As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re proud of how much we’ve grown as a community of skilled professionals working together to make an impact. At the heart of our journey are the consultants whose expertise, dedication, and passion for the energy industry continue to drive our success.
To celebrate this milestone, we talked with Carlos Enrique Merinos Pérez, a trusted QHSE expert with 30 years of Oil & Gas industry experience. He shared his personal journey, his experience working with WTS Energy, and valuable advice for those starting out in the field.
Also read another long-tenured consultant Salim’s story here: Working in the oil and gas industry: Salim’s story | WTS Energy
Hi Carlos, could you please introduce yourself?
Hi. My name is Carlos Enrique Merinos Pérez. I am a chemical engineer with a master’s degree in environmental engineering. I have 30 years of experience working in various companies in the Oil & Gas sector (upstream, midstream, downstream) and 21 years in positions as a QHSE manager.
That’s quite a career. What inspired you to pursue a path in QHSE and Oil & Gas?
Since the beginning of my career, my constant challenge has always been to learn new processes. Getting involved in Oil & Gas operations has been a continuous learning experience. Each area of the country presents different risks, requiring the implementation of dynamic control systems to ensure safety, protect personnel and equipment, and safeguard communities.
How would you describe your experience with WTS Energy? What has working with WTS Energy meant to you?
This experience left me with a positive impression of talent management by well-structured outsourcing companies like WTS Energy.
The selection process was rigorous, yet dynamic and transparent, which made a positive impression from the start. I felt welcomed and supported from the first contact. Throughout the employment relationship, WTS promptly paid my salary and offered a benefits package aligned with the Mexican Federal Labor Law.
What’s one project you’re especially proud of, and why?
One of the most important projects I have worked on was the first Integral Project worldwide, carried out primarily in Mexico, mainly through the I, II, and IV projects. We had 42 drilling rigs operating simultaneously and completed around 1,000 wells.
That must have come with some serious challenges. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
One key challenge has been working with CEOs from different nationalities across the companies I’ve worked at. Understanding their expectations regarding QHSE and aligning communication, time management, and decision-making with their vision of the business have been important situations to drive with them.
To overcome them I worked closely with everyone, maintaining constant communication to overcome the challenges. Also I showed the knowledge and skills gained through years of QHSE experience.
I’ve adapted these skills to each type of work, meeting their expectations and making significant changes in the companies where I’ve worked. That mark one leaves behind is hard to erase.
What keeps your passion for the energy industry going after all these years?
Continuous learning. There are always new processes and systems to understand and improve. That keeps me engaged and motivated is to never stop growing professionally.
What advice would you give to someone just starting in your industry?
I’d like you to quickly learn how the company operates from top to bottom. Identify your role in the organization, and how you contribute to the company’s success with the results you deliver.
Always keep an open mind to continuous learning in both administrative and operational areas. Be proactive in your work by proposing improvements to existing processes.
Understand and master the regulations and standards that apply to existing company processes. Focus on prevention in Quality, Safety, Health, and Environment.
Thank you, Carlos, for sharing your story and inspiring us with your experience and passion.
