PhD Fellowship in Drilling and Well Construction

15th February 2024
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English
PhD Fellowship in Drilling and Well Construction
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Job description

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Drilling and Well Construction at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering.

The position is vacant from March 2024 and the starting date is no later than August 2024.

This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.

The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively.

The position is funded by SFI SWIPA .

Research topic

The PhD Fellow will be affiliated with the  project: “Stacked versus continuous annulus cement”. Cement sheath behind casing is a critical well barrier element (part of well barrier envelope) for maintaining well integrity through the life-cycle of well, from construction to post-abandonment.  Standards  such as NORSOK D010:2021 require qualified continuous cement as an acceptable well barrier element.  This is more emphasized when a wellbore is supposed to be permanently plugged and abandoned. 

Per today, NORSOK D010:2021 requires verification of 30m of continuous cement for an annular barrier to be verified, otherwise a rock-to-rock barrier need to be established by accessing the annulus behind casing and placing the barrier material.  When annular barrier does not exist or is not qualified, cut and pull, section milling, or perforate-wash-cement operations will be necessitated.  These operations are time-consuming and associated with risk and harm to personnel.  An alternative to a continuous cement sheath is a collection of qualified shorter segment sheaths that adds up to 30 m, a so-called stacked solution.  Usually, operating companies have an internal risk assessment process to minimize the risk of barrier failure when  a stacked solution is present.  Although there are sonic logs (CBL-VDL), there is lack of experimental data showing if there are any differences between a stacked and continuous solution.. 

In this project, we would like to build  test cells consisting of  casing inside casing to simulate annular space between two casing strings.  Then,  different configurations of cement (e.g., neat cement, expanding cement and contaminated cement) will be placed in the annular space to be cured for certain period of time at different temperatures and pressures.  Subsequently, the annular barriers will be pressure tested and possibly logged by use of sonic logs to reveal sealing capability of these configurations.  Furthermore, the test cells will be connected to each other to make different stacked configurations and tested again for revealing performance of each configuration.  Eccentricity of casing strings may also be a parameter of interest. 

Qualification requirements

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree (3+2) within petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (masters degree) in the spring of 2024 you are also welcome to apply.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales  to calculate your points for admission.

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
• having a good command of both oral and written English

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Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with a completed master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on NOKUT's GSU list

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 532 200 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. In special cases a higher salary may be considered. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• "Hjem-jobb-hjem" discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme
• language courses : On this page you can see which language courses you may be entitled to (look up “language courses” under employment conditions)

Diversity

We consider diversity as a resource in our work and learning environment, and we are committed to respecting each other's differences and backgrounds.

Universal design characterises physical and digital learning environments, and we strive to provide adjustments for employees with disabilities.

You are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, cultural background, disability, or if you have been without employment for a period of time.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position.

Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here .

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

Contact information

More information on the position (and project description) can be obtained from Head of Department Øystein Arild, e-mail: [email protected] or Professor Mahmoud Khalifeh, tel: +47 51832130, e-mail: [email protected].

Information about the appointment procedure can be obtained from Senior HR advisor Margot A. Treen, tel: +4751831419, e-mail: [email protected].

UiS via Unsplash UiS
Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. In your application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in English if this is required
• publications or other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation and if it is considered that you will not be able to start in the position within the date stated above, your application will be rejected without further assessment.

Employment as PhD Fellow is regulated in "Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow and research fellow, research assistant and resident ".

Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research.

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the English text takes precedence.

Morten Berentsen via Unsplash Morten Berentsen
UiS - challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.
In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.
Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers study programs at bachelor, master and doctoral level. The faculty has established close cooperation on research with NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre AS) and the regional industry. A number of master's and doctoral theses are made in collaboration with the industry. The faculty has established research collaborations with universities in the US and Europe, and has developed several academic environments that are at the forefront internationally.The faculty has about 2,800 students and approximately 500 employees at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Structural Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Safety, Economics and Planning.

Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering carries out research and offers study programs at all levels in Drilling Technology, Natural Gas Technology, Petroleum Engineering and Energy Technology. The department has established close research collaboration with relevant industry - especially in the petroleum and battery sector. The department focuses on internationalization, with the development of English study programs and high mobility among academic staff and students. There are currently 60 employees including research fellows and postdocs.

Questions about the position

Mahmoud Khalifeh

Professor

51 83 21 30

[email protected]

Margot Treen

Senior HR-rådgiver

51 83 14 19

[email protected]

Apply for this job
Deadline

15th February 2024

Employer

University of Stavanger

Municipality

Stavanger

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Ullandhaug, 4036 Stavanger

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