Chief Operating Officer

Job title

Grade

Stream

Operated Assets

Function

Operated Assets

Location

Oman – Muscat

Budget control

*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*

Reporting to

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports

Job purpose

Oversees and manages the interests of OQEP’s operated assets and facilities, including Musandam cluster and B60 & B48 Field Operations, exploration blocks under the CEO scope, acting as the single point of accountability and asset owner, and custodian of operational standards across Well Delivery, Subsurface, Projects Delivery, HSSE, and Technical Services (TSD); by (1) Leading Subsurface and surface operations through the MD Musandam Cluster, VP B60 & B48 and exploration Blocks to ensure safe and efficient operations, production delivery, facilities maintenance, hydrocarbon allocation, and forecasting in alignment with approved production targets and business objectives; integrated reservoir management, subsurface studies (2) Overseeing HSSE through the VP HSSE to ensure full compliance with health, safety, security, and environmental standards, embedding a strong safety culture and operational excellence framework across all operated assets; implementation of the sustainability policy and strategy and (3) Directing Projects Delivery through the VP Projects Delivery to ensure effective execution of capital projects, brownfield developments, and infrastructure upgrades in line with approved scope, budget, schedule, and quality standards; (4) Overseeing Well Delivery operations through the Head of Well Delivery, ensuring drilling, completion, intervention, engineering, and related services are executed in adherence to operational excellence and technical standards; (5) Overseeing Technical Services through the Head of TSD to ensure process safety, production chemistry and laboratory services, integrity and corrosion management, reliability and condition monitoring, and other multidisciplinary technical support functions are effectively delivered to operated assets; and (6) Directing Planning & Performance across operated assets to ensure robust planning processes, data management, performance monitoring, and budget and cost control mechanisms are in place to optimize resource utilization, maximize hydrocarbon recovery, and ensure sustainable value generation from the assets.

The position will act in accordance with the OQEP’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, QHSE & Energy Management System requirements standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Strategic:

Establish and lead the short-, medium-, and long-term strategy for Operated Assets, translating corporate objectives into clear operational plans with defined KPIs, performance targets, and measurable success indicators to support OQEP’s overall strategic goals.
Lead the development of asset-level strategies and annual business objectives, ensuring alignment across Operations, Projects Delivery, HSSE, Well Delivery, Subsurface, Planning & Performance, and Technical Services.
Negotiate and oversee all agreements and matters related to Operated Assets to safeguard OQEP’s interests, ensure value realization, and maintain strong commercial and stakeholder positioning.
Ensure all asset-related agreements, operational frameworks, and governance practices remain current and compliant with internal policies, financial standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Support in implementation of OQEP growth strategy across all operated asset including organic and non-organic.
Provide accurate, timely, and data-driven inputs into executive and Board-level management reports to support informed decision-making by the CEO and Executive Committee.
Drive operational excellence and embed the highest standards of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) performance across all operated assets by ensuring effective implementation of policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks.
Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across the OQEP value chain, working closely with Technical Services and PT&C to ensure an integrated approach to Operations & Maintenance (O&M) excellence, quality execution, and continuous improvement.
Coordinate and lead the technical review and evaluation of proposals submitted by Operators, ensuring technical robustness, commercial viability, risk mitigation, and alignment with OQEP strategic objectives.
Lead and manage workforce planning within the function, including talent acquisition, succession planning, capability development, performance management, and engagement of direct reports to build a high-performing leadership team and maximize organizational effectiveness.

Operations & Subsurface

Lead surface operations for Musandam Gas Plant (MGP) and B60 & B48 Field Operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable production delivery in line with approved production targets and business objectives.
Direct multidisciplinary teams responsible for the operation and maintenance of gas extraction facilities and surface assets, ensuring optimal asset performance, uptime, and operational excellence.
Oversee maintenance and operational support activities in full compliance with corporate policies, operational procedures, and HSSE standards.
Develop and implement strategic operational plans, including CAPEX and OPEX budgeting, to ensure surface facilities operate at optimum efficiency, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
Ensure the production of gas in the required quantity and quality specifications, including effective hydrocarbon allocation, production control, and forecasting processes.
Oversee Subsurface services for Bisat and ABB developments, ensuring integrated reservoir management, technical evaluations, and subsurface support are aligned with production optimization and long-term field development strategies.

Project Delivery

Oversee the Upstream project portfolio, ensuring integrated planning, resource allocation, design review, construction execution, commissioning, and operational readiness of capital projects.
Ensure projects are delivered within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards while managing risks effectively.
Oversee portfolio-related contracts and integrated facilities agreements, including construction bidding strategies, tender documentation, technical evaluations, and contract award recommendations.

HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environment)

Provide executive oversight and leadership of HSSE across all operated assets, ensuring full compliance with corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and international industry standards.
Champion a strong safety culture by embedding HSSE principles into all operational, project delivery, well delivery, and technical service activities.
Ensure implementation and continuous improvement of HSSE management systems, risk management frameworks, and operational controls to safeguard people, assets, environment, and reputation.
Oversee the identification, assessment, and mitigation of operational and project-related risks, ensuring proactive hazard management and emergency preparedness across all facilities.
Monitor HSSE performance through defined KPIs, audits, incident investigations, and assurance processes, driving corrective and preventive actions where required.
Ensure environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and sustainability practices are integrated into operations and projects to support long-term value creation and responsible resource management.
Lead crisis management and major incident response governance, ensuring business continuity and effective stakeholder communication.
Promote workforce engagement, training, and competency development in HSSE to maintain high standards of operational discipline and compliance.

Technical Services (TSD)

Oversee Technical Services multidisciplinary disciplines supporting operated assets, including Process Safety, Production Chemistry & Laboratory Services, Asset Integrity & Corrosion, Reliability & Condition Monitoring, and related engineering functions.
Ensure effective execution of engineering services, project support, operations & maintenance excellence initiatives, and asset integrity management programs.
Collaborate with Technical Services to enhance operational excellence, improve asset integrity, and develop CAPEX business cases where required to sustain long-term asset value.
Ensure safe, effective, and reliable design, development, and operation of surface facility assets, leveraging expertise from Technical Services and HSSE functions.
Monitor asset performance and drive continuous improvement and optimization initiatives to enhance reliability, efficiency, and recovery rates.
Stay abreast of technological advancements and industry best practices to identify and implement innovative solutions that optimize hydrocarbon extraction and asset performance.
Oversee the commercial and technical stewardship of equity interests across all assets, identifying value enhancement and production optimization opportunities.

Planning & Performance

Direct and oversee Planning & Performance for operated assets, including integrated business planning, data management, performance reporting, budgeting, and cost control.
Ensure effective production control and monitoring to maintain extraction targets and maximize asset value.
Direct the planning and execution of maintenance activities and major shutdowns, including approval of plans, tender packages, bid evaluations, and contract award recommendations.
Monitor financial, operational, and risk performance to ensure operators fulfill contractual obligations, identify performance gaps, and drive improvement initiatives to maximize cash flow and value generation.

Well Delivery

Oversee Well Delivery operations, including drilling, completion, intervention, engineering, and associated services, ensuring adherence to operational excellence standards, cost efficiency, safety requirements, and approved development plans.

Key interactions

Internal: Board of Directors, Audit Committee, Executive Leadership Team, relevant business entities, all functions and streams, corporate functions.

External: Muscat Stock Exchange, Oman Investment Authority (OIA), Ministry of Energy & Minerals, Customers, Third-party Labs, Joint Venture Partners, Investors & Financial Institutions, International Industry Bodies, Media & Analysts, Universities, Licensors, Vendors, Research institutions, Government Ministries, and Competitors

Notable Working Conditions. Primarily office-based with occasional domestic and international travel, when needed and possible

Education requirements

Graduate in Oil and Gas, Engineering or equivalent

Language

Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required)

Background and experience

Competencies and skills

A minimum of 17+ years’ experience in the Oil & Gas industry, with at least 10 years in operations, preferably in Upstream
5+ years in a senior management role (managing multiple teams)
Experience leading teams of joint ventures professionals, preferably in the oil & Gas industry
Experienced in resource control, contract management and general management.
Experience leading surface facilities including:
- Facility Management
- Operation surface facilities
- Maintenance surface facilities
- Production delivery
- Well Delivery
- Subsurface
- Planning & Performance
- TSD

Soft:

Proven ability to inspire and lead organizational change effectively.
Exceptional communication skills, facilitating clear and impactful interactions.
Demonstrated capability to build effective synergies within multidisciplinary teams.
Strong aptitude for anticipating and predicting business trends, utilizing sound evaluative judgment—including scientific reasoning, especially in pathfinding situations that require creative thinking and the development of innovative concepts and approaches to advance knowledge and ensure business sustainability.
Skilled in managing and resolving complex issues that require strategic thinking within broad functional policies and objectives.
Expertise in defining and strategizing new business initiatives that focus on competitive advantages while navigating diversity, uncertainty, and complexity.
Extensive experience in engaging with government entities, regulators, investors, and industry partners, particularly in the Middle East.

Technical:

Computer literate with expertise in MS Office.
Development of KPI’s,
Oil & Gas industry and management experience - ability to build, manage and foster a team-oriented environment.
In-depth knowledge of the various oil and gas field procedures and practices.
Driving continual improvements and engaging with numerous different business units within an energy company.
Knowledge on production, facilities, completion, and drilling engineering.
Well-developed technical understanding of all phases of a gas producing asset from subsurface to pipelines to processing.
Knowledge of Reservoir, Drilling, Operations and Geology for effective interaction and support of current operations and acquisition review and evaluation.
Commercial experience dealing with domestic and international supply contracts.
Facility Management
Operation surface facilities
Maintenance surface facilities
Production delivery
Well Delivery
Subsurface
Planning & Performance
TSD