HSE leadership and operational excellence.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
High adaptability to remote operations and fast-paced operational environments.
Critical Skills, Qualification and Experience
- Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related Engineering discipline.
- Minimum 15–20 years of experience in drilling and well operations within the oil & gas industry.
- Strong knowledge of drilling engineering, well control, and HSE management systems.
- IWCF/IADC Well Control Certification preferred.
- Experience in managing drilling contractors and service providers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications and drilling reporting systems.
- Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Self-motivated and results-oriented individual with strong HSEQ commitment.