You know what, I got laid off in October and I think it was one of the best things to have happened to me. I had been very unhappy for a while - no real work, just silly fabricated little exercises to pretend we were busy while we waited for the large offshore discoveries that we were sure to make.... Hmm, what happened there? Conoco was not perfect (too much politics, not enough respect for engineering) but it was still pretty good and I am sorry to move on but this company has had a terrible track record of actually finding any oil offshore and that apparently that has not improved any. When the price of oil collapsed and they pulled the plug on deepwater, I lost faith and I was ready to move on. I walked out of the announcement meeting in disgust after 10 minutes. Since then I have moved on and I have a new job which is just as good as my old job - even better since it is more engineering related. Anyway, my point is this, for all the ones left, I sympathize, I really do because you may have been relieved when you didn't get the call back in October but at the back of your mind, you know the day may be coming. Hopefully before then, Chevron buy you out. But, I wouldn't count on that too much - they are in trouble as well. My advice is don't worry about it. There was life before Conoco and there will be life AFTER Conoco. Just save some money and build your network. Speaking of money, all these offshore projects just cost too much and you are paying top dollar and getting costly delays and mistakes. Could your emphasis be in the wrong place? Anyway, there a still a lot of good people there, all the best. Just remember to hold on the hand rails on your way to the meeting with HR.
7 replies (most recent on top)
Well said. Was a PAB employee, couldn't have said it any better. Know matter what position held,same applies up and down the Regime.!!!
I am a 12-year career employee with COP. The secret to my success was learned from my previous 10 years with ExxonMobil - Don't make any of real friends at your place of employment, maintain the appearance of cooperation and dedication, kiss-up to the boss now and then when your coworkers aren't around (if he/she goes for that sort of thing), show up for work on time and leave just after your boss takes the van home in the afternoon. Don't spread rumors or speak ill of the company or management. And most important, don't make the boss think you are smarter than him/her.
I was let go as well. I wanted to believe in COP and in the fact that if you worked hard and contributed and were great team player you would suceed. That is not the case. Leadership is corrupt, afraid to admit when they are wrong and they do not value their team nor are they sincere.
When will Conoco realize that you cant run a company with careless leaders and Spotfire?
Yes they were busy feeding us a bunch of lies just to keep us hanging on in the GOM till they knew for sure there done with us. Never should have believed a damn thing they said. There little deepwater development team was just a masquerade to put someones buddy that didn't want to retire. With all the spirit BS I believe the whole damn corporate world of COP are liars. The guys in the field are the ones that keep the company going and the ones that get the shaft first. So long Conoco
After hiring on at ConocoPhillips I quickly concluded the perception of ConocoPhillips did not match reality. The offshore exploration and production (or lack of production) is one example. The culture emphasized process over production. Or better yet, it's not what you do but how you do it. The company never seemed to double back on the "what you do". And the "how you do it" was rife with corruption.
I'm sorry to hear this, good luck buddy
Very well written, I got the boot in October too and am so much more happy now.
Hang in there fellow engineers, there are other jobs that pay well--life isn't over and there is something beyond houston.
Be smart, be savy, don't trust your boss or manager and think for yourself. Basic stuff I'm sure these days--you will survive!!