Oil and Gas Community

I am currently in the final year of my phD in analytical chemistry at Newcastle University working in the molecular photonics lab. I have a first class MChem honours degree in chemistry and am looking at getting into the oil and gas industry once my phD has concluded (Dec 2009) but I am unsure as to whether the skills I possess would be valued in this industrial sector.

Any information would really help.

Chemists are employed offshore in both drilling and production.  Drilling muds are complex mixtures of liquids and solids formulated to meet the requirements of the well being drilled (Bariod is an example of a drilling chemical supplier).  Production chemicals are used to prevent bacterial growth, help break oil water emulsions, prevent waxes being thrown out of solution, prevent hydrate formation etc.  A PhD would be somewhat of an overkill for working offshore, however there are a large number of chemical supply companies.  Look up Baker Petrolite and Champion as examples.  There is also the analysis of oil and gas fluids themselves, given the complex nature and variety of these fluids this is quite complex.  Intertek is an example of a company that undertakes oil & gas analysis.  So chemicals are used a lot in the oil & gas industry (and that is just upstream)  there will also be a significant requirement in downstream as well, i.e. refineries.   A lot of the major oil companies (Shell, BP, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Total, Conoco Phillips) have research & development units that are looking at alternative energy sources, tar sands, biofuels, PV etc, again lots of scope for a chemist.

A general point about the oil industry - you will not be recruited for your knowledge of chemistry alone - they will be looking for other potentials as it is likely that you will be moved around and have a career progression through differnt departments in a managerial role.

The best way of finding out more about the industry would be to attend Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, unfortunately you have just missed this years event.

Hope all of this blether helps.

Regards

Richard

Does a simple Bachelor have the same possibilities ?

There is nothing wrong with a Bachelor degree in Chemistry, I have one myself, although I changed direction away from Chemistry many years ago.

But to answer your question, yes you have the same possibilities for a career in the oil & gas industries.

regards

Richard