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Shale Gas Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cnpc Usa Corporation

Sr. Well Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

Translate and adapt NA best practices to Chinese assets (deep shale gas and tight oil/gas), accounting for differences in geology, well depth/temperature, HSE and regulatory frameworks, supply chain ...

Summit Midstream Corporation

Gas Accountant

Houston, TX · On-site

$51K - $70K/yr

... primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. We currently operate natural gas ... crude oil and produced water gathering systems in four unconventional resource basins: * the ...

Dearing Compressor

Inside Sales Engineer

Youngstown, OH · On-site

$56K - $71K/yr

... shale gas markets. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. * Process sales inquiries from potential customers. * Read and review customer ...

Summit Midstream Corporation

Gas Accountant

Houston, TX · Hybrid

$51K - $70K/yr

... primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. We currently operate natural gas ... crude oil and produced water gathering systems in four unconventional resource basins: * the ...

Dearing Compressor

Inside Sales Engineer

Youngstown, OH · On-site

$56K - $71K/yr

... shale gas markets. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. * Process sales inquiries from potential customers. * Read and review customer ...

Expand Energy

Operations Engineer II

Mansfield, LA · On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

Intermediate knowledge of unconventional experience associated with tight gas reservoirs, CBM development, and shale gas resource work Education Minimum: One of the following: Bachelor's degree ...

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Shale Gas information

What is shale gas?

Shale gas is a type of natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations deep underground. It is primarily composed of methane and is extracted through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking.' Shale gas has become a significant energy source in recent years, contributing to the reduction of energy prices and reliance on coal. However, its extraction can raise environmental concerns, such as potential groundwater contamination and increased seismic activity. The development of shale gas resources has transformed energy markets, particularly in the United States.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a shale gas engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Shale Gas Engineer, you need a background in petroleum engineering or geosciences, strong analytical abilities, and familiarity with drilling and reservoir evaluation techniques. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Petrel, WellView, and hydraulic fracturing simulation tools, along with relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, is highly valuable. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and address complex extraction challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial for optimizing resource recovery, ensuring safety, and maintaining regulatory compliance in shale gas operations.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in shale gas extraction, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in shale gas extraction often encounter challenges such as managing environmental impacts, navigating strict regulatory requirements, and adapting to rapidly changing technologies. Addressing these challenges typically involves staying updated on best practices, working closely with regulatory agencies, and fostering strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams including engineers, geologists, and environmental specialists. Continuous training and open communication are key to safely and efficiently meeting production goals while minimizing negative impacts.

What is the difference between Shale Gas vs Oil & Gas Technician?

AspectShale GasOil & Gas Technician
CredentialsGeology or Petroleum Engineering degree, certifications in hydraulic fracturingTechnical diploma or associate degree, certifications in drilling and safety
Work EnvironmentDrilling sites, hydraulic fracturing operations, remote locationsDrilling rigs, production facilities, field sites
Industry UsageExtraction of natural gas from shale formationsMaintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of oil and gas equipment

Shale Gas professionals focus on extracting natural gas from shale formations, often involving hydraulic fracturing and geological analysis. Oil & Gas Technicians support the operational side, maintaining and operating equipment across oil and gas fields. While both roles work in the energy industry and may share certifications, their daily tasks and focus areas differ significantly.

More about Shale Gas jobs

What states have the most Shale Gas jobs?

States with the most job openings for Shale Gas jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Shale Gas jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Shale Gas jobs are:

Shale Gas jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shale Gas job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Well Engineer

Houston, TX • On-site

Cnpc Usa Corporation
See more jobs at Cnpc Usa Corporationexternal

$101K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Company Profile:

CNPC USA is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and serves as the North American headquarters. Our mission is to drive innovation through advanced research and development of next-generation technologies for oil and gas exploration and production.


Job Summary:

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Well Engineer with deep, hands-on North American unconventional drilling and completion (D&C) experience. This role serves as a subject-matter expert and technical bridge between North American operations and CNPC’s unconventional development teams in China, translating proven North American best practices, workflows, and lessons learned into CNPC’s shale gas and tight oil/gas assets.


This role requires extensive experience designing and executing wells across major North American unconventional plays, along with a strong understanding of both how modern drilling and completion (D&C) practices are executed and the technical, operational, and economic drivers behind their continued evolution—from extended-reach laterals and pad/cube development to high-intensity simul-frac completions. Field leadership experience as a company man, drilling superintendent, wellsite supervisor, or driller is strongly preferred, with a detailed understanding of rig and hydraulic fracturing operations and wellsite execution. This combination of technical and field expertise is essential to advising and training colleagues involved in unconventional drilling and completion operations in China and supporting the development of CNPC’s assets in China.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as CNPC’s in-house subject-matter expert on North American unconventional D&C, answering detailed technical and operational questions from drilling and completion colleagues developing unconventional assets in China.
  • Explain the rationale behind evolving North American practices—including lateral length, well spacing, completion intensity, and pad/cube development—to enable informed adaptation rather than simple replication.
  • Design and plan unconventional wells, including well trajectory and geosteering, casing and cementing programs, mud and hydraulics, BHA/bit selection, AFEs, and detailed drilling and completion procedures.
  • Translate and adapt NA best practices to Chinese assets (deep shale gas and tight oil/gas), accounting for differences in geology, well depth/temperature, HSE and regulatory frameworks, supply chain, and available equipment and services.
  • Provide operational guidance across the full well lifecycle: spud-to-TD drilling optimization, casing/liner running, cementing, plug-and-perf and other completion methods, and hydraulic fracturing execution.
  • Advise on ultra-long lateral drilling (3–4 mile), extended-reach and U-turn well designs, and management of weight transfer, torque, drag, and hole cleaning in long horizontals.
  • Advise on modern completion designs — simul-frac and trimul-frac, zipper frac, cluster and stage spacing, extreme limited entry, proppant and fluid selection, water sourcing and recycling, and electric frac fleets.
  • Support real-time operations: review daily drilling and completion reports, join morning calls, and provide remote and on-site guidance on rig-floor and frac-location decisions.
  • Capture, document, and standardize lessons learned, NPT and root-cause analyses, and “why-it-works” rationale so knowledge is transferable, teachable, and repeatable across CNPC teams.
  • Mentor and train Chinese D&C engineers and field supervisors through workshops, written procedures, benchmarking reviews, and side-by-side field work.
  • Develop D&C standards, KPIs, and workflows for CNPC’s unconventional programs, benchmarked against North American analog performance.
  • Interface with service companies, rig contractors, and technology vendors to evaluate, qualify, and deploy tools and services suited to CNPC’s assets.
  • Other duties as assigned by management.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent field experience.
  • 10+ years of North American unconventional drilling and completion experience, with a demonstrated track record of designing and executing wells in one or more major plays.
  • Proven and demonstrated experience with/in the following:
    • Evolving North American drilling and completion (D&C) practices, including the technical and operational drivers influencing lateral length, completion intensity, and pad development.
    • Working knowledge of the full well lifecycle, from well planning and drilling through completion, hydraulic fracturing, and handover to production.
  • Strong understanding of drilling optimization, geosteering, casing and cementing, MWD/LWD, and multistage hydraulic fracturing operations.
  • Proven ability to teach, mentor, and clearly explain technical rationale to engineers and field staff at all levels.
  • Must be willing to travel internationally, including extended assignments in China, and to work effectively with cross-cultural teams.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct D&C experience in one or more major North American unconventional plays — Permian (Midland/Delaware), Bakken/Three Forks (Williston), Eagle Ford, Marcellus/Utica, Haynesville, or Montney/Duvernay.
  • Experience with:
    • Ultra-long laterals (3-mile and longer), U-turn wells, and large-scale pad/cube development.
    • Simul-frac/trimul-frac, high-intensity slickwater completions, extreme limited entry, and produced-water sourcing and recycling.
    • Managed pressure drilling, rotary steerable systems, one-run laterals, and real-time operations (RTOC) support.
    • Field leadership as a company man, drilling superintendent, wellsite supervisor, or driller is strongly preferred, with an in-depth, real-time understanding of rig and hydraulic fracturing operations and wellsite execution.
    • Transferring technology or best practices across regions or to international assets.
  • Prior operator (E&P) experience in a D&C engineering or wellsite supervisory role.
  • Familiarity with deep and HPHT shale gas development (e.g., Haynesville / deep Bossier as an analog for deep Sichuan Basin shale) is a strong plus.
  • Fluent in Mandarin is a plus.


Work Environment:

This role operates in a professional office environment with regular work at drilling and completion wellsites and testing facilities, including periods on location in North America and China. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.


Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This role includes both office work and time at active wellsites; when on location it requires standing, walking, climbing, bending, and the ability to lift 25 lbs., and adherence to site HSE requirements.


Travel:

This position requires significant overnight international and domestic travel, including extended assignments in China to support field operations and training. Local travel between other CNPC USA locations, wellsites, and testing facilities is required.


Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, it acts as a technical lead, mentor, and point of contact for CNPC drilling and completion engineers and field staff.


CNPC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.


Disclaimer: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.



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