A seasoned engineer and multidiscipline expert, Anwar Husen currently leads as the Vice President of Subsurface and Petroleum Engineering at National Energy Services Reunited (NESR), based in Dubai. Bringing over 37 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain, he had held several senior leadership roles across organizations. Reputed as the author of numerous technical papers and a sought-after speaker, Anwar Husen is passionate about empowering young engineers with his in-depth industry knowledge.
The Beginning
My career began in 1988 on the front lines of the industry, working on offshore rigs as a cementer with Dowell Schlumberger. I spent my first decade diversifying my hands-on experience across multiple oilfield services, including wireline logging and well testing. This foundational period allowed me to transition into senior technical, management and research leadership roles within a diverse array of global organizations—spanning from International Service Company like Schlumberger, International Oil Companies (IOCs) like BG Group (UK), KPO (Kazakhstan), and Cairn India, as well as National Oil Companies (NOCs) like PETRONAS Malaysia.
Evolution of Anwar Husen’s Journey
The evolution has been from execution to strategy. Initially, my focus was on engineering execution, but I moved swiftly into the design and evaluation phases of subsurface projects. Today, my role is centered on creating tangible commercial value for the organizations I serve, while simultaneously building human capital and developing local talent in the countries where we operate.
Impact on the Regional Ecosystem
I work closely with government ministries and national oil companies to unlock energy resources that remain trapped beneath the surface. The goal is to maximize recovery while reducing the carbon footprint by utilizing technologies that promote long-term sustainability. It is about balancing energy security with environmental responsibility.
Qualities that Define Success
Personal Integrity, Technical Integrity, and Resilience. In a field as complex and high-stakes as ours, your reputation depends on the accuracy of your data and the steadfastness of your character.
Impact of the Technological Advancements
We have seen tremendous advancements, particularly in “greener” and more sustainable engineering equipment and chemicals. However, these technologies now have shorter lifecycles because innovation is moving so rapidly. The primary challenge isn’t the existence of technology, but its implementation. There is often a low appetite for risk and concerns over immediate commerciality that can slow the adoption of these vital advancements.
Words of Wisdom for Beginners
My advice is simple but rigorous: Learn and unlearn. You must be willing to discard old methods for better ones. Fail and stand up quickly. Resilience is mandatory. Most importantly, be passionate about what you do; that passion is what sustains you through the industry’s cyclical challenges.
Milestones in the Industry
I prefer to let the actual results speak for themselves. My focus has always been on delivering greenfield and brownfield projects that exceed expectations. In many cases, this involved introducing and successfully implementing technologies or development concepts that were new to a particular region or country.
My technical contributions include:
- Production Enhancement: Leading major initiatives across Mumbai High (ONGC India), Kharg Island (NIOC Iran), and projects in Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Canada, Brazil, Tunisia, and Malaysia.
- Hydraulic Fracturing & Field Development: Pioneering fracturing programs for the Angsi Field (ExxonMobil Malaysia), as well as the Barmer Hill and Rageshwari Deep Gas fields (Cairn India).
- Specialized Completions: Introducing Screenless Fracpack technology to the Sakhalin II Block (Russia) and offshore Malaysia.
- Global Fracturing Expertise: Implementing fracturing solutions in Vietnam (Bach Ho), Saudi Arabia (Jauf/Khuff), Oman, Egypt, and Libya.
- Innovative Drilling: Executing the first horizontal wells in the Heglig and Bamboo West Fields (GNPOC, Sudan).
Connect with Anwar Husen on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
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