Paragon is looking for a Lead Petroleum & Production Engineer for a staff position with an Oil & Gas Operating company in the UAE.
This position is residential in Dubai with full family expat status. The Lead Petroleum & Production Engineer will be based in Dubai but will be focusing on the client’s operations in Iraq.
Candidates must have experience with the following to be considered:
· Onshore project experience is a must (Candidates with only offshore background will not be considered)
· Experience with artificial lift and facility debottlenecking is required. Must have experience with 50k+ BOPD production facilities.
· Must have experience with onshore producing assets in the Middle East and North Africa.
· Must have International experience (i.e. worked outside of home country)
· Must have extensive experience working for the operator side (Candidates with only service company experience will not be considered)
· Must have a degree
Position Title: Lead Petroleum & Production Engineer
Staff or Temp: Staff
Expected package: To be discussed
Location: Dubai, UAE
Job Purpose
To represent client as a shareholder in all petroleum and production engineering-related matters to Iraq Asset. The role provides technical overview, governance, and challenge to operator activities to ensure alignment with shareholder objectives, technical standards, and value delivery.
Duties & Responsibilities
Technical Governance & Representation: Act as focal point in petroleum & production engineering discussions with JV partners. Participate in JV technical meetings (e.g., TCMs, subsurface forums, IFDP reviews/workshops). Challenge operator assumptions and ensure shareholder interests are protected
Track and analyze production, injection, deferments, and efficiency KPIs; flag deviations and recommend corrective actions to the Director NOA Technical Support.
Support surveillance reviews and contribute to identifying production optimization and loss recovery opportunities.
Review relevant sections of investment proposals and technical notes related to petroleum engineering inputs.
Ensure all proposed activities are technically justified, commercially viable, and in line with shareholder KPI’s.
Coordinate with internal subsurface, drilling, facilities, and HSE functions to consolidate company’s technical position.
Contribute to joint studies, technical audits, and performance reviews as required.
Provide structured technical feedback and risk summaries to the Director –Technical Support.
Escalate critical deviations, technical concerns, or performance gaps to ensure timely shareholder response.
Provide input into the technical sections of the Annual Budget, 5-Year Plans, and WP&B validation processes related to production engineering.
Review & Validation: Assess operator well proposals, production forecasts, stimulation/artificial lift plans, and facility debottlenecking. Validate engineering work against IFDPs, WP&B, and best practices. Review relevant sections of investment proposals and technical notes.
Collaboration: Coordinate with internal subsurface, drilling, facilities, and HSE functions to consolidate company’s technical position. Contribute to joint studies, technical audits, and performance reviews
Strategic Contribution & Reporting: Provide structured technical feedback and risk summaries to the Director. Escalate critical deviations or performance gaps. Provide input to Annual Budget, 5-Year Plans, and WP&B validation processes related to production engineering.
Job Factors
Minimum Education Level Required
Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering (or equivalent)
The minimum years of experience required (All qualification listed Must be job related)
Minimum 10 years with major or independent oil & gas operators.
At least 5 years in petroleum/production engineering with exposure to joint ventures or shareholder governance roles.
Iraq experience preferred.