Job Description Subsurface and Wells Lead
Location: North East England (with flexibility and occasional travel across the UK)
Permanent Opportunity
About the Organisation
NES Fircroft is working on an exclusive basis with The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), which is developing onshore and offshore infrastructure to transport CO₂ from carbon capture projects across Teesside and the Humber, known as the East Coast Cluster, to secure storage under the North Sea. This infrastructure is crucial for achieving net zero in the UK's most carbon-intensive industrial regions.
NEP is an incorporated joint venture established solely to develop and operate CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure on behalf of its shareholders—bp, Equinor, and TotalEnergies. In December 2024, NEP announced financial close, moving into the execution phase of the transportation and storage infrastructure network, serving initial projects on Teesside. Construction is expected to commence in mid-2025, with start-up in 2028.
Does the person manage a team?
This could be direct line management experience or leadership within an agile structure, e.g., Scrum lead, product manager. The role has a key part in NEP's success. While there is no line management responsibility, the role will need to coordinate and influence activities across multiple disciplines to ensure successful delivery.
Work Location
Darlington, UK
About the Role
* The Subsurface and Wells Lead will be a critical member of NEP, reporting to the Technical Manager.
* As part of a small team, the Lead will oversee NEP’s stewardship of the Carbon Storage (CS) Licenses and CS Permits, acting as the focal point for licensing and permitting related to subsurface and wells activities. NEP currently holds 4 CS licenses.
* The role will work closely with the wider NEP organization and the operating service provider to deliver NEP’s objectives.
Roles and Responsibilities
* Operating Service Provider: Collaborate with the wells and subsurface teams within the provider, act as NEP’s focal point for all matters related to wells and subsurface, represent NEP’s views in meetings, and develop transition plans for functions moving into NEP.
* Regulatory: Represent NEP in regulatory interactions related to wells and subsurface activities, managing relationships with bodies like NSTA, OPRED, HSE, Ofgem, and DESNZ.
* NEP: Attend technical committee meetings and serve as a point of contact for shareholders in these disciplines.
* External Stakeholders: Support technical conferences, discussions, and knowledge sharing with industry bodies and external stakeholders.
* Wells Activity: Manage the Wells Construction Agreement from NEP’s perspective, working with the operating service provider to ensure delivery of drilling, wells, and completion work.
* Carbon Storage Licenses and Permits: Manage the subsurface component of the Construction and Operating Services Agreement, including the four CS licenses and permits, and evaluate additional storage options. Collaborate with the provider to ensure technical quality and understand subsurface risks and uncertainties.
Experience and Qualifications
Essential:
* Experience or understanding of subsurface evaluation for store appraisal and development, including risk and uncertainty management.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work across functions.
* Strong relationship management with internal and external stakeholders.
* Ability to challenge conventional thinking and apply innovative ideas to complex problems.
* Logical decision-making with broad business and technical criteria.
* Basic understanding of well construction and operation.
* A positive attitude towards undertaking tasks outside core disciplines when needed.
Desirable:
* Understanding of UK carbon storage licensing and regulatory regime.
* Extensive network within the CCUS community.
* Knowledge of CO₂ phase behavior and its impact on well design.
* Understanding of system-wide implications of CO₂ flow assurance behavior.
* Experience with well intervention activities.
* Experience in storage or field production/injection management.
* This role is based within the NEP JV, serving as a key interface across the organization and stakeholders, offering opportunities to shape and develop the organization’s culture.
With over 90 years of combined experience, NES Fircroft is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider across multiple sectors worldwide, supporting contractors with visas, permits, benefits, and accommodations to ensure safe and compliant operations.
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