Head of Drilling Department - Oil and Gas / Energy
Job Description
Job title:
Head of Drilling Department - Oil and Gas / Energy
Job Code:
Company:
Gulfsands Petroleum Levant LTD (GPLL)
Department:
Technical
Reports to:
Technical Manager
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering
Sector:
Oil and Gas / Energy
Country/City:
Syria Damascus
Experience:
+15 years
Type:
Full Time
Language:
English / Arabic
Job Summary
The Head of Drilling Department is responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing all drilling operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling programs. The role provides strategic direction, technical leadership, and operational governance for drilling projects while ensuring compliance with company objectives, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and HSE policies. The incumbent is accountable for drilling performance, budget management, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and the successful delivery of drilling objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the organization's drilling strategy, objectives, and annual operating plans.
- Lead and oversee all drilling operations, including exploration, appraisal, development, and workover activities.
- Ensure drilling programs are executed safely, efficiently, and within approved budgets and schedules.
- Direct drilling engineering, well planning, and operational execution activities.
- Monitor drilling performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, well control standards, and HSE requirements.
- Manage drilling contractors, service providers, and vendor relationships to ensure quality service delivery.
- Review and approve drilling programs, well designs, technical specifications, and operational procedures.
- Lead risk assessments, hazard identification processes, and contingency planning activities.
- Investigate major operational incidents and ensure implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Prepare and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and cost-control measures.
- Provide technical guidance, leadership, and mentoring to drilling engineers and operational personnel.
- Coordinate closely with Subsurface, Production, Facilities, HSE, Procurement, and Finance departments.
- Support the evaluation and adoption of new drilling technologies and best practices.
- Report drilling performance, operational risks, and project status to executive management.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Drilling Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration (MBA) is preferred.
- IWCF (International Well Control Forum) or IADC WellSharp certification is highly desirable.
- Professional engineering certifications and project management qualifications are an advantage.
Experience Requirements:
- Minimum 15 years of experience in drilling operations and drilling engineering within the oil and gas industry.
- At least 8 years of progressive leadership and management experience.
- Proven track record in managing complex onshore and/or offshore drilling projects.
- Extensive experience in well planning, drilling execution, and performance optimization.
- Demonstrated success in budget management, cost control, and contractor management.
- Experience in implementing drilling technologies and operational improvement initiatives.
- Strong background in HSE leadership and regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams and large-scale drilling programs.
Apply Now
Or email us at recruitment@gulfsands.com
Stay Up to Date
Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter
