Case studies: Drilling engineer: Kerry-Ann

Kerry-Ann earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of the West of Scotland in 2005. She now works as a drilling engineer with BP.

I chose this career as I wanted to work in a challenging environment. I also wanted to work in an operational role where I could see the outcome of my contribution immediately. I was particularly interested in drilling engineering and the oil industry.

I got my job by applying online. I went through an initial interview and then a full assessment centre. I had not worked in the oil industry before applying, although I had previous industrial work experience through a year’s placement during university.

My job involves designing and executing the drilling of wells from onshore. I worked offshore for about a year initially as part of my training in order to gain field experience and learn about the operation. Onshore, we produce the engineering design, revise offset information, develop and source new technology or improvements to the design, cost and budget the design and then put into place the documentation to enable the well to go ahead.

If you want to succeed in this job, it’s important to have good interpersonal skills. It is also helpful to have a sense of practicality in terms of monetary and problem solving situations. Decision making is critical. Job experience, in any industry, is valuable when trying to get into this field, as it provides topics to discuss at interviews. It also gives you the opportunity to gain professional skills and experience in a working/business environment.

Drilling and completions (D&C) takes on graduates from many engineering disciplines - civil, structural, mechanical, chemical and many others - as the majority of the skills and engineering work is general and only specific to drilling. However, basic engineering principles are important to know ahead of time.

The project management side of my degree has also been important (including the final project/thesis year). With this job, the management involves the actual execution of the design. Therefore, engineering and project management have to work hand in hand. Financial and cost studies come into play as well due to the discipline being responsible for such large expenditures.

This job is very multi-disciplined. I work with subsurface teams, geologists, people from the chemical and fluid disciplines, equipment vendors and facilities and production platform personnel. I have gained knowledge and skills about these disciplines and am better able to deal with problems as a result.

I enjoy the day-to-day challenges of this job as well as the interaction with such a wide variety of people. Not many days are the same at all. I also like the problem solving related to operational and design issues.

However, working as part of D&C means that schedules don’t always go to plan. It is sometimes difficult to plan outside work with consideration to the job. I have had to learn to appreciate and use the quieter periods in the work activity to my advantage in terms of time management.

I would eventually like to work offshore as a company wellsite leader where I can supervise and organise the activities at the worksite.