Senior Specialist - Drilling Services Contracts
Posted date [2026-08-27]
(ID: 50227)
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Founded in 1971, ADNOC is a leading diversified energy group, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Our network of fully integrated businesses operates across the energy value chain, helping us to responsibly meet the demands of an ever-changing energy market.
Already in the top tier of the lowest carbon intensity oil and gas producers in the world, we are taking significant steps to make today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow, strengthening our position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider. We are allocating an initial $23 billion to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions, investing in new energies and decarbonization technologies to enable our net zero by 2045 ambition and our commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030. ... |
Job Description and Requirements
Senior Specialist - Drilling Services ContractsJob Snapshot
Role: Senior Specialist - Drilling Services Contracts
Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Contracts Administration
Experience: Minimum 8 years
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Senior Specialist - Drilling Services Contracts in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates is a senior Oil and Energy opportunity responsible for managing drilling services tendering, contracting, commercial evaluation and contractor performance across exploration and appraisal operations. The role develops tender strategies, defines scopes of work, evaluates technical and commercial submissions, manages contract variations and claims, and ensures drilling services are delivered safely, competitively and in accordance with approved policies and legal requirements.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi Emirate
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Contracts Administration
Salary: 25000-38000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer
with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Senior Specialist manages the commercial and contractual framework supporting drilling services throughout the contract lifecycle. The position combines drilling operations knowledge with tendering, contract strategy, cost evaluation and contractor management to ensure technically capable services are available when required. By selecting suitable contracting models, controlling commitments and monitoring supplier performance, the role contributes directly to well delivery efficiency, business continuity and cost-effective exploration and appraisal operations.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify and validate requirements for new drilling services tenders based on operational demand and existing contractual coverage.
* Develop business cases and tendering strategies and obtain required approvals before procurement activities begin.
* Assess existing bidder lists and evaluate whether suppliers possess the technical capability and resources required for drilling services.
* Participate in pre-qualification assessments for newly registered contractors and recommend appropriate supplier classifications.
* Prepare technical and commercial information required for Tender Committee reviews.
* Participate in Tender Committee and Tender Board meetings as the technical representative for assigned drilling services submissions.
* Develop detailed scopes of work covering drilling services, equipment, performance requirements and operational expectations.
* Define contract pricing structures and commercial models appropriate to the nature and duration of drilling services.
* Prepare technical specifications and contractual requirements in coordination with drilling and operational stakeholders.
* Develop fit-for-purpose contract and tendering strategies that balance operational flexibility, technical quality and commercial value.
* Provide engineering and drilling operations input throughout tender preparation and evaluation.
* Conduct technical evaluations of contractor submissions against approved requirements.
* Support commercial evaluations and participate in negotiations with shortlisted contractors.
* Review complete tender packages to ensure Request for Tender documentation is clear, consistent and aligned with approved standards.
* Verify that tender documents accurately reflect the approved Scope of Work and technical requirements.
* Perform functional reviews of completed tender documents before final issue or approval.
* Capture contract variations arising during execution and ensure they are processed under the appropriate Delegation of Authority.
* Monitor contractor mobilization status and readiness to commence drilling services.
* Verify implementation of HSE requirements during mobilization and service execution.
* Follow up corrective actions arising from HSE, quality or operational performance findings.
* Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels, technical requirements and contractual commitments.
* Coordinate contractor allocation according to approved share allocation, operational requirements, capability and performance.
* Maintain accurate contract status reporting for management and operational stakeholders.
* Monitor contract validity and ensure timely action is taken before expiration or exhaustion of contractual value.
* Coordinate contract completion and formal closeout activities.
* Review contractor performance evaluations and ensure lessons learned are captured for future tenders.
* Manage contract disputes in coordination with Procurement and Legal teams.
* Participate in negotiation of claims, variations and other commercial matters arising during contract execution.
* Review unused Release Orders and outstanding commitments periodically and clear unnecessary balances.
* Reconcile contract values to maintain accurate visibility of committed and available expenditure.
* Manage contract resources including personnel and equipment to maintain business continuity.
* Coordinate internally with drilling teams to improve contract effectiveness and incorporate lessons learned into upcoming agreements.
* Liaise with HSE, QA and QC teams and end users to verify that equipment and services meet required standards.
* Support cost-effective well delivery by balancing service availability, contractor capability, technical quality and commercial performance.
* Maintain compliance with established contracting policies, financial controls, legal requirements and internal governance procedures.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor\'s Degree in Engineering or Science, preferably Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
* Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience.
* Strong exposure to drilling technology, drilling equipment, products and operational methods.
* Practical wellsite experience is highly desirable.
* Experience managing drilling services tenders and contracts within the Oil and Gas industry.
* Strong understanding of technical tender preparation, bidder qualification and contractor evaluation.
* Experience developing scopes of work, technical specifications and contract pricing structures.
* Working knowledge of commercial and technical evaluation methodologies.
* Experience participating in contract negotiations, claims assessment and variation management.
* Familiarity with drilling services cost structures and cost engineering systems.
* Good understanding of contractor mobilization, allocation and performance management.
* Experience managing Release Orders, contractual commitments and contract value reconciliation.
* Knowledge of HSE and QA and QC requirements applicable to drilling services.
* Ability to coordinate effectively with Drilling, Procurement, Legal, Finance, HSE and operational stakeholders.
* Strong analytical capability for comparing commercial models, contractor capabilities and tender submissions.
* Ability to work independently on complex contracts and make sound recommendations.
* Contract Management certification is preferred.
Skills Set
* Drilling services contracts
* Contract administration
* Tendering
* Tender strategy
* Business case development
* Scope of Work development
* Technical specifications
* Contract pricing structures
* Bidder assessment
* Supplier pre-qualification
* Technical evaluation
* Commercial evaluation
* Tender Committee submissions
* Tender Board support
* Contract negotiation
* Contract variations
* Contract claims
* Contract disputes
* Delegation of Authority
* Contractor performance management
* Contractor allocation
* Drilling contractor management
* Mobilization management
* Release Order management
* Contract value reconciliation
* Contract closeout
* Cost engineering
* Drilling technology
* Drilling equipment
* Wellsite operations
* Exploration drilling support
* Appraisal drilling support
* Procurement coordination
* Legal coordination
* HSE compliance
* QA and QC coordination
* Contractor resource management
* Contract reporting
* Business continuity
* Contract Management
Why Join Us
This role provides the opportunity to influence how critical drilling services are sourced, structured and managed across complex upstream operations. The position offers broad exposure to technical contracting, commercial evaluation, contractor performance, wellsite requirements and cost optimization while working closely with drilling, procurement, legal and HSE stakeholders. It is well suited to experienced professionals seeking greater responsibility in high-value drilling contracts and strategic service delivery within Abu Dhabi\'s Oil and Energy sector.
About the Company
ADNOC Group is a major integrated energy organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi with extensive upstream exploration, drilling and production activities. Its drilling operations depend on technically capable service providers, disciplined contracting strategies and strong supplier performance management to support safe, reliable and cost-effective well delivery across the United Arab Emirates.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Senior Specialist manages the commercial and contractual framework supporting drilling services throughout the contract lifecycle. The position combines drilling operations knowledge with tendering, contract strategy, cost evaluation and contractor management to ensure technically capable services are available when required. By selecting suitable contracting models, controlling commitments and monitoring supplier performance, the role contributes directly to well delivery efficiency, business continuity and cost-effective exploration and appraisal operations.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify and validate requirements for new drilling services tenders based on operational demand and existing contractual coverage.
* Develop business cases and tendering strategies and obtain required approvals before procurement activities begin.
* Assess existing bidder lists and evaluate whether suppliers possess the technical capability and resources required for drilling services.
* Participate in pre-qualification assessments for newly registered contractors and recommend appropriate supplier classifications.
* Prepare technical and commercial information required for Tender Committee reviews.
* Participate in Tender Committee and Tender Board meetings as the technical representative for assigned drilling services submissions.
* Develop detailed scopes of work covering drilling services, equipment, performance requirements and operational expectations.
* Define contract pricing structures and commercial models appropriate to the nature and duration of drilling services.
* Prepare technical specifications and contractual requirements in coordination with drilling and operational stakeholders.
* Develop fit-for-purpose contract and tendering strategies that balance operational flexibility, technical quality and commercial value.
* Provide engineering and drilling operations input throughout tender preparation and evaluation.
* Conduct technical evaluations of contractor submissions against approved requirements.
* Support commercial evaluations and participate in negotiations with shortlisted contractors.
* Review complete tender packages to ensure Request for Tender documentation is clear, consistent and aligned with approved standards.
* Verify that tender documents accurately reflect the approved Scope of Work and technical requirements.
* Perform functional reviews of completed tender documents before final issue or approval.
* Capture contract variations arising during execution and ensure they are processed under the appropriate Delegation of Authority.
* Monitor contractor mobilization status and readiness to commence drilling services.
* Verify implementation of HSE requirements during mobilization and service execution.
* Follow up corrective actions arising from HSE, quality or operational performance findings.
* Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels, technical requirements and contractual commitments.
* Coordinate contractor allocation according to approved share allocation, operational requirements, capability and performance.
* Maintain accurate contract status reporting for management and operational stakeholders.
* Monitor contract validity and ensure timely action is taken before expiration or exhaustion of contractual value.
* Coordinate contract completion and formal closeout activities.
* Review contractor performance evaluations and ensure lessons learned are captured for future tenders.
* Manage contract disputes in coordination with Procurement and Legal teams.
* Participate in negotiation of claims, variations and other commercial matters arising during contract execution.
* Review unused Release Orders and outstanding commitments periodically and clear unnecessary balances.
* Reconcile contract values to maintain accurate visibility of committed and available expenditure.
* Manage contract resources including personnel and equipment to maintain business continuity.
* Coordinate internally with drilling teams to improve contract effectiveness and incorporate lessons learned into upcoming agreements.
* Liaise with HSE, QA and QC teams and end users to verify that equipment and services meet required standards.
* Support cost-effective well delivery by balancing service availability, contractor capability, technical quality and commercial performance.
* Maintain compliance with established contracting policies, financial controls, legal requirements and internal governance procedures.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor\'s Degree in Engineering or Science, preferably Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
* Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience.
* Strong exposure to drilling technology, drilling equipment, products and operational methods.
* Practical wellsite experience is highly desirable.
* Experience managing drilling services tenders and contracts within the Oil and Gas industry.
* Strong understanding of technical tender preparation, bidder qualification and contractor evaluation.
* Experience developing scopes of work, technical specifications and contract pricing structures.
* Working knowledge of commercial and technical evaluation methodologies.
* Experience participating in contract negotiations, claims assessment and variation management.
* Familiarity with drilling services cost structures and cost engineering systems.
* Good understanding of contractor mobilization, allocation and performance management.
* Experience managing Release Orders, contractual commitments and contract value reconciliation.
* Knowledge of HSE and QA and QC requirements applicable to drilling services.
* Ability to coordinate effectively with Drilling, Procurement, Legal, Finance, HSE and operational stakeholders.
* Strong analytical capability for comparing commercial models, contractor capabilities and tender submissions.
* Ability to work independently on complex contracts and make sound recommendations.
* Contract Management certification is preferred.
Skills Set
* Drilling services contracts
* Contract administration
* Tendering
* Tender strategy
* Business case development
* Scope of Work development
* Technical specifications
* Contract pricing structures
* Bidder assessment
* Supplier pre-qualification
* Technical evaluation
* Commercial evaluation
* Tender Committee submissions
* Tender Board support
* Contract negotiation
* Contract variations
* Contract claims
* Contract disputes
* Delegation of Authority
* Contractor performance management
* Contractor allocation
* Drilling contractor management
* Mobilization management
* Release Order management
* Contract value reconciliation
* Contract closeout
* Cost engineering
* Drilling technology
* Drilling equipment
* Wellsite operations
* Exploration drilling support
* Appraisal drilling support
* Procurement coordination
* Legal coordination
* HSE compliance
* QA and QC coordination
* Contractor resource management
* Contract reporting
* Business continuity
* Contract Management
Why Join Us
This role provides the opportunity to influence how critical drilling services are sourced, structured and managed across complex upstream operations. The position offers broad exposure to technical contracting, commercial evaluation, contractor performance, wellsite requirements and cost optimization while working closely with drilling, procurement, legal and HSE stakeholders. It is well suited to experienced professionals seeking greater responsibility in high-value drilling contracts and strategic service delivery within Abu Dhabi\'s Oil and Energy sector.
About the Company
ADNOC Group is a major integrated energy organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi with extensive upstream exploration, drilling and production activities. Its drilling operations depend on technically capable service providers, disciplined contracting strategies and strong supplier performance management to support safe, reliable and cost-effective well delivery across the United Arab Emirates.
