Perspectives on Career Opportunities from Three Decades in the Energy Industry
Alan Walker, Senior Advisor, Energy & Geoscience Institute
Date: September 29, 2015
Time: 10:45 – 11:35 a.m.
Place: WEB L104
Abstract
The price of oil is currently hovering about $40 to $50 per barrel, which has caused a significant contraction in the oil and gas industry. Regardless, there continues to be numerous opportunities for chemical engineers and petroleum engineers in the energy industry. Mr. Walker will review the applicability of the University of Utah’s Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering program and discuss the program from the perspective of over 30 years in the energy industry.
Short Biography
Al Walker very recently accepted a position with the California Department of Conservation to investigate and advance the use of produced water from oil and gas wells for beneficial use or safe underground disposal. Just prior to that, he was the USTAR Director of Technology Outreach and the Utah Energy Research Triangle and a Senior Advisor at the Energy & Geosciences Institute (EGI). He was responsible for commercial development of Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) energy initiatives in traditional and renewable energy technologies at the UofU and Utah State University. Al has a BS from West Point in weapon systems engineering, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is a graduate of the US Army War College, and completed a MS in Petroleum Engineering in May 2015. After ten years in the US Army, he worked for General Electric, Amoco, Questar, and USTAR in energy production engineering, regulatory affairs, logistics, and management for over thirty years. Al and his wife Victoria live in North Salt Lake and Sacramento; have two children Angela and Alec, and two grandsons.