Possessing a pioneering spirit and dedication to excellence in her industry, Carolyn Seidel Debrick, PE, MBA, is an engineering consultant with SDS Petroleum Consultants LLC. There, she reviews critical well designs, including those for fracture-stimulated and horizontal wells. Her expertise extends to addressing torque and drag issues and ensuring compliance with regulations and safety standards across East Texas, North Dakota, and Mississippi. Moreover, Ms. Debrick is committed to mentoring young engineers, guiding them through the design process and providing support when challenges arise.
Ms. Debrick’s professional path began in Morgan City, Louisiana, breaking new ground as the first woman production engineer in her field. Despite initial resistance, she thrived in roles focused on production, completion, and drilling. Her keen interest in drilling stemmed from its hands-on nature and the necessity of having experience over theoretical knowledge. She later moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to join the oil company Mobil as its first female drilling engineer, collaborating with a global technology group and addressing blowout incidents worldwide. During her tenure at Mobil, she rose to become the first female supervisor before pursuing further education in chemical engineering and biotechnology at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Her career track continued with significant positions at Amoco, now part of British Petroleum (BP), working in West Africa, the North Sea, and the United States. At Marathon Oil, Ms. Debrick contributed to innovative engineering practices such as foam cementing to address well blowbacks during pumping operations. Her suggestions for cost-saving well designs and alternative drilling fluids were also successfully implemented. Additionally, her work on saltwater disposal wells in East Texas and a pro bono project in Gonzales, Texas, demonstrated her commitment to community safety and environmental protection.
Ms. Debrick’s impressive academics helped to lay the groundwork for her success. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, where she was the first female graduate in her field. Her Master of Business Administration from Rice University elevated her leadership skills, while coursework in chemical engineering and biotechnology at the University of Colorado Boulder expanded her technical expertise. As a registered professional engineer (PE), Ms. Debrick’s credentials underscore her commitment to maintaining high standards in her profession.
Throughout her career, Ms. Debrick has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to industry standards. She led the team for the API RP for well integrity, designed for fractured wells, and was the chair of API RP 100-1 Well Integrity and Fracture Containment for several years. Her involvement with organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the National Association of Female Executives reflects her dedication to advancing the field and supporting women in engineering.
Parallel to her career, Ms. Debrick cares for her community through her involvement in civic organizations. She volunteers at the Emergency Trauma Center at Oklahoma Memorial Hospital and is active with her local church choir. Further, her early involvement as a youth with organizations including the YMCA and Girl Scouts of the USA/Boy Scouts America highlights her lifelong commitment to service.
Excited about the future, Ms. Debrick is eager to integrate new technologies into her work, especially artificial intelligence, to enhance safety, cost efficiency, and environmental considerations in the industry. Her passion for continuous learning ensures that she remains at the forefront of technological advancements while preserving her extensive expertise gained during more than three decades in petroleum engineering.