Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, Or 3

State of Louisiana•Baton Rouge, LA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Enforcement (OENF) is dedicated to ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting public and environmental interests through rigorous inspection programs, timely enforcement actions, and transparent oversight. The Office emphasizes proactive monitoring, consistent regulatory enforcement, and transparent reporting. Its operations are designed to uphold compliance standards, swiftly address violations, and maintain trust and accountability within Louisiana’s regulated community. The Petroleum Scientist reviews Lease Facility Inspections, Drilling and Workover inspections, Production Pit Inspections, Reserve Pit Inspections, and Narrative Reports submitted by Office of Enforcement Conservation Enforcement Specialists to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Enforcement and, when appropriate, writes Compliance Orders and where applicable recommends Civil Penalties or further regulatory actions regarding deficiencies for oil and gas production facilities and oilfield pits. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring violations are corrected in a timely manner.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in a geoscience field or engineering.

Responsibilities

Reviews Lease Facility Inspections, Drilling and Workover inspections, Production Pit Inspections, Reserve Pit Inspections, and Narrative Reports submitted by Office of Enforcement Conservation Enforcement Specialists to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Enforcement.
Writes Compliance Orders and where applicable recommends Civil Penalties or further regulatory actions regarding deficiencies for oil and gas production facilities and oilfield pits.
Ensures violations are corrected in a timely manner.
Handles complaints from landowners or concerned citizens regarding oil and gas operations in the vicinity of their property.
Contacts the appropriate District Manager for the dispatch of a CES to investigate and inspect the area in question.
Initiates corrective action if violations are noted and keeps the complainant informed of all actions taken by this Office.
Reviews information requests generated by other sections—such as Production Audit, Well Files, NRTA, and Permitting—and, when appropriate, prepares and issues Compliance Orders requiring the regulated party to provide the requested information or make required payments and, where applicable, recommends Civil Penalties or further regulatory actions regarding deficiencies for these departments.
Serves as the main point of contact for any and all orders issued.
Reviews unit survey plats submitted for units created by field orders issued by the Executive Director of Enforcement and either approves or rejects same.
Reviews the testimony of petroleum engineering and/or geological expert and their associated exhibits from unitization hearing transcripts to ensure that the surveyed exterior boundary is consistent with the presented engineering and/or geological evidence that establishes the limit of the oil and gas reservoir.
Gathers information and conducts inspections related to all Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings resulting from their 10-day letters.
Tracks the status of each hearing, conducts necessary follow-up, and serves as the primary point of contact between Legal and other DCE sections.
Coordinates all necessary actions to ensure timely resolution and closure of each hearing.
May accompany CES on field inspections to ensure compliance with rules and regulations of the Office of Enforcement via helicopter, seaplane, boat, and/or vehicle, as applicable.
Keeps abreast of changes in regulations and technology by attending conferences and seminars concerning the oil and gas industry.