Tell us about your career journey at TotalEnergies
I unofficially joined the company in 2005 when the small independent Canadian oilsands operator I was working for was bought out by TotalEnergies. Whilst some of my colleagues took their stock options and ran, some of us saw this as a great opportunity to get in with an international company, and a European one at that!
Soon after, with company sponsorship, I was able to study an Msc in Petroleum Geology in France and then returned to Calgary in 2008 to start with Total Exploration & Production in Canada.
In 2010, I was offered an international assignment in Paris where I worked on the geological modelling of giant fields in the UAE and Qatar and then moved to the pre-project team for the Tilenga oil field in Uganda. It was a great opportunity to learn new skills and to see how the company worked in HQ whilst also being able to travel to the Middle East and to Africa for work missions.
After four years in HQ, I was transferred to Balikpapan, Indonesia, where I headed up a team of geologists and geophysicists working on a very busy drilling campaign.
In 2016, I came to the UK as Head of Geology and after the merger with Maersk Oil, I moved into the role of Geoscience Manager for Central North Sea, leading the teams looking after all the subsurface elements of both Elgin-Franklin, Culzean and the Isabella well appraisal.
Last year I had the opportunity to transfer out of geoscience into the role of Business Negotiation Lead in the Strategy and Business department. Moving out of my original discipline was not an easy decision but I was happy for a new challenge and it feels good to be learning a whole new side of the business.
Why did you choose a career in the energy industry?
Having safe, reliable and affordable energy is something a lot of people take for granted, even though it is the most fundamental requirement for our society. Being able to contribute to this is something I take pride in.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
I was once told that the best thing you can do to succeed in your career is to do everything you can to make your boss’s life easier. At first I thought it was a strange thing to say, but I have slowly come round to thinking he may have been right!
What advice would you give yourself if you were just starting at TotalEnergies?
If you are offered something you think you can’t do yet, remember that the person offering it thinks you can, so go for it!
What do you think differentiates TotalEnergies?
Obviously being a French headquartered company, the company culture has a notable French influence. This sets it apart from companies in Aberdeen and even to other international energy super majors. For me, it has been an interesting part of my career.
Outside of work, what gets you going?
I like to get out on the bike as much as I can, whether it’s commuting into work, on the road or on a mountain bike! It’s a great way to see the countryside and in Aberdeenshire we are spoiled for choice!