Reservoir Development Engineer – Imperial, Edmonton, AB
Location: Edmonton, AB | Company: ExxonMobil
Imperial is hiring a Reservoir Development Engineer for a full-time, on-site position in Edmonton, Alberta. This engineering opportunity supports the Cold Lake Oil Sands asset and focuses on development planning, reservoir performance management and future solvent-assisted steam-assisted gravity drainage projects.
The successful candidate will apply reservoir engineering expertise across a diverse portfolio of thermal recovery technologies. Working with geoscience, facilities engineering, operations and development planning teams, the engineer will help identify new opportunities, evaluate project economics and optimize the long-term recovery and performance of the Cold Lake resource.
About This Reservoir Engineering Position
The Reservoir Development Engineer will contribute to the planning and evaluation of greenfield and brownfield opportunities at Imperial’s Cold Lake operation. The role combines subsurface interpretation, reservoir simulation, production forecasting and economic analysis to support decisions about future wells, pads and supporting facilities.
Cold Lake is a large in-situ oil sands operation that uses thermal recovery methods and is piloting solvent technologies intended to improve production while lowering emissions intensity. The engineer will help assess how different recovery approaches may be applied across the asset and identify opportunities to improve reservoir performance.
Key Areas of Responsibility
The position covers the full development cycle, from identifying potential opportunities through technical evaluation, planning and performance monitoring. The successful candidate will work across disciplines to ensure that subsurface, operational and economic considerations are incorporated into project decisions.
Development Opportunity Planning
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to identify, mature and support the execution of new greenfield and brownfield development opportunities at Cold Lake.
Reservoir Simulation
Apply reservoir interpretation, rock and fluid properties, history matching and forecasting techniques to evaluate development scenarios and expected performance.
Well and Pad Development
Support project scope development involving well placement, well pad design and the selection of surface facilities required for future production.
Economic Evaluation
Work with senior development planners to assess the economic potential, capital requirements and operating costs associated with new opportunities.
Reserves and Resources
Conduct reserves and resource assessments and prepare production volume, capital and operating expense outlooks for annual corporate planning.
Performance Optimization
Monitor reservoir and well performance, progress technical studies and recommend improvements across several thermal recovery technologies.
Thermal Recovery and SAGD Development
A major part of this role involves supporting the development of future solvent-assisted SAGD projects. Candidates should understand the behaviour of heavy oil reservoirs under thermal recovery conditions and be able to evaluate how well configuration, operating strategy and reservoir characteristics influence production.
The engineer will also contribute to depletion planning, reservoir surveillance and recovery optimization. Experience with cyclic steam stimulation and follow-up optimization processes is considered an asset, together with knowledge of how different thermal recovery methods can be applied across a mature oil sands asset.
Skills That May Help Candidates Succeed
This position requires strong reservoir engineering knowledge and the ability to communicate technical recommendations across several disciplines. Candidates should be comfortable managing changing priorities while maintaining the quality of simulation, forecasting and economic analysis.
Experience building, history matching and using thermal reservoir models to forecast production and compare potential development scenarios.
A strong understanding of SAGD, heavy oil production, well performance and the physical processes that influence thermal reservoir behaviour.
The ability to integrate reservoir data, well placement, facilities requirements and economic considerations into practical development recommendations.
Strong analytical skills for interpreting production trends, evaluating uncertainty and identifying opportunities to improve resource recovery.
The ability to work effectively with geoscientists, facilities engineers, operations personnel, development planners and other technical specialists.
Qualifications and Employee Benefits
Imperial requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Petroleum, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering. Candidates must be registered as a Professional Engineer with APEGA and have approximately five to ten years of heavy oil reservoir engineering experience.
Applicants should have direct SAGD experience, knowledge of depletion planning and reservoir surveillance and practical thermal simulation capabilities. Imperial lists competitive compensation, training, mentorship, relocation assistance where required and access to employee resource groups. The company also highlights long-term technical and professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an application through Imperial’s official careers website. Application materials should describe relevant heavy oil reservoir engineering experience, SAGD operations, thermal simulation work, development planning and any reserves evaluation responsibilities.
Applicants who receive an employment offer must be eligible to work in Canada on a regular full-time basis without restrictions affecting the start date. Imperial may require current proof of work eligibility and provides reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process. Joblyz does not collect applications or participate in hiring decisions.