tips for workers struggling to find a mentor - Rigzone

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TIPS FOR WORKERS STRUGGLING TO FIND A MENTOR 08

‘IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME: THE BAILOUT & GREECE’S OIL, GAS INDUSTRY

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CANADIAN ELECTION MAY BREATHE LIFE INTO KEYSTONE XL

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JULY 2015 CONTENTS

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TIPS FOR WORKERS STRUGGLING TO FIND A MENTOR

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Indonesia’s Upstream O&G Sector Shrouded in Smog

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It’s All Greek To Me: The Bailout & Greece’s Oil, Gas Industry

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Top Ten Tips for Surviving, Thriving in the Downturn

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Canadian Election May Breathe Life Into Keystone XL

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OCTOBER 2015 EDITION

ASST. EUROPEAN EDITOR

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CAREERS EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Valerie Jones

Saaniya Bangee

SENIOR EMEA EDITOR

DESIGNER

Jon Mainwaring

Marcus Tenette

APAC EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Chee Yew Cheang

Eric Duenas

SENIOR EDITORS

VP CONTENT

Deon Daugherty Karen Boman

Bertie Taylor

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OCTOBER 2015

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Tips for Workers STRUGGLING TO FIND A MENTOR

Valerie Jones, Careers Editor

@rz_careernews

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or young professionals navigating their way through a career in energy or for those interested in climbing the corporate ladder, the guidance of a mentor can be an invaluable asset.

A mentor can act as a sounding board, providing guidance and support to a mentee, but doesn’t expect much in return, Stacey Farmer, learning and development manager, Americas, at Lloyd’s Register recently told Rigzone. While many opt to seek out mentors in the early stages of their careers, a mentor can be beneficial for experienced workers as well. While a mentor relationship can be integral part of character development and career advancement, some people struggle with finding a mentor. Such is the case for one gentleman who reached out to me. He described himself as being mid -career, senior in experience, but new to the oil and gas industry. After landing a job with a prominent oilfield services company, he began to seek out mentors within his organization, but was turned down by seven different people.

I’m sure he’s not alone. For those struggling to find a mentor, here’s a few things to take into consideration: • Don’t be afraid to think outside of your organization. While some oil and gas companies offer structured mentorship programs for new employees, many do not. So don’t feel like your mentor has to come from within your own organization. In fact, many experts encourage people to look outside of their own organization. Farmer suggests mentees consider individuals they meet through industry trade organizations or networking events. These are people who will be familiar with your industry and will also help you expand your professional network.

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• Reconsider your approach. How exactly are you requesting your mentors? Are you simply knocking on the office doors of senior leaders in your organization and asking if they will mentor you? People can be put off by such a forward approach. Nobody likes to be put on the spot, so try to avoid doing so. Also, senior-level employees are quite busy, especially if you consider the industry’s current market environment. Some people simply can’t afford the time commitment it requires to take on a mentee. Mentors can come in all positions, ages and level of experience, so don’t limit yourself to only employees in senior positions. • Mentor relationships don’t have to be formal. Don’t attach yourself to the mindset that all mentor relationships have to be formal. Honestly, quite a bit of them happen organically – for example, by working closely with someone for a period of time. That’s how Jenni Corcoran, business development analyst for Lloyd’s Register, found her mentor. Corcoran

was new to the industry and her mentor was the project representative for a project Corcoran was appointed to lead. Their mentorship is ongoing. The organic approach to mentorship works well because there’s no pressure or obligation on the mentor. Ideally, you want a mentor to seek you out because they saw something in you that impressed them. Truthfully, the only way that can happen is if a) you exhibit behavior and work ethic that is impressive and b) you allow a future mentor to recognize that behavior. This may not happen right away, so give it time. Finding and securing a mentor isn’t always easy. But if you hit a roadblock, try not to get discouraged. Consider these tips and continue making strides toward becoming a better worker and professional.

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OCTOBER 2015


Indonesia’s

UPSTRE AM O&G SECTOR SHROUDED IN SMOG Chee Yew Cheang, APAC Editor

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@cheeyew_cheang

t’s that time of the year, again. The skies over parts of Southeast Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – have been blanketed by thick, choking

smoke for months, with air quality dipping to the unhealthy or hazardous level in the last few weeks. Smog, better known in Southeast Asia as haze,

provincial and even inter-Ministry support for

often results from slash-and-burn techniques

its policies, including those for the oil and gas

used by Indonesians to clear land for palm oil

sector, especially in a country with over 17,000

plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan annu-

islands.

ally between May/June and October. It is obvious that efforts by the Indonesian authorities, who regularly received official complaints from neighboring countries – particularly Malaysia and Singapore – to eradicate the environmental problem have not worked, at least not during the last two decades.

The election of Joko Widodo as Indonesian president last year has provided hopes that reforms would be implemented to create a positive business environment for investors. Such optimism receded somewhat as large oil and gas investors stayed on the sidelines after seeing industry reforms proceeding at a snail pace.

You may wonder what the smog issue has to

Of course, Indonesian upstream investments

do with Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas sector.

could’ve been held back due to lower global oil

Well, the inability to resolve the recurrent en-

prices, which is around half of its value from a

vironmental problem highlights the difficulties

year ago.

the government faces in mustering national,

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Given the current business climate in Indonesia, some energy companies opted to focus away from Southeast Asia’s largest oil and gas producer, at least for now. Sweden’s Lundin Petroleum AB is one such example as the firm retained its investments in the region, albeit centered on Malaysia, rather than Indonesia. Lundin sold its Indonesian upstream oil and gas assets to local company PT Medco Energi

Abadi project with a floating liquefied natural

Internasional Oct. 9 for $22 million. The assets

gas (FLNG) plant that has an annual LNG pro-

sold included stakes in the producing Singa

cessing capacity of 7.5 million tons, up from a

gas field, the South Sokang and Cendrawasih

FLNG with an annual capacity of 2.5 million

VII Blocks, as well as the joint study agree-

tons as indicated in the original POD that was

ment (JSA) in respect of the Cendrawasih VIII

approved by the authorities in 2010.

Block.

While Minister for Energy and Mineral Re-

“We are pleased with the sale of our assets

sources (MEMR) Sudirman Said supported

in Indonesia, with net reserves of .9 million

the idea of developing the Abadi project with a

barrels of oil equivalents. We remain commit-

FLNG facility, Indonesia’s Coordinating Mar-

ted to our growth strategy in Southeast Asia

itime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli suggested

where Malaysia continues to be one of Lundin

that an onshore facility would more efficient

Petroleum’s core areas,” Alex Schneiter, pres-

and sensible, highlighting a lack of coordina-

ident and CEO of Lundin Petroleum, com-

tion within the top echelons of the Indonesian

mented in a press release.

government.

Meanwhile, differences emerged within the

If only the “smog” engulfing Indonesia, both

Widodo government recently over the plan

in terms of policy-making and policy imple-

of development (POD) for the Abadi gas field

mentation could be cleared; the country’s ur-

project in the Masela Production Sharing

gent need to boost large upstream oil and gas

Contract (PSC) in the Arafura Sea in eastern

investments needs not be such an uphill task.

Indonesia. Japan’s Inpex Corp. submitted a revised POD Sept. 3 for the Abadi gas field to upstream regulator Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) after finding more natural gas reserves. Together with project partner Royal Dutch Shell plc, Inpex – as field operator – plans to develop the

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OCTOBER 2015


It’s All Greek to Me: The Bailout & Greece’s Oil, Gas Industry Andreas Exarheas Assistant European Editor

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@Andreas_Ex

ollowing Alexis Tsipras’ resignation Aug. 20, the leader of the left-wing Syriza party was once again voted in as Greece’s Prime Minister after

a Sept. 20 snap election.

Tsipras was first elected in January 2015 after

ernment had set up for Greece’s energy sector, this in-

championing an anti-bailout stance; he agreed to a

cluded Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), which focuses its

third bailout package for Greece worth almost $100

exploration and production activities in Greece, and

billion July 13. Following the agreement, a number

the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA). After the third

of Syriza MPs defected from the party, forming their

bailout was agreed, Lafazanis objected the PM’s deci-

own movement called Laiki Enotita (Popular Unity),

sion and was subsequently dropped by Tsipras, who

which led to Tsipras losing his parliamentary majority.

drafted in a new energy minister that was more sup-

In an effort to reclaim power, Tsipras resigned, called a

portive of the bailout conditions.

snap election and hoped that the Greek people would vote him back in. Fortunately for one of the youngest PMs in Greek history, his plan worked.

Syriza’s about-face on privatization, evident by the agreement of a third bailout deal, suggests the sale of ELPE and DEPA is back on the table. Greek newspa-

The Third Bailout & Greece’s Oil, Gas Industry

per Kathimerini stated on its website in July 2015 that

Before the latest bailout agreement, Syriza’s Ener-

offshore oil or natural gas drilling parcels may also be

gy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis was actively against privatizing the country’s energy sector. In an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, Lafazanis stated that “no privatization will go forward” when talking about the privatization package that the previous Greek gov-

sold to raise the $56 billion required by Greece’s international creditors, as part of the bailout’s privatization push. Considering the fact that the memorandum of understanding on the third bailout package, signed by Greece and the European Commission Aug. 19,

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stated that the agreement will involve an “ambi-

tion mark over the viability of the deal however,

tious privatization program”, it wouldn’t be sur-

with skeptics like Greece’s former finance minis-

prising to see Greece sell off even more of its ener-

ter Giannis Varoufakis repeatedly stating the new

gy assets to appease its lenders.

bailout would ultimately fail. Tsipras’ continued

As well as outlining one of the most radical privatization schemes in the European Union, the most recent memorandum of understanding between Greece and the EC stated that the Greek energy markets need “wide-ranging reforms to bring them in line with EU legislation and policies, make them more modern and competitive, reduce … inefficiencies, promote innovation [and] favour a wider adoption of renewables and gas”. While selling off state energy assets in order to pay international creditors who impose strict austerity might be a bitter pill to swallow for Tsipras, the prospect of improving the country’s energy sector will certainly be welcomed by the Greek PM. At this stage

pledges to keep fighting the scale of the austerity measures imposed by the latest bailout deal also casts some doubt over how serious the Greek leader is about enforcing the planned reforms set out by the country’s international creditors. Judging by the nature of negotiations between the parties over the course of the summer, it seems extremely unlikely that the third bailout arrangement, along with all its associated changes, will be implemented in Greece without further problems, renegotiation or delays. No one knows for sure exactly what issues of this nature would mean for Greece’s oil and gas industry, but we won’t have to wait very long to find out.

of the deal however, it is unclear what effect the proposed focus on renewables will mean for the country’s oil sector. In relation to Greece’s oil and gas industry, the latest bailout package offers a variety of good and bad points for the country. There is still a big ques-

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OCTOBER 2015


Top Ten Tips for Surviving, Thriving in the Downturn Karen Boman, Senior Editor

@karenboman

The current wave of layoffs in the oil and gas industry likely has many workers wondering what they can do to remain valued, indispensable employees at their current companies. Jeff Moss, senior drilling consultant for new technology at Exxon Mobil Corp.’s upstream research company, offered tips for surviving the downturn to attendees at the

Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Houston in late September. The top ten tips came together over a meal of chicken wings and a lot of beer, during which Moss conducted an informal poll of esteemed veteran oil and gas workers over the survival lessons they have learned in the oil and gas up and down-cycles.

Here is their list of tips:

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If you can’t be indispensable, be useful at least

If you can’t say how your work is impacting the employer’s bottom line, you need to think about what you’re doing next month, and you probably shouldn’t buy that new BMW.

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Painless Tattoos

Moss’ kids have told him tattoos are in, but instead of a real tattoo, go with a painless tattoo with a valuable message, Moss said. His suggestion? “Safety, Integrity, Excellence”. No matter if the market is up or down, these are words an oil and gas worker should hold dear to their heart.

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Exceed Expectations

In the oil and gas industry, workers are expected to exceed expectations, even as the bar is raised higher and higher. Workers just need to accept and get over this fact. “There’s no participation trophy in the industry.” -Moss

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When you fail, fail early and fail well

Oil and gas workers will fail if they’re doing their job – no ifs about it. Managing expectations are key. Early failures also are easy to manage because they have fewer sunk costs. “It’s okay to fail if you can explain why you failed, and what you’re going to do to prevent failure in the future.” -Moss

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Learn to thrive in uncertainty

At ExxonMobil, optionality is a popular buzzword. “If you want to make the boss happy, give them viable options that have discrete, understandable steps.” Flexibility is required in the industry, both at the business and personal level. There is an upside to uncertainty, Moss noted. “Adaptability is always in style.” -Moss

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Beware of ‘Them’

Knowing how to build bridges to “them” – or the people who say you can’t do something – is the quickest way to going from a wall to a table person. When you enter a conference room, there are two groups of people: people by the wall, and people at the table, said Moss. Building bridges to the people on the wall – and bringing them to the table – is a great way to bring people together and bring their thoughts, opinions and learnings into what you do.

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Quality first but quantity matters

The biggest issue that Moss sees is knowing when good enough is good enough. It’s about total performance – delivering what you say you will while being mindful of costs. For some wells – what industry veterans call “CNN wells”, or wells that get you on CNN if something goes wrong – companies have a responsibility to shareholders and the public to ensure that the well is engineered to the tiniest degree, said Moss. But other wells may not require that level of engineering. In the case of shale – or what was previously known as “crappy rocks”, managing cost is key.

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Optics Count

While it’s important for workers to manage their careers, training and networks by attending conferences and other events, they also need to think about how it looks to senior management. “The bunker mentality of lay low and don’t go only works for so long,” said Moss. But workers need to manage how time out of the office to attend a conference in Las Vegas or Bali looks to their boss and their boss’ boss, and make sure they’re also in the office doing quality work in sufficient quantity. “It may be perfectly reasonable, but think about how it appears.” -Moss

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Work-life balance requires both work and life

Both are needed, but in a downturn, managing the balance can be more difficult. Nevertheless, oil and gas workers need to make sure they still have both.

Bring graphs to meetings

Philosophy is built on conjecture, but engineering is built on data. Everybody has an opinion, but if you have the graphs to prove it, you’re there. Whether you’re a newcomer or an industry veteran, data is king, said Moss. “Know how to represent it and know how to communicate it.” -Moss

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OCTOBER 2015


CANADIAN ELECTION

M AY B R E AT H E L I F E I N T O KEYSTONE XL Deon Daugherty, Senior Editor

@Deon_Daugherty

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or those lamenting the loss of long-time Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s aggressive championing of the Keystone XL pipeline coming on the heels of U.S. Democratic presidential frontrunner’s assertion that she opposes the pipeline, there’s a nugget of hope in all of this politicking.

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As politics can do, Harper’s rout at the hands

“Because prime minister elect Trudeau

of 44-year-old Justin Trudeau created waves

is relatively supportive of the KCL, and sup-

throughout the business community. That

posedly has already had talks with President

changing tide moves not the least of which

Obama, there is potentially some wiggle room

is the energy sector where TransCanada has

if certain environmental policies are made that

been trying for most of Harper’s administra-

maybe the Harper government was unwilling

tion to get a presidential permit to cross the

[to consider],” he told Rigzone. “Whether it’s

international border to route the line for heavy

President Obama or whoever is president, that

oil sands into the United States.

individual might be more willing to negotiate

You see, the new – more liberal Trudeau, a member of the Liberal Party – doesn’t oppose the pipeline. While the majority of his party cannot be counted among fans of the oil sands pipeline, there might be some opportunity for

with Trudeau. Maybe having a Democratic president [negotiating] with a fairly conservative prime minister [in Harper] might not have been the best grounds to negotiate on common ground for public policy.”

more give-and-take between the U.S. and Canadian governments to finally – after seven years of haggling – get a deal done. The difference could simply come down to the willingness to negotiate of those at the table. We talked to Raymond James & Associates’ equity analyst Chris Cox in Calgary, about where the Oct. 19 election leaves the KXL.

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