Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upstream Drilling Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Upstream Drilling Supervisor is a critical field leadership role responsible for planning, supervising, and executing drilling operations in onshore or offshore environments. This position ensures wells are drilled safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget while complying with regulatory requirements and company standards. Acting as the primary on-site authority, the supervisor coordinates drilling contractors, service companies, and internal teams to deliver high-quality well construction and operational excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Drilling Engineer
Company Man / Wellsite Supervisor
Rig Supervisor

Advancement To:

Senior Drilling Supervisor
Drilling Manager
Operations Manager (Upstream)

Lateral Moves:

Completions Supervisor
HSE Superintendent

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Supervise all day-to-day drilling operations at the wellsite to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling programs.
Act as the company’s on-site representative, coordinating activities between drilling contractors, service providers, and internal engineering teams.
Ensure strict compliance with company policies, industry standards, and local, national, and international regulations.
Oversee implementation of approved drilling programs, procedures, and well designs, making real-time adjustments as required.
Monitor drilling performance, penetration rates, and equipment utilization to optimize operational efficiency.
Manage drilling risks through proactive hazard identification, job safety analyses, and mitigation planning.
Lead pre-spud meetings, daily safety meetings, and operational briefings with rig crews and service companies.
Ensure adherence to well control procedures, including kick detection, response protocols, and blowout prevention practices.
Supervise drilling fluid programs, cementing operations, casing runs, and directional drilling activities.
Coordinate logistics, materials, and equipment deliveries to maintain uninterrupted drilling operations.
Track daily drilling costs, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions to control expenditures.
Review and approve daily drilling reports, time sheets, and contractor invoices.
Ensure drilling equipment, BOP systems, and safety-critical assets are inspected, tested, and maintained.
Lead incident, non-productive time (NPT), and equipment failure investigations with root cause analysis.
Support well integrity throughout drilling operations, ensuring compliance with barrier management standards.
Collaborate with drilling engineers to evaluate performance data and recommend improvements.
Supervise wellsite HSE performance, enforcing stop-work authority when unsafe conditions are identified.
Ensure environmental protection measures are implemented and spills or releases are prevented and reported.
Support audits, inspections, and regulatory visits related to drilling operations.
Mentor and coach junior supervisors and wellsite personnel to build operational capability and leadership strength.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Strong knowledge of upstream drilling operations, well construction, and rig systems.
Proven expertise in well control, BOP equipment, and pressure management.
Ability to interpret drilling programs, well schematics, and engineering documentation.
Experience with drilling fluids, cementing, casing, and directional drilling operations.
Proficiency in daily cost tracking, AFE management, and NPT analysis.
Knowledge of industry standards such as API, IADC, and ISO.
Familiarity with drilling data systems and real-time monitoring tools.
Understanding of HSE management systems and regulatory compliance.
Ability to conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
Experience coordinating multiple service companies and contractors.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and decision-making skills in high-risk environments.
Excellent communication and coordination across multidisciplinary teams.
High attention to detail with a strong focus on safety and quality.
Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
Problem-solving mindset with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma with extensive drilling experience or equivalent certification

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Relevant Fields of Study:

Petroleum Engineering
Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 8–15 years in upstream drilling or wellsite operations

Preferred:

Prior experience as a Company Man or Wellsite Supervisor
Demonstrated leadership on complex onshore or offshore drilling projects