GKA Facilities Optimization Engineer

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Who We Are

We are one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. With operations and activities in 13 countries, we explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. We are challenged with an important job to safely find and deliver energy to the world. Our employees are critical to our success, and with them we power civilization.

We’re grounded by our SPIRIT Values – safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork. These values position us to deliver strong performance in a dynamic business – but not at all costs. We believe it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it – that sets us apart.

We strive to make a significant difference in the communities where we live and operate. We create an inclusive environment that values all voices and opinions. Together, the different backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and perspectives of our employees drive our success.

Job Summary

Alaska Overview

ConocoPhillips is Alaska’s largest crude oil producer and largest owner of exploration leases, with approximately 1.2 million net undeveloped acres at year-end 2022. The company produced an average of 200 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022. ConocoPhillips has major ownership interests in two of North America’s largest legacy conventional oil fields, both located on Alaska’s North Slope: Kuparuk, which the company operates, and Prudhoe Bay. Additionally, ConocoPhillips operates several fields on the Western North Slope. The company has an ownership interest in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) and owns/operates the Polar Tankers fleet.

Kuparuk Overview

The Greater Kuparuk Area, located approximately 40 miles west of Prudhoe Bay, encompasses the Kuparuk Field and four nearby satellite fields.

The Kuparuk Field is one of the largest onshore producing fields in the United States, with more than 500 active producing wells. Rotary-drilled wells and sidetracks from existing wellbores utilizing coiled-tubing drilling are the primary means for development drilling at Kuparuk. Field installations include three central production facilities that separate oil, natural gas, and water, as well as a seawater treatment plant.

In 2022, ConocoPhillips’ net crude oil production at Kuparuk averaged 47 MBOED.

Description

The GKA (Greater Kuparuk Area) Facilities Optimization Engineer provides field-wide optimization support, tracks and reports production and facilities performance KPIs, supports and influences maintenance planning processes, and assists the Wells Optimization Engineer to coordinate oil movements for the Kuparuk Pipeline. The position works closely with diverse groups including Operations, Production and Reservoir Engineering, Integrated Planning, Development, Discipline Engineers, S&PM, and Third Parties. The role will be Anchorage based, will report to the GKA Production Engineering Supervisor, and may occasionally assist with general operations management responsibilities including assuming delegation of authority. Up to 30% travel to Kuparuk (CPF1/2/3) is encouraged.

Job Description

Your responsibilities may include:

• Lead the identification and development of fieldwide optimization opportunities for the Kuparuk Field and its satellites with a focus on the process
• Evaluate and recommend second-order fieldwide optimization (beyond each facility reaching their first capacity constraint) to achieve the best value considering sales and operating costs
• Coordinate the review and analysis of production and injection activities with the Wells Optimization Engineer to ensure proper function of fieldwide production optimization systems so that GKA production commitments are achieved
• Coordinate ad-hoc multi-disciplinary teams to address production impacts, threats, or system changes
• Review the near-term maintenance schedule to identify opportunities to minimize or shelter production impacts
• Monitor the production impact reporting system to ensure accuracy and consistency with corporate guidelines. Update the system to new standards as required
• Develop and maintain KPIs that show how each facility is contributing to the integrated optimization strategy (may change seasonally)
• Own Production Engineering DOF GAP models, maintain seasonal constraints
• Identify future pinch points and bottlenecks that impact production. Coordinate action plan with Wells Optimization Engineer, Field Operations, Maintenance, Development, and Wells
• Assist the Operations Superintendents and Ops. Management with the gathering of inputs and preparation of presentation material for OPEX, CAPEX and Production forecasts for Budget, LE and LRP processes
• Work with the Development and Commercial Planning Coordinators for the submission of budget plans and LEs
• Manage planned and unplanned oil export impacts including third-party use of GKA divert tanks, pipeline proration planning and management, and maintain ownership of the Warm Standby Plan
• Provide GKA Production and NGL/Fuel Gas nominations to stakeholders as well as near-term forecasts for the Crude Oil Coordinating Committee
• Assist the Wells Optimization Engineer in completing monthly nominations for the Kuparuk and Oliktok pipelines
• Facilitate and help steer the Optimization Morning Meetings, participate in monthly Operations Review Board Meetings, and in weekly GKA Operations & Maintenance Staff Meetings
• Actively support Best-in-Class HSE processes

Qualifications

Basic/Required:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer
• Valid/Current driver’s license
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or foreign equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in Production Engineering or Upstream Facility Process Engineering
• Intermediate level of functional and technical knowledge of oil and gas production facilities, their processes, and SCADA systems
• Willing and able (with or without reasonable accommodation) to wear Nomex fire retardant clothing and personal protective equipment such as steel-toe shoes, ear and eye protection when working in the field visiting with operations and control room personnel
• Willing and able (with or without reasonable accommodation) to travel up to 30% of the time on a yearly basis to Kuparuk

Preferred:

• Intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PowerBI
• Beginner level knowledge with Arctic Operations
• Beginner level knowledge of well and reservoir performance, waterflooding, EOR
• Advanced level of functional and technical knowledge of oil and gas production facilities, their processes, and SCADA systems
• Proven track record of quickly influencing multi-disciplinary teams to drive change, leading to superior performance
• Capability to effectively interface with both hourly and salaried positions of varied disciplines and ability to maintain good working relationships with Operations personnel
• Takes ownership of actions and follows through on commitments by courageously dealing with important problems, holding others accountable and standing up for what is right
• Invites dialogue to gain a shared understanding and influences with confidence to drive performance and achieve business results
• Builds strong relationships based on trust and seeks opportunities to collaborate across organizational boundaries to achieve business goals

Apply Before: April 1, 2024

Sponsorship:

ConocoPhillips’ sponsorship for employment authorization in the U.S. is NOT available for this position.

EEO:

In the US, ConocoPhillips is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.