Selamat Berjaya. We might see each other in PRSB.

Wahhh lots of question. I'm using an iPhone so it's a pain in the behind to type the reply. I'll reply using my computer soon.

I'm no longer with Petronas. Left the company 6 years ago and now in the middle east.

Actually I am not experienced enough to answer all that questions. I will be starting working at PRSB (joining EOR R&D) in three weeks time. 1 October is my first day reporting at PIPE. So I am also new.

I am looking forward for bro azraeil answers. But I had one month exposure doing on the job training with PRSB this year before I joined mudlogging company. I can try answer your question and my answer may not be correct.

1. could u please share what is the job nature of being a researcher for PRSB? i'm assuming that my job will mainly focusing on the research proposal n spend most of my time in lab?

I think that is what u will be doing most of the time. Often times, u will have to attend a lot of meetings at KLCC. (projects team and supplier) U will spend time in the lab doing core flooding experiment (a lot of new and expensive equipment for EOR are coming in). But u will learn a lot about EOR especially chemical flooding and WAG optimisation. Maybe, when they are doing pilot project, u will have the chance to go offshore (maybe once in six months) . When u joined PRSB, I think u will be placed in the same team as mine.

2. as per my reading on the oil and gas and this thread, please correct me if i'm wrong. does PCSB mainly handles all the e & p nature of the oil & gas business in msia and PRSB business totally depends on the grant given by PCSB?

Yes that is true. Most of the projects for PRSB are funded either by PCSB or EEPTC. Lots of projects are coming in as Petronas are now putting a lot of money to squeeze more oil from depleting fields. The projects are mixed of local and overseas fields.

3. from my limited research and readings on the oil & gas industry in msia, the eor activities in msia is going to accelerate given that PETRONAS has change its direction towards marginal field and eor activities in msia. is this statement true?

True according Petronas 2011 annual report. You can read that for more info. Petronas signed billion dollar deal with Shell to develop EOR project.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...2505&sec=nation

4. can i safely say that if i ever get employed by PETRONAS under this unit, i could have a progressive and good career ahead of me compared to other units/division?

i am not sure about this. The manager for EOR group is a very good and kind person. I met some people joined this group because of her.

5. i'm assuming that working with PRSB will hamper my chances on getting involve with the field activities of the industry, is it? i just think it's kinda wrong to start a career with research activities with a limited field experience. could u comment a little bit on this?


I am not sure about this too. I was in mudlogging for few months, and I see that it is hard for me to become a reservoir engineer. But, in PRSB I can see my way to become a reservoir engineer since EOR is also part of reservoir engineering. If u want to be a drilling engineer, later u can apply with PCSB once u are in Petronas. I do realize it is very difficult for me to get in Petronas and I don't always get what I want. For me, keep working on what u have, don't stop learning and keep working achieving my dream job.

I also have the same questions in my mind. Maybe bro azraeil can answer this questions much better than me. I am actually looking forward for this answers. Thank you for posting all the questions. Thanks bro azraeil in advance.

When I joined PRSS a looong time ago, there were 2 main job for PRSS, it's basically the lab department for PETRONAS (in competition with Core Lab basically) and also the custodian for the Core Warehouse (previously in Hulu Langat and now moved to Ulu Klang). It does applied research (not many pure research which the previous CEO wanted to leave it to the Universities) and also technical services. I was involved mostly with Technical Services (something like a consulting arm for Petronas). I actually started 3D static modeling work while I was in one of the project in the technical services line of work.

I believe now, PRSS has been restructured where they don't do technical services anymore and mostly concentrate on applied research and specializing in EOR. So you mostly will be involved in the EOR projects most of the time probably doing core flooding, Special Core Analysis (SCAL) and based on what I hear, they are bringing those expensive equipment etc so you should have the state of the art equipment to do all your work.

After PRSS I joined PMU and actually was involved in pushing all the operators to implement EOR. Before I left we managed to make sure that ExxonMobile implement EOR for the 95 PSC fields (Guntong/Seligi/Tapis) and for Shell to implement EOR in the Baram Delta (The EOR PSC that they signed last time around worth 37 billion) and for Carigali to implement EOR for Angsi  and Dulang field.

EPTC is the E&P Technology Center and they are responsible for coming up with the EOR FDP so they will be PRSB main client. Angsi will be a chemical flooding EOR, Dulang is Immiscible WAG (Water Alternating Gas) EOR, Tapis/Seligi/Guntong will be an immiscible WAG as well (may involving CO2 as well) and the Baram Delta was plan for a CO2 flooding but I think it will be immiscible WAG as well.

The EOR Head in PRSS is a friend of mine and she is very nice. The head in EPTC was my previous boss but he is a slave driver so be wary.

As for career, well it depends, if you want to specialize in reservoir engineer in terms of the technical detail of it, then PRSS is the place to stay but I do recommend you getting some operational experience as well. I have gaps in my skills with regards to the operation side of things because I jumped directly into doing static models (which is a specialised field) and the thing I would change is probably spend some more time in Carigali (maybe 4-5 years). But you work with what you're given.

There is always chance for you to move to different OPU but if you spend too much time and experience in the lab, then your movement opportunity is limited. If you spend it say doing lab work (PVT, SCAL, Core Flooding) and then using those experience to help you in doing reservoir simulation  work, then the opportunity is endless.

Good luck!

anyone is joining November pipe program? Do I need to do any preparation for it?

Did they call you for the medical check up? I passed my SI mid september and I handed in my offer letter with all the relevant documents last week. So, I guess most likely they will put you into the december session. 

Hi all,

I went to chit-chat session (TA) last Friday and still waiting for feedback on whether I'm recommended for SI.
Or should i call the HRM straight up regarding this matter?

Thanks.

Congrats on your offer!
Did u get E1 or E2?

Thanks.
The HRM called earlier before the TA session, saying something
about sending me some forms that i need to fill out.
2 days later, i got a call from the Petronas inviting for the TA session.
Went for it last Friday.By the way, i Nnever actually received any forms from the HRM.
Is that normal?

relax..petronas HR memang slow..

I had to wait for 1 month to be called for SI after submitting declaration form.

had to wait another 1 month to be called for CBI (they didn't do my SI and CBI together).

a week after the CBI, asked them if I'm recommended, they said yes.

had to wait another 3 months to be called to come for medical checkup.

on the day I'm supposed to do the medical checkup, didn't receive my medical checkup letter (the letter you give to the hospital in order for them to charge Petronas instead of paying yourself) until I ARRIVED at the hospital.

then only got my offer letter. 

Some people waited for 6 months or forever. I was lucky in the sense that everything happened faster than expected. You can do what I do - accept other offer first then resign when your Petronas offer arrives.

eventho they are quite slow, but I think we should be glad and thankful to them on the other side, bcoz they are really trying to process all new offers / salary appeal / payroll / etc for not only 2 or 3 persons. In my case, I have to wait 5 months to get the offer letter....peace

i have not received any email from the HR. should i give them a call?

Is it true that RE are paid higher than other engineers in petronas?

But now drilling is not skg10 anymore.  It is move to skg25. I heard it is going to be tier 0 which is above tier which going to get the highest increment compared to all.

Getting promoted is not easy as many people think. But now, HR is going to revised promotion garde from 7 grades to 14 grades to ease people to be promoted. Last time you need to achieve 80% of ACD to be E2. With new scale, 50% you can move the next grade.

So, where is skg25? tier?

I know one friend who stays till 11 everyday when he was involved in the Bayan project, Now he's happy in QP

Ahh Block C, 1st floor I assume because that where the Petroleum Engineering group is. I was in in Fourth Floor brings back memories.