Cameron Horan’s journey to becoming a drilling engineer for BP, while simultaneously
pursuing a Ph.D. in mining and mineral engineering, is a story of determination, adaptability
and seizing opportunities.
It all began in Osgood, Indiana, the small town of less than 1,000 people where Cameron
grew up.
He always enjoyed the outdoors and activities like camping, hiking, fishing, hunting
and skiing. Initially set on becoming a farmer and skipping college, Cameron found
ways to use his aptitude for design and construction to benefit the family.
“Often my parents would see something they would like and I would say ‘I can build
that’ and it would be even better quality and cheaper,” Cameron explained. “I've completed
many projects from building Quonset hut barns on our farm to painting murals on semi-trailers.”
After encouragement by teachers and family to continue his education, Cameron decided
to look into pursuing an engineering degree. With family ties to Trine—his older brother
and uncle are alumni— Cameron was drawn to the university's intimate environment,
which mirrored his small-town roots. The small class sizes and close-knit professor-student
interactions at Trine played a significant role in his decision.
Plus, as Cameron humorously adds, "I also chose Trine for the snow. HAHA Love it!"
The Trine University experience
When Cameron first set foot on campus, he wasn't sure which engineering discipline
he wanted to pursue. Accepted into the general engineering program, Cameron used the
first semester to explore different fields.
For students unsure about which engineering or computing major is best for them, he
advises, “Keep and open mind and explore all avenues while you have the chance. Don’t
choose solely based on money because going to work every day hating what you do is
not how you should live life. Make every decision a meaningful one!”
During this time, he discovered his interest in mining and petroleum engineering,
piqued by opportunities for travel and high pay. With advice from his academic advisor,
Cameron eventually selected civil engineering for his undergraduate degree.
"I chose civil engineering because I was an outdoor enthusiast and loved to build
things," he recalls.
He also worked part-time for several professors within the department, forging strong
connections that he cherishes to this day.
"The thing I remember most is the connections that I made with many of my professors,
whom I still try to maintain contact with and stop in and visit whenever I am in the
area," Cameron shares.
During his time at Trine, Cameron immersed himself in campus life, playing golf and
later bowling, as well as leading several engineering-related student groups. One
standout memory from his Trine days was a week-long trip to Ecuador with Trine's chapter
of Engineers Without Borders, where he helped bring clean water to a remote community
in the Andes Mountains.
Determined to succeed
Cameron completed his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Trine in May 2019.
His professors strongly encouraged him to consider graduate school, but he preferred
to land a job in industry.
At the time, there weren’t positions available at mining and petroleum companies for
civil engineering graduates, so Cameron reconsidered his options.
"If they won't hire me with a civil engineering degree, I will go get a degree that
they can't refuse," he thought.
He was accepted with a full scholarship to the University of Texas–Austin, the top-ranked
university in the world for petroleum engineering. He completed his master’s degree
in 2021.
Following graduation again, Cameron’s career journey took several more twists and
turns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by the downturn in the oil market, his
path began as a quarry manager for New Point Stone Company, a small quarry back in
his hometown. From there, he moved to Halliburton as a plant specialist in northern
Nevada, mining barite for oil fields.
Despite his efforts, Cameron realized his role at Halliburton wouldn’t get him closer
to his goal of working for a major oil company. So, he took a leap of faith and began
working on oil rigs for Transocean in the Gulf of Mexico, doing the grueling blue-collar
work of a roughneck/floorhand on a drillship. This daring decision paid off when BP
recognized his determination and hired him as a drilling engineer.
Dream come true
Working on offshore rigs is not for the faint of heart. Cameron has spent weeks at
a time on drillships, enduring the extreme conditions of a three-week-on, three-week-off
schedule, working 12-hour shifts around the clock.
"It is a very unforgiving place," he explains, recounting experiences ranging from
surviving hurricanes to working in 150-degree temperatures on deck while suited up
in fire retardant coveralls and other extensive protective gear.
"Mistakes are generally not tolerated, as it can mean the difference between life
and death,” he said. “These operations cost over $1 million a day, so efficiency is
key, and downtime is not preferred."
Cameron credits much of his success to the solid foundation he built at Trine. The
coursework in material properties, statics, fluids, dynamics and foundation design
has been essential in his current role.
"We work with many different materials, and we need to understand forces and material
properties,” he commented. “Like in civil engineering, the consequences in petroleum
engineering can be devastating to people and the environment. We have to hold ourselves
to a higher level of accountability."
Cameron 's favorite part of his job at BP is experiencing the incredible engineering
feats involved in drilling wells over 30,000 feet deep in water depths of up to 12,000
feet.
"The engineering solutions are extraordinary," he raves.
He also enjoys the unique experience of flying by helicopter to work 100 miles offshore
and witnessing the beauty of nature and wildlife in the open ocean.
Despite the grueling schedule, Cameron decided to add in another challenge during
his off weeks – flying to Canada to pursue a Ph.D. in mining and mineral engineering
from McGill University. The decision to pursue the ultimate advanced degree was partly
fueled by his desire to diversify his expertise. His research at McGill focuses on
mineral processing, tracking sub-atomic particles to understand what occurs inside
float cells, large containers used to separate minerals from other materials.
“This knowledge can help us improve mineral recovery rates and improve design of float
cells,” explained Cameron.
His research team plans to use this information to build different float cell designs
and test them at mining processes across the globe, such as London, England, and Cape
Town, South Africa.
Returning to his roots
Despite his extensive experience and academic achievements, Cameron remains humble
about his future. "I have no clue," he admits when asked about his long-term career
plans. “I’m planning on having a family and I want to start my own business. I grew
up with blue-collar entrepreneurial parents and it’s in my DNA.”
As a child he always had several answers to the question of what he wanted to be when
he was older and now knows the possibilities are endless.
“I realized that God has different plans for my life and no matter how much I think
I know, things seem to always change direction,” he noted.
Cameron plans to continue looking for opportunities that include innovative hands-on
projects, outdoor travels and time spent with his family.
From uncertain beginnings to drilling deep in the Gulf of Mexico, Cameron's journey
is far from over. Wherever the next chapter takes him, one thing is certain: His passion
for engineering and adventure will continue to guide his path.