Automation Specialist - Bakken

ConocoPhillips•Watford City, ND

About The Position

Welcome to ConocoPhillips, where innovation and excellence create a platform for opportunity and growth. Come realize your full potential here. Who We Are We are one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. With operations and activities in 13 countries, we explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. We are challenged with an important job to safely find and deliver energy to the world. Our employees are critical to our success, and with them we power civilization. We’re grounded by our SPIRIT Values – safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork. These values position us to deliver strong performance in a dynamic business – but not at all costs. We believe it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it – that sets us apart. Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment To deliver superior performance, we create an environment that respects the contributions and differences of every individual. Wherever possible, we use these differences to drive competitive business advantage, personal growth and, ultimately, create business success. Job Summary Bakken Overview The Bakken trend is a sequence of liquids-rich sand and shale layers in the Williston Basin, which stretches across western North Dakota and into Canada. The company’s position in the Bakken development area is comprised of approximately 790,000 net unconventional acres, which include 382,000 net mineral acres and 180,000 net leasehold acres. The company focuses on unconventional tight-oil play development and production in the most prolific portion of the basin. During 2024, net production averaged 115 MBOED. We operated four rigs and one frac crew on average during 2024, resulting in 66 operated wells drilled and 83 operated wells brought online. Position Overview If you are selected as the Automation Specialist Bakken, you will be supporting operations, base, and capital projects. Instrumentation, Electrical, & Control services are a critical piece of the ongoing operations and maintenance of the Bakken Asset. The Automation Specialist will need to cover a wide range of control systems, including programming, execution, troubleshooting, and tuning of our PLCs and PID loops. This role will also require in depth collaboration to help implement programs in support of asset goals such as, but not limited to, flare management, operability, firmware upgrades, etc.

Requirements

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Current and valid driver's license
Intermediate level of knowledge and training to maintain instruments and electrical equipment
Intermediate level of proficiency in automation capabilities with knowledge of programming and PID tuning
Willing and able to perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) the following: Climb various ladders and stairs up to 50 feet in height to perform maintenance on equipment; Raise and transport articles weighing up to 50 pounds; Walk, stand, stoop, sit, climb, and carry material on a daily basis on even and uneven terrain; Work outside in harsh weather conditions; Work alone a high percentage of the time; Wear personal protective equipment (PPE); Be on call; Work unscheduled overtime; Work day shifts
Willing to work a rotational schedule
Willing and able (with or without reasonable accommodation) to work 9/80 schedule and support operations
Willing and able (with or without reasonable accommodation) to travel 10% of the time on a yearly basis

Nice To Haves

1 or more years of experience preparing drawings of electrical circuits
1 or more years of experience reading and interpreting electrical and mechanical blueprints and diagrams
1 or more years of experience applying and interpreting results from common electrical measurement instruments (voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter, oscilloscope, etc.)
Basic level of knowledge in National Electric Codes
Basic level of proficiency in electrical plot plans and electrical area classifications
Basic level of proficiency with electronic test instruments
Basic level of proficiency in process controls with oil and gas processing devices and process
Basic level of proficiency in Scada Applications
Basic level of proficiency with Microsoft O365 applications: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams and Word
Basic level of proficiency with AC/DC power systems including solar and thermal electric generation
Basic level of proficiency with multiple PLC hardware applications
Basic level of proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing problems with VFDs (e.g., Allen Bradley, Lufkin, Apergy, Fuji, Summit, Schlumberger, & Baker Hughes)
Basic level of proficiency to modify logic in PLCs (e.g., Allen Bradley, Fisher ROC, ScadaPack) and adhere to C&Es
Adequately communicate findings of issues to ensure root cause of failures are realized and shared with team members
Provide support for commissioning new equipment and facilities by performing loop/logic checks
Builds effective solutions based on available information and makes timely decisions that are safe and ethical
Takes ownership of actions and follows through on commitments by holding others accountable and standing up for what's right
Delivers positive results through realistic planning to accomplish goals

Responsibilities

Complying with all applicable DOT and OSHA regulations, and safety policies and procedures
Performing all duties of this position with a focus on safety, environmental protection and regulatory compliance
Creating and responding to SAP notifications and processing work orders
Driving teamwork throughout the area of responsibility and strong collaboration skills
Working with engineering to plan and execute program changes/upgrades
Working with Automation Lead to scope projects and execute safely
Executing campaign program changes in field both on site and remotely
Tuning and troubleshooting PID loops to help optimize field instrumentation
Identifying control improvements and implement through MOC process
Maintaining technical and administrative records, including prints and project reports
Pursuing cost reduction opportunities
Responding to emergencies and maintain emergency response preparedness while on call
Completing and maintaining required safety/regulatory training (CBT)