Graduate profiles

Interviewer: Tell us about your journey through Petrofac

Bachir: I began my career with Petrofac as a static engineer on the Hasdrubal project, and was fortunate enough to be allocated on this project from its early days. I stayed on Hasdrubal for about a year or so, where I gained a lot of technical knowledge about the static equipment.

Post Hasdrubal, I worked on the El Merk proposal as an assistant lead engineer for static equipment, which is where I had my first exposure to the art of people management. After El Merk, I was chosen to go on a six weeks training course in Abu Dhabi, sponsored by GE Oil and Gas University. The training mainly comprised of rotating equipment, oil and gas processes, and leadership.

While I was on this training, I was nominated by Petrofac's Organisation Development department to join the newly formed LNG Business Unit as a project engineer. It was a challenging task, but the rewards were substantial as this move allowed me to get the exposure into the world of senior management, and allowed me to see how decisions are made at the project/Company level.

Most recently I have been brought on to the NGL4 project as a project engineer in charge of the delivery of the plant control system, despite my mechanical background, project management trusted me to deliver this instrument based package, and so far things are going very well.

Interviewer: What are the most interesting aspects of your job?

Bachir: The thing I enjoy the most in my job is people management, it's a very tricky skill which is essential to the success of a project.

Interviewer: What enticed you to join Petrofac?

Bachir: Petrofac was my preferred choice after graduation because of the feedback I received from friends who had already joined a year or two earlier, plus the growth that Petrofac had witnessed at the time was an indication that I would be part of a growing Company with which I can grow myself.

Interviewer: What's the best thing about working at Petrofac?

Bachir: To date the best thing about working at Petrofac has been the challenges I've been exposed to, and being under the supervision of managers who are not afraid to trust me.

Interviewer: Tell us about the graduate programme. How has it benefited you? 

Bachir: The most important aspect of the graduate programme is the support that is provided by the Organisation Development department. They ensure that all the graduates are exposed to training and development, and more importantly, identifying and offering new and challenging roles.

Through the graduate programme I was able to benefit from a lot of the training and seminars that were offered by outside professionals. It was also through the graduate programme that I was able to shift from one role to another, each more challenging than the previous, and always working under the supervision of very competent managers, who have dedicated time to my development and growth.

Interviewer: What are the key things you feel you have learned/areas you have developed to date?

Bachir: Through working at Petrofac I have increased my skills in: public speaking, presentations, and people management. And most importantly, I'm now more knowledgeable of how EPC projects are run.

Interviewer: How do you see and hope for your career to progress, will it be within Petrofac?

Bachir: So far I don't see a career outside of Petrofac, I'm able to meet my expectations, and challenge myself on a continuous basis within this company. I have a very clear vision of my career in the projects at Petrofac, and with a bit of support, I have no doubt I'll reach my long term goals.

Interviewer: Why did you choose to work with Petrofac?

Manish: As one of the companies listed in our university's campus placement programme I had the opportunity to do my six month internship with Petrofac as part of my university's curriculum. During my internship I realised the Company's growth potential and was amazed at its progress. It was evident that for a Company to grow they needed young and bright people, and that I could stand a fair chance to live my dreams, if selected.

Interviewer: What's the best thing about working at Petrofac?

Manish: The best thing about working here is its diversity. It is a constructive blend of more than 80 nationalities. The multicultural approach towards work is not only exciting but sometimes proves challenging.

Interviewer: Tell us about your journey through the organisation, your previous roles and new opportunities

Manish: I started my career in 2004 in the Electrical Department as a Graduate Engineer. I was fortunate enough to be allocated to the Kashagan Tranche 1 and 2 projects. During this phase, I learnt a lot, travelled to various vendors' works, and had the opportunity to work with a group of talented individuals.

In 2007 we were awarded the Kashagan Tranche 3 project. Since most of the team had been de-mobilised from the previous Tranche 1 and 2 projects, I persuaded my Department Head of Development to give me a chance to lead the Tranche 3 Electrical team. Albeit my technical experience with the previous project was rich, I was a novice when it came to leading a team. I took the challenge and went on to complete the project within schedule and budget.

In November 2009, I learnt from the Organisational Development function that Mr. Sarma, Managing Director of Engineering Construction (E&C) was looking for someone to assist him. With a few interviews and written tests, I managed to secure the opportunity. I knew this could be a stepping stone; the depth of knowledge, chance to meet senior executives, observing their decision making, all meant there was a lot to learn.

Today I still work with Mr Sarma and feel proud to be a part of his team. It is my endeavour to continue my learning and to apply the skill sets that I have into real time situations.

Interviewer: What are the most interesting aspects of your job?

Manish: Interaction with people from different nationalities and different levels within the organisation.

Interviewer: What personal work achievement are you most proud of?

Manish: My proudest moment within Petrofac was when I delivered a presentation to the Consul General of India (Mr Sanjay Verma) who visited our offices. The presentation centred on our business relationship with India.

Interviewer: Have you had any involvement in any of Petrofac's community involvement or sports and social groups?

I am a part of the Petro Events team, which organises major company events. I have also led the electrical cricket team to two consecutive championships.

Interviewer: What are your interests outside work?

Manish: I enjoy fitness, outdoor sports, music, dramatics, and dance.

Interviewer: What support/training and development have you received to help you achieve your development ambitions?

Manish: I have received mentoring from senior staff including the head of departments, training and development in Project Management, Leadership skills, and I am also now a certified PMP (Project Management Professional).

Interviewer: What are the key areas you feel you have developed to date?

Manish: I believe I have developed my interpersonal skills, leadership skills, conflict management, problem solving and overall temperament.

Interviewer: What next? What are your career plans? Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?

Manish: I see myself in a Project Management role, as a Project Director leading a project - that would be a challenging role!

Interviewer: How do you see and hope for your career to progress, will it be within Petrofac?

Manish: Hopefully yes, I am passionate about Petrofac and would like to grow with it!

What is your degree in?

I did a four-year undergraduate in Business Studies and then a one-year MSc in Human Resource Management.  

What is your role at Petrofac?

I am a Graduate HR Advisor, almost mid-way through the Graduate Programme.  I am currently in Offshore Projects as part of my job rotation, having already been in Operations and Central HR. Following this I will then move on to Recruitment, Organisational Development and then Compensation and Benefits.   

Why did you choose Petrofac?

I was attracted to the structure of the graduate programme and the amount of experience that was being offered across all of the different HR departments. Petrofac is also very competitive in terms of its benefits and salary packages and having moved up to Aberdeen from Glasgow, the fact that they assisted with my relocation costs was also very beneficial.

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects?

Working in Offshore Projects has meant that I now have the opportunity to actually go offshore and be involved in common HR activities such as consultations, an opportunity which I would not have had if I have been working for a company in any other industry. 

What did you do today?

I have a number of projects that I am involved in at the moment including the review of our induction processes, looking at integrating an electronic survey into our Exit Management procedure and the review and implementation of a new holiday calculation for part-time staff, so there is no shortage of variety in my day-to-day work.

What support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

There is a great infrastructure of support offered through the graduate programme. You have a ‘buddy’ who is effectively there to show you the ropes and offer advice. Then there is your mentor who will guide you through the entirety of the programme, advising you on your objectives as well as listening to what you want to gain from your experience and putting the wheels in motion. Your line manager is there to monitor your progress and add structure to your work and finally, there are your colleagues whose advice, experience and comradery are invaluable. 

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

In terms of training, Petrofac has put me through my BOSIET and MIST (offshore training) as well as a Project Management course. However, there are also many in-house training opportunities such as courses on Minute Taking, Advanced Excel and Interviewing Skills. As a graduate, you will also be a part of the Future.Net course which allows you to learn about different parts of the business as well as about yourself, for example, through the Behavioral Awareness module. Either way, Petrofac is very receptive to requests for training so if there is anything you feel you would like to take part in, all you have to do is ask. 

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

There are many travel opportunities not just for the engineers, but also for the business disciplines such as HR. We recently visited a construction site in Tyneside, Newcastle to see a jacket being built and I hope to also get a trip offshore in the coming months following the completion of my offshore training. With Petrofac being a multi-national Company, there are plenty of opportunities to travel, including to its offices in London, Sharjah and Kuala Lumpur.  

Interviewer: Why did you choose Petrofac's graduate scheme?

Lisa: The fact that it is an international company, with diverse cultures and a clear vision and values made my decision easy. I first learnt about Petrofac through a flyer that was posted in my faculty just before graduation. I then went online and checked the website and related articles, and the more I read, the more convinced I was that this was where I wanted to be.

During my interview I was briefed on the graduate scheme and got a feel of how excited and committed the Company is to have this programme. I was eager to learn, and Petrofac was offering, through its graduate scheme, a rich learning experience which included different training courses and workshops, as well as an opportunity of inter disciplinary rotation, which meant you could experience different areas/disciplines.

Interviewer: What has the graduate programme involved?

Lisa: The graduate programme included different training courses and workshops as well as an opportunity of inter disciplinary rotation. Where you would undergo training, some technical aimed at providing you with the knowledge you require when working with hydrocarbons or introducing you to the major disciplines and processes within Petrofac, while other sessions are aimed at sharpening your personal working skills.

Interviewer: What's the best thing about working here?

Lisa: The best thing is being part of the huge growth and success year after year, while having flexibility to work in different sections of the Company. Petrofac's work environment is also important to me; where the health, safety and security of the people are of paramount importance to the Company.

Interviewer: What does your role involve?

Lisa: I am a planning Engineer in the Project Controls team. Concentrated on procurement within specific projects my role involves tracking project orders, specifying delivery requirement, monitoring actual delivery of equipment and bulk to our jobsite, going over vendors manufacturing schedules and weekly measuring of the procurement progress achieved. Reports are also a big part of my job, we issue weekly and monthly reports, and prepare customer presentations.

In summary, I have to make sure we follow the work plan/job schedule, highlight any deviation and come up with a recovery plan to ensure we achieve project targets.

Interviewer: Tell us about your journey through Petrofac - previous roles and new opportunities

Lisa: I joined the business as a procurement engineer where I worked on different proposals and jobs, gaining knowledge on bidding and purchase processes and procedures. There are always new opportunities within the Company, and after two years, I decided I would love to move into Project controls, and with the right opportunity I secured a role with the Planning team.

Interviewer: What is the most exciting project/activity that you have been involved in to date?

Lisa: The most exciting job I have worked on would be JI-190 EBLA, where I was part of the Procurement team, working under one of our senior buyers. We completed all ordering for the job in record time. I then moved on to work on the same project as a planning Engineer during which I had the opportunity to visit and stay at EBLA site.

Interviewer: What support/training and development have you received to help you achieve your development ambitions?

Lisa: I have participated in many training sessions and workshops, some technical aimed at providing you with the knowledge you require when working with hydrocarbons or introducing you to the major disciplines and processes within Petrofac. While other sessions where aimed at sharpening your personal working skills, such as effective communication, the art of negotiation, collaboration and influencing, leadership and decision making.

Health and safety awareness sessions are also regularly conducted. The training provided has definitely helped me achieve my development ambitions.

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

Lisa: I would definitely encourage them to join the Petrofac Graduates Scheme and be part of this successful, dedicated programme. Every year I see the number of recruited graduates increase and every year more effort and money is put into the programme, with more intensive training and opportunities presented to the graduates.

Interviewer: How do you see and hope for your career to progress - will it be within Petrofac?

Lisa: I am proud to be part of Petrofac and I would love for my career to progress within the organisation and be part of the project management team.

What is your degree in? 

Mechanical Engineering

What is your role at Petrofac? 

Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Why did you choose Petrofac? 

I chose to study engineering because I’ve always been interested in understanding how things worked in the world around me and because I think that engineering can improve life quality by designing new solutions in all fields of industry. I’ve always been fascinated by the different disciplines in the oil and gas industry. I like the idea of learning different things and gaining a broad experience without moving through different companies. I chose Petrofac because it is continuously growing and gives lots of opportunities to graduate engineers. The graduate programme was the added value for my choice.

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects? 

Initially I worked with the management in KW Ltd, improving and fixing their management system and creating new spreadsheets to help the Operations Manager’s work. I also worked on the fatigue analysis based on the DNV code extending KW’s in-house software to consider a wider range of current and wave states.

I also worked on a project for a gas pipeline in the North Sea. For this, I worked on the routing of the pipeline to avoid pockmarks and boulders that would affect the pipeline integrity. 

I’m currently working on a training plant that will be built in Malaysia. This is a great opportunity for me to see how a project progresses from the beginning to commissioning in the space of a few months.

What did you do today? 

I’ve been preparing datasheets and material requisitions for more experienced engineers. I’ve also contacted a few suppliers around the world and this has been a very interesting part of the project.

What training opportunities are there throughout the graduate programme? 

Working as a graduate is a great experience, there is the possibility to learn something new and to gain experience from each new job. I’ve recently been to training on Centrifugal Pumps organised by EIC and I’m going to another one in January. The graduate programme within the mechanical group gives me the possibility to join different types of training courses.

Are there any travel opportunities? 

The project I’m working on is based in Malaysia, but within the graduate programme there is the possibility of on-site experience so I’m sure I will get that chance soon.

How do you see and hope for your career to progress - will it be within Petrofac? 

The graduate programme and the Company profile mean a graduate has fantastic opportunities to grow and to gain great experience. 

What is your degree in?

MSci Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

What is your role at Petrofac?

Graduate Process Engineer in Offshore Projects

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects?

I am currently working on Project Ikhwezi on the PetroSA contract. This project is a subsea tieback to an existing platform. I am working as part of the process team to ensure that the new process fluid can be processed safely through the existing topsides facility. 

What did you do today?

Today I evaluated several possible locations to tie in the new reception facilities to the existing flare system. This involved reading several industry standards about flare design and acceptable limits, looking through existing Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and isometrics and using Aspen Flare System Analyser. When the evaluation is complete I will prepare a technical note recommending the best option.

What support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

You have the support of your line manager, a mentor and a buddy. Everyone is really friendly and supportive and if you are enthusiastic and interested then people are happy to help you any way they can. The other graduates also make a good support network as they are in the same situation as you.

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

There is a technical training matrix for every discipline as well as lots of soft skills training throughout the graduate programme.  You are also working in a multi discipline team with lots of experienced engineers that you can learn from and getting the opportunity to do the work for real is the best way to learn.

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

It really depends on the project you are on. I have been lucky and have been to Cape Town for a meeting on my current project. 

What is your degree in?

MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience

What is your role at Petrofac?

I’ve just moved into the technical safety group for a six-month placement and will be assisting the team to ensure the platforms and procedures are designed and operated safely, according to Petrofac and HSE requirements. Before this I was working in the operations development team as a Graduate Process Engineer providing technical support to Petrofac’s Duty Holder assets in the North Sea. This was a great opportunity to assist with daily challenges faced by the platforms, develop and assess platform modifications and operating philosophies, and understand the platform topsides and offshore industry.

Why did you choose Petrofac?

I wanted to work for a driven company that continuously provides a challenge and Petrofac offers this. The Company has a fantastic graduate programme with a lot of focus on training and development. One of my aims is to become chartered and the graduate programme is structured to provide support and mentoring to achieve this – plus it’s accredited by IChemE and The Energy Institute.

What did you do today?

I am working on an upgrade project for PetroSA’s subsea tie-back platform in South Africa. I have been carrying out a Hazardous Area Classification assessment to identify all areas of the platform that may experience a flammable atmosphere. It is a first step to eliminate or reduce ignition sources and flammable zones. This is especially important when dealing with the construction and use of electrical apparatus.

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

Each graduate is provided with a tailor-made training matrix that details courses to be carried out in the first years of development. On top of this, additional training can be completed out with the training matrix. As part of the graduate programme, we have been introduced to the main departments within Offshore Projects & Operations and this has given us a great insight into the work carried out and how each of the disciplines effectively work together. 

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

In the short time I’ve worked at the Company, I have been offshore to a North Sea platform and travelled to a construction yard in Newcastle with the other graduates to look at the Forties satellite platform (topsides, jacket, and bridge) being constructed. I will also travel to Shetland to scribe for a construction HAZID.  

Interviewer: What's your role at Petrofac?

William: I am an environmental advisor/engineer and I work on a range of projects on a day to day basis across Petrofac Offshore Projects and Operations

Interviewer: Why did you choose Petrofac?

William: For the international travel opportunities and the chance to move into other disciplines.

Interviewer: What kind of thing did you do today?

William: Procedural reviews

Interviewer: What's the social life like?

William: Good dinner dance! Especially the entertainment and it was great to get a table with all the other graduates!

Interviewer: Tell us something you’ve learned since you arrived at Petrofac?

William: Petrofac is full of opportunities you just have to wait for the right one for you to come along!

Interviewer: What kind of support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

William: Mentoring is a very good support mechanism, so if you’re not sure of something then your mentor can always put you straight!

Interviewer: What additional learning or training opportunities are there?

William: I’ve been on quite a few training courses – latest one was the oil spill responder training course which is accredited by the UK government so it was pretty cool!

Interviewer: What are the perks like?

William: Flexi days are great, especially for me with friends and family being down south it allows me to spend longer down there when I go!

Interviewer: Give us an overview of one of your current projects?

William: I have a number of projects on the go including being responsible for updating our procedures in the new business management system (BMS). I’m hoping that soon I will be placed in an environmental engineering project and will also get involved in some other projects in oil and gas after this.

Interviewer: Are there are any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

William: I’ve mainly been either down south for courses or offshore.

Interviewer: What’s your role at Petrofac?

Stuart: I’m a mechanical engineer within the mechanical services team. We offer technical and engineering support for rotating equipment. Our services include equipment overhaul and repairs planning/management, maintenance management, healthcare and condition monitoring.

Interviewer: Why did you choose Petrofac?

Stuart: Petrofac offers a broad range of experiences within your early years and provides excellent opportunities for development throughout your career. My aim after graduating was to continue challenging myself and gain my chartership and Petrofac offered a brilliant support system for achieving this through an accredited mentoring scheme.

Interviewer: What kind of thing did you do today?

Stuart: Today I have been chasing up suppliers for technical data and producing datasheets for pumps we are offering.

Interviewer: What’s the social life like?

Stuart: The social aspect of working at Petrofac has been brilliant. Since day one huge efforts have been made to welcome the graduates into the company by organising after work drinks. The annual dinner dance this year was an incredible event and showed how much Petrofac values its employees by spending huge amounts of time, money and effort on organising it.

Interviewer: Tell us something you’ve learned since you arrived at Petrofac?

Stuart: I’ve learned that opportunities are always available but you have to maintain a very pro-active attitude to work if you want to capitalise on them. Petrofac always has an ‘open door’ policy and will support you 100% if you wish to pursue something to better your career.

Interviewer: What kind of support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

Stuart: The support system consists of your line manager, a dedicated mentor to guide you through professional development and a buddy who is always there for those queries you may want to discuss with someone on your own level.

Interviewer: What are the perks like?

Stuart: The holiday entitlement is very generous and increases in line with time served. The flexi-day incentive is a great encouragement for employees and gives you an opportunity to attend to other things in your life like scheduling medical appointments etc.

Interviewer: Give us an overview of one of your current projects?

Stuart: We have been tendering to supply a motor-pump skid mounted system for a supply depot. The scope requires us to supply a motor and pump package assembled onto a single skid with skid mounted loading arms to offload the products. This required us to review the process data submitted by the customer and then select and source the components based on the specifications. The technical information for all packages was collated and submitted in our technical proposal.

Interviewer: Are there are any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

Stuart: There are ample opportunities to get offshore and since Petrofac is a multi-national company there are opportunities to work overseas. I have been fortunate enough to work in Dubai as well as an offshore trip to the North Sea.

Interviewer: Is it all that you thought it would be?

Stuart: Coming in as a graduate I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of the type of work that would come my way. And even now, you have to be pretty flexible within your role to take on various types of work. Let’s just say I didn’t expect to be working overseas within my first few months so it has definitely exceeded any expectations I did have!

What is your degree in?

I studied an MSc in Process Systems Engineering (Option of Energy Systems and Thermal Processes) at Cranfield University.

What is your role at Petrofac?

I am currently working as a Cost Estimator.

Why did you choose Petrofac?

I was awarded a scholarship by Petrofac in 2010 to pursue my Master’s degree. During my course I received excellent support from the Company which made me appreciate the value Petrofac places on training and supporting young engineers. What caught my eye about Petrofac was the meteoric rise of the Company in a very short period to become one of the world’s leading oil and gas service companies. The diverse nature of the workforce and vision to keep expanding made me realise it is an excellent employer for a young engineer willing to learn and progress.

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects?

Estimating the cost of a Central Processing Facility (CPF) for CNOOC in Uganda. It is a conceptual study where most of the engineering work has not been properly defined meaning all the major cost drivers for the project (bulk equipment installation, fabrication, construction etc) are factored from a mechanical/process equipment list.

What did you do today?

I reviewed design changes to process/mechanical equipment on the Floating Production Facility Ithaca FPF1 and the overall impact these changes have on the cost of the project.

What support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

On joining Petrofac I was assigned a mentor who quickly brought me to speed on the demands and expectations of my role. My manager designed a training matrix for me to assess my technical, business and professional development. My line manager and senior colleagues are all extremely helpful and willing to assist me. There are also a sizable number of graduates in different disciplines at the Woking office and my interaction with them enhances my working experience. 

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

My role requires me to have frequent interaction with engineers in other disciplines; I find them all very helpful and willing to support me at every stage. I also get to join a professional body paid for by the Company as well as further support to gain professional accreditation. I have received training on a number of recognised industry tools like Questor and Oil and Gas Manager.

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

This is dependent on what project I am working on. For instance, I have been to Aberdeen and to Hartlepool to see the FPF1 semi-sub. I know other graduates who have been to the Middle East, Singapore and Malaysia on project assignments.

How do you see and hope for your career to progress - will it be within Petrofac?

I really enjoy working for Petrofac and plan to progress within the Company to a principal level and hopefully be part of a project management team.  

What is your degree in?

MEng in Electrical and Energy Engineering

What is your role at Petrofac?

I’m a Graduate Electrical Engineer based in Offshore Projects on the Maersk contract. We handle projects for three assets; GP3, Gryphon and Janice. These range from redrawing single line diagrams and load schedules to specifying, ordering and detailing modifications to equipment which will be used onboard.

Why did you choose Petrofac?

The development programme was very important to me. I was on a graduate scheme at another company before I joined Petrofac, which consisted of a five page document. Petrofac offered a lot more than that.

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects?

One of Maersk’s assets requires a new laboratory to be installed. It was ordered prior to Petrofac’s involvement so we’ve had to carry out modifications to parts of it. 

What did you do today?

I’ve been filling in cable calculations to see if existing cables are fit to carry an increased load.

What support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

Petrofac offers a lot of support to graduates throughout the programme. Graduates are assigned a mentor who offers guidance in terms of professional development, for example, meeting your objectives. Graduates also have a line manager and ‘buddy’ that they can approach for day-to-day support. 

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

The graduate programme has a personalised training matrix for each graduate. If you’re in an engineering role you’ll do your MIST, BOSIET and offshore medical as well. So far I’ve done the offshore survival, IEE Wiring regs course and three day CompEx for hazardous areas.

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

I’ve been mainly based in Aberdeen, but know others who have been to Shetland, Tunisia and South Africa. I’ve been offshore but the North Sea in March isn’t quite as scenic! 

Interviewer: Why did you choose Petrofac / Petrofac's graduate scheme?

Mehreen: I applied to Petrofac because as a world leading engineering company I believed I would get unrivalled opportunities for development and gaining world class experience in the oil and gas industry. Having spent a significant part of my life overseas, Petrofac's global presence was also very attractive to me.

Interviewer: What's the best thing about working at Petrofac?

As a graduate process engineer, I find the best aspect of working at Petrofac is being able to work with engineers who have amassed vast experience in the oil and gas industry, and are willing to share their knowledge.

Interviewer: What previous roles and new opportunities have you had with the Company?

Mehreen: I joined Petrofac as a graduate process engineer and am currently working with a team on the concept development phase of the Mansuriya project, where I contribute mainly to the design of the Process Flow and Utility Flow Diagrams.

Since starting work at Petrofac I have been able to observe firsthand the teamwork that is involved in arriving at complex engineering designs and solutions within a multidisciplinary environment. I find it highly worthwhile being able to collaborate with engineers of varying disciplines to the successful implementation of projects.

Interviewer: What are the most interesting aspects of your job?

Mehreen: I have found that working as a process engineer entails a variety of tasks and activities to be completed for a project, and there are numerous points of interest in this variety of work. The most interesting aspect of the current Mansuriya project I am working on is the selection of suitable technologies for different processes, for example weighing up the pros and cons of using a number of different technologies for gas dehydration.

Interviewer: Outside of Petrofac - what are your interests out with work?

Mehreen: I very much enjoy diving, and try to do this whenever I can. I learned scuba diving whilst living in Qatar, and am qualified as a BSAC scuba diver. Due to my father's work overseas in the oil and gas industry, I have lived in Thailand, Malaysia and most recently in Qatar. As I have spent a significant part of my life overseas I very much enjoy travelling.

Interviewer: What support/training and development have you received to help you achieve your development ambitions? (mentoring/support)

Mehreen: At Petrofac there is a highly useful mentoring system in place where I have the opportunity to speak regularly to a senior process engineer and receive invaluable advice and guidance. I have also been able to attend a knowledge session given by the Gas Processors Association into Compact Heat Exchangers and LNG Compressors, which was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the Oil and Gas industry as well as to meet process engineers from all over the world. 

Interviewer: What are your career plans?

Mehreen: My long term goal is to become a charted engineer in around 5 years. I very much want a challenging and exciting career where I can develop my full potential, and I see myself in roles requiring the highest levels of technical competence. The main driving force behind my career aspirations is a will to succeed and to be in a position where I can make a difference with my contribution.

Interviewer: How do you see and hope for your career to progress - will it be within Petrofac?

Mehreen: Working for Petrofac routinely presents me with difficult and challenging opportunities and I feel that I am in the right environment to extend myself in a professional capacity. I believe working for Petrofac will enable me to develop my full potential with the goal of achieving rapid career progression. After all, you get little recognition and little career progression by routinely carrying out easy tasks.

What is your degree in?

I studied a three-year undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering followed by a one-year MSc in Process Safety and Loss Prevention.

What is your role at Petrofac?

I am a Graduate Process Safety Engineer. My role involves identifying hazards, evaluating risks and making recommendations on how to manage the risks that may arise onsite due to the operations and facilities involved. As part of a team, I am responsible for carrying out safety studies and assessments on both onshore and offshore projects at concept, Front End Engineering Design (FEED) or detailed engineering stages. 

Why did you choose Petrofac?

Petrofac is a FTSE 100 Company which has soared through the FTSE Index at a fast rate. I found out that the graduate programme was accredited by IChemE and The Energy Institute. So I thought it would be a great privilege to be affiliated with such a Company.

Can you give us an overview of one of your current projects?

I am currently working on the Nawara Development Project which is an onshore gas field located in the desert area of Tunisia. This project is now in Phase 3 of FEED and will soon be going into detailed design phase. My team and I are currently preparing fire fighting procedures and Equipment Specifications, as well as carrying out a Hazardous Area Classification assessment to identify all areas that may experience a flammable atmosphere due to the storage of methanol and diesel. It is a first step to eliminate or reduce ignition sources and flammable zones.

What did you do today?

I have been exercising my multi-tasking skills today! I prepared a Hazardous Area Schedule, which is normally done for areas where hydrocarbons are likely to be found and where electrical equipment would be imminent. I have also prepared and issued a close out report on a Safety, Health and Environment Action Monitoring System (SHEAMS) that I have been managing for the last four months. The SHEAMS records all recommendations raised in safety reviews during a particular phase of the plant design. It is also used to provide details on how the recommendations have been addressed and implemented into the design.

What support do you get throughout the graduate programme?

Petrofac has an effective support system for graduates primarily consisting of your line manager and a dedicated mentor. My line manager and I meet regularly to discuss my performance, future aspirations within the Company and also what is expected of me as a developing Process Safety Engineer. On the other hand, my mentor is there to guide me in my career development and to make sure there is nothing outside work that is disturbing my performance. In addition, my colleagues, who have many years of experience in the oil & gas industry, are also very supportive with technical queries.

What additional learning/training opportunities are there?

There are opportunities to attend risk and safety courses by independent institutions such as IChemE. Also, I was recently registered for a webinar on Optimising Personal Performance and I found the material to be very useful to a developing professional engineer like me.

Are there any travel opportunities? If so, where to?

Petrofac is a multi-national Company and opportunities to work overseas are available to lots of people, including graduates. In the coming year, I am set to take on a temporary assignment at an offshore site, as soon as the opportunity arises. This experience will definitely broaden my view, knowledge and experience in platform operations.

How do you see and hope for your career to progress - will it be within Petrofac?

Petrofac offers a flexible graduate scheme that allows graduates to spend at least three to six months in other disciplines in order to attain integrated skills and gain opportunities to reshape their current job role.In the future, I plan to take on new assignments in process safety in order to expand my skills-set and develop my leadership capabilities, thus enhancing my personal marketability. I can find all these opportunities in Petrofac.