Day in the Life: Michael Weidenfeller

Q: WHAT IS INTERESTING TO YOU IN YOUR ROLE NOW?

Identifying new opportunities to power energy production, especially as our world changes. It’s exciting to design new ways to power drilling rigs that provide dependable performance while helping lower emissions. I’ve been involved with the Cat^® Hybrid Energy Storage Solution which is a great example of this. It solves a fundamental requirement – transient power on demand – while reducing diesel use and related emissions.

Every project has its unique challenges, and it’s very interesting work to identify specific solutions that help optimize a drilling application. A company may have a rig that’s 100 yards from the road with transmission lines, so a grid tie may be the ideal approach for them. Another company may have a rig in an extremely rural location with no grid connection nearby, so connecting to the grid isn’t an option. Or another company may have limited grid access and wants to use our controls to parallel their gensets with the grid. A rig that has the flexibility to pull from the most optimal power source depending upon its environment can be economically and operationally advantageous.

Q: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT WORKING IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR?

Working with the fascinating equipment that supports oil and gas operations. Our engines run at 1200 RPM, and they’re the size of a car. The pressure in the wells is between 5,000 and 15,000 psi. There’s nothing like it! It’s hard to fathom the power and complexity of the technologies that can be created and advanced.

Q: HOW DO YOU HELP ENSURE NEW TECHNOLOGIES KEEP PACE WITH CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS?

Continuous communication with our customers underpins what we do. Once a company’s needs are clear, I work with our engineering team to build a solution that meets those technical requirements. Once the solution is in the field, we work with the company to ensure they reap the maximum benefit from the technology.

Q: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

I believe we’ll see an increase in the use of hybrid power solutions because of the flexibility they offer. What those power sources will be will depend on many factors, however, one thing is certain: these technologies must work together seamlessly.

For example, our dual-fuel kits allow companies to burn natural gas in their diesel engines so they can experience a fuel cost savings benefit with just a simple upgrade. We’re thinking broadly about power and the best source of it for individual applications.

Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I enjoy spending time with my friends or engrossed in a great science fiction series or book The Culture book series is easily my favorite, though I'd recommend starting on book four if any readers are interested.