Oil Shale Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview

Our client is a privately held and rapidly expanding energy company with core operations focused on mineral and oil extraction and production across Colorado. Supported by a disciplined technical culture and a forward-thinking leadership group, the organisation is entering its next phase of reserve development and is seeking a Director of Reservoir Engineering to lead subsurface strategy and optimise long-term asset value.

This is a pivotal technical leadership role suited to a reservoir engineering professional who combines rigorous geoscience fundamentals with commercial awareness. The successful candidate will direct all reservoir characterisation, reserve estimation, and production forecasting activities while working closely with drilling, completions, and field operations teams to maximise recovery across the company's oil shale acreage.

Core Duties

• Lead reservoir modelling, simulation, and production forecasting for all oil shale assets, ensuring alignment with the organisation's development schedule and capital allocation framework.
• Design and oversee reserve estimation and classification processes in compliance with SEC guidelines and PRMS standards, maintaining auditable documentation for investors and lenders.
• Evaluate new acreage acquisitions, infill drilling opportunities, and enhanced recovery techniques to expand the company's proved and probable reserve base.
• Collaborate with drilling and completions engineers to optimise well placement, lateral targeting, stimulation design, and spacing strategies specific to oil shale formations.
• Develop type curves, decline analyses, and economic models that inform field development plans, budgeting, and board-level investment decisions.
• Monitor well performance, identify production anomalies, and recommend surveillance or intervention programmes to sustain optimal flow rates.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing reservoir engineering team by setting clear technical standards, professional development goals, and accountability measures.
• Coordinate with geoscience, land, and regulatory affairs teams to integrate subsurface data into permitting applications, environmental assessments, and stakeholder communications.
• Act as the organisation's subject-matter authority at technical conferences, investor presentations, and regulatory hearings related to reservoir performance and reserve reporting.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, enhanced oil recovery methodologies, and evolving regulatory requirements affecting oil shale development in Colorado and the broader Rocky Mountain region.
• Oversee the integrity and governance of all reservoir databases, petrotechnical software platforms, and subsurface data management systems.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in reservoir engineering, including no fewer than 4 years in a leadership or principal-level role within an upstream oil and gas organisation.
• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geology, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in reservoir simulation software (e.g., CMG, Eclipse, tNavigator) and production analysis tools (e.g., Harmony, OFM).
• Verified track record of delivering reliable reserve estimates and production forecasts that withstand third-party audit scrutiny.
• Strong analytical, statistical, and financial modelling capabilities with the ability to translate subsurface uncertainty into risk-weighted economic outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of unconventional and tight formation reservoir behaviour, particularly as it applies to oil shale and kerogen-bearing intervals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence to present complex technical material to boards, investors, and regulatory bodies.
• Working knowledge of Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) regulations and relevant federal permitting frameworks.
• Willingness to travel to field locations and partner offices as needed (up to 25%).

Desired Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) licence or eligibility for licensure in the State of Colorado.
• Master's degree or PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Geosciences, or a related technical discipline.
• Familiarity with enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques applicable to oil shale, including in-situ conversion processes.
• Experience operating within privately held, private equity-backed, or joint-venture exploration and production companies.
• An established professional network within the Piceance Basin, Uinta Basin, or broader Rocky Mountain energy community.
• Understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting as it relates to subsurface stewardship and responsible resource development.
• Knowledge of water management, induced seismicity monitoring, and environmental compliance as they pertain to oil shale operations.

Benefits

Remuneration & Benefits Package

Annual Base Salary: $190,000 - $245,000 and a Performance-Based Bonus tied to reserve growth and production targets

Additional Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, life & disability insurance, paid time off and flexible work arrangements, relocation assistance (if applicable), and professional development and continuing education support.

Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

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