Job Title: PPFG Specialist
Job Location: Aberdeen or Sunbury-on-Thames (3 days a week in the office / 2 days from home)
Start Date: January 2026
Contract Length: 12 Months
Industry: Oil and Energy
Working Hours: 8 per day / 40 per week
Role Overview:
The PPFG (Pore Pressure and Fracture Gradient) and Geomechanics Specialist working across the Eastern Hemisphere will be responsible for supporting Exploration and Development well planning, execution, abandonment, and continuous improvement through the development of compliant pore and fracture pressure forecasts and wellbore stability analysis. The role may support at least two drill centres and/or one exploration well and a regional project. They will lead the integration of geomechanics into the use of wellbore strengthening and wellbore stability evaluations, and undertake pressure detection efforts as required for specific exploration, appraisal, or complex development wells, and evaluate sub-surface related non-productive time (NPT) events into new forecasts. As a member of the Subsurface community within bp, the Senior Specialist will have the opportunity to work within high-performing integrated teams in a dynamic and diverse environment where creativity and innovations are fostered and encouraged. The role requires strong collaboration with other disciplines supporting drilling, completions, new well delivery and reservoir management operations. The Senior Specialist will actively participate in PPFG/Geomechanics global calls/workshops to share regional learning, regional workflows, and look for opportunities to incorporate learnings from other regions into local workflows and processes.
What you will do:
* Provide pore pressure and fracture gradient (PPFG) prediction from pre-existing models and update as required as new data is acquired through the drilling of new wells.
* Lead the development of wellbore stability (WBS) and fracture gradient prediction for well planning through analysis and integration of data from offset wells, laboratory rock testing and stress modelling across the field areas.
* Interpret past well data and plan future data collection for calibrating predictions of fracture gradient reduction with reservoir depletion. Participate in possible mitigation plans where necessary.
* Make recommendations to multi-disciplinary team engaged in well planning and design on the selection of drilling fluid type/weight, casing string design, setting depths, potential geohazards and mitigation techniques, including methodology for identification, prevention and remediation of lost circulation.
* Provide pore pressure and hole problem detection support during drilling operations and update existing pore pressure and WBS / fracture gradient predictions accordingly. Identify potential lost circulation zones.
* Perform thorough post-well reviews of all relevant data. Update pore pressure, fracture gradient and WBS prediction models as needed.
* Engage in bp Geomechanics/PPFG Community of Practice.
* Perform a key integration role across the Geomechanics and PPFG specialist community.
What you will have:
* Strong commitment to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and personal and process safety.
* Essential industry experience in Pore Pressure and Geomechanics with an operator or service company including a sound background and understanding of Wellbore Stability and Fracture Gradient.
* Knowledge of mud engineering, in particular LCM design and application.
* Able to interpret surface and downhole data/logs for drilling operations and geological context.
* Strong knowledge of different types of drilling hazards.
* Excellent communication, able and willing to convey key concepts across local squads.
* Good initiative, self-starter.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.