NSTA Senior Well Engineer

The NSTA’s hybrid working includes an expectation for staff to spend 40% of their time in the office.

Brief overview of role

The Senior Well Engineer will play a critical role in supporting NSTA’s objectives of security of supply, emissions reduction, and transition to net zero. The role includes assessing well decommissioning plans and applications, licence applications, technology plans, and well designs, with a central focus on well decommissioning activities. The position requires close collaboration with operators, technology vendors, and internal teams to ensure compliance and promote best practices.

The successful candidate will have a strong wells technical background, combined with industry and/or regulatory experience in one or more energy sectors, including oil and gas, decommissioning and CCS.

The role requires a strong team player with the ability to manage a high level of responsibility and cross-team interactions. It will need strong communication, interpersonal and influencing skills to work closely and flexibly across the NSTA, and with the industry.

Reporting to the NSTA Wells Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

• Working with other NSTA teams, support license reviews related to decommissioning, oil and gas and carbon storage applications with respect to wells;
• Provide expert input into internal and external guidance documents on Well development, well decommissioning and CCS.
• Maintain strong relationships with industry and research bodies to share knowledge and influence best practice in well decommissioning.
• Lead and support NSTA’s license stewardship process related to carbon storage and oil and gas licences, with strong emphasis on well decommissioning planning and execution.
• Review and assess WONS applications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with best practices.
• Evaluate legacy wells, containment risks, and new well designs, particularly in the context of carbon storage and decommissioning.
• Participate in operators’ Wells and Technology Review meetings, offering technical insight and challenge where appropriate.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging technologies and practices that enable safe and efficient well decommissioning and CCS developments.
• Contributing to NSTA analysis and publications related to wells;
• Monitor progression of industry’s wells practices and technologies, engaging with both licence operators and technology suppliers;
• Collate technology roadmaps on specific wells domains (inc. decommissioning, drilling, well intervention and CCS wells requirements);
• Maintain relationship with significant industry and research bodies in all areas related to wells;
• Work with other parts of the NSTA, and other regulators as required, to utilise technology knowledge and technical lessons learned in industry and regulatory interactions.

Competence 1:
Decision Making & Judgement

Uses sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice on subsurface development projects and technologies.

Competence 2:
Leading & Communicating

Meets challenges with resourcefulness, generates suggestions for improving work and develops innovative approaches and ideas;
Strong team player with a collaborative and proactive approach;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence are essential;
Mentor and coach to others; unlocking potential and maximising performance.

Works collaboratively with other NSTA teams, research and industry stakeholders, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, trusting and professional relationships. Has the confidence to challenge assumptions and create an inclusive environment.

Competence 4:
Strategic & Commercial Thinking

Having a commercial and strategic mindset and focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet the NSTA’s organisational goals and also recognising how these fit with wider UK priorities, such as the move to net zero carbon by 2050. Develops a clear picture of how the UK offshore regions can effectively support the energy transition of the UK towards…