A CATCH UP WITH DANIEL GOBBITT AND SIMON SORYAL

Following last week’s interview with Daniel Gobbitt and Simon Soryal, here is PART 2…. 

PC: How do you keep your knowledge and skills up to date?

Simon: For me, the internet is everything. Webinars help immensely. From my work I’ll find things that stand out and I’ll read around, I like to delve deep and try to understand everything – that’s the way I work best. Once you’ve broken techniques down so far, the constituent parts are often very transferable. The only course I’ve actually done though was with Precise, they coordinated a training week with Geosoft, the company that developed the Oasis Montaj software. I think it’s great when you can access them.

Dan: I do have to keep my CPD points up for RICS, and I’ve done the EIVA course – but never used it! I would like to do the Oasis montaj course as well – it’s on my to-do list. The issue is finding the time – when you’re back from offshore you’ve got the kids and regular life to catch up on. But trade fairs are good, for networking and seeing new ways of doing things. But I treat each job like an opportunity to learn new things as well. Everyone you work with most likely has done something you haven’t – even someone fresh out of uni might have worked with a different piece of equipment on the uni boat and you can learn from that.  I also share all my course notes and technical manuals with people.

Simon: Feel free to send them my way! =)

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Dan: The most important thing is teamwork or being supportive. You’re always part of a team even if it is quite a small one. It’s important for you to get on with people and to realise we all have complementary skillsets, and people need to share expertise.  Be friendly.

Simon: If you work well together, you inherently have to ask questions and not be afraid of doing that. Part of working as a close-knit team means having the respect that other people have their own role and that everyone’s insight is important. But you have to be able to question everyone regardless of hierarchy, and not be afraid of questioning if you’re doing it with the right intentions.

PC: What are some challenges you think the next generation will face?

Simon: AI could have huge impact on workflow development and data interpretation. The change in tech will drive change in skillsets, so it’ll be more about questioning the algorithms and intelligence behind what is popping out answers. However, the traditional offshore challenges will be the same – it’s these two questions: can you do it safely, and how fast?

Dan: I agree – automation/AI will drive changes but these things won’t be straightforward. New tech will bring new challenges of its own – you have to learn how to use it, how to fix it and get data you can sell to clients.

I’d also point to the downturn – this has had such an impact that I see people with expertise who are close to retirement or who have retired, If we assume O&G has an upturn – it may never do – but if it does, this will be one of the problems. Lot of people who are moderately experienced who’ve left to do other things. We’ll be the ones tasked with getting projects going and that will be a challenge. My dad didn’t leave until he was 68. He retired 6 years ago. I don’t think he’s going to go back offshore and set things up – of course I could be wrong!

PC: What are some of the misconceptions people have about your job?

Dan: I never used to correct people – used to let people think I was a driller on a rig or I told people I was a geophysicist looking at rocks under the sea. People don’t know much about the job, and so I tell people I do sea charts or make maps at sea. Most people haven’t seen a geological map and they ask is that really a job?

Simon: It’s a strange world. If you say data processing, people think of boring number crunching – like data and processing both sound boring. But totally not true. It’s telling a story of the earth through imagery. It’s like painting by numbers but ridiculously more complex. The earth holds the secrets and you’re making maps out of electrical fields, magnetic forces and sound pulses – it’s very cool. Not boring at all.

And there are other misconceptions – like once you’ve got sea legs, they are there for good. That’s not true! Every boat moves differently under your feet. You can always have a few scary experiences – thankfully none where I’ve feared for my life. I have heard of stories when people have lost their lives – but I’ve always felt safe. You have to keep in mind it only takes one small thing to change and it can be different.

Dan: This brings us back to teamwork – relying on other people for your genuine safety. When you’re on deck, having people with experience who know what can go on the load or if you’re standing in the wrong place. They’ll get you in the right place and make sure we’re all looking out for each other. It’s like a family, I guess. I wouldn’t change it.