What is it like playing football in the snow? Kevin Chimezie Akparanta is an electrical and electronics engineer and has specialised in the oil and gas industry.
Kevin joined The Field Engineer community exactly two years ago and immediately volunteered to share his experience in an article in our blog. Since then, he has got married, been promoted, moved countries and is learning a new language. As well, he has maintained his love of football and has even adjusted to playing football in the snow.
This update article looks at his move to Norway and his life so far.

Moving to Norway, working life, playing football in the snow

Moving

You moved to Norway in the summer of 2024. How did you adjust to a new country and way of life?
Moving to a new country has its own challenges like food, climate, lifestyle, work pattern and some culture shock.

Food

You do not have African food offshore, so you try out several new foods. Then surprisingly they taste so nice that you always want to try them again and again.

Climate – living, working and playing football in the snow

The cold was something else when I first arrived here. However, I had multiple layers of clothing on and gradually I adjusted to the cold and even started playing football in the snow😊

Lifestyle

Norwegians are calm and reserved until they become your friend and then everything gets better. This is unlike Nigerians as we are very social and outgoing immediately. So, you tend to strike the balance and adjust to the new environment. But there is a big community of Nigerians which makes adaptation easy.

Work Pattern

Every region and client has its own work methods and processes that they follow particular to their location. Norway is no exception to this. So the way we work in Africa is slightly different from how we work here in Norway but still following the same principles and oil and gas standards.

Culture Shock

My number one culture shock is drinking tap water here in Norway as it is very clean.

Differences

What did you find were the biggest differences?
In terms of work here in Norway, there is no pressure when you are doing your job. This makes people do it once and correctly. At the same time, it does not mean you should take all day, which is a very good practice.
Also, we have so many women offshore which is very good.
What has surprised you most about Norway?
The union here is so powerful and workers’ welfare is prioritised.

Learning and new skills

How has your job changed? What is easier? What is more challenging?
My job has not changed rather, my learning has increased. I cannot say it is easier now or more difficult because no job is easy. My challenge here sometimes is the weather, but as the coordinator of my football team here always says:
” There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”

What new skills have you acquired?
I have learnt how to operate more equipment, than I used to know back in Nigeria. As well, I have been exposed to more subsea operations than we used to do in Nigeria. I have been part of the Riserless Coiled Tubing operation which was the first of its kind in the oil and gas industry.

Learning Norwegian

You and your wife are learning Norwegian. What is your advice to anyone else starting to learn a new language?
Learning a new language is not easy as an adult, especially combining it with work. So, my pace has been slow, but I know it is very possible for anyone to learn any language. The human brain is a supercomputer, so it can do anything – just put it to the test and you will be surprised how far you can go.

Your future

How do you see your future in the energy industry?
There is a general saying in Nigeria:
“THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT!!”
The energy industry is going through a period of transition to low carbon emission and clean energy. Although it might take a while. However, there is still more to do in the energy industry, so the plan is to keep learning and staying relevant to the changing industry.
What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?
For now, I am still in the energy industry and so the plan for the the next 5 years is to be the best I can be, explore more options in the industry and stay relevant.

International experience

Why do you think it is valuable for an engineer to have international experience?
International experience for an engineer is very important as it exposes you to different methods and best practice. As well, it increases your learning and broadens your network. So, as an engineer strive for international exposure.

Further reading

Spotlight on life of a Well Intervention Engineer
Being a Humble Leader of Field Service Engineers
Spotlight on being a woman working on oil wells