Kimberly Lachman never imagined a career in the oil and gas industry. “I wanted to be a veterinarian as a kid. I didn’t see myself here as a logging geologist,” she admitted. Yet today, she is charting a course aboard the Noble Tom Madden drillship for Halliburton, a prime contractor of ExxonMobil Guyana.
Her journey into geology – shared on an episode of Exxon’s Offshore Diaries – began when she decided to contribute to Guyana’s development in a meaningful way. “I wanted to be a part of Guyana’s development…and this is one way that I can do that.”
Lachman’s entry into the oil industry reflects the initial challenges faced by Guyana’s burgeoning sector. “At the beginning, a lot of people weren’t very qualified to come into the oil and gas industry. Exxon[Mobil] allowed people from different disciplines to come in. That’s how I got in. I didn’t necessarily have a geology degree, but they gave us a chance. And we ended up here.”
Starting as a sample catcher with Geolog, Lachman discovered her passion for geology. “I loved the idea of geology. I loved the principles around it.” Networking and skill-building allowed her to progress. “Over time, even Exxon sees that you’re growing, and they push for you to progress.”
The support extended beyond initial opportunities. “They made a career path very clear for me,” Lachman said, reflecting on training programs that helped her advance.
Now two years into a Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of Guyana (UG), Lachman juggles online studies with 12-hour offshore shifts. “My studies are being done online because, at the time, UG was not offering the type of study I wanted.” She remains optimistic about the sector’s progress: “There’re a lot more opportunities now for students coming out of UG and for people who want a career in the oil and gas industry.”
Lachman’s ambitions extend further. “Once I complete my bachelor’s degree, I want to pursue a master’s,” she said. Her ultimate goal is to work in geosteering. “Geosteering is basically guiding a well using geological data and analysis as we drill. It’s monumental to think I’ll be geosteering wells here in Guyana.”
In the meantime, Lachman is cross-training for Measurement While Drilling (MWD). “It’s a big step for me because I’m a geologist, and now I’m dealing with the tools we use.”
As a woman thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Lachman is breaking barriers. “One misconception is that women don’t belong in the oil and gas industry, that we’re not capable. But I’m here to tell you it’s possible. I’ve been making it for the past four years.”
Lachman is a testament to the potential of local talent in Guyana’s oil and gas sector. “It’s awesome. I wouldn’t even have dreamed about doing something like this for Guyana, but I’m here doing it.”
