Keith Da Silva is proud of where he is from. “I am from Moruca, Region One,” he said from his station at the Halliburton Guyana base, where he is completing his second year of training as a Technical Professional.
His path into the oil and gas sector began with a simple online search. “Mainly from LinkedIn,” he said, when asked how he discovered the opportunity. Today, he’s nearly halfway through Halliburton’s three-year multi-skill project, a rigorous programme that prepares young professionals for a range of technical roles within the company.
Da Silva’s background in applied exploration geology from the University of Guyana laid the foundation for this step. His academic journey began at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level, continued through the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment, and culminated with tertiary studies. “I do not expect anybody else to take the same path, but you can…capture any opportunity that is out there.”
Working in a highly technical environment has not come without challenges. “With every role and every aspect of life, there is always challenges. Every day there is a new challenge. But for me, I like challenges,” he said. “Being employed by this company… makes me a stronger professional.”
Each day, Da Silva navigates a demanding rotation system through four core product service lines (PSLs): Baroid (fluids), Cementing, Completions, and Sperry Drilling. “Each PSL has different types of training and competencies,” he said. These competencies must be passed to advance within each department.
He explains that Baroid focuses on the fluids used for drilling wells, while Cementing secures well foundations. Completions involve the tools required to begin oil production, and Sperry Drilling covers the drilling process from start to finish.
Looking ahead, Da Silva is preparing for the final year of his training. “The third year is going to be mostly technical… We will be focused on engineering,” he said. Offshore deployment is also in sight.
Coming from a small village in Guyana’s remote northwest, Da Silva knows what it means to break barriers. “From my family, yes,” he confirmed when asked if he was the first to enter the oil and gas industry. “It makes me feel proud. It makes my family proud. And most importantly, my community, which created the foundation for my training.”
To the young boys and girls of Moruca and other hinterland regions, his message is clear: “Have a strong background, starting from the CSEC level… and capture any opportunity that is out there.”
