Angolan engineer Nisia Ingles Pinto, Well Construction Fluids Engineer at SLB, specializes in cementing operations. With strong field expertise, she ensures drilling safety, reliability and innovation across Angola’s oil hubs in Soyo and Luanda. Pinto is recognized as a 20 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Star.
Veuillez donner un bref aperçu de votre parcours dans le secteur de l'énergie qui vous a conduit à votre fonction actuelle. Quelles sont les principales réalisations ou étapes dont vous êtes particulièrement fier ?
I started my career in the energy industry three years ago, when I joined SLB as a field engineer for well construction fluids, straight out of college. My journey began in the field which gave me a solid understanding of operations in both offshore and onshore projects across Angola. Overtime, I transitioned into my current role as a Well Construction Fluids Engineer where I have been able to contribute not only to the technical side through job design, but also by ensuring efficiency and safety of our client operations.
The first milestone for me was transitioning from a fresh graduate to the role I hold today. This required resilience, asking questions, knowing how to listen, most importantly stepping out of your comfort zone. Another milestone was contributing to the success of numerous cementing jobs and taking pride in earning the trust of my colleagues and clients.
Le secteur de l'énergie est connu pour sa complexité. Quels sont les principaux défis auxquels vous avez été confronté et comment les avez-vous relevés pour atteindre vos objectifs ?
The energy industry is a fast-paced environment, where right decisions must be made quickly. Once I understood that this was the norm, I trained myself to remain calm under pressure, to take a step back before making decisions and to trust my judgment. Another challenge I faced was learning how to separate who I am as a professional from who I am in my personal life. Over time, I learned that balancing the demanding work with personal well-being was not a compromise, but rather a key factor that helped me advance in my career while maintaining the quality of my personal life.
Quels conseils donneriez-vous aux jeunes femmes qui aspirent à exceller dans le secteur de l'énergie ? Y a-t-il des stratégies ou des mentalités spécifiques qui vous ont aidée à surmonter les obstacles et à atteindre votre position actuelle ?
The advice I would give is to not doubt yourself. You deserve to be here. Embrace your confidence and be curious. It is a demanding industry, but the opportunities to innovate, learn and lead are limitless. I overcame obstacles by talking to others in similar situations, seeking inspiration from other women who had already paved the way. I also put myself out there and volunteered for the unknown. Those experiences taught me that growing will come from taking initiative before you feel fully prepared and trusting your unique skills and determination.
Une carrière dans l'énergie peut être exigeante. Pouvez-vous nous décrire une journée typique de votre vie ?
My mornings begin with following up with operations with the team on the field. Asking what challenges we are facing today, what can be improved and what went well. A big part of my day is dedicated to designing cementing jobs and collaborating with my colleagues across different functions. A typical day would also involve interactions with our lab, logistics, materials coordinators and other engineers to ensure we are aligned for job execution. My day would end with reflections on our achievements, gaps, and new goals to challenge myself and my team for the next day. It is all very fulfilling.
À l'avenir, quels changements ou progrès espérez-vous voir dans le secteur de l'énergie ? Comment envisagez-vous votre rôle dans l'élaboration de cet avenir ?
I would like to see more innovation directed towards sustainability, for example, the adoption of greener technology with a strong commitment in reducing environmental impact. I also hope to see digitalization play a crucial role in creating safer and cost-effective solution across operations. Equally important to me is representation of different cultures and women in the field and leadership positions.
In shaping that future, I envision myself embracing more sustainable practices and technologies by reducing the carbon footprint of cementing jobs. Also, implementing more digital tools for operational safety and execution accuracy. As a woman engineer, I recognize the importance of being visible. Just as I was inspired by women that came before me, I would like to do the same for other women by inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers and empower them to make a positive impact in this industry.
