麻豆传媒

Within Shell Catalyst & Technologies, Adrienne Murray, a Senior Technologist in Ebullated Bed Residue Upgrading, has donned multiple hats 鈥� from guiding customers through technical challenges to playing an instrumental role in developing groundbreaking catalysts. Notably, Murray's dedication and collaborative efforts with the team led to developing a new catalyst.

But beyond these achievements, it's the interpersonal journey that stands out. Despite Murray's introverted nature, the need to build trust and relationships in her role pushed her out of her comfort zone, allowing her to connect with a plethora of individuals she otherwise might not have.

1. Can you discuss your journey from college to where you are now in your career?

While pursuing my undergraduate degree at Florida State University, I had a different career path in mind but felt drawn to new opportunities. When Shell conducted a recruitment drive, the recruiter introduced me to the opportunities Shell had to offer. Although I anticipated roles in bigger cities, I found myself in Convent, Louisiana, right outside Baton Rouge. Over eight years, I diversified my skills in process engineering, most notably in process safety and H-Oil technology, which deepened my understanding of catalyst suppliers and their operations.

My expertise caught the attention of Houston's catalyst technical support team, leading to an enticing job opportunity. After transitioning in 2013, I've spent a decade developing skills that鈥檚 helped support customers in the Americas and other parts of the globe. My hands-on experience developed a strong understanding of refinery ecosystems, offering me different development opportunities such as engaging with global customers.

By 2020, my focus shifted to empowering our global team, ensuring they can optimally assist their customers. While I entered college with aspirations of attending medical school, my unexpected journey in the energy sector has been rewarding and fulfilling.

2. It may be a stretch, but are there any similarities between the medical and energy fields that appeal to you/where you see overlap?

From a young age, influenced by family members in the medical field and a high school teacher who sparked my interest in microbiology, I was consistently drawn to becoming a doctor. However, when choosing a major, I was initially inclined towards biology or chemistry. But, based on advice from family, counsellors, and educators, they encouraged me to stand out from the typical pre-med crowd. They highlighted the importance of having a major that challenges me and provides a fallback option.

Taking their advice to heart, I chose chemical engineering. The major's reputation for nurturing strong analytical and problem-solving skills influenced my decision. While many foundational subjects were like pre-med requisites, pursuing subjects like thermodynamics and other intricate engineering courses gave chemical engineering students an edge in med-school applications. To help complement this, I added a biomedical engineering minor at Florida State, ensuring I remained connected to my initial medical aspirations while bringing a unique perspective to my academic profile.

The crux of my education, be it through a medical or engineering lens, revolves around problem-solving. Whether analysing a reactor process or understanding the intricacies of the human body, the foundational methodology remains consistent: piecing together bits of information to solve more significant, complex challenges.

3. Put your job into your own words, please. What do you do, and what is so rewarding about it?

I primarily act as a coach for my customers, especially new engineers, guiding them through technical challenges and helping them optimise unit performance to maximise value. Understanding their leadership teams' overarching objectives and goals requires close collaboration with various customer stakeholders, not just engineers. It's about understanding the bigger picture, aligning the needs and objectives of top-tier leadership, and collaboratively defining a solution that ensures success for both parties.

Being part of the Shell Catalyst & Technologies group, our focus naturally leans towards the role of catalysts in addressing the unique challenges faced by our customers. However, I also strive to look beyond the reactor. Understanding the larger system, such as downstream processes, draws from my previous hands-on experiences. When needed, I connect clients with other operating sites facing similar issues, sharing insights that might expedite their problem-solving or assure them they aren't alone in facing specific challenges. These experiences help offer insights, typical reasons for problems, and potential solutions in this technical arena.

As for supporting my global team, it's all about knowledge transfer. I'm fortunate to work alongside brilliant minds. I've had the unique opportunity to support two licensed technologies, offering me a comprehensive view of challenges specific to certain licensors and those inherent to the overall technology. I actively share these insights with my colleagues, aiding them in troubleshooting. The essence of my role, be it with customers or my team, lies in collaborative work and knowledge sharing, which I genuinely cherish.

4. Can you discuss residue upgrading catalysts? What鈥檚 happening in the industry? What are the challenges? Where have you seen some significant advancements?

The primary challenges in our field revolve around the unique nature of our technology: we add and remove catalysts daily, a process only seen in one other technology. This frequent addition and removal drive up operational costs significantly. Coupled with the high temperature and pressure systems, there's an elevated safety concern.

From a catalyst perspective, the key focus is maximising unit performance while minimising costs. However, as we innovate and enhance catalyst performance, costs often rise. Convincing customers that the performance improvements justify these increased costs can be a hurdle, especially since, unlike typical refining processes, residue upgrading catalysts' daily addition and withdrawal amplify the financial implications.

Our challenges are also evolving. A few years back, the emphasis was on supporting low-sulphur marine fuel. While it still holds importance, there's a shift in focus. As part of the energy transition, the role of technology can be a bit ambiguous. But suppose we can produce low-residue marine fuel without necessitating additional ship equipment or blending, reducing the overall carbon footprint. In that case, we have a potential avenue of interest for stakeholders.

5. Teamwork is something you mention frequently. You are part of a team that developed a new catalyst. Can you tell me more about the process your team followed? What were the challenges the team had to overcome, and what has been the outcome?

Our team's mission was to create catalysts that would surpass the performance of our primary competitor in this field. The central challenge emanated from the distinct requirements set by our client, which, while specific, came with an array of constraints that hindered our ability to meet their performance request.

The team's composition included myself, several research and development (R&D) professionals, an R&D team lead, and a liaison from the business division. The crux was not merely enhancing existing technology but striving for a significant leap in catalyst performance. Our objectives were multi-fold: ensuring remarkable performance within the customer's constraints, being cost-effective, and, more importantly, achieving this within a year鈥攁 timeline drastically shorter than the usual three-to-four-year span. At the same time, the COVID pandemic dictated a remote working setup, with only a few technicians available in person for pilot operations. The client's demand for third-party pilot plant testing added another layer of complexity as it necessitated sourcing an external larger pilot unit, managing the test's design, and interpreting data in a customer-relevant manner鈥攁ll within our tight timeframe.

Despite initial interpersonal hurdles, given the team's historical dynamics and diverse personalities, we soon realised the essence of collective success: we would thrive or falter together, eschewing individualistic approaches. Our united efforts bore fruit by navigating these interpersonal challenges and enhancing collaboration. We successfully developed the catalyst aligning with the customer's criteria, executed third-party pilot tests, and presented data that resonated with the client's needs. Our endeavours culminated in the client validating our catalyst and trialling it at their site.

6. In a previous conversation, you mentioned being an introvert and wanting a job that forced you out of your comfort zone. How has working with Shell Catalysts & Technologies helped? Has it worked, or is it a work in progress?

This role and time within the catalyst group has been really good for me. Supporting customers and my team means I need to build relationships. People need to know that if I give my advice or suggestions, they can trust that I鈥檓 not just telling them anything. That means I must talk and connect with people even if my natural instinct is to remain quiet and keep to myself.

I鈥檝e met some really fun people in the last 10 years that I likely wouldn鈥檛 have if I rested on my introverted ways.

7. How big a role has mentoring played in your career? Are you a mentor now, and what is it like, especially in the energy or catalyst industry?

Though most of my mentoring relationships have been informal, mentoring has significantly impacted my professional journey. I've never perceived myself as the most intelligent person in the room; witnessing the brilliance around me keeps me grounded and fuels my curiosity to learn continuously. Early in my refining career, I worked with two senior mentors who were invaluable in my growth. They showed me various problem-solving techniques, directed me to crucial resources, and highlighted trusted individuals for candid conversations. I also became adept at observing and understanding effective communication strategies among diverse groups, discerning which approaches worked and which didn't.

Over time, I've been fortunate to have a few genuine mentors, some of whom might not even realise their significant role in my life. They have been my sounding board, providing a safe space for my questions, worries, and frustrations. These mentors have steered me towards transformative projects and activities, broadening my perspective. They've also been instrumental in helping me recognise and value my achievements, ensuring I never underestimate my contributions.

Recognising the profound impact mentoring has had on my growth, I'm inspired to pay it forward. I actively engage in programs such as the Career Development Program and have been a part of a reverse mentoring initiative. While much of my mentorship involves imparting life lessons and balancing personal and professional realms, the joy lies in sharing the same support and guidance I received from others.

8. Can you think about what the future holds for the catalyst industry? Where will things be in the next 5-10 years?

I personally believe that there will be a significant evolution and a pivotal role for catalysts in the broader scope of the energy transition. As the world gravitates towards sustainable energy solutions, we will need multiple technologies to adapt, and catalysts will be at the heart of this transformation. With a shift in energy sources come varied technical challenges, such as managing different feed sources, handling contaminants, and ensuring the consistent supply of these alternate feeds. Catalysts are indispensable in navigating these complexities. A successful transition to more and cleaner energy solutions will heavily rely on the advancements in catalysts, not only within our immediate sector but across various technological domains.