Drilling/Workover Manager

About the role

The Drilling/Workover Manager oversees the planning, execution, and oversight of drilling, workover, recompletion, sidetrack, and plugging and abandonment activities. This role also involves directing well design and engineering programs, managing rig operations and third-party service providers, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in compliance with applicable California oil and gas regulations.

Responsibilities

• Directs well design, drilling and workover programs, casing and cementing plans, AFEs, engineering packages, and offset well analyses for new drills, sidetracks, recompletions, and workovers.
• Oversees geo-mechanical, pressure, and hazard assessments, including H2S, lost circulation, shallow gas, and seismic considerations, for California reservoirs.
• Coordinates with subsurface and reservoir engineering teams to align well placement and design with field development plans.
• Manages daily rig operations and supervises company representatives, contractors, and third-party service providers on location.
• Maintains compliance with California oil and gas regulations, including setback requirements, idle well management, well integrity testing, Cal/OSHA requirements, and oilfield-specific safety orders.
• Serves as operations lead for CalGEM well permitting and maintains timely, accurate submissions for notices of intent, sundry notices, and plugging and abandonment plans.
• Identifies and executes cost-efficiency initiatives without compromising safety, well integrity, or regulatory compliance.
• Champions a strong safety culture, leads incident investigations and root-cause analyses, and implements corrective action plans across rig sites.
• Communicates well status, risks, and program performance to executive leadership and non-operating partners, and represents the Company with CalGEM, air quality districts, and other regulatory bodies during inspections or audits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years’ related experience of progressively responsible, hands-on experience in drilling engineering and drilling operations.
• Leadership experience managing employees, contractors, or multidisciplinary field teams in drilling, completions, or workover operations.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
  • Drilling and workover engineering principles.
  • Well design, casing/cementing, mud programs, BHA/bit selection, and well integrity.
  • California oil and gas regulations and permitting.
  • Rig operations, well control, BOP requirements, and emergency response.
  • Safety leadership, risk assessment, incident investigation, and root-cause analysis.
  • Budget management, AFE tracking, forecasting, and cost control.
  • Contractor management and vendor performance evaluation.
  • Ability to interpret technical data and communicate operational risks to leadership.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deal logically and effectively with department heads and engineering personnel to accomplish the goals for the Drilling/Workover department.
• Proficiency with personal computers and software. Working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft, and e-mail.
• Valid California driver’s license with a driving record deemed acceptable by the company’s auto insurance carrier is required due to regular travel to field and operational sites.