Senior Petroleum Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Petroleum Engineer for a two‑year, full‑time assignment based in Nairobi, Kenya. The role supports production operations in the South Lokichar Basin, a key upstream asset targeting first oil in late 2026, and acts as the central interface between drilling, facilities, and field teams.

Key responsibilities

• Own daily production performance and drive optimisation across all wells.
• Lead artificial lift selection, monitoring and lifecycle planning (ESP, gas lift, rod pump).
• Troubleshoot flow‑assurance issues, bottlenecks and well performance deviations.
• Coordinate well pulls, workovers and completions‑to‑production handovers.
• Interface with facilities engineering to align surface infrastructure with subsurface requirements.
• Support SCADA and remote‑monitoring implementation and day‑to‑day surveillance.
• Provide input to reservoir management and water‑injection strategies.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and ensure compliance reporting.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead capacity‑building initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of production/petroleum engineering experience at an operating company.
• Proven track record in production optimisation, artificial lift design and field production planning.
• Strong knowledge of flow‑assurance, SCADA systems and water‑injection strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capability in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to work in remote, field‑based environments for extended periods.
• Desirable: prior experience in East Africa or sub‑Saharan upstream projects and familiarity with Kenya’s EPRA regulations.

Required skills

• Production optimisation
• Artificial lift (ESP, gas lift, rod pump)
• Flow‑assurance management
• SCADA systems
• Water‑injection strategies
• Well pull and workover coordination

What we offer

• All‑inclusive monthly rate covering salary, housing, vehicle/transport, medical and allowances.
• Annual return flights to your country of domicile.
• Housing allowance or company accommodation in an expatriate‑standard area (Westlands).