MORE than 100 school children have started on a journey to learn about the oil and gas industry, after attending the launch of the sixth annual STEM In The Pipeline scheme in Aberdeen.
The event saw the pupils, from 15 Scottish schools, given an overview of the industry, take part in hands-on workshops and tutorials, and receive their own challenge – the task of creating their own field development plan over four months.
STEM In The Pipeline, run by the charitable organisation TechFest-SetPoint, is aimed at introducing children to the industry.
Vivien Ellins, event co-ordinator, said: “This annual programme demonstrates how STEM subjects can be used to solve problems and deliver results in the oil and gas industry. “Evaluation of last year’s project has shown that 28% of the pupils, previously undecided on future careers, were positively influenced towards a career in oil and gas or engineering.
“These results reinforce the benefits of STEM in the Pipeline in terms of informing pupils about the opportunities that exist in the industry, and help them make subject and career choices based on practical experiences.”
At an event held at the University of Aberdeen last month, the children were given a general overview of the industry by Eric Sirgo, general manager of operations in Europe for Chevron.
They were then taken through a series of hands-on workshops in geology, drilling and reservoir, processing and finance by staff from BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, E.On Ruhrgas, Baker Hughes and the University of Aberdeen.
At the end of the day, they were given a set of seismic charts and set the challenge of producing a full field development plan.
They now have until December to carry out the work, which will be displayed and presented to a panel of senior industry professionals at BP’s offices.