Developing the Next Generation of Completion Engineers
Mark L. Van Domelen
***SPE Distinguished Lecturer***
As the development of oil and gas reservoirs continues around the world, the need for innovative solutions to economically produce these reservoirs remains as strong as ever. Building a talent base within an organization is paramount for this task. The successful exploitation of these often-challenging plays will require completion engineers who can implement new technologies and function within a multidisciplinary work environment. This presentation will describe technical training options and available resources for developing high performing completion engineers within an organization. A case study of an advanced engineering training program implemented within a major service company will be presented, along with recommendations for external training and development programs.
Our industry faces several challenges related to advanced engineering training and technology application including generation gaps brought about from industry downturns, global expansion of unconventional reservoir plays, cost constraints, and the complex nature of the reservoirs we work in today. Companies that recognize this changing landscape and focus their efforts on engineering development will be rewarded with a more productive workforce, higher retention of their technical employees, and a more seamless transition through the years ahead.
Mark Van Domelen is an industry-recognized specialist in hydraulic fracturing and well completion methods. He is currently the Vice President of Technology for Downhole Chemical Solutions, and worked for Halliburton for 31 years in a variety of roles including engineering, technology, operations management, supply chain, and training positions. Nearly half of Mark’s career has been spent in international positions in The Netherlands, Angola, Egypt and Denmark. Mark has a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been a member of SPE since joining the industry in 1984. He has authored or co-authored 17 industry papers and has served on several committees for the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
A few of Mark’s major accomplishments include his involvement on several startup hydraulic fracturing projects in frontier areas such as Kuwait, Oman, Thailand, Poland and West Africa, startup of a new technology center in the Netherlands, becoming the first category manager in Halliburton for global sourcing of proppants, and advancing well stimulation operations in Africa as the Regional Manager.
Mark is passionate about training young professionals and spent the past several years developing and implementing an advanced engineering training program called the College of Completions Engineering for Halliburton engineers in the area of unconventional reservoirs. He has also recently published two SPE papers on the topic of multidisciplinary training, and participates as a mentor for young engineers through the SPE E-Mentoring program.