Enviro & Petroleum Engineer

Oil Comp Engr

38 Years Experience

Houston, TX

Female, 60

I recently retired from a major integrated oil company after 38 years. I have degrees in Civil and Petroleum Engineering. I worked with safety, health and environmental management systems and operations in the upstream (finding and producing oil and gas) and downstream (refining, chemicals and distributions) areas. I travelled all over world, enduring good & bad business cycles and good and bad managers.

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214 Questions

Last Answer on December 12, 2020

What is the best and worst part of your job?

Asked by Jim almost 5 years ago

The best part of my job was (I recently retired) the feeling of satisfaction i got from completing a successful project on time, on budget and with no safety or environmental issues. Knowing that I was responsible for designing and drilling a well that provided essentially energy was a satisfying feeling. Another highlight was doing safety audits and finding systemic but effective improvements that made the workplace safer for everyone. It was great to be able to improve the "system" without any one person getting into trouble or fearing for their job. I like to think that I saved a few lives and limbs over the course of my many safety audits.

The worst part of my job was the uncertainty of oil and gas prices that could lead to massive layoffs at any point. The current situation today is even worse than what I lived through in previous price collapses like in 1985. It was/is terrible to feel so powerless.

177 Votes

Do you ever follow the stock prices of petroleum

Asked by Sarah over 4 years ago

If you mean, do I follow the stock prices of oil and gas companies - absolutely! I retired from one of the major integrated oil companies and still own a lot of stock, so I track the stock market daily. The price of oil has always been cyclical but the pandemic plus events in March 2020 has negatively affected the stock prices of major oil companies dramatically. If you want to learn more, search Wikipedia for "2020 Russia-Saudi Arabia oil price war".

176 Votes

I have 5 gallons of 10 year gasoline. Can I refilter it and use it in my car? Or will I have problems?

Asked by Bill333 almost 5 years ago

So, I am not an expert on gasoline, but I do know that it doesn't really expire. I would filter it, and put a gallon of it in your car so it mixes with newer gasoline. See how that works out and slowly use up the old gasoline. Be sure to follow safety precautions (you can find them on the internet) when handling gasoline. (e.g. - well ventilated space, no smoking or cell phones, use approved containers, etc.)

171 Votes