Employee Stories

READ is a great place to work, but don’t just take our word for it. Hear directly from some of our people and find out about their READ career journeys and what it’s like to be part of our team.

Alistair Shand Senior Field Engineer READ Cased Hole

Ally Shand - Senior Field Engineer

“I joined READ Cased Hole 20 years ago and I’ve gained a huge amount of knowledge and experience of the global oil and gas market. Before coming to READ I spent 10 years with one of the world’s largest oilfield services companies which was a great start to my career, and stood me in good stead to integrate my skills with the services READ provides.

I’ve had the opportunity to get involved with all of the company’s products – from calipers and production logging tools, to the newer additions to our portfolio like pulsed neutron and acoustic borehole imaging technologies. As a Senior Field Engineer, I travel all over the world to client sites onshore and offshore. I perform downhole logging activities, seeing the operation through successfully from start to finish. I’m passionate about delivering the best possible service for our customers – which not only benefits READ but is really satisfying for me to know I’m making a difference to their oilfield recovery.

Over the years, I’ve seen READ grow and evolve – we’ve had name changes, new branding, we’ve expanded into new markets and introduced new products – but what has always remained constant is the company’s commitment to safety, and to its people and their training and progression. Working at READ has really enhanced my professional and personal development.”

Jenni Michie - Cased Hole Analyst

“I started my oil and gas career at READ in 2013 as a junior well integrity analyst. Joining the industry as a trainee has been a great way to learn on the job. Over the last six years, I have been able to develop my analytical skills and have worked across a variety of really interesting projects for customers worldwide. I am now a cased hole analyst – this involves interpreting data from many different downhole logging tools which helps support customers with their production logging, well integrity and reservoir evaluation activities.

One of READ’s strengths is the wide range of technologies we deploy downhole for production logging and well integrity. I’ve been given fantastic support and mentoring to help me get to grips with our logging tools, and today I love being able to work across a variety of products.

The highlight of my time with READ so far was getting the opportunity to work overseas in our Doha office. I travelled there regularly between 2016-2017 to support a major operator. This was my first time in the Middle East and a fantastic way to learn all about the local area and culture.”

Bob McSeveney - Operations Service Delivery Manager

“There’s never a dull moment working at READ and I love the variety that my job brings. As Operations Service Delivery Manager, I’m responsible for all of the company’s operations activities – so day-to-day that involves liaising closely with our sales team and directly with our customers, mobilising the people and equipment required to successfully perform each job. I manage a team of 11 Field Engineers and Senior Field Engineers and really enjoy supporting them in their work and their training and career development.

I joined READ back in 1998 having already spent 14 years with a major international oil and gas service company. With READ I have progressed through a number of roles, from engineer, senior engineer and technical trainer, to operations supervisor and now service delivery manager.

It’s a really friendly company to work for – I definitely don’t feel like just a number, I feel like I’m valued and appreciated and look forward to coming into work each day. The highlights of my READ career so far have been organising and delivering a range of internal training schools for our people – these were highly participative, hand-on programmes that provided a thorough understanding of the technologies we work with and the services we offer.”

Dave Stewart - Log Analysis Advisor

“I’ve pretty much been with READ Cased Hole since the beginning. I joined almost 30 years ago having previously worked for a major service company, where I was based in the Middle East. As a Log Analysis Advisor, I work within READ’s ANSA data analysis and interpretation team – we provide insight for our customers about what’s happening in their wells, to help them make informed decisions about their oilfield recovery.

My career at READ has seen me progress through a number of different positions over the years – I worked in operations, project management and QA and technical roles before joining the data analysis team. There have been so many highlights for me over the years. I was involved right at the start when READ launched its unique portable ‘suitcase’ style of logging – a much more responsive and agile solution for our customers. I was here when we introduced multifinger calipers to our product portfolio, which today we use all over the world to deliver high-quality well integrity services. Winning our first production logging contact in the early 1990s, introducing our memory services, achieving ISO certification for the first time – I’ve been fortunate to play a part in them all.

For me, READ really is a great place to work. The company recognises the importance of, and encourages a good work/life balance, and there’s a real sense of teamwork and belonging.”