Petrospective 2022
1.
Graduate Experience An interview with
Muhammad Yousuf Jabbar PhD Researcher at University of Calgary
Q.1) A little about Muhammad Yousuf Jabbar. While pursuing Mechanical Engineering at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology in my 3rd year, I was selected for the only internship opening at Baker Hughes, Pakistan. During my stay there, as part of my field training, I was taken to the oil rig on-site where I witnessed the actual drilling operation for the extraction of hydrocarbons. The entire process made a huge impact on my professional inclinations and preferences. I was highly fascinated by this field and decided to pursue a career in the Oil & Gas sector. Upon graduation, I went for my Masters to KFUPM in Petroleum Engineering. Since then I volunteered and represented SPE in various capacities and had the opportunity to travel, learn, and develop my leadership skills. I worked for my MSc research at Schlumberger Carbonate research centre, a unique opportunity for a student, and got to know the industry very early in my career. Besides my research, the centre was also working on regional and global challenges faced by the operator and working to provide solutions. I learned how to work under time constraints, visualise abstract concepts, and apply them to industrial projects in real-time. Upon graduation, I started as a Reservoir Engineer with TOTAL and held responsibility for the EOR studies, development for a mature offshore field in Abu Dhabi. After 4 years with TOTAL, I
Started as a Reservoir Engineer for ADNOC Offshore for the largest offshore field in the world (Upper Zakum) based in ExxonMobil Technology Centre. I have worked extensively in reservoir simulation for future field development, an area I was always inclined to learn and develop my skills. After a decade in the Middle East, I moved to Calgary last year and currently I am in my second year of Ph.D. at the University of Calgary. Q.2) You did your bachelor’s degree from Pakistan, Masters from Saudi Arabia following the PhD. from Canada, how was your experience studying abroad and representing Pakistani talent? In my opinion, our undergraduate program prepared me well to compete with the leading universities across the globe. Studying at KFUPM was a great experience specific to the Petroleum Engineering major since for most graduate courses the faculties are from Saudi Aramco and you hear about the current and upcoming challenges, in terms of research and operations, from the largest onshore and offshore fields in the world. I am fortunate to also co-author with Dr. Sami Neam, later SPE President for 2018-19. The MSC research at the state of art SLB labs and collaboration with Saudi Aramco was a rewarding experience. At KFUPM, Pakistani students have a strong presence and growth over the period, have significant achievements in research, and leading roles in the industry. In pursuing
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