Mr Jagneswar Dev Nath

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Mr Jagneswar Dev Nath

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Name:

At A Glance

Licensed Body:

RSC

Region:

International

Location:

India

First Degree:

Chemistry

Job:

Deputy General Manager

Age:

Works For:

ONGC Institute of Reservoir Studies

Burning Ambition:

To launch my own school for mentoring in oil field chemistry with environmental protection. Wish to get a world wide recognition.

Big Picture

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

To be a medical professional or else a Chemist

Who or what inspired you to become a scientist?

Albert Einstein, Newton were my motivators. During my school days villagers used to get fascinated on my description of scientific principles of world around us. Due to my poor economic conditions I used to teach science students to finance my education and also support my brothers and sisters in their studies. Besides Dr Dilip Dutta,[who is now rendering honorary medical service at Sri Aurovindo Ashram at Pondicherry], The Lion’s Club and the support by Ramkrishna Mission motivated me to develop myself as a good scientist and do some good to the society.

What do you love about your job and being a “scientist”?

During the initial years of my service I had a tough time as my seniors were not willing to adopt to the new ideas and technological inputs. I felt happy when they gradually started my innovative problem solving approach. During the mid-career things were better and I handled many a drilling projects independently. I cherished when the wells produced precious black gold profusely. For the last five years I am getting exposure in use of Well Stimulation techniques and reservoir management thro application of Polymer Gel techniques

What would you change?

I would have loved to change the bureaucratic way of work environment into a participative style thro’ multi-disciplinary team approach.

Education

What qualifications did you take at school?

I passed my schooling with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics and was awarded Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Why did you choose your first degree subject?

My first degree was a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Pure Chemistry, and I said earlier Chemistry is my passion

Do you have a Masters or PhD? If not, was it difficult to demonstrate Masters-level equivalence in order to achieve CSci?

I passed out Masters in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Calcutta. My educational peer support was provided by Prof (Mrs) Ashima Chatterjee, Prof D Banerjea, Prof Mihir Choudhury and such other teachers of repute. Under the leadership of such teachers and through their motivation during my university days I joined the Royal Society of Chemistry. I had no problem in achieving the CSci

Job

How do you describe your job when you meet people at a party?

I am a Chemist with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd

What is ‘cutting-edge’ about your work?

Oil and Gas exploration and production is a profession of highly skilled technological application.

What are the biggest implications your work will/could have in the future?

A successful execution and completion will result in production of oil, the black gold, which is essential for meeting the energy demand of the country. A failure may result in blow outs and loss of life and property.

Describe some of the highlights of your average day.

My average daily activities include planning organizing directing and controlling the operational requirements. Conducting R&D works for Water Shut Off and Profile Modification studies for producers and injectors. Off course all activities are with total consideration of safety, occupational health and environment management

Describe briefly how your career has progressed to date.

1974- Junior Research Assistant. 1978- Senior Research Assistant. 1979- Asst Chemist 1980- Junior Chemist 1986- Senior Chemist 1989- Deputy Superintending Chemist 19 - Superintending Chemist 1998- Chief Chemist 2008- Deputy General Manager (Chemistry)

How is your job cross-disciplinary?

Petroleum industry is a multi disciplinary team work. I have to keep close coordination and collaboration with following disciplines. Geology, Drilling, Production, Mechanical engineer, Electrical engineer, Logging services, Reservoir engineers, etc

How well is your job compensated? What is the starting salary for your field, and how much can this be expected to rise?

ONGC is one of the highest paying companies in India, however the compensation is quite less than international MNCs and similar industries.

How do you see your field developing over the next 5-10 years?

There is sufficient scope for development of oil and gas fields of India, as yet many of the sedimentary basins are still unexplored

What’s the most unexpected thing about your job?

When because of austerity drive and budget cuts sometimes some projects need to be dropped. And so your plans and programmes are derailed.

What’s the biggest achievement of your career so far?

I gained the experience of moving around all the oil and gas installations in the Arabian Sea for Offshore Environment Monitoring. I have to my credit for drilling the first super deep exploratory well of India in the Himalayan foot hills. In 2008 I was awarded by the CMD for successful implementation of WSO job in an oil well which was producing water and kept shut for more than a year. On execution of the Polymer Gel WSO job the well started producing oil @ 75-80 cu.mt per day

Life

Would you say you have a good standard of living/ work-life balance?

I enjoy all the physical amenities of life. I take care of my dependent brothers, friends and relatives whenever required. I also spend much of my time for social works.

What do your friends and family think about your job?

They are proud of me.

What kind of hobbies or extracurricular activities do you do to relax?

Internet surfing, net-working with scientists and engineers. Week end partying with friends. Participate in social function during religious celebrations and contribute as and when required.

CSci

Why did you choose to apply for CSci and what do you value most about being a Chartered Scientist?

Initially I was a Chartered Chemist MRSC and when the circular came from the RSC inviting to join as CSci, I was thrilled. A Chartered designation has elevated my professional recognition in the company and my colleagues and friends respect my comments with special attention. A sense of organizational wise recognition prevails.

What is the value of professional bodies?

I value professional bodies at a very high esteem. I am involved with many a professional bodies like Society of Petroleum Engineers, Indian Chemical Society, Indian Association for Environmental Science and Technology. Professional bodies help in updating our knowledge by facilitating provision of new technology ideas, literatures, notes, journals and also organizing conferences, seminars, distinguished lectures by experts etc

How important is CPD? What do you think of the revalidation process in ensuring that CSci is a mark of current competence?

CPD is no doubt very important, if CPD would not have been there I might not have tried to spend some time in preparing this write up. CPD validation process in force should continue, and some certification should be given on successful completion of validation. This shall help us to demonstrate my Professional Competence to my company. CPD is a motivator for me

Advice & Reflection

What words of wisdom would you give someone interested in getting into your field?

Mentoring by seniors is very important. Appropriate coaching a must. Develop soft skills for working in my areas of the profession. Enhance your knowledge in vertical depth and horizontal breadth

How important is the mentoring process in your field and to you personally?

Mentoring is very important for professional development

How would you define “professionalism”?

According to me “PROFESSIONALISM” is perform with all honesty, ethics, transparency and clarity. In all the cases follow the guidelines laid down in GLP, GMP, and internationally acclaimed and approved standards.

What would you do differently if you were starting out in your career now?

Something to do in the environmental protection front

What would you like people to remember about your life as a scientist?

My life is my example for others. Keep up the smile always

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