“I think about my growth through my team”
Gabriel Tirira, Field Facilities Sr. Manager, looks back on his ten years of work with the company, marked by experiences in Ecuador, Colombia, and now Argentina. He’s convinced that his ability to adapt is one of his greatest strengths as he looks ahead to the challenges of the Los Toldos II Este project.
The conversation begins in a warm office. Outside, the Patagonian cold is biting. At one point, Gabriel laughs, realizing he’s still wearing his jacket. “I haven’t taken it off yet!” he says. The cold, he admits, was one of the many things that he and his family had to get used to when they moved down here.
Movement has been a part of his life since childhood. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, while his father was completing a Master’s in Physics, he went on to spend his early years in Paris before returning to Quito, where his family is from. Over the past decade, his career at Tecpetrol has taken him from Ecuador to Colombia and now Neuquén, where he’s been working at Los Toldos II Este since March. “I really get a kick out of change as I tend to get bored doing the same thing,” he says with a smile.
The years in Paris. Gabriel lived there until he was 15 with his family, originally from Ecuador.
What’s your professional background?
I’m an industrial engineer, I’m 43m and I have two master’s degrees in project management, which is really what I’m passionate about. Right now, I’m part of the Facilities team working across three fields: Los Toldos II Este, Fortín de Piedra, and Puesto Parada, handling PAD construction, which refers to the well sites, and flowlines.
What’s your career path been like at Tecpetrol?
I started out in Ecuador, where I spent four years, before moving to Bogotá in Colombia, to work on the CPF (Central Processing Facility) at the Pendare Field. I was lucky to be there from the very beginning of the project, from the engineering phase through construction, until the pandemic hit. The project was about 70% complete when I returned to Ecuador, where I stayed until 2025, when this new opportunity came up. That’s when I made the move to Neuquén
Memories of Ecuador.Gabriel alongside its teammates at the Shushufindi field.
As he speaks, Gabriel glances at the technical drawings spread across the table. Mobility, he reflects, has become not just part of his career, but also a personal exercise in adaptability.
What was your experience of rotating through different positions?
Adapting isn’t easy for everyone. I used to think it was just normal, but over time I realized it’s actually a skill. For me, it’s been quite natural, as much in Colombia as here in Neuquén. I enjoy new challenges and need variety to stay motivated, which is why I’ve always sought out new opportunities.”
Growing with the team.Now in Neuquén, celebrating the first 1,000 km drilled in Fortín de Piedra.
How has your family adapted to all these changes?
In Colombia it was easier, as Bogotá and Quito are quite similar. Neuquén, though, is different: the language, the customs, the food. It took some adjusting. My daughter is 15 and my son is 8, but they’re both settling in now. My wife is incredibly strong-willed; without her, none of this would be possible. I always tell her she’s the anchor of it all. Whatever adaptability I have comes from her.
He pauses for a moment to let that sink in, before returning to the story of their move with a laugh and a few anecdotes.
Together is better.For him, the support of his wife and children, now 15 and 8, is crucial.
What did you find when you arrived at Los Toldos II Este?
When I arrived, I found myself facing a project with big ambitions and backed by significant investment. The CPF is moving ahead thanks to Techint Engineering & Construction, and on the Facilities side, we have a solid plan to work to. We’re currently making progress on PAD 1201, and next year activity levels are expected to ramp up considerably.
What’s in the pipeline?
I’m learning a lot and I’m very happy to be discovering new aspects of Tecpetrol in Argentina. It’s all quite different from Ecuador or Colombia. My focus is on improving our processes and supporting the areas I manage. All my energy is geared toward helping the company meet its goals.
And of course, there’s always my innate desire to grow. If a new opportunity comes up that offers development, I’ll be ready for it. I’m also studying coaching on the side, because I think it’s essential. I measure my own growth through my team. They’re a mix of ages and backgrounds, and each person needs something different. It’s crucial that those working alongside me develop, because when they do, we all grow together as a whole. That’s how I see my future: growing together with my team.