The common perception of the hardships faced by oil-company geologists is perhaps best portrayed in a PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) television commercial. They set off on foot, wandering in the desert, with no trees or water in sight, suffer from dust storms and heat, eat canned food and endure days and nights of isolation and discomfort, to find the tell-tale signs of possible petroleum reserves.

Although this could be a bit exaggerated, it does give a rough picture of the life of Rangsan Bhangbhun, a PTTEP geologist who has played a large part in the company's successful discoveries in the Shams Field in Oman, an oil-rich Middle East country.

Thanks to his company's 20-year dedication to grooming locals, the poor boy from Si Sa Ket is now sharing the limelight.

Born into a poor family in a small district 600 kilometres from Bangkok, Rangsan was a bright boy who worked hard to built up a good academic record that gained him scholarships for secondary and undergraduate studies. In 1987, he earned a bachelor's degree in geology from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science.

Rangsan began his working life at a tin and zinc mine in Kanchanaburi before securing a temporary job with the Mineral Resources Department, which assigned him to explore for gold in Nong Khai for a daily wage of Bt52.

"Geologists are the first persons to step into unexplored territory. We have to eat and sleep on the dirt for low pay. However, it teaches us to be patient. I can accept it, as my life has never been easy," he says.

Shortly after that, he was one of three new geologists chosen by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand from among 200 contestants. It was later, in 1990, that he started his life as a PTTEP employee. His first work place was the Sirikit Field in Kamphaeng Phet province, the company's only exploration field at the time.

What followed for Rangsan was a long period of extensive learning. He spent four years at Shell's head office in Bangkok's Klong Toei district and a further term of training with the French company Total, which was then exploring the Bongkot Field in the Gulf of Thailand. For three months, he attended a petroleum training course, then for a further four years toured Total's offshore exploration fields.

"For more than 10 years, I was sent to work with those companies that were world leaders in petroleum exploration and production. Now I know how they work, and I know it is not easy at all to be in this industry. I don't think foreign geologists are better than Thais in this regard, because I have observed their work. They could be better in two ways: they have blonde hair, and they speak better English than I do.

"I must say that PTTEP was very generous in investing millions of baht in me," he says.

Rangsan points out that geology is of critical importance to petroleum exploration and production, because the "black gold" lies deep under the ground, and a learned assessment of deep subterranean structures is a first step in finding oil or natural gas. Geologists are in the front line, to conduct a number of studies before drilling starts. An exploration company depends upon the experience and expertise of its geologists in deciding whether to proceed with a high-risk venture that may be a waste of money - at US$6 million to $7 million (Bt209 billion to Bt244 billion) per well - or could reap huge rewards.

Rangsan says petroleum exploration and production is a high-risk albeit high-return industry. It is considered lucky if petroleum is found in one of 10 holes.

"The [geological] survey team is the heart of the company. It will determine whether the company is wasting its money or reaping big rewards," he says.

Rangsan became involved in the Shams Field exploration in Oman early last year as exploration manager. He took over the work of a first team that was sent there in 2002 to explore Field 44 - a 1,162-square-kilometre patch of the Shams Field that was PTTEP's first offshore project in which all the surveyors were Thai.

Rangsan headed up a team that conducted three-dimensional seismic surveys and geological data assessments - literally taking pictures of structures deep in the earth. Then they drilled a test well, which successfully discovered reserves of natural gas, condensate and crude oil.

"I became part of the survey team when the last four test holes were drilled, and fortunately we found sizeable zones of natural gas and condensate in all four," he says.

However, a bigger challenge for Rangsan waits in southern Oman, in Field 58, the latest awarded to PTTEP. Exploration will begin this year, with Rangsan once again serving as exploration manager.

Living in Oman is tough, he concedes, particularly when it comes to food. To him, Middle East food is too bland after his favourite dishes from northeastern Thailand. Moreover, there is no night-life where workers can relax after work. He finds relaxation in bowling, the only sport he pursues regularly after work, because there is nothing else on offer.

"It's kind of lonely being here. My wife and kids cannot be here with me like when I was working in France, and the food is bland. Luckily, Oman allows us to bring in raw materials, spices and finished food. Each time I return home, my wife cooks my favourite dishes for me, and I pack them in bags. I bring with me more than 100 bags of food. This alleviates the food problem," he says.

Rangsan doesn't know how much longer he will be in Oman but says it will be as long as he is needed there.

"Every time I feel bored, I remind myself that I'm here on an important mission for my country. I've been given a great opportunity by PTTEP to come this far," he says.

He says working for PTTEP has pushed him higher than his peers, because the company has given him an opportunity to show off his abilities. Importantly, it is a Thai company, and working for the company is like returning something to Thailand.

Some of his colleagues, he says, have left PTTEP for other companies that pay much better money.

"Personally, I think I receive relatively high pay. For a rural boy, I have a house and car. I can send my children to good schools and can send money to my relatives so that they can finish their studies and find jobs. I have enough. Now, it's time to work for the national interest. This is what I'm proud of."

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation

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