Development Geologist

Position Summary

The Development Geologist will provide technical leadership to support drilling, development planning, & reservoir optimization across Delaware Basin assets. This role integrates geological, petrophysical, geomechanical, geochemical, & engineering datasets to identify development targets, optimize well placement, & drive continuous improvement in multi‑bench, high‑complexity reservoirs.

Key Responsibilities

Subsurface Interpretation & Modeling

• Interpret well logs, core, cuttings, seismic, & production trends across key Delaware benches.
• Evaluate reservoir quality trends, TOC trends, porosity/permeability distributions, overpressure systems, & geomechanical contrast between benches.
• Build & maintain high‑resolution subsurface models that capture characteristic structural complexity, rock-fabric heterogeneity, & rapid facies changes.
  
  

Development Planning & Optimization

• Recommend drilling targets & development plans for multi‑well pads, including bench selection, landing depth, & spacing/stacking recommendations.
• Assess reservoir connectivity, depletion, & parent/child interference.
• Analyze offset well results & integrate geological models with reservoir & completions engineering to guide analog selection & type‑curve refinement.
  
  

Operational & Geosteering Support

• Provide real‑time support as needed for geosteering active wells.
• Develop well prognoses, geo‑hazard maps, & structural predictions for operational planning & participate in drilling design reviews.
• Conduct post‑drill analyses to validate interpretations & update models accordingly.
  
  

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with reservoir engineers on depletion modeling, pressure analysis, & EUR forecasting.
• Coordinate with execution teams to minimize NPT & optimize designs via integrated rock mechanics interpretations.
• Present technical findings, risks, & development recommendations to asset & technical leadership & multi‑disciplinary teams.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geosciences, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of unconventional development geoscience experience, with direct experience in the Delaware Basin strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in subsurface interpretation tools (e.g., Petrel & Kingdom).
• Demonstrated experience supporting unconventional drilling operations.
• Strong understanding of mixed clastic‑carbonate depositional systems, reservoir performance drivers, & multi-phase fluid behavior.
  
  

Preferred

• Direct experience in the Delaware Basin with bench‑specific familiarity strongly preferred.
• Experience with seismic interpretation & integration into unconventional reservoir characterization.
• Knowledge of geo-cellular modelling workflows within Petrel.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.