International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) - Interview with Alderley's Marie Feroux, Senior Engineer

2. What is it like to be a woman in Engineering?

There are still fewer women in Engineering than men, but this has definitely changed over the years, and we are now seeing an increase in the number of women occupying engineering roles.

I feel particularly confident being a woman in engineering. More women are enjoying high responsibilities and leading strategies, confirming that being a woman in engineering is no longer a barrier but a strength!  Men and women can often have very different approaches to problem solving so having a diverse team can lead to great results.

3. What would you say to girls in school/college who may be considering Engineering as a career choice/study option?

If you are considering engineering as a career choice don’t be afraid and follow your ambitions. There are many opportunities and interesting areas in engineering (Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering etc). 

As an engineer, you can choose to work in an area you are passionate about and where you will reach your highest potential, you will have the opportunity to be creative, to develop innovative solutions, and to challenge yourself to overcome obstacles.

I really enjoy the fact that every day is different, with new challenges to solve and you can easily understand your added value and contribution.

4. What does a Metering Engineer do? What does a typical day in your job involve?

A Metering Engineer oversees the design of accurate metering systems to fit client requirements. To ensure the traceability of the quantities exchanged between parties/operators (oil, water, gas), but also for transaction and tax purposes, and for the management of the emissions (CO2), it is important to ensure that the systems used to measure the fluid flow rates are accurate. Many parameters can influence the selection of the metering technology but also the design of the skid: the fluid state, pressure, temperature, allowable pressure drop, skid location (offshore, onshore, subsea), but also client requirements in terms of accuracy and uncertainty. A Metering Engineer is responsible for gathering all this information to provide the best solution to the client.

A typical day consists in following-up any ongoing proposals to ensure that the sizing, the pressure drop, and uncertainty calculations are done within the deadlines so that the Proposal Team can issue to the client on time.

Participating in design reviews will help in discussing and sharing ideas with colleagues to make sure that the final design is the most suitable solution. As a metering engineer, it is important to be aware of the latest guidance’s/standards in the flow measurement area as this can impact designs significantly.

R&D work is also performed regularly to ensure that we are adapting to the new environmental challenges: measurement of Hydrogen, measurement of the carbon dioxide emissions, flare gas monitoring.

5. Progressive engineering is fundamental to delivering for the global energy industry, what kind of things are Alderley working on to innovate and digitalise the heart of its business?

To innovate and tackle the upcoming environmental challenges Alderley is involved in different areas such as: Produced Water Treatment, Hydrogen, and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). CCS goal is to capture CO2 and to help reduce the emissions by storing it in appropriate locations.

Huge progress has been made in the CCS area to help companies to reach the net-zero target set by governments. CCS rich streams are quite complex, and Alderley is working in collaboration with Kelton and TUV SUD NEL to understand the best models (Equations of States) to estimate the physical properties of CCS rich streams thanks to the composition and to the operating pressure and temperature. This will help in determining physical properties of CCS mixtures with high accuracy in the future, and to calculate the added uncertainty when using the wrong models.

Alderley is now part of the ISO TC 265 committee (Carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage) to ensure that we are actively taking part and helping to set the regulations in the CCS area. Alderley is also working on developing a digital tool dedicated to flare gas monitoring.

6. What made you choose Alderley? And why is it a great place to work?

Before joining Alderley , I was working as a PhD student within a large Oil & Gas company in France, and I was looking to join a smaller company so that I can develop my skill set and have more responsibilities while starting my career. When joining Alderley, I immediately felt that I have made the right decision. My manager has given me the opportunity to wear multiple hats and work across different areas.

Since the first day, I have felt encouraged and supported when sharing my ideas to help the business to develop especially in the CCS area (Carbon Capture and Storage). Alderley is a great place to work where I can develop at a fast-paced rhythm thanks to the support of my colleagues and also thanks to the management. Being happy at work, feeling supported and encouraged, but also rewarded is the best feeling you can have at work. I am proud to be part of Alderley.

7. In your opinion, why should people choose Engineering in the energy industry? What advice would you give someone looking to start out their career in this field?

Energy is playing a significant role in our daily lives; it drives economic growth but also human development. One of the main challenges now is to ensure we deliver energy with minimal impact on the environment. Engineers in the energy sector will help in developing innovative practical solutions adapted for the environmental transition and upcoming challenges worldwide.

If you look to start your career in engineering, you will find interesting opportunities in many areas. The most important thing is to ensure that you chose an area you are passionate about, but also where you will use your potential to its fullest, because there is nothing better than feeling proud of your achievements and feeling that you are contributing to something that matters a lot.

8. What inspires you about Engineering and what are your hopes for its future?

In engineering, the development of a product is the result of teamwork, where many people from different entities are involved and work together to gather knowledge and experiences in order to create the most suitable product based on the client needs.

I particularly enjoy seeing the end result and understanding the direct contribution I’ve made to this. I really hope that the engineering sector will continue to develop, and to attract young talent that are looking to take up a challenge to reach a better and greener world.

9. What do you look forward to each day as part of your role?

I really enjoy the fact that every day is different. Some days will be fully dedicated to the design of skids from the sizing to the pressure loss, and uncertainties calculations, while others will be more oriented towards R&D. As a metering engineer you always need to be aware of the latest developments and progresses in the flow measurement area which is both challenging and interesting.

10. How important is INWED (International Women in Engineering Day) on 23 June in raising awareness of the opportunities for women in engineering?

INWED is important as it encourages girls to consider engineering careers especially at a time when there is a significant increase in the number of opportunities arising in this sector.

If you are passionate about science, you enjoy problem solving and want variety in your daily working life then engineering is the right career, no matter your gender.