Subsurface Director

Job Summary

The Subsurface Director provides strategic and technical leadership across all subsurface disciplines—including geology, geophysics, petrophysics, reservoir engineering, geomechanics, and subsurface data management. The role oversees the full lifecycle of subsurface activities from exploration and appraisal to field development and production optimization. This position ensures technical excellence, reserves growth, and maximizes recovery while supporting the company’s long‑term energy strategy and value creation.

Job Responsibilities 1

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s subsurface strategy, including exploration frameworks, reservoir management philosophies, and long‑term development planning.
• Ensure high‑quality evaluations of plays, leads, prospects, reservoir models, and field development plans.
• Govern subsurface workflows, technical standards, and assurance processes.

Resource Maturation & Reserves Management

• Lead the maturation of resources from concept → prospect → reserves.
• Oversee reserves estimation and classification in accordance with recognized standards (e.g., PRMS).
• Approve reserve bookings, production forecasts, and asset depletion strategies.

Geological & Geophysical Oversight

• Oversee seismic programs (acquisition, processing, interpretation).
• Ensure accurate geological modeling, structural interpretations, and basin/play assessments.
• Guide geoscience integration into exploration drilling, appraisal, and development activities.

Reservoir Engineering & Field Development

• Lead reservoir characterization, simulation studies, production forecasting, and EOR/IOR evaluations.
• Approve Field Development Plans (FDPs), well placement strategies, and depletion plans.
• Ensure robust well surveillance programs and continuous reservoir optimization.

Production Optimization & Asset Performance

• Partner with Operations and Drilling to identify opportunities for production enhancement.
• Support troubleshooting of under‑performing wells, water/gas management, and pressure maintenance.
• Ensure subsurface integrity and long‑term reservoir health.

Job Responsibilities 2

Technology, Innovation & Data Management

• Champion adoption of digital technologies (AI/ML‑based workflows, automation, cloud subsurface platforms).
• Ensure stewardship, quality, and governance of all subsurface data and knowledge systems.
• Promote innovation to shorten cycle times and improve technical accuracy.

Cross‑Functional & External Interfaces

• Collaborate with drilling, operations, HSE, commercial, and project teams to ensure integrated decision‑making.
• Interface with joint‑venture partners, regulatory authorities, and external consultants.
• Provide subsurface inputs for business development, M&A, and due diligence assessments.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of geoscientists, reservoir engineers, modelers, and technical specialists.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, competency development, and succession planning.
• Foster a high‑performance culture grounded in technical excellence, safety, and collaboration.

Additional Responsibilities 3

Job Knowledge & Skills

Strategic thinker with strong decision‑making under uncertainty

Excellent communication and influencing skills at executive and board levels

Commitment to safety and responsible resource development

Strong analytical, integrative, and problem‑solving abilities

Ability to lead multicultural and multidisciplinary teams

High integrity, leadership presence, and stakeholder‑management capability

Proficient in industry‑standard software (e.g., Petrel, Eclipse/CMG, DecisionSpace, Geolog, OFM).

Job Experience

15–20+ years of subsurface experience in the energy sector (oil & gas, geothermal, CCS, hydrogen storage, or integrated energy).

Proven track record in exploration, appraisal, field development, and reservoir management.

Experience leading large multidisciplinary technical teams.

Demonstrated success in reserves growth, resource maturation, and production optimization.

Competencies

Education