Anthony Onukwu enjoyed being a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) so much he decided to become chairman of the group’s Aberdeen chapter.
The Nigerian national joined SPE’s young professionals group when he was studying for his MSc in oil and gas engineering at Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Two years ago, the chance arose to lead the organisation – a voluntary role – despite a full-time job in the oil and gas industry and being a father.
It is a balancing act, he admits. Particularly as he now a production technologist with Shell.
“SPE has been the guardian angel of my career,” says Mr Onukwu.
“It is a voluntary job, while my work at Shell is a paid job so I have to balance the two. But it has helped me develop myself – and it helps me in my day job as well.
“It is the largest individual member organisation in the world.
“It has diverse disciplines, diverse members from diverse nationalities. If you join SPE you can connect to members in 135 countries.
“For me it is about sharing information. If someone in Kazakhstan is asking a question about an operation, there are members from UK, Africa, America answering what you should do. That is huge.”
Tomorrow in Aberdeen the group’s Scottish chapter celebrates its 40th year of operation. The gala dinner will have a evening’s keynote speech delivered by Helge Haldorsen, Statoil Vice President of Strategy and Portfolio for North America – who happens to be SPE’s incoming International President in 2015.
Everyone who is everyone is a member of SPE – including heavy hitters that will taking part in a panel debate at the event, including Trevor Garlick, Regional President of BP North Sea, Glen Cayley, Vice President Upstream for Shell UK, Pete Jones, Managing Director of TAQA and Gordon Ballard, Chairman & Country Manager for Schlumberger.
Mr Onukwu travels back to his home in Nigeria every year to visit his parents and his brother there.
He has lived in Aberdeen for the last 12 years since he came to study at RGU.
He talks about the huge variety of peoples, religions and languages that make up the 174million strong population of his native country – the diversity this engenders but also the tension this can create.
“It is the largest country in Africa. It will get there,” he added.
Recommended for you
