The oil and gas industry is a significant source of opportunities for prospective engineers looking to develop a career. With technological advancements and many applications of natural gas and oil, the sector presents itself as dynamic and challenging. From leveraging professional affiliations to pursuing advanced certifications, we will discover strategies for advancing your career and making a meaningful impact in the field of engineering.

Understanding the Industry

The oil and gas market is continually developing as new technology emerges and regulations change. To develop in this field, it is essential to stay updated with market trends and business performance. The factories that implement rising technology and consequential operations are more likely to progress ahead of those that use existing machinery. Additionally, familiarize yourself with economic and environmental factors because they may interfere with various processing procedures.

Oil and gas procedures can be hazardous, so safety is critical. Become familiar with the “Stop Work Authority” principle, which obligates employees to stop working when there is a discerned danger.

Preparing for the Industry

Know what engineering discipline you want to work in, whether it is petroleum, corrosion, materials, or mechanical. Study scientific journals to stay informed of industry changes and what to expect in the future. Building a professional network with other oil and gas engineers can help you glean insights about the field and tips for maintaining a safe and productive work environment. Experts at conferences and seminars can give you tips on how to choose the most effective software and stay competitive in the market.

Stay curious and open-minded because it can help you maintain your mental flexibility in the challenging oil and gas landscape. Professional development can help you learn new skills, expand your job opportunities, and benefit the community as you build your competence and share your expertise. Pursuing certifications and training gives you credibility and diversifies your skills, making you more valuable to a recruiter. Some companies offer training programs to orient you with their equipment, safety procedures, and advanced field skills.

Insights from an Expert Corrosion Management Engineer

Okafor Franklin Tochukwu has a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and he is pursuing his master’s degree in Subsea Engineering. With over 13 years of professional experience, he has been working in various oil and gas operations, such as assessing the integrity of static pressure equipment and ensuring his workplace is safe.

Okafor has exhibited a professional lifestyle of continuous learning and development, actively participating in conferences and seminars. He informs himself of industry trends and technological advancements so that he can utilize them in his work. For example, he implemented digitalization at Bonga FPSO to optimize corrosion damage reports. He also used SAP and CIMS software to plan, execute, inspect, and monitor pipelines for Shell.

As a Level 3 Materials and Corrosion Technical Authority for Shell, Okafor oversaw asset integrity and corrosion management. He was responsible for ensuring Shell’s pressure equipment was safe to use for its operations. Also, as one of Shell’s subject matter experts, he managed material selection reports and change requests. Okafor implemented corrosion management frameworks and assessed corrosion damage reports.

Okafor’s drive for innovation helped him to train his peers in various technologies and how to properly inspect equipment. For instance, he developed a competence gap closure plan and improvement initiatives to train over 70 inspectors on the Shell team, resulting in a significant decline in leaks related to corrosion.

Alongside his corrosion management responsibilities, Okafor empowered his companies to be resourceful and economical. At Shell, he integrated several technologies into a maintenance painting project involving Humidur and Bristle Blasting and contributed to a 50% decrease in painting application time.

Having exceptional communication skills allows Okafor to earn special recognition awards from his employer. During an underwater joint campaign, he successfully managed a multinational team of over 80 people to protect the integrity of a critical FPSO. His project resulted in zero HSE incidents.

About the Author

Robert Covington is a corrosion control technician specializing in static pressure equipment. He performs all the necessary troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance of equipment for natural gas and oil factories.