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Barbara Souza
Parque das Conchas Operations Manager at Shell
Professional Background
Barbara Souza is an accomplished oil and gas professional with 13 years of extensive experience in upstream production environments. Her journey in the industry has seen her adeptly navigating diverse roles at Shell, where she has developed a wealth of knowledge in wells and reservoir surveillance, concept selection, technology application, and FPSO production operations. Barbara's career has been marked by her commitment to seeking out new opportunities and challenges, which has significantly contributed to her professional growth.
Throughout her career, she has held pivotal roles such as the BC-10 Phase II 1st Oil Coordinator in Brazil, leading the Penguins (re)development wells concept selection in the UK, and managing technology development projects back in Brazil. Most recently, Barbara has been the Topsides Team Lead, where she effectively managed a team of 12 direct reports in the operations of two Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units off the coast of Brazil. Currently, she is leading operations at Parque das Conchas, a role that underscores her leadership and expertise in offshore oil production.
Barbara's technical acumen is complemented by a commercial mindset honed through her experiences in the Shell UK Economics team. Her understanding of economic principles, including asset value optimization, end-of-field life considerations, and decommissioning plans, has enabled her to implement strategies that enhance productivity while balancing associated risks.
Education and Achievements
Barbara has a strong educational foundation, holding a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. She furthered her expertise by completing an Executive MBA at Imperial College Business School, which has been paramount in enhancing her strategic thinking and financial analytics capabilities.
Her academic achievements have not only fortified her technical expertise but have also provided her with a broader understanding of the economic landscape within which she operates, thus allowing her to contribute effectively to Shell’s strategic objectives.
Skills
Barbara is highly skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams to plan, execute, and coordinate activities both onshore and offshore in upstream production environments. She has demonstrated a keen ability to assess problems, make sound recommendations, and uncover opportunities that drive increased production while mitigating associated risks. Barbara's successful project management experience includes developing new technologies through collaborations with third-party contractors and local universities, ensuring that concepts are aligned with budgetary requirements and schedule constraints.
Her commercial skills shine through her ability in stakeholder management, acquired from her extensive experience in project management and team leadership roles. Barbara has cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders, leveraging effective communication to promote collaboration and engagement across project teams. The training she received related to economic considerations has also enhanced her effectiveness in evaluations for Shell’s assets, significantly influencing critical decision-making processes.
Leadership and Behavior
As a leader, Barbara embodies a performance-driven mentality, consistently striving for high standards and timely delivery. She emphasizes finding fit-for-purpose solutions that do not compromise the quality of decision-making. Her dedication to pushing her team toward self-evaluation of their deliverables fosters a culture of excellence and accountability.
Barbara is known for her authenticity; she is not afraid to challenge the status quo or engage in difficult conversations, providing feedback that is constructive and actionable. Her commitment to promoting her team's purpose is evident as she works tirelessly to establish themselves as the best service provider within the organization.
Moreover, her ability to build personal relationships and create a motivating work environment is one of her defining strengths. Barbara’s high-energy personality positively influences her team’s morale and productivity, creating a cohesive unit that operates at peak efficiency.
Achievements
Over her impressive career at Shell, Barbara Souza has garnered numerous accolades and achievements. She has been an integral part of significant operational projects, ensuring successful transitions and implementation of new strategies, particularly in the management of complex FPSO operations. Her proactive approach to problem-solving and strong leadership qualities have led to improved production efficiencies and enhanced team performance.
In addition to her operational achievements, Barbara's contributions to technology development have also been acknowledged within Shell, particularly her successful initiatives involving research collaborations with local universities to advance engineering capabilities.
Conclusion
Barbara Souza represents the epitome of a forward-thinking, dedicated professional in the oil and gas sector. With her extensive experience across various roles at Shell, an impressive educational background, and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, she continues to drive significant advancements in offshore production operations. Barbara's unique blend of technical expertise and commercial insight positions her as not only a leader within her organization but also as an influential figure in the broader oil and gas industry. Her journey is characterized by a passion for continuous learning, innovative thinking, and a determination to embrace new challenges, making her a valuable asset in any professional context.
