At a two-day workshop on South America Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbon Systems for University of Guyana Geology students, ExxonMobil geo scientists delved into details of its exploration work exposing the students to the possible careers that they can aspire to.
The team was led by Global Geoscience Recruiting Advisor, Orla McLaughlin and included Guyanese Geoscientist, Ashlika Persaud.
McLaughlin stated that engaging with students is ExxonMobil’s usual practice wherever it operates around the world.
“This is something I’ve done in the UK, Australia and now that we are building an office in Guyana, we are trying to teach the students here about the type of work we do and to try and get them interested in the kind of work they might want to do when they graduate,” she explained.
ExxonMobil said that during the two days, the second year Geology students were exposed to Hydrocarbon systems, Sequence Stratigraphy and Paleogeography of South America, among other topics.
Guyanese Geoscientist Ashlika Persaud, who, in addition to naming the well, was the lead geoscientist evaluating the Tilapia prospect, said, “This is one of the things I’ve wanted to do when I pursued a career in geology and started working with ExxonMobil. I really want to give back to the country and the students and hopefully inspire them.” Tilapia is among the 14 successful wells spud in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana by ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners HESS and CNOOC Nexen. Production is set to commence in December with Liza Phase 1 at a rate of 120,000 barrels per day.
ExxonMobil said that several of the students were “enthused” about the opportunity.
“I was a bit nervous with the practical because it is something new we are doing, but I came with the expectation of learning and being informed about oil and how everything works,” expressed Rianna Cobis.
Her colleague, Keith Da Silva said, “This is a very good initiative since our country is new to oil, so educating a lot of persons will be very beneficial in time to come.”
