Angie Manrique joined Tecpetrol Colombia in 2019. Today, she lives in Neuquén and is on the Los Toldos II Este team, sticking to the same conviction she had on her first day: every step is an opportunity to grow.”

Outside, the wind kicks up little clouds of dust over the steppe. Inside a trailer that doubles as an office at Los Toldos II Este, Angie Manrique, Facilities Engineering Specialist, straightens her blue jumpsuit and walks in with a steady stride. She sits down with a smile and says, “I miss the coffee and the buzz of Bogotá a bit, but I feel right at home here in Neuquén.

In this new challenge Tecpetrol is taking on in northern Neuquén, she has found space to grow and keep developing professionally. “I choose to be here because this company has helped me grow and continues to do so,” she emphasizes.

How did your life with Tecpetrol get off the ground?

"My career started in 2019 as a JP Pool in Colombia, in the Maintenance department. I worked on spare parts management while the CPF at the Pendare field was being built. After that, I rotated through Production and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment). When the pandemic hit, I stepped away from the company for a while, but once work on the CPF started up again, I returned to the Facilities area. That’s where I completed my JP program and later the PDP (Professional Development Plan)."

Talking about the JP Pool experience, Angie explains that it’s “a fantastic opportunity for someone just starting out. You rotate through three different areas over two years and get to see how the business works from different angles. You also learn from different leadership styles and from people with very different backgrounds.”

What has been, so far, the most challenging project of your career?

“I’d say the CPF in Colombia, because I was there for the final stretch when everything had to get done at full speed and we were all racing against the clock. But if you ask me again in a few months, I’m pretty sure Los Toldos II Este will take the lead. I’m working on Tecpetrol’s biggest project so far, even bigger than Fortín de Piedra. We have a huge team behind us to make it happen. And together with Techint Engineering & Construction, we’re focused on keeping schedules, costs, controls and execution on track.”

How did it feel to change country?

“At first it was supposed to be a short assignment of ten months. When I arrived in Argentina in October 2024, I joined the plant expansion project in Puesto Parada. Before my stay was over, my boss suggested I move to Los Toldos II Este. I knew it would be a huge challenge, but I didn’t hesitate. Leaving Colombia was tough, because our team there was small and felt like a family, but I also knew I had to take this step.”

“Life in Neuquén is much quieter than in Bogotá,” reflects Angie. ‘At first it was tough to adjust to a slower pace, but Tecpetrol brings in many people from outside the region, which helped me build a group of friends.” In her free time, she plays padel and spends weekends traveling around Argentina. ‘Mendoza is my favorite place. I even tried skiing this year, but let’s just say it didn’t go very well,” she laughs.

Although Angie lives in the city, she visits the worksite most weeks to spend time with her team. “Here we sort things out more directly, and all that face-to-face interaction is incredibly valuable.”

At the Techint Group, we always talk about how important feedback is as a professional development tool. How does it work for you?

"All these years at Tecpetrol have helped me understand how the evaluation system really works, and that in the end it’s a curve that moves upward. What matters is giving your best, meeting your goals, and knowing that if you do things well, you’ll eventually reach the next level. Sometimes people go through the process with a lot of stress, waiting for the interview and the feedback. But I’ve come to realize it doesn’t have to feel that way."

How do you perceive the evolution of the concept of diversity at Tecpetrol, both in Colombia and in Argentina?

"When this topic first started coming up, I was still in Colombia. Little by little, the +d Program gained momentum, and today it’s one of the company’s main initiatives. You can really see the effort management are making to bring more diversity into the teams. And the focus isn’t just on gender anymore, but also on generational and cultural diversity, among other things. That’s something I see as very positive."

Where do you see Tecpetrol culture come into its own?

"I see it most clearly during HSE moments, without a doubt. Safety is one of Tecpetrol’s strongest, most deeply rooted values. Those moments remind us that we have tools and procedures to take care of ourselves, our colleagues, our work and our environment. Every meeting starts with an HSE moment, in Argentina and in Colombia, and I’ve even joined a few in Ecuador. It shows that we’re not just here to produce. We’re people, and we have to look out for each other."

How do you see your professional development in Tecpetrol?

"It’s hard to predict right now, especially after moving to a different area and even a different country. What I hope for is to be in a role where I can keep learning and growing, both personally and professionally. For me, the key is to stay in a place that challenges you. When you stop learning, you lose energy and everything starts to feel routine. Learning keeps me motivated, keeps me active and keeps me loving what I do, and it also helps me keep sharing and connecting with new people."

What would you say to a young professional who’s been offered a job in another country by Tecpetrol but is unsure about making the move?

"Don’t overthink it. It will be one of the most amazing experiences you’ll have, both personally and professionally. You’ll meet incredible people you’ll remember for the rest of your life. It’s normal to feel nervous about stepping out of your comfort zone, but there are always others going through the same thing."

"With a smile, Angie heads back to her desk, surrounded by colleagues who, just like her, are working on a project that inspires them. Outside, the Patagonian wind keeps lifting dust across the steppe, but inside the camp the energy of learning and teamwork stays strong, reflecting the spirit of Los Toldos II Este and everyone who’s part of this adventure."