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.
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