The Drilling Fluids Specialists located in New Iberia, La is directly responsible for safely and efficiently managing wellsite operations relevant to the drilling fluids system. At this level the employee has an in-depth understanding of the drilling fluids system chemistry and is capable of properly testing and maintaining the properties of the drilling fluids system without supervision, and as per the customer's requirements. At this level the employee is also capable of making recommendations to address hole cleaning issues or lost circulation events, and can manage the drilling fluids system during well control conditions.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Knowledgeable on key SLB product properties, applications, and limitations.
- Knowledgeable on the properties of the mud (i.e. solids calculations, fluid chemistry, etc.)
- Knowledgeable on the effects of the products/systems on the mud chemistry (i.e. impact on pH, calcium, alkalinity, etc.)
- Able to generate and implement the drilling fluids program through close collaboration with the Project Engineer.
- Responsible for maintaining the drilling fluids system within specifications.
- Able to calculate volumes (i.e. mud pits, annular, pipe capacity & displacements) without supervision.
- Able to apply effective pit management principles (i.e. slugs, pills, storage, reserve, kill muds, etc.) during drilling operations.
- Knowledgeable on the solids control process and equipment and able to explain how various recommendations (i.e. screen size selection, shale shaker settings, etc.) will impact the drilling fluid properties and/or efficiency of solids removal.
- Responsible for making appropriate recommendations that will prevent or address different hole problems (i.e. sloughing shales, gumbo shales, abnormal pressures, faults, etc.) encountered during drilling operations.
- Responsible for making appropriate recommendations that will prevent or address lost circulation events (i.e. Mud Weight reduction in case of loses)
- Responsible for making appropriate recommendations that will minimize the impact of wellbore conditions (i.e. temperature, pressure, formation, etc.) on the drilling fluids system.
- Responsible for making appropriate recommendations that will minimize the impact of contaminants (i.e. H2S, C02, Water intrusion, reactive formations, cement, etc.) on the drilling fluids system.
- Responsible for making appropriate recommendations related to the drilling fluids system that will improve hole cleaning efficiency (i.e. flow rates, Low Shear Rate Viscosities, RPM, ROP, etc.)
- Able to perform hydraulics calculations (i.e. annular velocity, bit hydraulics, ECD, etc.) using Virtual HydraulicsTM software without supervision.
- Able to demonstrate an advanced or higher level of proficiency in the use of Virtual HydraulicsTM software.
- Knowledgeable regarding the impact of Particle Size Distribution (PSD), chemicals and contaminants on fluid loss.
- Able to recognize stuck pipe incidents and select appropriate pipe release agents.
- Able to identify and recognize lost circulation symptoms and select and apply appropriate remedial treatments.
- Able to convert to a Lignosulfunate, Lime, Saturated Salt or Gypsum mud system without supervision.
- Additional intermediate or advanced knowledge and skill requirements will apply for complex drilling operations such as those encountered
Qualifications
-Minimum 2-year Associate/Technical Degree or equivalent.
- 5 years' experience working as a drilling fluids Specialists in feep water Gulf of America.
- Excellent written and verbal communications.
- Must have the legal right to work in the United States without Visa sponsorship.
