I joined JAPEX because I was fascinatedby the beauty of rocks

I became fascinated by minerals when I saw a shining rock in an anime movie in my elementary school years. Ever since, my interest in rocks has been growing. By university, I was majoring in geology, studying sediments of sandstone and mudstone. After joining JAPEX, my job up to now has been to analyze the cuttings of sediments to make a good estimate on how much oil and gas there are. My childhood fascination towards the underground continues to captivate me. Although I have been studying geology since I was in high school, most of the skills I use for work were obtained after I entered the company. My seniors were so kind as to teach me from the basics, but I also made a point of attending many seminars. I even got to go to Europe and North America on a business trip.

Without taking the risk,You will never discover oil and gas

JAPEX decided to take on the U.K. North Sea Offshore Blocks just after an international oil company discovered a prospective field by studying the bedrock structure. At that time, we had to make the difficult decision of whether or not to participate in the joint exploration stage. As I knew management would not be able to make an investment decision without sufficient data and analysis, I started to gather and analyze data with my boss in the summer of 2013, and asserted that our company should enter the project.

When JAPEX decided to join the project in early 2014, I was delighted. Our team was finally clear to drill and explore for oil and gas. However, discovering oil and gas is extremely challenging. Even if we succeed in drilling, the quality of oil and gas may not be high enough, or the economic viability may not be sufficient. Without taking the risk, though, we knew we would never strike oil and gas.

Delighted and disheartenedwith a piece of data

My job is to analyze the geological data of the sediments that lay thousands of meters beneath the North Sea. I keep an eye out for any potential prospects by checking the percentage of oil and gas content and electrical conductivity. All of this is done by dropping sensors into the well. I also use photographic data and samples of rock layers to make the most accurate analysis possible.

I receive the latest data every evening from London. If the test results are promising, I am absolutely delighted. However, if the results show no positive signs, I am disheartened. The job is really dynamic and I love the thrill.

Unfortunately, this project has not yet hit a good quality oil field. However, you never know when you come across an unexpected turn- a delightful set of data may be on its way from London, and that is what keeps me going.