Oumer Tahir, Regional Manager – OCTG & Energy Transition (GT, CCS), for Hunting Energy Services, is a graduate of the Energy Workforce Executive Leadership Program. He recently shared his insights on the energy services and technology sector.
Energy Workforce: What is your role with the company? What are your core responsibilities? What does a typical day look like?
Oumer Tahir: I am in technical sales for premium connection OCTG and key member of the Energy Transition team in Hunting Energy Services, looking after Geothermal and Carbon Capture & Storage Wells globally. We supply E&P and service firms with premium connections OCTG ensuring expedited delivery times to meet or surpass WELLS (O&G, CCS and GT) forecasts.
A typical day either involves travel or networking with customers in one part of the world or the other.
EW: Why did you join the energy industry? Was there an individual who influenced your decision? Was there an event or piece of technology that got you excited?
OT: My elder brother introduced us to the oil/energy patch when he joined a service firm in Pakistan. During my university years, I had the opportunity to visit remote field sites, which got me excited. An opportunity to travel the world and work on some fascinating offshore rigs motivated me at the start of my career.
EW: What individual has been most instrumental in helping with your career? What did their mentorship look like and how did it guide your path?
OT: Two individuals, one at Weatherford and one at Hunting Energy Services, helped me learn a lot and taught me a few life lessons.
My manager in WFT was extroverted, lively, exuberant, and jolly person who connected with everyone regardless of stature and position. He made his presence felt in every room he stepped into, and I learned a few BD tricks and tips from him.
My manager in Hunting has been instrumental in helping my career due to his unwavering and diligent approach. His determination, commitment, and focus on details have been invaluable learning experiences for me. He prioritizes business matters yet has also imparted personal lessons that I greatly appreciate.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
Its effect on the planet and geopolitics. Apart from technological advancement and how resilient it is in difficult times of recession/COVID/downturns, the sheer effect of the Hydrocarbon/Energy industry on every single human being is astounding. The energy industry and energy itself dictate the politics, decisions, and economic situation of countries and much more.
EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
OT: I wish we would address the Energy Transition aspect of our industry with reason and facts. Hydrocarbons and fossil fuels have been here for generations, and regardless of our beliefs, convictions, and ambitions, They will play a vital role in shaping the future.
I also wish we would tackle the Energy Trilemma amicably, i.e., Energy Security for every country/region (not only will it raise the standard of living but will help peace prevail), Affordability (Energy available for the masses and not for large corporations only), and Sustainability (New Energy sources that are developed should last for decades, i.e., Geothermal, Nuclear, Hydrogen, Micro-Hydro, etc.).
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
OT: I will help my friends, colleagues, and customers realize their ambitions for future energy needs. We all need to play our part for the next generation. I will collaborate with different stakeholders in our industry to drive project costs down and maximize efficiency while ensuring safety, less carbon emissions, and a safer, better world for future generations.
EW: How has your involvement in the Energy Workforce supported your career goals?
OT: I learned a lot during the Executive Leadership Program mentoring and coaching sessions. During our networking session and classroom assignments, I learned how to be accountable, how to measure my own performance, and how to set goals for career growth. The executive leadership course has been an eye-opener for me, and I wish to implement the learnings from the course both in my personal and professional life.
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
OT: The tables can turn at any moment. I met a president of a multibillion-dollar firm who had a significant situation change. This experience taught me a valuable lesson about being grounded and humbled regardless of your position/stature.
EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?
OT: I am working on novel/disruptive technology borrowed from the Aerospace industry, which can be a game changer for future Carbon Capture and HPHT Sour Gas Wells. Non-Metallic Tubular. Carbon Fiber and Titanium composite tubing for Gas and CO2 storage wells.
Secondly, A technology originated from Kuala Beers in Australia is rejuvenating the old, depleted oilfields. Microbial/Organic Oil recovery is one of the differentiators for me.
The energy industry is evolving at unprecedented levels, so I can name many exciting new technologies.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the energy industry?
OT: Learn. Never shy away from new roles/responsibilities and always step up/volunteer for a challenging task. Consider a challenging situation as a learning curve and pressure as a privilege. Maintain work-life balance.
EW: What do you do for fun or what’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
OT: I play squash and golf for fun. My perfect vacation would be a family vacation to a resort with no WiFi.
EW: What’s a fun fact people would never guess about you?
OT: I have memorized The Holy Book of Islam, The Qur’an, by heart and can recite it well.
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