INTRODUCTION
Job Title: General Field Engineer – Testing Services
Name: Heather Farrell
Company Overview: Heather Farrell is a General Field Engineer in Testing Services at Schlumberger, a leading provider of oilfield services. In this role, Heather plays a critical part in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of sophisticated tools used in oil production.
Job Overview
Heather's daily responsibilities are dynamic and can vary significantly. Onshore, she typically works from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., focusing on tool maintenance, client meetings, and report writing. Conversely, when offshore, she operates on a 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. schedule, supervising tool usage and troubleshooting issues in real-time. “A typical day in the life of a field engineer can vary quite a bit. Every day there is a new and exciting challenge,” she explains. Critical skills for her role include time management and planning, as she needs to see the full scope of a job and prepare accordingly.
Career Path
Heather's journey began during high school when a chemistry teacher ignited her passion for the subject. “I had a great teacher for chemistry, who made the subject stand out to me and made it exciting,” she recalls. After obtaining her degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, she joined Schlumberger, where she has since completed numerous specialized training courses in operations, maintenance, and safety protocols. Her commitment to continuous learning is evident as she regularly updates her skills in offshore survival and safety practices.
Day in the Life
In her dual-role capacity, Heather balances time between onshore office work and offshore installations. Her office responsibilities include maintaining tools, conducting client meetings, and compiling reports, while her offshore shifts demand hands-on supervision of tool operations. Safety is paramount, and she ensures compliance with stringent safety protocols both onshore and offshore. Heather enjoys the diversity of her work environment, which allows her to tackle new challenges daily and engage with a global workforce.
Skills and Tools
Technical Skills: Operation and maintenance of oilfield tools, troubleshooting, and safety compliance.
Soft Skills: Time management, planning, teamwork, and adaptability.
Tools Used: Industry-specific operational tools, safety equipment, and reporting software.