Senior Reservoir Engineer

Subsurface - Damascus, Syria

Job Title Senior Reservoir Engineer
Function / Department Subsurface
Reports to Head of Subsurface 
Location / Requirements Damascus - Applicants must have the legal right to work in Syria

About Novaterra Energy

Novaterra Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company dedicated to developing Syria's energy resources and supporting the country's path toward energy self-sufficiency. 

Working alongside ConocoPhillips and the Syrian Petroleum Company, we are advancing major gas developments while pursuing new opportunities across the energy sector. 

Through a culture built on Safety, Integrity, Partnership, and Empowerment, we offer professionals the opportunity to contribute to a transformative national energy program while developing their careers through training, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.

Novaterra Energy is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to developing local talent, this position is based in Syria, on a domestic status. 

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from the local community. 

Job Purpose

This role focuses on shaping the re-development plans for Novaterra’s wide portfolio of oil and gas fields. The primary objective is to improve recovery and maximise value from the company’s producing and development assets through sound, industry-standard reservoir engineering practice.

The successful candidate will be an experienced reservoir engineer who takes the lead on dynamic modelling, volumetric assessment, and field development planning. Working closely with geoscientists, production engineers, and petroleum economists in Damascus and London, the position ensures that development decisions are built on integrated and well-calibrated subsurface analysis.

Additionally, the role acts as a key technical representative of Novaterra, presenting studies and recommendations to the Syrian national petroleum company and joint-venture partners.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build, calibrate, and maintain dynamic reservoir simulation models, including history matching and production forecasting.
  •  Estimate and report recoverable volumes, together with the associated technical risks and mitigations, in line with SPE-PRMS and company guidelines.
  • Carry out reservoir performance analysis using decline curve analysis, material balance, and pressure transient analysis.
  • Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve recovery, including reactivation of shut-in wells, infill drilling, workovers, waterflood optimisation, and EOR screening.
  • Contribute to field development plans, well proposals, and business plan forecasts.
  • Design and interpret data acquisition programmes, including well tests, PVT, SCAL, and reservoir surveillance.
  • Run economic evaluations and uncertainty and risk assessments to support investment decisions.
  • Evaluate new business opportunities, including data room reviews and farm-in or acquisition screening.
  • Partner closely with geoscientists, production engineers, and petroleum economists in Damascus and London to deliver integrated subsurface studies.
  • Prepare reserves reports and technical submissions, and present recommendations with confidence to management, joint-venture partners, and the Syrian national petroleum company.
  • Support and mentor junior engineers and share knowledge across the subsurface team.
  • Make regular field visits, and travel to London as required.
  • Maintain absolute compliance with company policies and HSE standards.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is an advantage.
  • Experience: 7+ years of reservoir engineering experience, preferably in an operating company.
  • Knowledge & Skills:
    • Hands-on experience with reservoir simulation software, such as Eclipse, Intersect, tNavigator, CMG, or similar.
    • Proficiency in analytical tools, such as Kappa (Saphir/Topaze), IPM (MBAL/Prosper), or OFM.
    • Good understanding of reserves estimation, reservoir management, and field development economics. 

    • Ability to build credible interpretations from incomplete, legacy, or low-quality data.

    • Experience with carbonate, clastic, gas-condensate, or mature waterflood reservoirs is preferred.

    • Exposure to EOR or integrated asset modelling, and familiarity with Python or data analytics, is an advantage.

    • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Languages: Fluent Arabic and English (written and spoken).

Key Competencies

  • Well-organised and disciplined engineer who cares about details
  • Highly numerate and data-driven, with strong analytical skills and commercial awareness
  • Good critical thinking and the ability to engage positively with other subsurface and well operations disciplines
  • Confident communicator, able to present technical work clearly to management and partners
  • Ethically and environmentally responsible, with strong respect for company rules and interests

Apply Now