We aim for excellence in everything we do
Vermilion attracts exceptional employees, people with strong technical skills and creative vision who want to work in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment. They recognize our success is founded on strong core values supported by a spirited corporate culture. They know the diversity of Vermilion's operations provides unique challenges and exciting opportunities in a vibrant workplace. They are outstanding people managing strong assets-you can see their success.
Professional Profiles
Jean-Philippe Azpiazu joined Vermilion as an operator in France in 1997. Just two years later, he was put in charge of the mechanical maintenance for the Aquitaine Basin.
"Over the years, Vermilion has offered me both personal and team opportunities. I am today lead production operator for Southern France. Vermilion recognizes the value added of their employees and gives them the chance to progress in their careers. Vermilion, a dynamic company with a clear vision, also allows me to lead the local volunteer fire and rescue team, which includes firemen, nurses and doctors. I enjoy Vermilion's quest for excellence and continuous improvement."
March 2008
How do you get to live in seaside Biscarrosse, France, for 3 years? Unpacking boxes, Production Engineer Kyle Murphy explains.
"While at U of C, I interned at Vermilion in Drayton Valley and Slave Lake, and when traveling before my final year, I checked out Vermilion's operations in France. That got me hooked. I thought how phenomenal it would be to work here, so when Vermilion hired me in 2005, I indicated this was a long-term goal. Now I'm synchronizing my work and life experiences, working with fantastic people - and improving on the functional French I learned in Grade 9 in Quebec."
March 2008
Manfred Steffens joined Vermilion as HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Coordinator, when the Trust bought the onshore assets of Total where he had worked for 12 years. Manfred’s role has since expanded to include government and public affairs.
"The excitement was in a new company this size entering the Netherlands. We've stabilized tail-end production, drilled 3 new wells (demonstrating our capabilities in a country with little onshore activity) and are preparing for an exciting exploration program. I see our efforts converted into Vermilion's results and this provides me a high level of satisfaction. This job asks for a lot of energy but in fact, it provides me energy."
"I work with great people in a well-managed trust with financial fortitude, which in my mind are the most important things to make any company successful," says Loraine Sorochuk, Supervisor, Corporate Planning and Analysis.
"People here are co-operative, technically strong, open to new ideas and change-savvy," she says, citing the newly introduced operational reporting system as an example. "We're successful because a lot of research and analysis goes into making decisions that are value-added, responsible and ethical. Through my work at Vermilion, I have been given the opportunity to have a direct impact on the Trust's underlying success."
March 2008
From Concept to Commission in 12 Months was the title of a paper Rufus Ashiedu, Operations Manager of the Wandoo Field, presented in Australia based on the project to increase capacity on Vermilion's offshore platform. "The Company offers the right environment for you to be your best. You have freedom balanced with accountability to run your project or operations," says Rufus.
"A definite plus is the high level of interaction with Bob, Keith and the Calgary technical team, which includes phone/video - conferencing about 3 times a week. Decisions are transparent and pragmatic, there's no ambiguity and no gold-plating-management is after the good of the business and that is very encouraging."
March 2008
"I like the people here," says Leslie Bodell. "When I joined Vermilion seven years ago as a Senior Payable Administration Accountant, there were only five people in the department. Today, there are more than 20. It's bigger, but Vermilion does a great job of hiring people who fit into the group. And the Company's always been very generous about including employee spouses and families in company events." Leslie is now Vermilion's Treasury Analyst "looking after the day-to-day banking and working with our financial managers in the four countries where we operate. It's a new position reflecting our growth."
March 2007
Dion Hatcher joined Vermilion in Calgary in 2005 after working for a major. "The big attraction was the direct impact I could have on the Company's success. Vermilion is a Canadian company with international assets in very attractive places. As well, the Company is in growth mode. With our 2006 acquisition, we've essentially doubled our assets in France, which led to my new job as Team Leader for the Aquitaine Basin. Some people think a trust is a stagnant environment, but that's not Vermilion. I've been given the opportunity to help manage the drilling of an offshore well and work with top-notch people".
Dion Hatcher was an Asset Team Leader, France Aquitaine Basin from October 1, 2006 until October 31, 2007.
"What I find very interesting & motivating at Vermilion is the wide range of opportunities in Canada and internationally," says engineer Darcy Kerwin. Initially hired in 2005 to work in France, Darcy says he "jumped at the opportunity to be the Transition Manager of the newly acquired Wandoo asset in Australia. The biggest challenge (and reward) was trying to rapidly build a team, culture and strong reputation." Darcy has since been seconded to France, where he's held two different and equally rewarding positions. "Whether it's Australia, France, the Netherlands or Canada, Vermilion attracts talented, hard-working & open people who are focused on results".
© 2009 Vermilion Energy Trust