George Nnamdi Iwenjora is a versatile petroleum engineer with 17 years of professional experience who has played leading and critical roles in major oil and gas projects both locally and internationally. He is an engineering manager with an international oil service company. In this interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he says that there is a growing widespread shift from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy. However, this transition can only be very slow and may never be actualised. Excerpts:
The Coronavirus pandemic has left in its wake a lot of disruptions in all areas of human endeavour, including the oil and gas sector; what major disruptions has your industry witnessed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and how positively or negatively has it affected occupational health, safety and environmental operating procedures in your industry?
The Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent restrictions, flight bans, and lockdown globally have kept the already low oil price down. This causes a reduction in oil production refining capacities. Also, a downward trend is noticeable in project plans/forecasts in the oil industry. So, the loss of jobs in the oil sector is one major issue as contracts are canceled or suspended. On the safety and operational procedures during Covid-19, there are increased awareness of the need for caution, wearing additional personal protective equipment like face mask, hand rubber gloves, etc. has become mandatory. The proper disposal procedure of these used items is also being enforced to avoid environmental pollution with plastics and non-biodegradable items.
There seem to be a shift globally from fossil fuels (hydrocarbon) to renewable or clean energy, which will no doubt cause some disruptions in the energy sector, in your opinion, how is the energy sector and major oil and gas producing nations responding to or preparing for this shift?
Yes, there is a growing widespread shift from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy. However, this transition can only be very slow and may never be complete. Oil-producing nations are investing in renewables such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric. For example, UAE is building the world’s largest solar power plant in Abu Dhabi to increase the city’s capacity to 3.2gigawat by 2022. Incidentally, China and the USA, who are oil producers, are doing well on clean energy, while a few other oil-producing and developing economies still need to initiate renewable energy projects.
Let us get to your profession now. As a Petroleum Engineer, with specialisation in well drilling, construction, cementing and coil tubing intervention services, what does your work entail?
My job has been on a transition over the years. I initially started with the drilling, construction, and cementing of oil wells where I design step-by-step procedures or activities on how equipment, cement, fluids, and other materials are used to safely deliver exploratory or producing wells to the operating company. Presently, I have been involved in servicing those wells by cleaning the completion tubular or stimulating the reservoir using specialised acid, fluids, and coiled tubing (CT) to achieve improved oil production from the well. It entails discussing the problem in detail with the client, performing some lab tests, designing programmes for CT applications depending on the unique situation, and then physically implementing the project as planned.
What is the most challenging project you have delivered? How did you feel after delivering such a project?
A Coiled Tubing acid stimulation project about 2 years ago, was my most challenging task as the lead engineer, the requirement was to inject the CT 16000 feet into the well and stimulate the reservoir with about 6,500barrels of fluids. The main problem was getting the CT to the required depth. This was achieved after several attempts to reduce surface contact friction in the well by pumping acid. Another challenge on the same project was transporting and managing the highly corrosive fluids from preparation tanks to the pumps and finally into the reservoir without any spills or environmental damage. The project lasted for about eight days non-stop. The real relief came when the client gave positive feedback for a successful project.
What would you remember as the biggest challenge you have ever faced in your career? How did you resolve them? Have you ever thought of quitting? Any incident that made you want to quit?
The greatest challenge I have encountered was in the first year in my career. I was a field engineer in Azerbaijan. In the cold winter season, the well-cementing project was done at sub-zero temperatures. Once the job starts, the freezing weather is endured until the end of the job. The several sleepless days and nights on the drilling rigs was also a turn-off. Yes, I thought of quitting but after a word of advice from my manager, I accepted the stress as part of my training and experience as nothing good comes easy. It was a worthy decision.
You have worked in the oil and gas industry both in Nigeria and abroad for about 17 years now. What has your experience been and what would you term your greatest achievement so far?
Looking back, my greatest career achievement has been the joy of being able to contribute my time and effort in some way, towards the provision of revenue and energy in the different nations where I have worked.
You have worked on different projects with different teams in Asia and Nigeria. How has your experience working overseas helped in your new role?
As a Nigerian with 80percent of my career experience acquired overseas, I possess a broad highly principled outlook towards my profession and work ethics. In my current role, I am managing engineers and technicians from about seven different nationalities. My client representatives are from over 30 nationalities. I have been able to understand and respect the race, language, cultural barriers that show up during our projects. Using the core soft skills that I have developed I can work anywhere globally.
What would you term the biggest drawback of Drilling and Well Service Engineers in Africa, if any?
Engineers in Africa’s oil and gas industry are quite very smart, doing intelligent and great things even with the little or no opportunities available to show their talent. So, their foremost shortcoming is the lack of opportunities in relevant training and professional practice. For example, some Nigerian engineers could be working in the banking sector because there are no jobs in engineering companies or projects to employ them even after educational training.
What would you say is the future of well construction and well servicing projects? How prepared are you for this future?
As long as the transportation of people and goods is a necessity everywhere in the world, we will need to fill the fuel tanks of our cars, airplanes, ships, and engines. The fuel will come from proactive planning and oil and gas projects. Though the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns have changed work-life patterns, with virtual, online interactions, I am well prepared and believe there is still a bright future for well construction/servicing projects. This is to avoid deficiency in the supply of petroleum products when needed.
Are you involved in any form of mentorship of young people, whether in Africa or abroad as a way of giving back to society? What is the focus of this mentoring programme, if there is such, and how is it structured?
Definitely. Mentorship is vital to prepare the next generation of engineers by empowering them with preceding foundational knowledge that will help them build their careers in the future. I am part of the SPE eMentoring virtual program, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, where SPE members volunteer to contribute to the E&P industry by sharing industry insights and practical career advice with young engineers. This can be done completely online. So, distance is not a barrier. I also have seven engineers that I supervise and mentor in my present role. Finally, over the years, I have a network of young professionals who request guidance on career paths or technical issues in their workplace. Knowledge shared is knowledge gained (mutually and collectively).
What’s your family life like? We know it could be quite a bit of a challenge for people in your profession, especially when you must be on a project for a long time?
I have always lived with my family. Yes, it is challenging but they have been able to adapt to the work-life balance the profession can allow. I also try to plan adequately; so, no part of family life is neglected.
How rewarding is your job, given the risks involved?
Life is a risk. However, the reward of any task comes only after you overcome the risk. The main risk in my job is that there is no room for errors. Errors or mistakes are usually costly in terms of injuries, loss of funds and loss of reputation.
How do you relax, when you are not thinking of well drilling and construction or well stimulation related issues?
I spend quality time with my family or with close friends in home gatherings or our place of worship during weekends or when I am off-duty.
What would be your advice to aspiring and early career Petroleum Engineers?
My sincere advice is that as early as possible (in school or work) make a persistent effort towards your personal and career goals. Know your skills, understand the big picture, and identify where you can fit into the oil and gas industry worldwide. The services of petroleum engineers are needed in any oil-producing country in the world.
