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Patricia CARLES
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Reservoir Engineer
Geology graduate of ENSG (Ecole nationale des Sciences Géographiques) in Nancy |
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Based in Rueil-Malmaison
How did you get to IFP?
Before joining IFP, I had worked in the oil industry for several years. In 2002, I was a well testing field engineer for Schlumberger. Then I spent four years at Total - three years in France in the petrophysics laboratory followed by one year in Angola as a reservoir engineer in an oil field where I assessed and improved productivity, monitored wells, conducted numerical reservoir simulations, etc.
I met members of IFP during a petrophysics conference. We got on from the outset. At the end of 2005 I called them back. Working at IFP attracted me for three reasons: its world-class reputation, its sound balance between applied research and fundamental research and the career development opportunities on offer.
Tell us about your job.
When I applied for a position within IFP, I told them that I wanted to concentrate less on numerical simulation and spend more time on the experimental and theoretical aspects of my field of expertise. I work in the petrophysics laboratory on the characterization of tight reservoir rocks as part of oil production, and of more clayey rocks for the geological storage of CO2.
Tell us about a normal day at work.
I do not have "typical days" but my work is split into four main tasks: setting up experimental procedures, drawing up new methods including setting up experiments with technicians, disseminating the results obtained (during meetings with industrial players and other research centers or during international conferences), and lastly documentary research (to keep abreast of the latest scientific and technological developments).
What do you like about your job?
The way I am free to organize my research work is the first thing that comes to mind. Even if I must ultimately reach a research objective, I can follow my ideas through and work with engineers and researchers all over the world if I wish.
Innovation is also a real challenge for me, it is very rewarding and intellectually stimulating. Lastly I also like sharing discoveries with my colleagues at IFP and my peers elsewhere.
What does it take to do your job?
Integrity is crucial, "science without conscience is but the ruin of the soul". You have to be honest with yourself and with others: if the results obtained are not what was expected, you have to take a good look at yourself, find the reasons and sometimes even start the experiments over. To do so you have to be persevering and curious: progress is not made without thirst for learning and humility.
You also need to be inventive in your everyday work to design new methods with field experts and technicians. In this respect, IFP files a number of patents.
Where do you want to go from here?
Given the variety of skills developed at IFP, many doors are open to me. Continuing my petrophysical research may enable me to become a specialist in the field or run a laboratory and its team. Alternatively, if I decide to move away from petrophysics, I could become a consultant for subsidiaries, in France and abroad or work in another research sector. Teaching is also an option which interests me.
Lastly, IFP encourages its engineers to develop their fundamental research skills. I would like to begin a thesis in 2008 on a subject relating to my current research work. Companies offering such varied opportunities really are few and far between.