ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2020 - 19

spotlight

A FEW MONTHS AGO, two nice gentlemen from ASET reached
out to me to talk about the new ASET outreach program.
Shortly into their enthusiastic pitch I informed them that
they " had me at hello... and... that I had already bought the tshirt! " I mentioned my strong appreciation for technologists,
being one myself. I also told them that we (Birchcliff Energy
Ltd.) have many hard-working technologists employed on
our staff. After our initial discussion they asked if I would
be willing to write an article for ASET's Technology Alberta
magazine, focusing on technicians and technologists in the
workforce and the benefits of being an ASET member.
In writing this article, my mind took me down memory lane. I figured the best way to make my case was to revisit my education
and career path, from when I first made the decision to pursue
a post-secondary education all the way to my executive roles.
I graduated in 1983 from Frank Maddock Senior High School
in Drayton Valley, Alberta, and got a job working for a local
service company doing oilfield maintenance. The very unsafe
conditions helped me make the decision to move on to something new.
In February of 1984 I started a pipelining career, but left six
months later because of the same lack of safety. I was not
afraid of the 14-hour shifts, seven days a week, but all the near
misses, along with freezing my butt off, in a deep snow and
mud-filled trench all day, made me rethink my career path.
At this TSN turning point in my career, I was still only 18 years
old. I had my entire working career ahead of me and realized
at this moment it may be safer to use my brain instead of my
brawn, and go back to school to further my education.
A friend of mine from high school had just completed his first
year of hydrocarbon engineering technology at NAIT when I
reached out to him to inquire about the school and the program. He spoke very highly of the program and the school
and encouraged me to enrol.
In 1984, I enrolled in the hydrocarbon engineering technology
program at NAIT and was well on my way to a long career in
the oil and gas industry. I was living on student loans, but with
hard work and decent marks I was honoured to receive the
Barrymore Stratichuk Memorial Scholarship. This award came
in handy , especially considering near the end of my first term
I lived on Kraft Dinner and could not afford the milk or butter to
mix with the cheese (it's just not as tasty without it).
I went on to graduate in May of 1986. My time at NAIT and ultimate graduation as a technologist gave me the technical tools
and strong foundation needed for a long and prosperous career. I became a certified engineering technologist (C.E.T.) in

1991 and a registered engineering technologist (R.E.T.) in 2002.
In late 1987, I landed a production technologist position with
Mobil Oil Canada in Lloydminster. I had the opportunity to
work in a field laboratory and operate boilers, wells and facilities on a heavy oil fire-flood and SAGD project.
In early 1990, I ended up working for Sceptre Resources Limited where I operated compression facilities and over 100
shallow gas wells in the Crane Lakes area of Saskatchewan.
A year later, an internal notice came from the Calgary head
office, recruiting for two production technologists with field
experience. I was fortunate to be one of the two successful
candidates chosen to move to Calgary.
In my first foray into an office environment, I traded in my
Nomex coveralls and hard hat for slacks and a dress shirt. I
could now use some of the practical training I had received
from school. As a production technologist my focus shifted to
assisting the field staff with optimization initiatives, workover
programming and joint venture negotiations.
In 1991 I moved to Tarragon Oil and Gas Ltd., working as a
production technologist until being promoted to a production
supervisor. At that time, I was responsible for the production
and coordinated drilling and completions activities.
In January of 1995 I started at Stampeder Exploration Ltd.,
where I worked for almost three years as a production superintendent in charge of our Saskatchewan field operations. I
loved it there; you always felt appreciated for your contribution. The executive team, led by the president Jeff Tonken,
deserve full credit for the family culture they created and exemplified. In September 1997, Gulf Canada Resources Ltd.
purchased Stampeder and I remained on staff in the same
capacity until year end.
In January of 1998, I became a production superintendent at
Big Bear Exploration Ltd., a start-up of some old Stampeder
comrades. Things got stressful after Big Bear executed a hostile takeover of a company that was soon found to have falsified
their nearly insolvent financial position. This was an educational
experience for me, but one I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
After leaving Big Bear, I went to Northrock Resources Ltd.
This was my first glimpse of the perceptions around engineer
versus technologist. The vice president of operations was familiar with my experience and hired me for a production engineering role, knowing that I was a production technologist.
This placement created animosity with one particular professional engineer who didn't think I was qualified. I respected
his views, and chose to roll up my sleeves and get to work
to prove myself. It was not long before I was familiar with my

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | WINTER 2020 | 19

ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Winter 2020