Drilling Fluids & Cementing SME – Kenya (Field Based)

Job Description

• We are seeking to hire two Drilling Fluids & Cementing SMEs who will provide technical expertise in drilling fluids and cementing operations to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective well construction activities. The role will be responsible for overseeing drilling fluid and cementing programs, contractor performance, operational troubleshooting, inventory management, and compliance with HSSEQ and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidates must possess extensive upstream oil & gas experience with a strong background in onshore drilling operations, drilling fluids, and cementing activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical input into drilling fluid and cementing programs, including mud systems, solids control, fluid properties, laboratory testing requirements, cement slurry design, centralization, and placement strategies for onshore wells.
• Conduct technical risk assessments related to drilling fluids and cementing operations, including wellbore stability, lost circulation, cement placement, and zonal isolation risks, and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
• Oversee field mobilization, commissioning, and acceptance testing of drilling fluids and cementing equipment, solids control systems, mixing units, laboratory facilities, and contractor personnel.
• Monitor drilling fluid and cementing performance during drilling, casing, and cementing operations, providing real-time technical support, troubleshooting, and operational recommendations.
• Define and oversee drilling fluids and cement testing programs, ensuring accurate laboratory analysis, quality control, sample management, and documentation.
• Manage drilling fluids and cement inventory planning, material forecasting, supply logistics, and stock control to support uninterrupted field operations.
• Ensure contractors comply with contractual obligations, HSSEQ requirements, environmental regulations, and industry best practices related to waste management, chemical handling, and drilling operations.
• Maintain accurate operational records, including mud reports, cementing reports, laboratory results, technical assessments, incident reports, and lessons learned documentation.
• Provide technical coaching, training, and competency development for operational personnel and contractors on drilling fluids and cementing best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, technology implementation, and operational optimization efforts aimed at reducing non-productive time and improving well delivery performance.
• Perform any other duties as assigned in support of drilling and well construction operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in upstream oil & gas operations, with significant experience in drilling fluids and cementing roles supporting onshore drilling operations.
• Proven experience working as a Drilling Fluids Engineer, Cementing Engineer, Fluids Specialist, Technical Advisor, or similar role within upstream drilling environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of drilling fluid systems, including water-based, oil-based, and synthetic mud systems, rheology, solids control, hole cleaning, and chemical management.
• Extensive cementing experience, including slurry design, additives selection, pumping operations, centralization, placement modelling, zonal isolation, and post-job evaluation.
• Experience conducting laboratory testing, interpreting drilling fluids and cementing data, and supporting operational decision-making.
• Strong understanding of wellbore stability, lost circulation management, formation challenges, and mitigation strategies.
• Experience managing contractors, service companies, and drilling support personnel within remote onshore operating environments.
• Proficiency in drilling fluids and cementing software, well planning tools, wellsite reporting systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong understanding of HSSEQ requirements, environmental regulations, chemical handling standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Relevant industry certifications and professional memberships will be an added advantage.