Degree (University): BSc Design for Industry, MSc Oil & Gas Engineering - The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

Job Title: Assistant Pipeline Engineer

How and why did you join CAN?

I joined CAN a year and a half ago because I felt my career in the oil industry wasn’t going the way I wanted.  I was stuck in a materials control position with a company who didn’t offer training or promotion.

It wasn’t a difficult choice to make!

Has CAN and your role met your expectations?

Yes, if anything it has exceeded them.  I started as a TA but was quickly promoted when they realised I had more potential.

What does your job involve?

Although there is a lot of theory and paper work involved, tracking and trending jobs, problem solving and teamwork is also a big part of my job.  Working between other members of the pipelines team, Talisman and the various other companies we deal with on a daily basis.

There is also a practical aspect involved.  I’ve just taken part in a large section of our 2008 ROVSV campaign working out in the field on a survey vessel as a client rep for Talisman.

How have you used your degree in your role?

My first degree has helped me in problem solving and presentation areas of my role. My second is helping me with the more theoretical and practical areas of my job.

Is there a typical day at CAN?

No, its always different and there’s always more to be done.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your role?

I enjoy the interaction with Talisman and our other contacts as well as the practical offshore aspects of the job.

And what is the most challenging?

It’s all challenging, its how you deal with the challenge that matters.

What do you aspire to be and why?

Hard to pinpoint at the moment,  I’d like to go as far as possible with the pipelines team and hopefully continue to prove myself as a valued member of the team.  I’d also like to explore the opportunities opening up for me relating to working offshore.

How do you see your future at CAN?

As above, long and valued.

What does the Graduate scheme really offer?

It offers the chance to progress within my job role at CAN, boosting the companies profile as well as providing me with new skills and qualifications.

Any other thoughts/comments?

Although it’s difficult to juggle coursework with work & personal commitments, the course is already proving itself to be of great value.

Degree (University): MSc Oil and Gas Engineering - The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

Job Title: Corrosion Engineer

How and why did you join CAN?

I joined CAN offshore while I was still a master’s student at RGU, I did my M.Sc project with CAN and my employment was formalised after completion of the project. I joined CAN offshore because I have always been fascinated by Metallurgy, with a background in Chemical Engineering I believe that my interest in the theory of metals and their deterioration mechanisms would be solidified by choosing a career in Corrosion Engineering.

Has CAN and your role met your expectations?

CAN offshore has met my expectations, both in terms of support from senior project engineers and comprehensive training packages being rolled out. The opportunity for continuous professional development and career progression is enormous.

What does your job involve?

My job cuts across the entire spectrum of the emerging field referred to as integrity Engineering, this ranges from providing advise on material selection for new projects, technical input into risk based inspection programmes for piping and pressure vessels, preparation of inspection workpacks, subsequent review of the completed workpacks, performing defect assessments and hoop stress calculations, maintaining anomaly registers, coordinating in-service failure investigations, preparing workscope for sub-contractors including corrosion probes and coupons, microbial analysis, vibration screening, etc.

How have you used your degree in your role?

I use the theory I learned in class from the knowledge of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and even Economics and Social ethics on a daily basis, because essentially I am dealing with technical problems and also with people, both clients and customers, the main aim is to be able to solve problems and deliver results in a timely and professional manner. My manger always reminded me that our mission is “Consistent delivery of quality service”. Therefore knowledge of various theories learned both in and outside the classroom is crucial in achieving this goal.

Is there a typical day at CAN?

My typical day at CAN begins with the morning phone calls to the Offshore Inspection Engineers (OIE) to keep abreast with has been happening in the last 24 hours, then going through the emails, and the daily reports.

This is followed by reading the daily laboratory reports from offshore chemists to see if the required Corrosion inhibitors, Oxygen Scavengers etc are injected at the correct dose rates.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your role?

The most enjoyable aspect of the job is the fact that no two days are the same, every single day comes with an interesting problem to solve.

What do you aspire to be and why?

I aspire to be a senior engineer fully equipped with technical skills to handle and deliver complex projects, not only in the North Sea, but globally.

How do you see your future at CAN?

With a comprehensive training matrix developed and delivered through univasion, and daily hands on practical training, I believe there is ample opportunity for continuous professional development. I see myself becoming a senior engineer and perhaps a technical authority one day. Therefore the future is full of buoyant optimism and unlimited prospects.

Degree (University): B Eng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering - The Robert Gordon University

Job Title: Assistant Project Engineer

How and why did you join CAN?

I firmly believe that determination enables you to reach your destination or goal and I very much see this quality in CAN Offshore as it has carved a name for itself within a short span of time. Today CAN is a household name to be mentioned in various areas involving engineering, inspection, maintenance and integrity management services in the oil and gas and petrochemical industry sectors.

When I was offered a position with a promising career development within the company, I immediately accepted this great opportunity as I foresee that my career path will also run parallel with the rise of the organisation with each and every step it takes in achieving a profitable goal. The company also has excellent training programmes to offer and also provides financial support for further studies related to the field of work.

On the same note, one more thing that impressed me the most is that when I walked in for interview, I noticed that the upper management staff of CAN Offshore practices common sitting arrangements in the office with no hierarchical differentiation. This proves how well the company works and performs as a team.

Has CAN and your role met your expectations?

When I first started with CAN, I was assigned to work on a project with the guidance from a senior staff, as time passed by, I have learned a lot about project management and now have the capability to carry out my responsibilities efficiently. The technical and management training programmes offered in between has been very rewarding as it has helped me to get a proper understanding of my work scope and also further strengthened my ability to tackle specific situations which requires the knowledge and skills.

I am very satisfied with the fact that there is an annual performance assessment conducted with the department’s manager and this gives me the opportunity to discuss about my career development, work progress and request for further trainings.

What does your job involve?

My role can be best defined as the focal point and day to day contact between the inspection team offshore and the client. On a daily basis I respond to request and enquiry on operational, technical and management issues and make sure that they are closed out efficiently and timely. It is also my responsibility to ensure that everything required for an offshore ( pipe work, vessels or structures) inspection work scope from the work packs, equipments up to the suitable personnel for the work are all arranged and planned accordingly. Upon completion of the work scope, a detailed progress report and any other related issues are addressed to the client.

To summarise it, my job mainly involves managing allocated projects by providing a cost effective, reliable and quality service to customers that satisfies their budgets and work scope requirements with the company systems.

How have you used your degree in your role?

During my time in the university, I have done various course assignments, independent and group project, extensive research and presentations as well. While participating in project activities, I learned and observed the team work, project management, presentation and communication skills involved. In addition to this, as a student, I was encouraged and motivated to work independently, prioritise, manage my time efficiently and to know how to find and use resources effectively.

These were the skills that I have developed and practiced through my academic study and has given me the confidence to use these skills to handle and tackle work related situations in the real world.

What is the single most important thing you have learned whilst at CAN?

Most importantly I have observed from the beginning and also learned that team work plays a major part in project management.

The everyday working environment here and new challenges has also taught me on the spot problem solving techniques and taking appropriate instant decisions.

How do you see your future at CAN?

I am very interested in project engineering and management and I would like to see myself progressing ahead and developing my career in this field as it has always been my interest to constantly face new challenges, manage a project effectively on my own, arranging meetings and completing work progress reports within a set date and finally ensuring that the end product is up to the client and employer’s satisfaction.