Experts Give Career Advice for Future Artificial Lift Professionals: “Do Not be Scared to Try Something Different”

Abstract

_ Knowing where to start can be daunting for those new to the oil and gas industry. With all the changes the artificial lift sector has experienced in the past 25 years, the constant is that a new challenge always needs a solution. The spirit of innovation and invention will serve the next generation of artificial lift professionals well. Here are a few nuggets of advice from experts to help newcomers navigate this dynamic sector while also making a difference in the energy world. Greg Stephenson, chief production engineer, Occidental Petroleum My advice is to go for it! While ours is a notoriously cyclical industry, artificial lift professional tend to enjoy greater job security than many of their counterparts. Also, ae get to experiment with new technologies and can often see immediate results from our efforts. I advise any young professional to do what you love and love what you do. If you follow that credo, you can’t go wrong. I feel very fortunate to work in a field that I love. Michael Romer, principal artificial lift engineer, ExxonMobil Network, go to artificial lift events to learn from SPE and others. Artificial lift is a small world. You’ll keep seeing the same people in other roles and places. Get to the field, into the shop, and figure out the challenges firsthand, as not all problems can be solved digitally or won’t tell the entire story. Current lift methods have been around for more than 100 years and will continue. The more things change, the more they stay the same; there’s a long history of learning from industry. Someone may have already solved the problem, and the answer may already exist. Or someone could have tried something you’re considering, and it didn’t work. Artificial lift is a great place to be, with lots of variety. It’s important but not nearly as ‘right now’ as drilling; you can quickly see results, and the costs/risks are generally lower for trying new things. Figure out what you have passion for and own it because others will notice.