What is your degree in?

I have a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng.) in Chemical Engineering.

What is your role at Petrofac?

I’m a graduate process engineer working in the Process department of our Engineering & Construction business unit. I help to design oil and gas related processes according to client specifications and standards.

Original Link :

https://www.petrofac.com/en-gb/careers/career-journeys/samar-graduate-process-engineer/

I also study piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), perform calculations and process simulations using different softwares.

Why did you choose Petrofac? How did you end up in such an offbeat, unconventional and unique career?

I always wanted to work in the oil and gas industry, and Petrofac’s ambitious reputation appealed to me. I applied for the graduate programme through the career centre at my university.

What kind of projects do you work on?

One of the best things about Petrofac’s graduate programme is the variety of projects I get to work on. In the past year I have worked on line hydraulics, pump calculations, vessel sizing and heat exchanger design.

What skills do you need?

Analytical skills are very important when working in engineering, as it’s very important to question every process and study every design configuration. However, while working on projects and interacting with different disciplines, communication skills, organisation skills and the ability to link information are really important too.

What does your average day entail?

It’s quite hard to describe what an average day includes at Petrofac, as every day is so different! I would say that my day usually starts with a briefing on the task I have to perform. Activities vary depending on which stage the project or the proposal is in. Early stages of a project usually involve verifying design philosophies and addressing technical queries with the client. My daily tasks might include interacting with vendors, technically evaluating a vendor package and design review sessions.

What training and support have you been given?

The process department at the Sharjah office provides great training opportunities on softwares and different process engineering related topics. In the past year, I’ve attended training on flow assurance, ASPEN HYSYS, PRO MAX, equipment design and sizing, and heat exchangers.

Have you had any other opportunities for career development?

This year, I was sponsored by Petrofac to participate in the Young Leadership in Oil & Gas Conference organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Abu Dhabi. I was nominated by my colleague, who was part of the organisation committee, to give a presentation on leadership and positive team dynamics for young engineers in the oil and gas industry. The three day conference included a variety of panel discussions about reservoir studies, petroleum fiscal systems, soft skills and team work. We also heard personal testimonials from people in the industry.

What advice would you give to any new graduates who are looking to join the Company?

My advice to graduates would be to take on new responsibilities and challenges! Be determined and try to learn as much as possible every day, and seize every training opportunity. Always ask for more challenging work, ask questions, and make sure people notice that you are eager to learn. This is a big organisation with opportunities for everyone, so take advantage of it.