Dream Australia

To change the world you need to be taught differently

In 2011, Nigerian student Charles Nweke took a gamble to leave his home in the hope a scholarship at University College London’s campus in Australia might open up greater career opportunities.  It was a chance that paid huge educational dividends and led to a top job as a petrophysicist at Australian gas giant Santos. 

Graduating in 2012 with a UCL Master of Science in Energy and Resources Management, Charles is now using this first-hand learning to provide more reliable supplies of energy.

“One of the rewarding things about working for Santos is that, despite being a world-renowned company, it’s small enough that challenges and breakthroughs in your own workspace easily filter through to the company share price,” he says.

“That in itself spurs me to strive to make a difference knowing full-well that the support cast is readily available. Knowing that I can only develop myself further while putting in my best also does keep me going.”

Charles uses complex data processing and specialised evaluation to help quantify and qualify hydrocarbons across a variety of Santos gas fields and other assets.

“On a good day, my job would involve a timely analysis of raw data from a (petroleum) well once it’s been drilled and logs are acquired to measure the properties of the rocks,” he says.

“Results of this analysis would enable a go-forward decision regarding the producibility of the hydrocarbons – if any – produced in the well.” 

Charles undertook an undergraduate degree with the Federal University of Technology, Owerrie (FUTO), where he evaluated and modelled the electricity system in Nigeria. But he says completing his masters at UCL gave him the industry insight he needed to secure a job with Santos.

He started with the company as a reservoir engineer, developing, updating and implementing development plans for gas fields and reservoirs in the South West Queensland region.

“It gave me the confidence and insight into how the industry works to pursue my career in the energy and resources sector,” Charles says.

“Just like I’d been fascinated by working with the most intelligent and innovative minds in the oil and gas industry, UCL offered an opportunity to study alongside great minds and high achievers from across the world who not only keep you on your toes, but most importantly those you learn from build great and lasting networks.

“UCL’s strong industry links with Santos undoubtedly helped me secure my job.”

To find out more about University College London (Australia): here