BY VILDE FAGERLAND

Graduate Petrophysicist Susanne Leseth still remembers when ConocoPhillips visited the University of Stavanger (UiS) in 2017.

That’s where she first became acquainted with the company. She had recently left her job as a surgical nurse to pursue a new career in oil and gas. Her decision to switch careers came at a time when many others were fleeing the oil sector to look for a more stable job market in the public health service. Susanne made the opposite choice. She left her job and applied for the geoscience program at UiS, unaware of what awaited her.

 “I met the head of the ConocoPhillips Norway graduate program for geologists, Rune Tveit, on career day,” Susanne said. “Even then, the company had an inclusive image that gave me a sense of hope and motivation. I asked Rune if he had any tips about relevant master’s programs that might increase my chances of getting a job in the industry. He told me to follow my heart. If you think something is fun, you’ll most likely do a good job of it. So that’s what I did.”

The short meeting with Rune was a decisive factor in her decision to follow her dream of a master’s degree in petroleum geoscience.

The turning point and the leap of faith

Susanne knew early on that she wanted to be an engineer, but back home at Moi it was uncommon for girls to apply for the so-called masculine professions. That’s how she ended up in nursing, although the dream of becoming an engineer never left her mind.

“I guess I have an engineer’s mindset. In the operating room, I envisioned technical solutions that could help make things work better. My brain seeks out challenges and solutions, and I knew I had to find an outlet for that. After almost 10 years as a nurse, I reached a turning point where I thought it’s now or never.”

She was fully aware that to do this she had to go all the way, not just leave her job but spend considerable time away from her four children over the next five years. She had chosen a line of study that would entail more than 60 hours of work per week, with no guarantee of employment on the other side.

My brain seeks out challenges and solutions, and I knew I had to find an outlet for that.

Having someone believe in you

All this hard work paid off. She earned top grades and won the 2020 UiS innovation award. After completing her university studies, ConocoPhillips offered her a graduate position. She started off as a geologist and rotated into new petrophysics tasks in Ekofisk well planning. 

“I think it’s wonderful that the company is giving us newcomers a chance. It shows that ConocoPhillips is making a commitment to the future, and not afraid to believe in us. I feel so lucky. Not only did I get a job in the company I wanted to work for, but I also get to work with petrophysics, my dream all along!”

All the things she has experienced have led her to be extra-appreciative of all the perks she has.

“If I need something, all I have to do is speak up and it’ll be taken care of. Things are organized so I can focus on doing a good job. I’m glad that I’ve seen what this can be like, and that makes me even more appreciative of how well we are taken care of here.”

We all share the same goal

Years in the operating room have taught Susanne the importance of team spirit.

“We were a fantastic team, and we worked really well together. Our little group relied on each other 100 percent to do our jobs. My impression is that there’s very good cooperation at ConocoPhillips, but everyone could learn from the unique team spirit in the health sector. I’ve brought a lot of valuable lessons with me.”

According to Susanne, one of the nicest parts of her job is seeing how committed people are to their work.

“I can put forward ideas, and people listen. They might not be able to use all the ideas, but everyone is open to discussing potential solutions,” she said, adding that she is inspired by the determination she sees, and how much people love their work. “Everyone has a goal and seems to be committed to the future. The fact that so many different nationalities and backgrounds are represented creates a very dynamic working environment.”

The road forward

Susanne has a lot of ideas about how the oil industry might look in the future.

“While there’s no doubt that we must become greener, we still need oil and gas. The solution is working to achieve cleaner production. My goal is for us to operate efficiently and economically, while simultaneously preserving the environment.”

Susanne knows that pursuing her engineering dream was the right choice. Drawing on her unique experience, she envisions a long and interesting career contributing to the transformation of the oil sector.   

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At a Glance

Name: Susanne Leseth

Job title: Graduate petrophysicist

Hometown: Moi, Lund municipality, Norway

Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing with continued education as a surgical nurse. Master’s degree in petroleum geoscience engineering.

Family: Married to Sven, who works as an offshore nurse, and has four children.

Fast facts: Enjoys spending time with friends and going for walks through forests and fields; she is embroidering a Frafjord bunad (folk costume) for her eldest daughter.

Quick quote: "The company’s inclusive culture was an incentive to work here, even when I was a student."