SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL, DRILLING

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Date: 15 Jan 2026

Location: MY

Company: sapuraener

Job Purpose

To provide strategic and operational legal support to Vantris Energy Berhad’s drilling and upstream operations, ensuring legal compliance, effective contract management, risk mitigation, and protection of the Group’s interests in all drilling-related activities.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide end-to-end legal advice on drilling contracts, including rig contracts, drilling services, well services, logistics, and marine support.

  • Advise on legal risks associated with exploration, development, and drilling activities, including operational, regulatory, HSE, and contractual risks.

  • Support drilling projects from tendering to execution and close-out stages.

  • Draft, review, negotiate, and manage drilling-related agreements.

  • Ensure contracts align with company risk appetite, internal policies, and industry standards (e.g. IOGP, LOGIC, PETRONAS templates where applicable).

  • Provide guidance on liability regimes, indemnities, insurance, knock-for-knock provisions, and limitation of liability.

  • Advise on compliance with Malaysian laws and regulations relevant to upstream and drilling activities.

  • Support compliance with internal governance frameworks, including ABAC, integrity, and corporate governance policies.

  • Liaise with regulators, external counsel, and relevant authorities when required.

  • Manage and advise on contractual disputes, claims, and variations arising from drilling operations.

  • Support resolution of disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, in coordination with external counsel.

  • Assist operational teams in claims strategy and documentation.

  • Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and contractual risks associated with drilling activities.

  • Participate in risk reviews, management committees, and project governance forums.

  • Support continuous improvement of legal processes, templates, and playbooks for drilling operations.

  • Work closely with Drilling, Operations, HSE, Commercial, Procurement, and Finance teams.

  • Provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice to business stakeholders.

  • Support Board and Management reporting on material legal matters related to drilling.

 

Qualifications & Experience

Academic / Professional

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent; admitted to the Malaysian Bar (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).

  • Postgraduate qualification or relevant certification is an advantage.

Experience

  • 8–12 years of legal experience, preferably within upstream oil & gas, drilling contractors, or energy companies.

  • Strong hands-on experience in drilling and oilfield services contracts.

  • Experience dealing with PETRONAS or similar national oil companies is highly desirable.

 

Key Competencies & Skills

  • Strong knowledge of upstream oil & gas legal frameworks.

  • Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.

  • Commercially minded with strong risk assessment capability.

  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex matters.

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

  • High integrity and professionalism.