International Experiences: a Personal Perspective

Abstract

Abstract I have been asked to share my views on working as a Canadian expatriate engineer in the international oil and gas arena. I confess at the outset to a biased view. I would not trade a moment of my time since leaving the farm near Markerville, Alberta in 1953 to go to work in the oil fields. Over the ensuing thirty years I have lived in drilling camps in Northern B.C. and Alberta, at Norman Wells, Redwater, Edmonton and Calgary. Houston, Texas, Melbourne and Sydney. Australia, Jakarta, Indonesia. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Ottawa, Ontario, and I have enjoyed each place and each assignment. Some more than others, but always secure in the knowledge that the oil and gas industry is the greatest business in the world.The following are a number of generalizations that I consider unique to an overseas job and/or to the successful expatriate employee:An An overseas job is generally characterized by more responsibility than an equivalent domestic job.A professional in an overseas job must provide a standard of excellence in his j ob performance that merits the trust and support of his management and host governmentThe expatriate employee needs to have a social sensitivity and a concern for local customs and practices.An overseas job usually requires a commitment to train a local national, often the expatriate's replacement, in technical and/or operational detail.A special measure of patience and job commitment are required by the expatriate to overcome situations that may occur, such as reporting to a local national who may be obviously less qualified than the expatriate.It is important for the expatriate to make an effort to learn at least a minimal vocabulary in the language of the country.It is important for expatriates to become familiar with the legal and social values that guide the conduct of those residing and working in the country. The consequences of ignoring this guideline range from embarrassment for the individual to cancellation of the company's operating contract.It is advisable for expatriates to be informed of and sensitive to local political issues but to avoid involvement and outspoken comments on local politics.Almost every expatriate employee is deemed to be a spokesman for his employer.In some overseas locations there is a complete absence of government regulations or standards or‘’ design. The expatriate may have to relate to regulations and standards from another locale or possibly assist the local government in developing appropriate regulations and standards.An expatriate may not be able to obtain equipment and materials from traditional suppliers to the domestic industry and needs to be resourceful with the ability to adapt.Expatriate survivors are the ones who look on new experiences and customs as enriching experiences to be enjoyed. The expatriates or thier families who react to changes as though they were a burden tobe borne or worse yetto be changed, do not last inthe international arena.