The Tilenga oilfields are partly situated in a protected National Park, partly beneath the river Nile wetlands area, and within densely populated area in a rural and remote part of Uganda. Activities exposed to the risk of major incidents with severe potential consequences due to local environment and important presence of NGO’s. The development will be the first of its kind in Uganda, and there is no Drilling & Well industrial capacity in the country. Uganda is a land locked country so all materials must come some 1800 km by road from the East African coast. Factory Drilling with a well delivered every 4 days using 5 rigs simultaneously will necessitate standardization of equipment and procedures, strict enforcement of Drilling & Well instructions, safe and efficient logistic management on site. The project is focused on delivering the lowest possible cost, which requires to challenge TOTAL design concepts as well as substantially challenge the TOTAL referential, and to put in place innovative and effective contractual strategies. There is no equivalent for a project of such an industrial drilling magnitude in remote and sensitive area within the Group today

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a Factory Drilling strategy and mindset  to be able to drill, complete and maintain 430 wells in the most cost effective way possible, with close consideration of reservoir uncertainties and strict environmental constraints.
• Build and deliver a Factory Drilling execution plan for the FID including fit for purpose Drilling & Wells organization when in operation mode.
• Carry out the Call For Tender exercise. Select Contractors. Seek and obtain internal and external approvals.
• Make the RTA for contracts required for Project Execution. Ensure contracts readiness and implementation prior operation start up.
• Coordinate all Services Company for implementing a full operation support infrastructure in Uganda prior operation start up.
• Promote standardization, industrialization as well as implementation of all identified technical and cost-effective solutions for global development cost saving while still targeting technical excellence.
• Validate documented DRILLEX (CAPEX, OPEX), ensuring all cost reduction measures have been identified and implemented, ensure Drilling & Wells budget is tracked and controlled.
• Ensure transverse interfaces at engineering level and operational level with Surface project teams (drilling pad construction, planning), Field Operation (wells tie-in and ramp up for first oil, well clean up, COMPOS,SIMOPS,) and Geosciences team (drilling sequence, geosteering,).
• Review and validate drilling and completion engineering studies and programs undertaken by team members to ensure wells integrity, wells construction and wells & production delivery.
• Review and approve drilling and completion operational procedures and programs. Ensure their implementation during operation and their regular update based on lessons learnt.
• Ensure operation performance tracking and progress. Decide operational changes to maximize performances.
• Validate drilling schedule based on wells operation sequence and planning for the 5 rigs plus rig less operations, and based on equipment ordering and delivery.
• Approve implementation of new drilling, completion and well intervention techniques and equipment.
• Validate yearly budget and DRILLEX updates (CAPEX, OPEX).
• Provide internal & external team leadership to succeed in delivering in average one well every 4 days in an extremely challenging environment to ensure production first oil & maintain long term production plateau.
• Challenge and support Contractors' progress in all areas such as safety, technical requirements, cost control and schedule/planning.
• Ensure strict compliance of drilling operations practices, programs and procedures with regard to safety and in accordance with Group's directives.
• Provide leadership, coordination and motivation of multidisciplinary and multicultural team ensuring cross functionality and constructive exchanges with other entities.
• Validate derogation dossiers and ensured downgraded situations are rigorously managed.
• Ensure that Company ethic and compliance process is fully respected.
• Promote Group know-how by regular feedback to the Drilling entities in Company’s headquarters.
• Manage team personnel, to ensure sufficient resources in place to cope with the work load & activity.
• Identify recruitment needs and actively participate in the recruitment process.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Graduate Engineer
• 15+ years’ experience required with previous Drilling Manager assignments, in well performance and Field operations.
• Extensive international experience in drilling / completion / well intervention engineering and operations.
• Fast analytical mind for adaptive and pragmatic decision making and ability to assume challenges.
• Strong management skills to lead and motivate a large multidisciplinary team at engineering and operational level (Drilling engineering, Completion engineering, Operational Performances, Operations coordination, Work over & rigless operations), team based in remote locations.
• Permanent drive for cost reduction and asset integrity while maximizing operational performance with high safety awareness.
• Excellent human relation and communication skills with right level of diplomacy to liaise with Authorities and Partners.