Job description

Our client, a leading organization in the Oil and Gas sector, is seeking an experienced Drilling Supervisor (DSV) to join our client's team on a contract basis in Abu Dhabi. This is a key position overseeing drilling activities, ensuring operations are executed safely, efficiently, and in line with our client's standards and project objectives. You will play a critical role on the wellsite, acting as the focal point between the rig, service companies, and our client's onshore team.

Key Responsibilities:

• The Drilling Supervisor will oversee rig-site drilling operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective well delivery in line with company standards, regulatory requirements, and client expectations. This role requires hands-on leadership at the wellsite, strong technical judgment in complex drilling environments, and the ability to manage multi-disciplinary rig teams.
• Supervise day-to-day drilling operations at the rig site, ensuring adherence to the well program, HSE standards, and operational procedures.
• Act as the client's/company's on-site representative, coordinating between rig contractor personnel, service companies, and office-based engineering teams.
• Monitor drilling parameters and provide real-time decision-making support for well control, wellbore stability, and trajectory management.
• Ensure compliance with well engineering design, particularly for extended reach and horizontal well sections.
• Lead pre-spud, daily operations, and post-well review meetings.
• Manage rig-site personnel performance, competency, and adherence to permit-to-work and risk management systems.
• Coordinate logistics, materials, and third-party service delivery to minimize non-productive time (NPT).
• Prepare and review daily drilling reports (DDRs), incident reports, and end-of-well summaries.
• Support cost control and budget tracking at the rig level.
• Ensure full compliance with local regulatory and client HSE requirements.

• Minimum 10-15 years of drilling operations experience, with demonstrated progression to Drilling Supervisor level.
• Prior experience as a Rig Manager (contractor-side) strongly preferred - brings valuable perspective on rig equipment, crew management, and operational constraints.
• Proven track record in unconventional horizontal drilling (shale, tight gas, or similar plays).
• Direct experience with Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) operations, including complex trajectory and torque/drag management.
• Prior Middle East operational exposure essential - familiarity with regional regulatory frameworks, client expectations, and operating conditions.
• Strong working knowledge of well control, directional drilling, and casing/cementing operations.
• Well Control certification (IWCF/IADC) - current and valid Bachelor's degree in Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent industry experience in lieu of degree).