Solid Control Engineer

Solids Control Engineer

Location: Roma, Queensland (onshore, land rig; Surat/Bowen Basin CSG & condensate)

Work Type: Rotation 4/4

Start: ASAP

Reports to: Drilling Fluids/Mud Engineer (functional) & Drilling Supervisor/Company Man (site)

Role Summary

Manage and optimise solids control and fluids conditioning for shallow-to-moderate depth CSG wells (coal seams; low–moderate pressure) and nearby unconventional gas/condensate wells. Ensure effective removal of drilled solids (including ultra-fine coal fines), maintain mud properties within program limits, minimise fluid losses and disposal volumes, and execute compliant waste handling aligned with Queensland regulatory and environmental approvals.

Key Responsibilities

• Own daily operation, optimisation, and upkeep of solids control equipment: shale shakers (single/dual or triple), desander/desilter (hydrocyclones), mud cleaners, degasser, decanting centrifuges, and cuttings handling/dewatering systems.
• Select and manage shaker screens (API RP 13C), deck angle, G-force, weir height, flow distribution, and screen panel configuration to hit target D100 cut points for CSG coal fines.
• Coordinate dilution and mud conditioning strategy with Mud Engineer to maintain low-solids, inhibitive polymer/KCl systems (or brine as per program) and protect ROP and hole stability in coals/reactive shales.
• Run and record routine mud checks (API 13B-1/13B-2): density, PV/YP, gels, sand content, PSD where applicable; adjust treatment plan accordingly.
• Monitor PVT, trip tank, flow show, and solids loading; trend data to anticipate screen blinding, gumbo/coal stringers, or surge events.
• Lead first-line maintenance and troubleshooting; coordinate vendor service for centrifuges, pumps, and conveyors/augers.
• Implement compliant cuttings and fluids waste management (e.g., lined sumps, skip & ship, dewatering/floc as applicable) to minimise disposal volumes and cost.
• Maintain QA/QC on screens, spare parts, polymers/flocculants; manage inventory and usage reporting.
• Deliver daily solids control report: volumes processed, dilution rates, mud properties, screen usage, downtime, incidents, and cost variance.
• Enforce HSE standards: lock-out/tag-out, guarding, pinch point controls, gas testing, housekeeping, spill response, manual handling, and lifting plans.
• Participate in daily pre-starts/toolbox talks; contribute to continuous improvement and NPT reduction initiatives.

Operational Environment (Roma CSG context)

• Formations: Coal seams with interbedded shales/sandstones; unconsolidated intervals; potential swelling/reactive clays.
• Hydraulics: Low–moderate ECDs; focus on low solids to sustain ROP and hole stability.
• Solids challenge: Ultra-fine coal and clay fines (sub-25 ?m) requiring correct screen selection and centrifuge settings; watch for blinding and carryover.
• Fluids: Typically low-solids, inhibitive polymer/KCl (or brine) systems with PAC/PHPA; occasional LCM sweeps across fragile zones.
• Waste & environment: Zero/low discharge expectations; lined sumps, water stewardship and dust/noise controls on pastoral land access; regulated waste tracking via contractor as required.
• Logistics: DIDO over unsealed roads; weather-related access constraints; multi-well pads and batch operations common.

Core Requirements (Must-Have)

• Experience: 3–7+ years in solids control/waste management on land rigs, ideally with CSG/CBM or other unconventional gas in Australia/NZ or similar basins.
• Equipment proficiency: Hands-on with modern shakers (e.g., MONGOOSE, FLC/Hyperpool, King Cobra), hydrocyclones, mud cleaners, vacuum/atmospheric degassers, and 14–18" bowl decanting centrifuges (set points: differential speed, pond depth, feed rate).
• Screen management: API RP 13C screen selection, inventory control, and optimisation for coal fines; ability to balance cuttings dryness vs. fluid recovery.
• Fluids interface: Comfortable running basic mud tests, interpreting results, and aligning with the mud program to hit properties and dilution targets.
• Reporting: Competent with daily solids control logs, volume/mass balances, consumable tracking, and cost/savings calculations.
• HSE: Proven track record operating safely around rotating equipment, high-speed centrifuges, conveyors/augers, and high-noise areas; strong hazard ID and permit-to-work discipline.
• Work rights & mobility: Full Australian work rights; willing to DIDO/FIFO to Roma and work night/day shifts on rotation.

Nice-to-Have

• Prior solids control exposure on CSG wells in Surat/Bowen Basin (Roma/Chinchilla/Dalby hubs) or analogous CBM fields.
• Experience with dewatering/flocculation units (polymer selection, charge, dosing curves) and filter press/centrate quality control.
• Familiarity with zero-sump or closed-loop systems and cuttings dryers.
• Basic electrical/mechanical aptitude for drive belts, bearings, vibratory motors, and feed pumps.
• Data trending/visualisation using rig data or vendor dashboards for predictive maintenance/optimisation.
• Understanding of condensate handling interfaces and gas testing on multi-commodity pads.

Certifications & Compliance (Preferred/Typical)

• Construction Induction (White Card).
• Gas Test Atmospheres (or equivalent competency).
• H2S awareness (OPITO or equivalent), Senior First Aid/CPR.
• Working at Heights & Confined Space (current) and 4WD/defensive driving for access.
• Medical & Fitness: Pre-employment medical (OGUK or equivalent), up-to-date immunisations as specified by client, ongoing drug & alcohol screening.
• Driver's Licence: Valid (manual preferred).
• Knowledge of and ability to work under the operator's site rules, permit-to-work, and environmental approval conditions applicable in QLD.