ConocoPhillips Recognizes Work by UW Student Intern

University of Wyoming student Meghan Jacobs, of Sheridan, was named runner-up in a writing competition sponsored by ConocoPhillips’ Billings, Mont., unit.

All of the company’s summer interns could submit articles about work they had accomplished during their internships. Jacobs, a first-year facilities engineering intern, was runner-up from among 43 entries, most of them submitted by second- or third-year interns. Her paper, “True Vapor Pressure Optimization of Bakken Crude,” expressed a plan to meet North Dakota Industrial Commission requirements that crude oil has to be under 13.7 pounds per square inch to be sold.

“If we don’t comply with this regulation, our wells can be shut down, and we can be fined,” Jacobs says. “This is extremely important for our production, for our safety and for the environment.”

As a member of the operations and the maintenance team, Jacobs worked with the equipment and the gas, crude and water from the ground until sale. In her paper, she discussed a solution to the regulation and described how it would pay off financially.

She spent three weeks with the production engineers, where she learned about downhole issues, how pumping units and flowback works, and the forecasting of how the wells will do over time.

“I was extremely impressed with the teamwork aspect of the company and the way they all work toward a common goal,” Jacobs says. “I had a thorough education on the safety that is necessary in upstream production as well. It was an eye-opening experience, and I will for sure return next summer.”

UW classes prepared her well for the assignment, Jacobs says.

“I feel I am right on track to receiving all the knowledge necessary to ensure my success at this company,” she says. “I will be starting my petroleum engineering emphasis this coming spring and hope to further my knowledge and, in turn, be hired to work full time for ConocoPhillips.”

She learned of the internship opportunity at the UW Center for Advising and Career Services website, was accepted for an interview in late September and was offered the job within three days.