At Elk Petroleum, we have a number of strengths that we believe help us successfully execute our strategy. First and foremost, our success is driven by our employees. Our experienced management, engineering, and field operations team members have an extensive track record in Enhanced Oil Recovery and development of the Greater Aneth field. Elk Petroleum’s field operations staff consists predominantly of members of the Navajo Nation who live in the area and have supported this field for many years.
Elk proudly supports Navajo employment interests and strives to be involved in local community and education interests when possible. We are always open to talking to interested parties about our company, the work we do and the skills required to run our operation. Feel free to contact us at any time.
Elk Petroleum actively advertises all field job openings in area newspapers, including The Navajo Times and KTNN, the local Navajo radio station, to be sure the local area knows when we are looking for new team members.
If you hold the qualifications and experience listed in these roles, we encourage you to apply. Interested candidates should fill out the form below or send a letter of interest with their resume by email to AskElk@ElkPetroleum.com.
Elk Petroleum is an equal opportunity employer and supports Navajo employment preference in all Greater Aneth field jobs.
Elk is currently not hriing
Please note that Elk Petroleum Aneth and Elk Operating Services will never ask job applicants to create an "ID.me" account or to access their "ID.me" account as part of the hiring process.
If you believe you are applying for a position with Elk, please verify that the role is posted on our website at https://lnkd.in/gkQTzWpV. If the role is not posted on our website, the role is not real and you should suspect you may be the victim of a scam.
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Job Title: Production Engineer
Location: Cortez, CO
Department: Production
Reports To: VP, Production
Status: Exempt
Position Summary
Drive safe, reliable, and cost-effective oil and gas production by planning, executing, and optimizing field operations. Leverage engineering expertise, data analysis, and field collaboration to improve production performance, extend asset life, and maximize economic returns.
Key Responsibilities
Production Operations & Optimization
· Lead daily production operations across wells and associated facilities to meet or exceed production and cost targets.
· Diagnose and resolve production disruptions quickly to minimize downtime and lost volumes.
· Analyze well performance and implement optimization strategies to increase output and reduce lifting costs.
· Own lease level profitability.
· Monitor and improve production testing and data systems.
Artificial Lift & Well Performance
· Design, implement, and optimize artificial lift systems (rod pumps, ESPs) to maximize efficiency and reliability.
· Identify root causes of downhole failures and implement corrective actions to reduce recurrence.
· Develop and execute workover and stimulation programs to enhance well productivity.
Enhanced Recovery & Injection Operations
· Support and optimize waterflood and CO₂ flood performance, including injection balancing, surveillance, and facility coordination.
· Collaborate with reservoir engineering and operations teams to improve recovery efficiency and sweep performance.
Field Leadership & Collaboration
· Partner closely with field personnel, workover rig teams, and other engineering staff to execute work programs safely and efficiently.
· Provide technical guidance and mentorship to field staff.
· Support vendor selection and oversee service quality and performance.
Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement
· Utilize tools such as XSPOC, SCADA, and production data systems daily to identify enhancement and optimization opportunities.
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.
· Track and manage lease-level economics, including production, expenses, and profitability.
Regulatory & Compliance
· Ensure operations comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (EPA, BLM, tribal agencies, etc.).
· Maintain strong working relationships with regulatory bodies and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, or related discipline).
· 5+ years of production engineering experience in oil and gas operations.
· Experience with conventional reservoirs and legacy assets preferred.
Technical Skills
· Proven expertise in artificial lift design and optimization (rod pumps, ESPs).
· Strong understanding of waterflood and CO₂ flood operations.
· Experience with production surveillance tools (e.g., XSPOC) and SCADA systems.
· Demonstrated success reducing downtime, failures, and lifting costs.
· Solid knowledge of workover, stimulation, and chemical programs.
Leadership & Execution
· Strong project management and prioritization skills.
· Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in field environments.
· Effective communicator with both technical and field personnel.
Working Conditions
Combination of office and field work in outdoor environments. Exposure to oilfield conditions including H₂S/CO₂, high pressure systems, and heavy equipment. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks as required. Must be able to work in varying weather conditions.
Additional Requirements
· Ability to work extended hours, including on-call rotations, weekends, and callouts.
· Valid driver’s license and regular travel to field locations required.
· Preference for candidates based in the greater Cortez, CO area; hybrid schedule may be considered (50% field/office, 50% remote).
Equal Opportunity Statement
This position is subject to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. The company is an equal opportunity employer.
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