From offshore as a completion engineer on an oil well to onshore as a consultant in energy business development, Aisha Anastasia thrives in the oil and gas industry.
On board an offshore drilling rig, a well is drilled with the cement and casing in place. Next, a completion engineer works to make sure the well is fully functioning with oil and/or gas flow at an optimal rate.
Dependent on geological conditions, wells require different completion processes to take place. One well may need sand control treatment, a second well may need a permanent down-hole gauge system, while another well may need an artificial lift, which is a mechanical device to increase flow.
Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aisha Anastasia worked as a completion engineer, responsible for the final stage of drilling a well. Aisha grew up with a love of math and science. She credits her grandmother, a science teacher, for opening up her world to the wonders of science that drove her to study engineering. Ultimately, Aisha earned a Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Indonesia.
For four years post-graduation, Aisha worked offshore in Southeast Asia. She looks back at those four years as a challenging experience that she enjoyed. One of the hardest challenges for Aisha was being away from family and friends over the holidays.
National holidays were something Aisha did her best to make the most out of. “I spent many holiday offshore too, both Eid Al-Adha & Eid Al-Fitr (Islamic holiday) prayer on the helipad. At least, the view is really beautiful!”
At one point, Aisha recalled being offshore for her birthday. Focused on her work, she wasn’t planning on telling anyone. Somehow, a crew member found out and made a PA-announcement, declaring a celebration.
After gaining experience on the water, Aisha moved into a shore-side role. She is now on a business development team, in charge of three oil and gas company clients.
Aisha credits her seagoing career for preparing her for the shore side position, providing knowledge that she is grateful for and relies on regularly. “Not only did the experience enhance my technical and engineering knowledge, but it also allowed me to learn how to work with different types of people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.” She adds, “My experience offshore helped me a lot in dealing with clients and enables me to know what they really need, so I can provide them with the right advice.”
Today, there are more opportunities than ever before for women to work in the oil and gas industry, so Aisha encourages young girls to enroll in technical or science majors. Time in the field is valuable, especially if one is to move a career shore side one day, similar to what Aisha has done.
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