Mohammed Jamail: Shell graduate

Name : Mohammed Jamail
Employer : Shell
University : University of Nottingham
Subject : MEng chemical engineering

My background

In my final year at university I drew up a list of employers and started applying. I knew I was interested in the energy (oil and gas) sector, but that was about it! I hadn’t done any internships but rather had undertaken a specific 9–10 week academic research project. I was fortunate enough to be offered a place with Shell before I graduated.

My job

I am responsible for the day-to-day running of a refinery process plant. We refine crude oil to produce automotive fuels and chemicals. In the morning I liaise with unit operators to find out what has been going on and any issues that need resolving. I look at unit data, big spreadsheets of real-time data, and once I’m happy that the plant is running smoothly I concentrate on my short- and long-term projects. Short-term projects involve any changes that need making to the plant, risk assessments and so on. For example if I wanted to inject chemicals into an overhead column to prevent corrosion, I would need to outline why it needs doing, mitigate the risks and monitor results. Long-term projects are often those that require additional funding such as catalyst replacement projects. I am currently working on how to eliminate chloride levels from imported feeds we are processing on the unit. Every year I, and Shell graduates worldwide, go for a few weeks of training in the Netherlands. This is course-based, and we participate in lectures and seminars on topics such as oil refinery, catalytic reforming, health and safety, and managerial soft skills.

My work environment

I am largely based at the plant and work with engineers at all levels on a daily basis. If we come across operational issues that other plants have experienced before, I go to visit them to see how they resolved them. I recently went to Gothenburg, Sweden, on such a visit.

The highs and lows

The budget constraints, and having to haggle over the smallest cash issues, can be frustrating – but that is the nature of business. I enjoy the fact that I can make a difference and see the results instantly. Applying my knowledge and education to practical ends is a great feeling.