Being offshore means you not only experience nature firsthand — beautiful sunrises and the ever-elusive marine life, but also the intermittently challenging weather, which become a part of daily life.
Lokesh Sivagnanam, our next pathbreaker, works as Senior Subsea Installation Engineer at Ocean Installer AS (Norway), a company that specializes in subsea oil & gas and offshore wind, offering services like subsea systems, marine operations, and more.
Lokesh talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about transitioning from the field of mechanical engineering to subsea engineering which is working on offshore oil rigs in water depths from 50m (shallow) to 2100m (deep) — deeper than sunlight can reach.
For students, remember that life isn’t just about your career, but also about how your career shapes your life.
Lokesh, what were your initial years like?
I come from a simple background and I’m the first person in my family to graduate. I studied in a government school where we didn’t have many resources, but I really loved math and science. For me, education wasn’t just about studying — it was a way to change my family’s future and break out of poverty.
I chose mechanical engineering because a senior suggested it, even though I didn’t know much about it at first. I started as a rotating equipment engineer, and when the industry changed, I moved into subsea work. Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked hard to learn and grow in this challenging field.
Outside work, I like to start my day with exercise and meditation to keep my body and mind balanced. I enjoy spending time in nature, reading books, and especially being with my family — that’s what really recharges me.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, which gave me the foundation I needed for my career in subsea installation and offshore engineering.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Subsea Engineering?
Coming from a humble background, I wanted a good job to build a better future. I was good at math and science, so engineering felt like a natural choice. Honestly, I didn’t know which branch to pick and didn’t have anyone to guide me, so I just trusted a senior who told me mechanical engineering was a good option.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but I believed in a quote that says, ‘You just need to keep walking, and the way will appear.’ I started designing equipment, but then was moved to subsea installation because of industry changes — and that’s where my career really took off.
Even without much guidance, life and my belief in perseverance have guided me.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?
When I was in college, I failed in many campus interviews. Honestly, it felt discouraging — but I kept going. Then finally, I got selected by a company called Technip (which later became two companies — Technip Energies and TechnipFMC).
Technip works in EPCi projects :
- Engineering – Designing the system.
- Procurement – Buying all the parts we need.
- Construction – Building it.
- Installation – Putting it in place so it works perfectly.
We do this for oil and gas projects in three places:
- Onshore – Taking oil/gas from the ground on land.
- Offshore – Platforms you see in the sea.
- Subsea – Wells and equipment deep on the seabed.
My first role was Rotating Equipment Engineer. I started by working with rotating equipment — things like pumps and turbines for offshore platforms.
Think of it like installing a borewell at home:
- First, you find water underground.
- Then you need a pump, motor, pipelines, and fittings to bring the water to your tank.
Now, imagine this:
- Instead of water, it’s high-pressure, high-temperature oil or gas.
- Instead of your small home pump, we have massive industrial machines that must run non-stop for 25 years without breaking.
- And the “tank” is an offshore platform in the middle of the ocean.
Technip was the only company in India at that time doing subsea projects, and the team was small. When offshore work slowed down, I got a chance to join them.
At first, I was nervous — everyone else had ocean engineering, civil, or marine backgrounds. But once I understood the whole picture, I found it fascinating:
- Many oil wells are on the seabed, spread over large areas.
- All wells connect to a manifold (like a big junction box for oil).
- From the manifold, pipelines carry oil/gas to the platform or shore.
- The entire system is controlled from the surface using umbilicals — thick cables carrying power and signals.
We work in water depths from 50m (shallow) to 2100m (deep) — deeper than sunlight can reach.
We use:
- Huge construction vessels with cranes that can lift 500-ton structures.
- ROVs (underwater robots) to connect equipment where no human can go.
My Role in Subsea is to prepare and plan installation procedures for:
- Large subsea structures (think “underwater pumps and motors”).
- Flexible pipelines (flowlines).
- Umbilicals (power/control cables).
- Other critical systems.
After planning, I travel offshore to supervise the installation. Over the years, I’ve learned:
- How to build a subsea oil field from start to finish.
- How different teams work together.
- How to manage risks, lead people, and solve problems in challenging environments.
I never had a strict career plan — but I stayed adaptable, curious, and ready to learn. That’s what opened the door to this exciting field.
How did you get your first break?
My first big break was my first offshore trip to Angola. That’s when everything I’d learned on paper made sense in real life. It felt like solving a big, interesting puzzle. Every offshore trip after that has only made me more confident and passionate about what I do.
When you hear “subsea,” don’t assume it’s only for people with a marine engineering background. In reality, subsea oil and gas needs almost every branch of engineering. Think of it like drilling a borewell for groundwater—you need someone to study the soil (geotechnical), machinery to drill (mechanical and rig specialists), pumps and motors (mechanical), sensors and instruments (electrical and instrumentation). The same applies in subsea, just on a much bigger and underwater scale. Mechanical engineers handle equipment and pipelines, civil engineers work on subsea structures, electrical and instrumentation engineers manage control systems, and marine or ocean engineers focus on vessels and installation. If you have a base in mechanical or civil and then specialise in subsea design, offshore structures, or marine technology, your chances of joining this exciting field grow significantly.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
One big challenge was communication. Early on, I had trouble explaining my ideas clearly—not just because of language, but also how to make complex things simple. I watched how others communicated, learned what points to focus on, and practiced explaining things differently depending on who I was talking to. Over time, I got much better, and that really helped me lead teams and work with lots of people offshore.
Where do you work now?
I work at Ocean Installer AS in Norway as a Senior Subsea Installation Engineer. Ocean Installer AS is Norwegian subsea and offshore wind contractor with its headquarters in Stavanger, Norway. The company specializes in subsea oil and gas and offshore wind, offering services like subsea systems, marine operations, and more.
While companies like TechnipFMC, Subsea 7, McDermott, and Saipem are big players in subsea EPCI projects, Ocean Installer is a smaller company based in Norway. Most of our work happens in Norwegian waters, but we also take on projects around the world.
I do the same type of work I did at TechnipFMC, but because our team is smaller, I get much more exposure to different parts of each project. I gain hands-on experience across all stages — from planning to offshore execution. My responsibilities include preparing installation procedures, planning operations, arranging equipment, and ensuring everything is ready for offshore work. I attend tests, collaborate with subcontractors and other departments, and perform risk assessments to make sure operations are safe.
I also go offshore to supervise work on vessels and platforms. I serve as the main point of contact for many teams, including ROV operators, crane operators, clients, and surveyors.
Being offshore means you experience nature firsthand — beautiful sunrises, marine life, and sometimes challenging weather are all part of daily life.
Every project I complete feels like a significant achievement, knowing that my work helps keep offshore operations safe and successful.
How does your work benefit society?
What I do helps make sure offshore energy systems are installed safely and work well. This supports the energy people use every day — in homes, industries, and transport. I also focus on safety and protecting the environment, so our work doesn’t harm marine life. Plus, I mentor younger engineers to help build a strong, responsible future for the industry.
Tell us about a memorable work experience.
Every offshore trip is special to me, whether I’m a project engineer or a supervisor. Offshore is where all the planning and theory come alive. When things get busy and the clock is ticking, your mind works faster, and teamwork really matters. Those moments show how important preparation and collaboration are.
Your advice to students?
My advice is to build a strong technical foundation and common sense — both help solve real problems. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything figured out. Be ready to learn and adapt. The path isn’t always straight, but if you keep going, you’ll find your way.
Life is about experience, so don’t be shy — if you get a chance, be bold and try it. Everyone is unique, so listen to your inner voice and stay present. Whether you face success or failure, focus on how you handle what’s next.
Remember, life isn’t just about your career, but also about how your career shapes your life. Use what you learn to grow personally and professionally, and take care of your mind and body too.
Future plans?
I plan to keep embracing life’s experiences and moving forward. Like I said before, the way appears when you keep taking steps.