Field Operator III - Artificial Lift Technician

Location

Spring, TX

14/14 rotation. W2 Contract (12 months with possibility for extension)

Dental, Healthcare, Vision & 401(k)

The Artificial Lift Control Room Operator (ALCRO) is a mission‑critical operations role responsible for delivering scalable, real‑time artificial lift surveillance and remote operational control across a large portfolio of producing assets. The position protects production, extends equipment run life, reduces HSE exposure, and improves the speed and quality of operational decisions by applying experienced operator judgment in a centralized control room environment.

• Monitor and control large populations of artificial lift wells and compression units across multiple assets and fields.
• Perform real‑time surveillance to identify early indicators of abnormal or degrading equipment performance.
• Independently adjust operating parameters (e.g., speed, cycles, control setpoints) to balance production optimization, equipment protection and run life, and operating limits and safety constraints.
• Diagnose equipment performance issues using live and trended data.
• Execute predefined alarm response actions and determine appropriate escalation paths.
• Make rapid, risk‑based operational decisions regarding:
  • Immediate intervention
  • Continued monitoring
  • Field dispatch or engineering notification
  • Prevent high‑cost equipment failures through early detection and proactive intervention
  • Reduce unnecessary field callouts, minimizing driving exposure and location‑based hazards
• Maintain accurate documentation, event logging, and detailed shift handovers.
• Coordinate effectively with field operations, production, engineering, automation, and maintenance teams.

• Strong situational awareness and real‑time decision‑making under pressure.
• Effective alarm management and prioritization.
• Advanced troubleshooting and pattern recognition based on operational experience.
• High level of operational discipline and adherence to procedures and escalation protocols.
• Ability to manage high equipment counts and frequent condition changes.
• Clear, concise communication with internal stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.

• Artificial Lift Systems: ESP, Gas Lift, Gas‑Assisted Plunger Lift (GAPL), Plunger Lift.
• Surface and downhole equipment, controllers, VSDs.
• Understanding of surface‑to‑subsurface interaction (compression – distribution – wells).
• Compression & rotating equipment details: suction and discharge conditions, staging and interstage cooling, lube oil and seal systems.
• Control systems & SCADA: confident use of SCADA platforms, remote control systems, and surveillance dashboards.
• Data interpretation: electrical (amps, volts, torque, power quality indicators), mechanical (load, speed, vibration), production (pressure, fluid levels, pump fillage, production & equipment protection).
• Basic production optimization without compromising equipment integrity.
• Electrical & safety awareness: electrical hazards, interlocks, emergency shutdown logic, and restart risks.

2–5 years of direct artificial lift and/or compression operations experience. Relevant backgrounds may include:

• Artificial Lift Technician or Compression Operator.
• Production Operator with artificial lift or compression responsibility (ESP or Gas Lift).
• Field Specialist.
• Lease Operator managing artificially‑lifted wells.
• Automation or Electrical Technician supporting artificial lift systems.

Hands‑on experience must include starting, stopping, and troubleshooting ESPs, gas lift systems, or compressor units; operating equipment through abnormal conditions such as trips, pump‑off, or gas interference; responding to real equipment failures, not limited to steady‑state operations.

• Prior field operational experience in unconventional or high‑density asset environments (e.g., Permian Basin).
• Familiarity with local equipment behaviors, power constraints, and common failure modes.
• 1–3 years of SCADA or remote surveillance experience, including alarm response, remote decision‑making, event documentation, and coordination with field crews.
• Experience typically insufficient alone: engineering or analytical roles without field exposure; surveillance or monitoring positions without operational authority; new graduates or non‑oil‑and‑gas control room experience; field operators limited to flowing wells with no artificial lift responsibility.

• 3–7 years total oil & gas experience.
• 2–5 years directly supporting artificial lift wells and/or compression units.
• Demonstrated accountability for equipment uptime, production impact, and safety‑critical operational decisions.
• Proven comfort making independent, real‑time operational decisions.