Experiencing the 'Ultimate Field Trip'
From tackling operational challenges on an offshore platform to exploring a rainforest and rescuing young turtles, BP's ‘Ultimate Field Trip' lived up to its billing for three students from Scotland's Strathclyde University
The three, Guy Driori, 29, Ed Kay, 27, and Simonas Stilius, 20, spent six weeks with BP upstream teams in the Gulf of Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago as their prize for winning the 2012 Ultimate Field Trip competition. Their plan for a carbon-neutral refinery won first prize in a strong field of university-based entrants.
Their internships began with a flight to Houston and offshore safety training before joining the offshore team at the Na Kika platform. Once offshore their assignment was to come up with options for storing the extra corrosion inhibitors needed for the new Galapagos operation, which is 'tied back' to Na Kika.
In Trinidad & Tobago, they contributed to the planned upgrading of the Beachfield facility where gas from BP's operations comes ashore, helping BP staff examine the best ways to vent excess gas and test the integrity of pipes and valves. In both locations they also spent time with the onshore support teams and learned about BP's ways of working.
Guy said: "It was a great opportunity to see the things that we study in class. You read about these types of operations in textbooks but there is nothing like actually working at the sites to build awareness of what a company like BP does."
Their internships began with a flight to Houston and offshore safety training before joining the offshore team at the Na Kika platform. Once offshore their assignment was to come up with options for storing the extra corrosion inhibitors needed for the new Galapagos operation, which is 'tied back' to Na Kika.
In Trinidad & Tobago, they contributed to the planned upgrading of the Beachfield facility where gas from BP's operations comes ashore, helping BP staff examine the best ways to vent excess gas and test the integrity of pipes and valves. In both locations they also spent time with the onshore support teams and learned about BP's ways of working.
Guy said: "It was a great opportunity to see the things that we study in class. You read about these types of operations in textbooks but there is nothing like actually working at the sites to build awareness of what a company like BP does."
Ed, from Yorkshire, UK, is working for a Masters degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering; Guy, from Israel, is studying Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering; while Simonas, originally from Lithuania and now living in Scotland, is working for a degree in Aeromechanical Engineering – and now spending a year in Singapore.
Ed added: "It was also interesting to see BP's safety culture at work. All of the projects we worked on were in some way related to safety and we got a really clear sense of how important safety is to BP and how much work goes into making sure everything that happens meets BP's standards."
The six week experience wasn't all work and no play. The interns also made the most of their spare time during the six weeks. In Texas they hired a car and saw San Antonio, Austin and a local rodeo in Fredericksburg – the highlight of which was a horse racing competition. In Trinidad, they enjoyed bodysurfing on the Maracas beach and a hike through the rainforest. In Tobago they spent a day sailing and joined a group of conservationists on a night time expedition to protect and tag the leatherback turtles that nest on the beach.
Ed added: "It was also interesting to see BP's safety culture at work. All of the projects we worked on were in some way related to safety and we got a really clear sense of how important safety is to BP and how much work goes into making sure everything that happens meets BP's standards."
The six week experience wasn't all work and no play. The interns also made the most of their spare time during the six weeks. In Texas they hired a car and saw San Antonio, Austin and a local rodeo in Fredericksburg – the highlight of which was a horse racing competition. In Trinidad, they enjoyed bodysurfing on the Maracas beach and a hike through the rainforest. In Tobago they spent a day sailing and joined a group of conservationists on a night time expedition to protect and tag the leatherback turtles that nest on the beach.
Guy Driori, Ed Kay and Simonas Stilius spent six weeks with BP upstream teams
BP's Head of Group Technology and the company's executive sponsor for the UFT, David Eyton, added: "Entrants to the competition are keen to apply their technical knowledge to a real industry challenge and it's great to see that Guy, Ed and Simonas did exactly that on the field trip."
"It was also a great opportunity for them to see the BP values first hand. 2012 is the first year the prize has been located overseas, and we intend to extend the invitation to students in the US, Trinidad & Tobago and Azerbaijan next year."
"The Ultimate Field Trip is highlighting great STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent and allowing us to showcase BP to this community. It will continue to be a headline initiative for the global graduate resourcing team."
Director of US University relations Simon Kho said: “It was really important for us to provide an experience that helped develop their global profile. We wanted them to learn about American culture and values in and out of the workplace. And yes, that included going to a Houston Astros baseball game with their mentors.”
HR director for the Western Hemisphere and Angola, Janine Salina-Ambrose added: "It was indeed a privilege to host these bright budding professionals and our opportunity to showcase a company that lives its values by not just delivering an extraordinary business but a company that participates actively in the development of the country in which it operates."
Director of US University relations Simon Kho said: “It was really important for us to provide an experience that helped develop their global profile. We wanted them to learn about American culture and values in and out of the workplace. And yes, that included going to a Houston Astros baseball game with their mentors.”
HR director for the Western Hemisphere and Angola, Janine Salina-Ambrose added: "It was indeed a privilege to host these bright budding professionals and our opportunity to showcase a company that lives its values by not just delivering an extraordinary business but a company that participates actively in the development of the country in which it operates."
