Meet Alexandra Coman, Naval Architect | ABL Romania
At ABL people are our business, and our people are our business. Our teams are constantly expanding, into more locations, in expertise and in sectors of influence, so that our people can truly drive safety and sustainability across our energy and oceans.
Each week we introduce you to another member of our staff, for you to meet the energy behind change…
Alexandra Coman, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer
Can you share an insight into your career and expertise, and what attracted you to ABL?
After finishing my bachelor’s and master’s technical studies, I started my career in the academic field, teaching technical subjects such as resistance of materials, technical drawing, mathematical analysis, port and maritime equipment, etc.
After 3 years, I realized that I wanted to “leave the school yard” and develop my career in the oil and gas sector, a subject that has fascinated me since university, being so complex.
While I was working with one local design company, being the manager for the offshore team, most of the documents, drawings, reports, analyses, calculations were approved by ABL. That was the moment when I got to know this great company, with experienced people, which in the meantime become my colleagues.
What is something exciting that you are working on at the moment?
At the moment I am involved in several projects, most of them representing the documentation review for the removal and dismantling of different platforms, as part of decommissioning projects, with the objective to recycle the most part of the materials. I am also involved in meetings with clients and attendance on site for different operations. All these activities together are definitely interesting.
What are the hot topics in your field right now?
Development of new technologies to improve efficiencies in operations and emission reduction using carbon capture and storage as well as development of the renewable energy generation technologies, in my opinion, are two of the hot topics in the oil & gas and renewable sectors.
These days, innovation and improvement of companies and personnel involved in order to ensure they have the required skills to meet the challenges ahead, is of paramount importance.
What are the current challenges in the oil and gas market and what do you think the market will look like in 5 years?
I would summarise the key market challenges today as recruitment and training up of experienced and skilled staff, driving and balancing time, cost and business practice efficiencies across projects, and in ensuring the highest level of environmental protection from any oil & gas spills.
Oil and natural gas play critical roles in energy and economic systems. Therefore, efficiency in energy supply is critical for our near-term energy security.
The transition to low to zero carbon fuels and renewable energy generation also puts increased pressure on the skilled workforce in offshore sectors, increasing demand on recruitment and training.
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
I think the biggest achievement was the completion of the Midia Gas Development project in Black Sea. I was involved from the beginning of the project. This was the start of my career in oil & gas sector and it was a big challenge for me.
What is your favourite memory or experience from your career so far?
Being involved with different types of projects and attendances on site. I gain a lot of new experience, which I believe constantly improves my knowledge as an engineer, creating wonderful memories every day. My favourite career memory by far was when I issued my first certificate of approval.
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