Chad Wolf, Vice President, Power Generation & Rental Solutions, Gravity Oilfield Solutions
What influenced your decision to enter the oil and gas industry?
Growing up in a small oil field town in southern Oklahoma, surrounded by several successful people who worked in the oil and gas industry, I was destined to be involved. I saw that a career in oil and gas could be both rewarding and fulfilling.
What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
Being exposed to the industry at an early age, my impression has evolved over time. Early on, I was sheltered from the cyclical nature of the business, primarily because I grew up around a lot of old, water flood production. Later on I began to be exposed to the ups and downs associated with drilling activity and found myself gravitating toward activities associated with more midstream stability. Today my focus is somewhere in the middle and has shown to be rather satisfying.
What have you found to be the most surprising about the industry?
The most surprising aspect is the family-like nature of our industry. I am constantly connecting and networking with people I’ve met who share common ground.
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the industry or your work?
The most challenging and rewarding aspect of the industry and my work is dealing with generational gaps. Adapting to the way other generations prefer to communicate, and their needs that keep them engaged, is challenging for me to adapt. At the same time, it is rewarding as we begin to work together and identify common goals.
Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
I hope to see over the next five-plus years some stability when it comes to commodity prices. I hope that LNG exports begin to bolster natural gas prices.
What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
I believe that it is up to folks like me to keep up with the latest technologies in equipment designs in software or renewable energy technologies. With world growth, energy supply and demand will increase. There will be a need and space for a diverse energy mix, including fossil fuels and renewables, as we work to supply the world with the energy it demands.
How has your involvement in PESA supported your career goals?
PESA has allowed me to connect with others while growing my skill set. Whether that is through the educational programs or merely the interaction at events held in various regions, the opportunity to converse with all levels in various parts on the industry has been very beneficial.
Tell us about some of the people you’ve met while working in the industry and how they’ve impacted your thinking.
Relationships are the key to working in the oil and gas industry. As I stated previously this industry is a tight-knit community. Looking back, the key relationships have been those that have inspired me to get out of my comfort zone which resulted in my growth.
What are you most excited about for your career, your company and your industry?
The most exciting thing to me has been seeing the next generation join our industry and being a part of fostering their growth. I’ve heard it said that you can’t move up until you have trained your replacement. Over the years I have truly learned that this is the truth. As time goes on, if one can work towards this it makes the transitions much easier.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about entering the oil and gas industry?
From the outside looking in, our industry can seem intimidating. However, the people who work in our industry are proud of what they do and they are, in most cases, more than happy to tell their story. You should ask questions and get answers.
What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
There are times we hear negative things about our industry from various forms of media. I wish more people took the time to get educated on the issues and understand that at the heart of our industry there is a community of folks that love what they do and support many families by doing so.
