Senior PPFG&Geomechanics Specialist

Entity:
Production&Operations
Job Family Group:
Subsurface Group
Job Description:
The Western Hemisphere Pore Pressure and Geomechanics teams are seeking a Senior Pore Pressure&Geomechanics Specialist to support bp's ambitious Gulf of America portfolio, including brownfield and greenfield developments, appraisal campaigns, and exploration drilling activities. Based in Houston, this role will work closely with global PPFG and Geomechanics teams to deliver technically robust, safe, and compliant well planningand execution solutions across complex deepwater operations.

The successful candidate will serve as an integral member of multidisciplinary well delivery teams, providing expertise in pore pressure prediction, fracture gradient analysis, wellbore stability, and drilling geomechanics throughout all phases of the well lifecycle, including concept development, detailed planning, real-time execution support, and post-well analysis.
This position requires collaboration with subsurface, drilling, completions, and Real-Time Operations Center teams to optimize drilling performance, manage well integrity risks, and support safe and efficient operations.

Key Accountabilities
Pore Pressure, Fracture Gradient&Geomechanics Modeling

Develop and maintain geologically sound pore pressure and fracture gradient (PPFG) forecasts for exploration, appraisal, and development wells by integrating multiple subsurface datasets and geological interpretations within a robust regional framework.
Leverage and interpret data including:
Seismic velocity pressure analysis
Offset well data
Measured formation pressures
Connection gas trends
Log-derived shale pressures
Basin modeling outputs
Leak-off and mini-frac test data
Lost circulation events
Reservoir depletion impacts
Lithology and stratigraphic variations
Provide technical recommendations to optimize:
Drilling fluid selection and mud weight programs
Casing design and casing setting depths
Wellbore strengthening strategies
Geo-hazard mitigation plans
Drilling performance and well integrity

Communicate technical findings, operational risks, uncertainties, and mitigation strategies to multidisciplinary collaborators, including drilling teams, operations leadership, co-owners, and government regulators.

Operational&Real-Time Drilling Support

Provide real-time operational support during drilling operations for complex deepwater development and exploration wells.
Partner closely with the Real-Time Operations Center to support:
Pressure detection and monitoring
Real-time PPFG model calibration
Kick detection and analysis
Gas trend and breathing analysis
Loss investigations
Formation integrity test interpretation
Continuously update PPFG and geomechanics models during drilling operations and recommend operational adjustments to improve safety, drilling efficiency, and well delivery performance, including:
Mud weight optimization
Drilling parameter adjustments
Identification of potential pressure transition zones
Wellbore stability risk mitigation

Drilling Geomechanics&Well Integrity
Support development and implementation of wellbore strengthening strategies for depleted reservoirs and challenging drilling environments.

Contribute to advanced wellbore stability analyses and minimum mud weight recommendations through integration of:
Wireline and LWD log data
Drilling performance data
Cavings analysis
Borehole image logs
Caliper and hole condition data

Support broader well integrity and reservoir management activities, including:
Reservoir operating limits
Broaching assessments
Zonal isolation evaluations
Alternate well design assessments
Abandonment risk and deviation studies

Continuous Improvement&Leadership

Participate in risk assessments associated with PPFG, wellbore stability, zonal isolation, and drilling geohazards.

Support non-productive time (NPT) investigations and contribute to operational learning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Drive development and implementation of PPFG and geomechanics workflows, digital tools, and technical standards.
Represent bp at industry forums, technical conferences, and joint industry projects (JIPs).
Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to junior team members and early-career engineers/geoscientists.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geoscience, Geomechanics, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
Advanced degrees are preferred

Experience&Qualifications

Significant industry experience in pore pressure prediction, fracture gradient analysis, and drilling geomechanics within an operator or service company environment
Strong understanding of deepwater drilling operations and subsurface well planning
Experience supporting complex offshore exploration and development wells, preferably in the Gulf of America
Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and manage competing operational priorities
Strong communication and collaborator management skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear operational recommendations
Experience with wellbore stability analysis, formation integrity testing, and pressure management workflows
Familiarity with subsurface fields including geology, geophysics, petrophysics, basin modeling, drilling engineering, and reservoir geomechanics
Knowledge of rig systems, drilling operations, and well control principles

Technical&Software Skills

Experience with industry-standard PPFG and subsurface software tools, including:
Techlog
Petrel
Python
VBA
Experience with data analytics, automation, or digital workflow development is considered advantageous.

Why join us
At bp, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and ambitious environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly.
There are many aspects of our employees' lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits ( to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, and excellent retirement benefits, among others!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Travel Requirement
No travel is expected with this role
Relocation Assistance:
This role is not eligible for relocation
Remote Type:
This position is a hybrid of office/remote working
Skills:
Basin resource evaluation, Basin resource evaluation, CO2 utilisation and storage, Core acquisition and analysis, Cost-conscious decision-making, Data acquisition strategy, Data Management, Depositional framework, Fluid Properties, Fluid sampling and analysis, Geodesy and coordinate integrity, Geohazard Assessment, Geomechanical analysis, Integrated Well Delivery, Operations Geology, Petroleum Systems Analysis, Petrophysical Dynamic Reservoir Description, Petrophysical Seismic Lithology and Fluid Prediction, Petrophysical Static Reservoir Description, PPFG detection,Research and Development, Reservoir geomechanics, Reservoir quality, Seismic Interpretation, Seismic stratigraphic interpretation {+ 6 more}
Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp's recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please

contact us

.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.