Meet Innocent Urio: The Tanzanian Young Engineer Who Climbed the Oil & Gas Ladder to Success
Innocent Urio’s journey in the oil and gas industry is nothing short of inspiring. From a promising start with the global American oilfield services giant Schlumberger as a Field & Maintenance Engineer to his current role at Puma Energy Tanzania as Engineering & Maintenance Manager, Innocent’s story proves that hard work and dedication can lead to a thriving career. In an exclusive chat with Tanzania Petroleum, Innocent shares his experiences, challenges, and advice for aspiring professionals. Here’s what we learned:
- How Did You Get Started in the Oil and Gas Industry?
“My career journey began in early 2012, right after finishing my final university exams at the University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering & Technology (CoET). I got an offer from Schlumberger as a Maintenance Engineer after acing a series of exams and interviews at a career fair organized by Schlumberger at the University of Dar es Salaam.”
- What Was the Main Challenge You Faced?
“The toughest part was the first two years, spent mostly in the field on onshore and offshore drilling rigs, working from the forests of West Africa, deserts of North Africa, and deep water ocean in Southern & East Africa. It was a period of intense fieldwork and learning through on-the-job and classroom training. You had to master the skills quickly or risk being dismissed if you didn’t pass all the on-the-job and classroom training.”
- Most Memorable Career Moment?
“In 2015, I was promoted to General Maintenance Engineer after successfully delivering a project presentation in Pointe Noire, Congo Brazzaville. It was a high-stakes, pass-or-fail event in front of the Sub-Sahara Africa Regional Management panel, and I nailed it. This promotion was a critical career milestone and opened the door to taking on managerial roles within the company.”
- How Is the Oil Market Recovery Affecting Your Career?
“The recovering oil prices are opening up new opportunities worldwide. It’s crucial for all industry stakeholders to be ready to seize these opportunities.”
- What Does Local Content Mean to You?
“Local content is about providing employment for locals and using local goods and services. It’s about developing and involving local human capital and businesses in the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry.”
- Advice for Young Aspiring Oil and Gas Professionals?
“Stay informed and know what qualities oil and gas companies are looking for. Build professional networks, like LinkedIn, and keep your CV updated. Visit industry-specific job sites regularly to stay on top of opportunities.”
Innocent Urio’s story is a testament to the opportunities in the oil and gas sector for those willing to put in the effort. His journey shows that with the right mindset and dedication, anyone can rise to the top in this dynamic industry.
