Go upstream with Brightoil
To keep up with the rapid development of its expanding business, Brightoil Petroleum is looking for candidates interested in building a career in the energy sector.
The Hong Kong-listed company specialises in marine bunkering -the refuelling of ships- and oil storage facilities and terminals. It is also involved in marine transport, and in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.
The company is offering a range of opportunities for qualified professionals to craft a career with considerable room to develop their expertise. About 25 positions are available to deal with increasing operational requirements in various departments. Specifically, there are openings in shipping, risk management, legal, human resources, investor relations, finance, administration, compliance, auditing and treasury.
Human resources manager Noelle Lam Mei-Sau points out that one of the company's recruitment priorities is to build a strong team in the 'upstream' sector. This focuses on exploration and production and, in terms of vertical integration, can serve as important support for the other marine businesses and oil storage facilities.
Lam says the upstream team's main tasks include locating supplies of crude oil or gas underground or underwater. They must also determine whether or not an oil or gas field will give a positive return on investment, depending on estimated production volumes. To do this, they use high-end technology to conduct precise evaluations and analyses, assessing the difficulty of drilling and extraction from a location.
Initially, Brightoil will strengthen senior management for its upstream sector by hiring a general manager, commercial manager, vice-president for upstream mergers and acquisitions, and a Singapore-based vice-president for global new business. 'Hong Kong is primarily a financial centre with no speciality in upstream [oil] business,' Lam says. 'Although we will run roadshows and referral programmes in Hong Kong, we will also look for [suitable] professionals in markets such as Singapore and China.'
Applicants for the position overseeing global new business should have a degree in engineering, geoscience or a related discipline, along with 20 years of relevant experience. Knowledge of upstream financial models, discounted cash flow and listed company regulations will be an advantage.
Once the senior team is in place, the company will hire drillers, geologists and technical managers.
Gregory Channon, Brightoil's vice-president and executive director, says upstream is an inherently risky, yet rewarding, business.
'We will continue to improve our upstream workforce through on-the-job experience and training,' he says.
Career ladder
Project director
HK$85,000+
15 years+
Project manager
HK$50,000 to HK$65,000+
10 years+
Chemical engineer
HK$35,000 to HK$50,000+
10 years+
HK$20,000 to HK$32,000
5 years+
Civil engineer
HK$25,000 to HK$40,000+
5-7 years+
Assistant civil engineer
HK$15,000+
3 years+
Source: Manpower Professional
