Production Engineering Consultant - Nodal Analysis & Gas Gathering System Modeling

This role builds and applies integrated production models that tie per-well IPR/VLP behavior to gathering line pressure, runs large-scale line-pressure sensitivities, and translates the results into base production impact and economic justification for capital projects. The Production Engineering Consultant is a contract technical specialist responsible for coupling well-level deliverability to the gas gathering network in support of infrastructure and compression investment decisions across an operated portfolio of approximately 4,000 gas wells.

Company Information

QB Energy is a Denver-based upstream natural gas company committed to delivering value through responsible acquisition, development, and production that benefits both shareholders and stakeholders by operating efficiently, sustainably, and with cutting-edge technology.

QB Energy operates in the Piceance Basin of Western Colorado, currently operating about 400,000 net acres. The company develops and operates upstream gathering, compression, processing, and fractionation assets, with a focus on safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Initiatives such as zero-flaring, methane emissions reduction, water recycling, and wildlife mitigation help minimize footprint while maximizing long-term value.

Job Summary

The Production Engineering Consultant is a contract technical specialist responsible for coupling well-level deliverability to the gas gathering network in support of infrastructure and compression investment decisions across an operated portfolio of approximately 4,000 gas wells. This role builds and applies integrated production models that tie per-well IPR/VLP behavior to gathering line pressure, runs large-scale line-pressure sensitivities, and translates the results into base production impact and economic justification for capital projects.

The position is hands-on in nodal analysis, network modeling, well grouping, and calibration against field data, and is expected to document methods and transfer the workflow to the internal engineering team. This is a defined-scope contract engagement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

•       Build per-well and well-group deliverability-vs-line-pressure relationships from existing whitson+ IPR/VLP models, capturing critical-rate / liquid-loading behavior (Turner/Coleman).
•       Couple deliverability curves to the existing gathering line rate/pressure model so the network solves against realistic well inflow.
•       Run field-scale line-pressure sensitivities across the operated portfolio and quantify base-production impact for a range of new-development and compression scenarios.
•       Develop a defensible well-grouping / IPR scheme so ~4,000 wells remain tractable without losing the wells that drive the answer (loading-prone, tail-end, high-drawdown).
•       Provide technical and economic input to support gathering and compression infrastructure investment decisions, including sensitivity results suitable for AFE and capital justification.
•       Calibrate models against production and pressure data; document assumptions, methods, and limitations.
•       Interface with internal production engineering, operations, and midstream/gathering stakeholders, and transfer the workflow—including training the internal team for ongoing use.

Qualifications

Education:

•       A minimum of a B.S. in Petroleum, Mechanical, or Chemical engineering required. 

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in oil and gas production operation, with an emphasis on natural gas production required.
• Production and/or reservoir engineering experience required. Facilities and midstream experience preferred.
• Prior work coupling well deliverability to large scale models strongly preferred.

Specialized knowledge:

•       Nodal analysis — IPR/VLP construction, operating-point solving, and critical-rate / liquid-loading relationships. 
•       Gas gathering infrastructure — gathering systems, compression, line-pressure dynamics, and three-phase gathering.
•       Large-scale field modeling — integrated production / integrated asset modeling beyond single-well studies.
•       Proficiency with well-performance and network software: whitson+ and Synergi Gas, or equivalents (PROSPER or SNAP on the well side; PIPESIM or GAP on the network side).
•       RTA analysis and gas-well deliverability fundamentals; back-pressure/deliverability equations; wet-gas PVT basics.
•       Scripting and automation for batch sensitivities (Python; whitson+ API, GAP OpenServer, or PIPESIM Python Toolkit) a plus.
•       Familiarity with production data systems for data access and calibration (Peloton ProdView, WellView, Spotfire; SQL) a plus.
•       Working knowledge of ECMC, BLM, and UDOGM operating context helpful.
•       Experience in tight gas plays a plus.

Skills & Abilities:

•       Strong problem-solving skills and sound engineering judgment; able to make and defend modeling assumptions to a technical audience.
•       Excellent written and verbal communication, with clear documentation of methods and results.
•       Strong organizational and prioritization skills; able to deliver a defined scope independently with minimal oversight.
•       Collaborative, team-oriented mindset; effective across engineering, operations, and midstream functions.
•       High integrity and composure managing a technically complex, decision-critical workstream.

Compensation

The base compensation for this role in this location is targeted between $135 and $155 hourly. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the range listed above.

Work Conditions

Location:

This position is remote, with periodic travel required to the Denver, CO office and the Parachute, CO field office. Candidates currently residing in locations outside of daily commuting distance will be considered; however, it is the expectation that the selected individual will be available to travel to these locations as needed to support business and field requirements.

Work Environment:

This position operates in an office environment. This entails working inside an office space wherein employees may be provided a public workstation (cubicle) or private office. From time to time, the role will require field visits where exposure to extreme weather conditions, fumes, airborne particles, vibrations, dust, electrical charges and other unforeseen exposures may be encountered.

Physical Demands:

In the performance of the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is required to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and view a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time. While at work sites, the employee will be expected to walk and stand. Individuals might be asked to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and/or crawl. Individuals might be required to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 lbs. in the performance of this position.  

Additional Information

Disclaimer:

This job posting is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The Company reserves the right to change or assign additional duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.

Hiring Practices:

QB Energy is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact HR Manager at

HR@qb-energy.com

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We anticipate this post will close in 30 days