Women In Trades Wednesday- Georgia Fisher
Georgia Fisher is a Process Operator (or Operator Technician, different companies have slightly different names for the same role) in the NZ Oil and Gas industry. She currently works for OMV, at Maui Production Station in Taranaki. Georgia has been at this current role since January 2019. Previously, she worked as a contractor to Greymouth Petroleum in a similar role to help get her foot in the door. She worked in hospitality while studying to help pay her bills.
After leaving school, Georgia was unsure on the path she wanted to take, so took a year off and worked in retail. She soon felt that she wanted something more in a career- she tells us how it all happened: “I wanted something different, hands-on, and something to challenge myself. I’d heard about a year-long course at WITT (Western Institute of Technology) that would allow me to gain industry knowledge and help get my foot in the door. This piqued my interest, but I didn't have a trade background, which was a pre-requisite for applying. To expand my knowledge, I completed a 6 month pre-trade course, where I learnt how to use hand tools, a drill press, a lathe and a welding machine- which I thoroughly enjoyed! At the end of the six months, I applied for the operator course, but unfortunately I wasn't offered an interview. (This course was very sought after and usually has up to 200 applicants a year, while the course only had space for 20). I didn't give up though, and spent the next year studying a diploma in mechanical engineering. When I applied again the following year, I was lucky enough to be offered a spot on the course."
During the year that she completed the course, the oil and gas industry was experiencing a big downturn and there were very few jobs available on completion of the course. "I think less than half of us managed to get employment in the industry. I decided to take a chance and become a contractor through a company, which then contracted me out to Greymouth Petroleum. I worked at a small site in Inglewood called Kaimiro Production Station, and I loved it! I spent three years there, and gained so much knowledge and skills that I’ll have with me for life."
"When a job came up at Maui Production Station, I jumped at the opportunity to further my career and be an employee for a company with such a big name in the industry. I have now been here for a year and a bit and hope to be for many years to come!”
What does a workday look like for Georgia? She explains: “I work 12 hour days on a 6 on and 6 off roster, which can be any combination of day and night shifts. We usually have 4 people on shift at a time- a control room operator and three area technicians. I will arrive on site at around 6.25am in the morning (MPS is about an hour drive from my house) and complete a shift handover meeting with the current shift. We will discuss any plant changes, jobs completed or coming up, maintenance etc. Then we will have our shift morning meeting at about 6.45am where we will discuss work planned for the day, any plant issues and operating parameters, HSE focuses, equipment isolations etc.
Next is permit issue, where I will oversee and sign permits for jobs being completed in my area of the plant. HSE is very important for us, so it is imperative that all jobs are being carried out with the appropriate controls and barriers in place. Safety of all personnel is paramount. By around 8am, I’m getting outside for my first round. During this round, I will be checking my area for any changes or discrepancies, as well as taking samples, attending toolbox meetings, topping up compressor or pump seal oil, taking readings for the CRO (Control Room Operator), adjusting controllers, and anything else that may be required."
"Every single day is different- so at any given time during the day, I could be attending meetings regarding projects or HSE, installing or removing isolations on plant equipment, starting up or shutting down plant equipment, completing emergency exercises, overseeing work being completed in my area, making changes to controllers at request of the CRO, loading out or loading in product, taking samples for the lab, and of course doing a few more rounds in my area throughout the day. We have to be available at all times to assist with plant issues, as it is very important to keep gas going out the gate. At the end of the shift I will write down my notes for the next shift and complete a shift handover with the operator taking over my specific area.”
Want a little background on how Oil & Gas processing works? Georgia gives us a run-down: “The Maui field consists of two offshore platforms, and a production station. The wells offshore extract the oil and gas from the reservoir deep beneath the seabed, which then goes through a process of separation before being sent to MPS separately through the gas pipeline, and the condensate pipeline. The gas will be dried out using a heating and cooling process before entering the pipeline, which travels all the way to Auckland where it is distributed. The condensate is stripped of LPG through the fractionation train, and then pumped to the tank farm in New Plymouth, our condensate then travels overseas to be further refined. The LPG is stored on site and then pumped to Port Taranaki where it is loaded onto ships and distributed.”
Georgia counts her Mum as one of her biggest inspirations; “She was actually the one who pushed me to be in this line of work, and I wouldn't be where I am without her. She also works in a male dominated industry so it's pretty cool to see us both pushing the gender boundaries! Obviously working in a male dominated industry comes with it’s challenges. 99.9% of the guys that I work with are great, but there has been a few times where I have had to speak up and stand up for myself.”
What does Georgia love most about her trade? “I love the fact that every day is different.” She explains. “I like being able to use my mind to problem solve issues on the plant- sometimes we have a plant issue that has never happened before, so we have to try figure out the cause and rectify the issue, usually quite quickly! I am lucky enough to work with a great bunch of guys who are always willing teach me and help me problem solve.”
What are Georgia’s goals for the future? “Hopefully in the next few years I can progress into the role of CRO. This would mean having control of the plant, and therefore a lot more responsibility. At the moment I am focusing on completing my training to be competent in all areas of the plant.”
What did she wish she had known before she entered the industry? “I wish I had known how difficult the long hours would be. It definitely takes some time to get used to it. Having a healthy lifestyle helps! Shift work definitely takes a toll on your mind and body, which I figured out very quickly. I try to live a relatively healthy lifestyle and am lucky enough to have a gym available at work which I use most days!”
Advice Georgia would give others looking to get into the NZ Oil & Gas industry? “If you live in Taranaki I would definitely recommend the Process Operations course at WITT. The majority of the oil and gas companies in Taranaki are heavily involved with this course so it helps you get a foot in the door. In my experience, going to work for a smaller contract company also helped me gain necessary skills to progress in my career. The oil and gas industry are always looking for females to make the workplace more diverse so its a good time to put yourself out there if this line of work interests you!”
