Position SummaryThe Senior Well Engineer - Well Intervention & Workover reports to the
Well Engineering Manager and is a key member of the Well Engineering team, working alongside drilling engineers responsible for the planning and delivery of new wells. This position provides technical leadership for well intervention, workover, and well integrity activities across Ormat's global geothermal portfolio, ensuring existing assets are safely maintained and restored to optimal performance. When not focused on well intervention activity the role will support drilling operations.
The role is primarily responsible for planning, engineering, and supporting the execution of complex intervention programs aimed at restoring well productivity, extending asset life, and maintaining well integrity. Responsibilities include engineering coiled tubing operations, fishing campaigns, well cleanouts, casing remediation, wellhead repairs, wireline operations, stimulation support, and other specialized downhole interventions.
Working closely with field operations, drilling engineers, production teams, and external service providers, the Senior Well Engineer will develop technically sound, safe, and cost-effective intervention solutions while helping establish best practices and technical standards for well intervention across the organization.
Essential Functions- Engineer and develop well intervention and workover programs for geothermal production and injection wells, including planning through execution and operational handover.
- Design and support complex intervention operations, including coiled tubing, wireline, fishing, casing remediation, wellhead repair, scale removal, and other downhole remediation activities.
- Develop detailed operational procedures, engineering calculations, risk assessments, contingency plans, AFEs, and cost estimates to ensure safe and efficient execution.
- Provide engineering support during field operations, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend solutions to optimize well performance and maintain well integrity.
- Identify, assess, and manage well risks throughout the planning and execution phases while ensuring appropriate engineering barriers and mitigation measures are in place.
- Coordinate closely with drilling, production, reservoir, HSE, operations, contractors, and service providers to successfully execute intervention and workover campaigns.
- Serve as contract holder for assigned intervention service lines, including defining scopes of work, establishing performance expectations, monitoring contractor performance, and driving continuous improvement.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies, equipment, and engineering practices that improve well intervention performance, reliability, safety, and cost effectiveness.
- Develop, maintain, and improve engineering standards, best practices, technical procedures, and well intervention guidelines.
- Participate in incident investigations, Root Cause Failure Analyses (RCFAs), lessons learned reviews, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, company, and safety requirements throughout all phases of engineering and field execution.
- Communicate technical concepts, operational risks, recommendations, and project status effectively to management and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Mentor junior engineers, provide technical leadership, and contribute to the development of engineering capability and organizational culture.
- Demonstrate ownership and accountability for assigned well engineering projects, delivering technically sound solutions that prioritize safety, operational excellence, schedule, and cost performance.
- Provide well engineering support for drilling planning and execution activities as workload and business priorities require, including development of drilling programs, engineering analyses, risk assessments, and operational support.
- Collaborate with drilling engineers to share lessons learned, technical expertise, and best practices, contributing to the successful planning and execution of new well construction and other well engineering initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Education, Experience, and Skills Required- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible well engineering experience, with demonstrated ownership of well planning and execution.
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing complex well intervention and workover operations.
- Experience with geothermal well interventions, or comparable high-temperature, HPHT, or scaled well operations, is preferred.
- Experience with coiled tubing operations, fishing, wireline, casing remediation, and wellhead repair is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage operational and technical risks throughout project planning and execution.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering engineering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- Experience supporting real-time field operations and providing engineering guidance during critical operational activities.
- Experience with industry well engineering software (e.g., Landmark WellPlan, WellCAT) is preferred.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high degree of ownership and accountability.
- Excellent troubleshooting and decision-making skills in dynamic operational environments.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information, risks, and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize engineering software and data management systems (e.g., RimBase).
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with periods of high operational intensity.
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekend and holiday support.
- Must possess a valid driver's license with a driving record that meets Ormat's Safe Driving Policy.
- Must be able to communicate effectively in English to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
- Preferred qualifications:
- Extensive coiled tubing intervention experience, particularly in geothermal or other high-temperature wells.
- Extensive fishing and downhole recovery experience.
- Experience with wellhead repair and replacement operations.
- Experience with casing remediation and well integrity restoration.
- Experience supporting operations in remote or international locations.
Physical Requirements- The ability to navigate and work in remote field locations and work outdoors in difficult weather conditions.
- The ability to walk, hike and work on steep, rough terrain for extended periods of time on occasion.
- Must be able to work in plant/drilling operating areas including exposure to noise, vibrations, heat and cold.
- Must be able to wear any required protective equipment, as required by safety procedures and regulations.
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