Name: Nina Darbyshire
Age: 24
Where are you from? Banchory
Qualifications and where studied? MSc Honours Chemistry at the University of Glasgow
What is your job? Graduate production chemist for Maxoil Solutions
What does it involve? As a graduate my main responsibilities are:
To develop a working and operational knowledge of the main oil and gasfield chemistry and process systems from reservoir to processing:
- Formation and well chemistry
- Multiphase separation
- Gas compression and treatment
- Produced water treatment
- Water injection
Chemistry Process modelling is also important and I use ScaleChem and Multiflash regularly to help with problem solving and predictions of pipeline scaling and hydrate, napthenate, asphaltene and wax deposition.
Why did you choose your career in the oil and gas industry? My degree was more theoretical and I always wanted to use chemistry in a more applied way. Within the oil and gas industry I am able to carry out research and investigations which will ultimately be implemented to improve a process. It’s a great feeling that our clients can see results on a fairly short timescale from the work that we carry out.
How did your education help prepare you? Through university I got a good grounding in chemistry but also learnt many research and problem solving skills which have been very useful.
What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy the variety of work and working alongside very experienced chemists and process engineers. There is always someone to ask about a problem and it’s very unique to be able to combine both perspectives. Everyone is willing to share their knowledge which is great for learning as a graduate.
Has anything surprised you about the job? Our team consists of graduates and very experienced consultants from a wide background and I was surprised at how well we work together. Everyone’s opinion is respected and everyone is given responsibility within the different projects.
Where do you see your career going? For the moment I want to develop a good grounding in the industry and learn as much as possible. Maxoil is a great platform for this and I can see many opportunities for development within the company.
What advice would you give to others looking to get into the oil and gas industry? The best thing to do is to get a summer placement or a few months experience whilst you are still at university. This helps you determine what area you would like to work in and will really make your CV stand out. This could also help you line up a job for when you graduate.
If you weren’t doing the job you are in now, what else would you be doing? If I wasn’t at Maxoil I might have taken up more of a research or lab based role.
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