J-Block Operations Engineer
Learn more about me and why I joined ConocoPhillips:
I initially applied for a summer placement with ConocoPhillips. The interview consisted of a 45-minute technical and a 30-minute personnel interview. The structure of the placement was explained to me and it really appealed that ConocoPhillips would put me through my offshore survival training certificate, would guarantee me an offshore visit, and also arrange my accommodation in a serviced apartment for the duration of the placement. I completed my 11-week placement working as a subsea process engineer on the Britannia satellites project – one of the largest developments of its kind in the North Sea. I found the work enjoyable and everyone was relaxed and friendly. I also found the social side of things very good, and was impressed with the graduate programme. When I was offered a graduate placement I accepted without hesitation.
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I currently work as an operations engineer in J-Block, which is a Central North Sea development. My role is to provide general support to offshore operations in all areas including business, health, safety and environmental performance. I have a lot of responsibility and it is a steep learning curve, but the work is varied and challenging involving going offshore to supervise larger operations-related projects. The work fits with my degree in chemical engineering and also gives me a wider exposure to the more practical aspects of engineering. I also get to work in cross-discipline teams.
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I have had plenty of useful training for my role within the company, which is helping with my professional development. The graduate training programme was a good chance to network with recent graduates from other areas of the business and to improve business skills. For exploration and production engineers there is a two week academy in Houston, which is a generic course for all engineering disciplines aimed at building a strong foundation of all aspects of upstream engineering. There is also the Campbell's gas processing course which is the main course to go on to learn more about gas processing. In the Aberdeen office there is an excellent restaurant and gym facility available to all employees and contractors. The social committee is also good and there is a chance to participate in a variety of different sports from touch rugby to water skiing.
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I will be in my current role until the end of this year, which will take me up to over two years of service with the company. I would like to do a GRAD (global recruiting and development) placement abroad but feel I would benefit from another placement in the U.K. first. I will sit down with my mentor and skills manager soon to discuss my next move.
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