Drilling & Workover Superintendent - Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) - UAE
(2020-06)
Oversee all aspects of onshore and offshore drilling, workover (HWU), offline well testing, slickline interventions and completion operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards, regulations and project timelines. Integrate technical and commercial considerations to optimise exploration and development well performance; manage risk assessment, mitigation planning and resource allocation.
Appointed
Contracts and Account Manager for the drilling department; prepare contract costing, terms and project scopes of work. Collaborate with service companies to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and personnel; maintain proactive stakeholder communication with SNOC management. Support repurposing of existing wells for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects. Implemented crisis management and business continuity controls and procedures during regional conflict.
Drilling Superintendent (Vacation Cover) - Perenco - Gabon
(2025-02 - 2025-05)
- Managed offshore drilling and completion operations from planning through execution, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and adherence to project schedules.
- Implemented SLB AI – DrillOps Predictive Analytics on the first well utilising the technology.
- Installed ESP completions on all completed wells; coordinated service companies and resource allocation.
- Maintained clear communication with internal and external stakeholders and Perenco management.
Drilling & Workover Superintendent - OQ - Oman
(2024-02 - 2024-12)
- Directed all drilling, completion (including SLB ESP systems) and workover operations, developing comprehensive drilling programmes for exploration and development wells.
- Managed tendering processes, developed specifications and evaluated proposals to optimise cost efficiency and quality.
- Prepared Statements of Requirements, Basis of Design and Drilling Programmes in accordance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated with PSLs and service providers for well design data and execution support.
Senior Drilling Supervisor - Dragon Oil - Turkmenistan
(2022-06 - 2024-02)
- Supervised workover and new exploration wells in a highly remote location with complex, highly depleted formations and limited well data (many Soviet-era wells with no annulus or documentation).
- Managed all logistical challenges inherent to remote operations, including extended mobilisation lead times of up to six months; forward planning was critical to operational readiness.
- Coached and mentored local crew members and junior company employees (80% local content requirement), providing continuous oversight due to limited prior industry experience.
Drilling Supervisor - QatarGas / ExxonMobil - Qatar
(2019-05 - 2022-06)
- Oversaw ERD / HPHT well operations and managed the upgrade of new jack-up rigs in the shipyard.
- Implemented drilling and completion operations utilising new technologies, including world-first applications in a challenging environment.
- Maintained continuous operations during COVID-19 with extended trips of 100+ days offshore.
- Completed and flowed wells using SLB CIRP (3,000 ft of perforation guns in a single run) and E-plug for zone isolation; typical frac operations involved two frac boats pumping 10,000 bbls total.
Drilling Superintendent - Staatsolie - Suriname
(2019-01 - 2019-05)
- Provided superintendent-level management on a wildcat exploration project using the West Castor (Seadrill) jack-up in a remote, extreme environment.
- Managed multi-cultural crews and overcame significant logistical and governmental challenges related to importation of drilling equipment, radioactive sources and personnel.
- Worked closely with Halliburton project management; prepared drilling programmes and managed equipment and logistics from the office.
Drilling Supervisor (Staff) - Halliburton - Oman
(2018-09 - 2019-01)
- Supervised deep drilling and workover operations on 3,000 hp land rigs in remote locations.
- Drilled to depths of 19,000 ft TVD in complex, HPHT formations (vertical and extended-reach) using high mud weights.
Drilling Foreman / Drilling Supervisor (Contractor) - Saudi Aramco - Saudi Arabia
(2017-10 - 2018-09)
- Supervised drilling and workover operations on a jack-up in the Arabian Gulf on extended-reach wells.
Drilling Superintendent / Programme Support - Amex PLC
(2016-05 - 2018-07)
- Prepared CTRs and reviewed Basis of Design for a plug and abandonment project in the Southern North Sea.
- Supported exploration and workover projects in Tanzania; produced drilling programme for an appraisal well in Ethiopia.
Senior Drilling Supervisor / Company Representative - Canadian Natural Resources International Ltd. - North Sea
(2013-11 - 2016-05)
- Planned and managed the abandonment of 34 wells on the Murchison platform, including rigless phase, rig reactivation and integration of a predominantly new multi-cultural crew (80% new to offshore).
- Responsible for simultaneous conductor recovery and P&A operations using two derricks; coached crew and rig superintendents on PTW, safety policies and procedures.
- Drilling team awarded IWCF Platform of the Year 2014 (safest drilling crew in the North Sea). P&A campaign completed ahead of schedule and under budget, achieving hydrocarbon-free status.
Senior Drilling Supervisor / Senior Drilling Engineer - Shell UK - North Sea
(2012-02 - 2013-11)
- Executed workovers and abandonments on Brent Bravo and Brent Delta platforms; responsible for planning and execution of P&A operations.
- Utilised tension tables to reduce well loading; isolated multiple zones via section milling, casing recovery and cement barriers.
- Improved overall project performance, reducing average well time from 60 days to 20 days.
Drilling Supervisor / Drilling Engineer - First Drill Ltd
(2011 - 2012)
- Land-based exploration projects in Gabon (Oil India) and Georgia (Strait Oil & Gas).
- Designed wells, prepared ITTs, mud, casing and cementing programmes, drilling programmes and performed rig review/selection.
- Managed well-site operations, service companies, AFEs, NPT minimisation, 7-day look-aheads and HSE.
Drilling Supervisor / Technical Support Engineer (Manager) / Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer - Clear Solutions International Ltd
(2009 - 2011)
- Business development across Europe for drilling fluids products, Derrick recycling systems and Atlas Copco HDD drill bits.
- Provided technical support for shale gas, CBM, geothermal and multi-lateral directional wells; clients included Centrica, Nexen (IGas), Greenpark, Cuadrilla, Caithness Petroleum and Composite Energy.
Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer - Scomi Oiltools (Europe) Ltd
(2006 - 2009)
- Selected for Drilling Fluids School in Malaysia; managed technology trial work groups and assisted in the laboratory.
- Managed liquid mud plant in Turkmenistan; worked offshore on deep-water projects in the North Sea and North Africa, including HTHP and H₂S wells.
Roughneck to Drilling Superintendent - Coal Bed Methane Ltd - Stirling, Scotland
(1997 - 2006)
- Progressed from roughneck to Drilling Superintendent in the family business, one of the first companies to drill for coal-bed methane in Scotland.
- Drilled appraisal wells with continuous core recovery and horizontal development wells using Gamma Ray MWD and mud motors while following coal seams.
- Gained extensive operational lessons that reduced subsequent well costs; involved in equipment purchase/operation, planning permission and government licensing.
