Amelia Forrest

Chemical Engineering, Maintenance Supervisor

Joining the Upstream Production Graduate Program with Shell has allowed me an insight into both corporate life, as well as having the ability to spend almost two years in the field working a rotational roster.

What's your job about?

Shell QGC is a natural gas producer, operating from Central Queensland supplying both the domestic market and export Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) via the Midstream Operations in Gladstone.

I work in the Turnaround Team. Turnarounds are when we shut-down the major facilities to complete scheduled maintenance. This is a critical time for the business to complete required maintenance tasks, but also to complete it safely, and therefore requires a lot of preparation and planning to ensure a smooth shutdown and start-up.

Our team is split between a Brisbane based Functional Team, and a Field Based Planning and Execution team. Together, both teams support each other in delivering the requirements for each of the Phases of the Turnaround Process. At QGC we execute multiple Turnarounds each year, so there is always a lot of planning and preparation to meet key milestones, as well as collaboration with many other functions of the business.

My role as a Turnaround Engineer involves supporting the Field teams on planning and execution. This also includes costing and estimating budgets for each Turnaround Event. I am currently working on a Project to review our Turnaround Strategy to extend the time between Turnarounds. This project involves me working with many different stakeholders such as Discipline Engineers, Operations, Maintenance and Reliability.

What's your background?

I grew up on a property, near Young in NSW. I have three other siblings, all now living in different states and countries. When I left high school, I had no clear career path, and it never crossed my mind that I’d be working for Shell in the years to come. After spending about 7 years working in the Hospitality scene in Melbourne, I was determined to get back into studying. I naturally landed into Chemical Engineering based on my keen interest in the food industry, but also for the wide range of career options this degree would provide. I applied for a vast number of Graduate Positions, not only in Melbourne, but around Australia covering diverse industries, including Water, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Mining and Oil and Gas. Note - only one other extended family member studied Engineering, so I had no influence or knowledge of what Engineering entailed.

Joining the Upstream Production Graduate Program with Shell has allowed me an insight into both corporate life, as well as having the ability to spend almost two years in the field working a rotational roster. Having the ability to gain front-line work experience is invaluable in my learning of the Natural Gas industry and has really set me up for future roles.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. I was placed into the Upstream Production Graduate Program which covers three different skill pools including – Maintenance, Reliability and Turnarounds (MRTA), Production Operations and Logistics. Currently, there are graduates in the same Grad Program who have Mechanical, Process, and Petroleum Engineering Degrees. My colleague, another Turnaround Engineer, has a Mechanical Engineering background. Ultimately, an Engineering Degree is required for Technical Roles, but having the ability to show that you have the initiative to find solutions and are willing to learn will add heaps of value.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I get to work with lots of people, including Shell Staff, and external Contractors during the Execution of Turnarounds. Between these teams is a wealth of knowledge from Electrical, Rotating Equipment, Instrumentation, Process and Lifting and Hoisting, just to name a few. Being able to attend Turnaround Executions, when the facilities are offline and de-pressurised, vessels open for inspection, valves are changed out, and other interesting Projects are completed, allows you to see what’s involved in making the facilities run, and learn from the technicians. I also get to break up my work time between being in the Brisbane office and travelling out to Chinchilla or the other assets in Central Queensland which keeps work exciting.

What are the limitations of your job?

When I was on a rotational roster, it is quite demanding working 2 weeks straight, but you are rewarded with 2 weeks off! On the other hand, now being based in Brisbane, means that you can’t just visit one of the assets if you need to, and must rely on having a strong relationship with the Field teams for assistance.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

Attend numerous career events – not only held by your university, but other engineering groups such as iChemE or Engineers Australia. Talk to people about different roles, there are lots out there!

Be open to applying for lots of different companies, large and small; locations, near and far, and fields, that you have studied within your degree, and those you haven’t. For example, I used to want to work in the Pharmaceutical Industry. But since I started with Shell and saw through the current Energy Transition, I am honoured to say I work for Shell. Don’t give up when you get knocked back, learn from your mistakes, seek feedback where possible as this will allow you to improve yourself for the next interview, graduate application, or work project.

Gabrielle Higgins

Chemical Engineering, Process Engineer

What's your job about?

I am working for Shell Australia on their Prelude FLNG asset around 450km off Broome in the middle of the ocean. Prelude is a floating gas facility and produces LNG (household gas), LPG (think BBQ bottles) and condensate (refinery feedstock to make petrol). Prelude receives gas from subsea wells, separates the gas from heavy hydrocarbons (which are sold as condensate), removes gas impurities, and then subsequently separates the gas into different components to be liquefied and sold as LNG and LPG. All our products are collected in tankers and are shipped mainly to Asia.

My role is Offshore Field Engineer. I’m part of the production team, which focuses on optimising our product quality and quantity, ensuring we meet our customer requirements. This position is a FIFO rotational role shared between 3 graduates. A day in the life involves attending pre-start meetings to align production priorities, assisting with alarm management, and getting out in the field to learn how the facility and all its components work. The idea is that we get to see equipment firsthand so that when we return to support remotely, we better understand the process and how to help resolve issues. The Field Engineer works closely with the offshore Operations Engineer, who is our main mentor on how equipment functions. A lot of engineering work is problem solving and involves performing risk assessments and calculations on how we are best to proceed and why it is safe to do so.

What's your background?

I grew up on a merino sheep farm about 3 hours west of Melbourne. I went to a local school until year 8, and then moved to a high school in our regional centre about an hour away. This meant going from 7 classmates to 120 which was a big adjustment. In school I really enjoyed maths and chemistry. I decided to do a broad science degree because I was not convinced on whether I wanted to do pure science or something more practical. After a semester it was pretty clear to me I needed to do something I could see and feel, and that’s how I kind of fell into chemical engineering – it was a bit of an ‘oh that will do’ attitude and I haven’t looked back.

Now that I’m older I realise that life on the farm exposed me to a lot of practical learnings: maintaining farm buildings; fixing fences; ensuring water is pumped across the farm for the sheep; helping with shearing and working in a team. This is pretty relevant to working on an asset where teams maintain and look after equipment, run pumps and ensure everyone is safe onboard. I think somehow, I’ve landed in a career that builds on my practical nature and challenges me mentally, which all adds to the fun of work.

I completed an internship with Shell in Gladstone Qld the summer before my final year. From this, I was successful in getting a graduate role in Perth WA and have been working full-time for almost 2 years.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, for sure! Shell employs lots of different types of engineers from all over the country. The Field Engineer is a developmental role designed to learn about plant operations and maintenance, so it is applicable to all disciplines. In terms of skills, all you need is a willingness to learn and strong calves to climb all the stairs.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

Getting to see equipment firsthand! There are pipes and valves wider than I am tall. It’s amazing being on site and taking time to remember humans just went about and thought, yeah, I’m going to build a Floating LNG plant. I love working in a team and everyone is eager to help and share ideas. Looking over the side of the ship and seeing sharks/turtles is definitely a highlight. But overall, seeing ice form on cryogenic lines would have to be the coolest of all (pun intended).

What are the limitations of your job?

Something to be aware of in working rotation is length of shifts and time on site. The remoteness of offshore work also means travel to and from site is quite lengthy (2.5h plane flight, overnight in Broome, 2h helicopter flight). It is also very hot!

That being said though, the days are broken up with field time, so they go relatively quickly and there is always that sweet 4- or 5-week break at the end to look forward too.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

Study what you love, not what job you see at the end. If you love your field things will fall into place.

Relish those group assignments! I think I was one of the few people who enjoyed group assignments at uni. Take them as an opportunity to see the best in people and get people working on what they’re good at. Most of working life is group work so best to get warmed up to it early.

Make friends and hang out with peers in your year group. Share frustrations on assignments and celebrate the end of semester together. If you love your cohort, chances are you will like the people you work with.