Talking gas

The oil & gas sector needs no educating on the severe lack of skilled engineers coming into the industry, especially in a time of major international growth and development.

Fortunately, many engineering graduates are realising the exciting potential of working in the hydrocarbons business – including the excellent remuneration rates, extensive travel, and career development – and are now moving into the large number of positions available worldwide in this buoyant sector.

But what makes a great hydrocarbons engineer, and how can companies best develop their workforce and encourage more people to work in the industry?

We asked two of the world’s leading hydrocarbons engineers what lessons could be learned from their own illustrious careers in the business.

Charlie Durr joined KBR in 1969 and throughout an illustrious 43 year-long career has focussed on the design and execution of large natural gas plants around the world, with an emphasis in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Gas to Liquids (GTL). A Chemical Engineer, he graduated in 1969 with an M.S. degree from Manhattan College, New York. Currently, his primary focus is the development, application and execution of LNG and Gas Processing technologies.