Gregory Orih

Describe life on the programme?
I started the programme in October 2013 and since then life has been very exciting.  In my first month I met members of our executive management team and learned a great deal from them.  I was then assigned to a land rig in Brunei where I became part of the rig crew and worked on various projects including rig moves and milling operations.   I finished the graduate development programme in October 2015 and am now working at our headquarters in Aberdeen in an operational support role as I further my career with Imperial Energy Services.

What was the highlight of the programme?
The highlight of the programme was the operational experience I gained while working on our land rigs. This helped me to fully understand and appreciate the daily field activities which are undertaken and the importance of safety in everything we do.

What experience did you gain?
During my time in Brunei I gained experience working as a Roustabout and subsequently in the more senior position of Assistant Driller.  My current role encompasses both HSSE and performance services.  This is a different challenge again, but my field experience is proving invaluable in enabling me to support our crews, and help them to solve the challenges they face from our corporate headquarters.

What was your biggest challenge on the programme?
My biggest challenge was creating a rig move manual for the land rig I was assigned to. However, I tackled this challenge with determination and hard work and as a result the manual was created in good time, was comprehensive and fit for purpose.

What do you hope to achieve from your future with Imperial Energy Services?
In the future I hope to continue my career in an operational management role within Imperial Energy Services, and build on the skills I have learned to date.

What advice would you offer to new graduates?
Learn as much as possible, remain focused and be open to moving into new roles to broaden your experience.

Interesting fact:
In the first 3 months of being on the programme I gained more training certificates than I did during 5 years of studying towards my BSc and 1 year MSc.