Technical Bulletin: Exploring Career Prospects for Materials, Corrosion & Inspection Engineers in
the Oil and Gas Sectors

In the ever-evolving landscape of the oil and gas industry, the demand for skilled professionals in Materials, Corrosion, and Inspection (MCI) engineering is on the rise. Thus, in response to this vision, AMPP Malaysia Chapter (AMC) proactively jointly organised Corrosion Camp which was held on the 3rd and 4th of November 2023 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Engineering Campus, located in Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang in collaboration with PETRONAS Group Technical Solutions, ShellGlobal Solutions (Malaysia) and USM. The two-day event welcomed participants from various universities, including USM, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti
Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP).

The core objective of this Corrosion Camp is to shed light on the promising career opportunities available for undergraduates and professionals specializing in diverse engineering fields to support the longevity, not only for oil and gas sectors, but also towards sustainability of all industries in the engineering fraternity. Throughout the first day of the camp, participants delved into a wide array of topics ranging from the fundamentals of corrosion engineering to innovative approaches in tackling corrosion challenges within the oil and gas industry, besides exploring creative mitigation strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, participants also engaged in
group discussions and presentations centred around real-life corrosion case studies. This interactive session provided valuable insights into how MCI engineers adeptly resolve technical issues. At the end of the first day session, participants had a chance to engage in a dialogue session with the industry representatives, focusing on their vast experiences as MCI engineers or contractors in the field as well as job opportunities and requirements for newcomers.

On the second day of the Corrosion Camp, participants had the opportunity for practical, hands-on experience with protective coating inspection tools and cathodic protection monitoring. The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from all groups, providing them with a firsthand glimpse into the work of corrosion engineers in the field, even under the scorching sun. The intent was to advocate the importance of real hands-on work right from the beginning of a career of an MCI engineer, ensuring their experience is grounded in real-site work rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

The oil and gas industry offers a wide array of career prospects for materials, corrosion, and inspection engineers. Opportunities range from working with explorations and productions, gas businesses, refineries, and petrochemicals companies to Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contractors, engineering consulting firms, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. Additionally, engineers in these fields can find rewarding careers in equipment manufacturing companies and specialized corrosion control companies serving the oil and gas sectors.

In conclusion, as the oil and gas industry continues to expand and diversify, the demand for skilled professionals in materials, corrosion, and inspection engineering will remain strong. Engineers in these fields are essential for ensuring the industry's sustainability, safety, and efficiency. By exploring these promising career prospects, aspiring engineers can contribute significantly to the dynamic and impactful world of oil and gas.

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Students Feedback
“Good experience and exposure. The sharing session was informative.” - Rafiz (USM)

“Good knowledge from experienced people. The interaction between all participants and the
speakers were so great.” - Hakim (USM)

“So far so good. I think I can catch up with the knowledge that has been shared by the speaker.” - Aidil
(USM)

“Good program to gain more knowledge regarding corrosion.” - Anon/Unknown

 

 

Author: Nurjaimi Binti Ali Staff (Corrosion Engineering), Materials, Corrosion & Inspection, Group Technical Solutions, Project Delivery & Technology, PETRONAS