From theory to the well
Learning, connections, and new perspectives: inside the 14th edition of Tecpetrol’s training program, through the eyes of three Young Professionals. This is what they had to say.
The Tecpetrol University Induction Camp, otherwise known as TUIC 2025, combined innovation with continuity, bringing together 24 Young Professionals for a full month of technical training and cultural immersion. Alongside sessions with specialists from different areas, participants also had the chance to meet with the company’s CEO and directors.
As in past editions, participants came from operations across Latin America and spent time together in Buenos Aires during the training sessions. This year also included field visits to Los Bastos and Fortín de Piedra, where they were able to see operations up close. Outside the classroom, they made the most of their free time to share meals and gather in the Fortín de Piedra recreation room, among other networking opportunities.
The TUICers showing off their personalized sweatshirts. -
To close the experience, the group designed and produced their own “graduation” sweatshirt, carrying on a tradition shared by each graduating class, a meaningful keepsake of all those shared days.
Facundo Repetto, JP Pool, Maintenance Integrity area in Neuquén
A more technical viewpoint: “I’m a chemical engineer, and at university we didn’t’ really cover all the exploration and development side of things; I only knew about it by name. So learning all of this was completely new for me. These are concepts people talk about constantly in the field, and understanding them provides you with the tools you need to take decisions, as in the field technical language is part of everyday work.”
And on the social side: “It was really helpful to be able to share with others and hear about what they do, because that’s how you find out how the company works as a whole. Meeting talented new people is always great, but at TUIC you build connections that I feel will last. For example, now I already know exactly who to reach out to if I ever need help with purchasing.”
POV: “The experience was fantastic. In the technical sessions, we had people fully dedicated to teaching us, professionals with real experience who were incredibly generous in sharing their knowledge and advice. And getting to know the rest of the group was just as valuable. We were all in the same boat, and hearing firsthand how each person handles day-to-day challenges helped me a lot.”
Camp in action. The group took part in recreational and educational activities. -
Amber Farinango Quezada, JP pool, Engineering and Facilities area in Quito, Ecuador
A more technical viewpoint: “In Ecuador, petroleum engineering focuses mainly on conventional reservoirs, so learning about unconventional ones—where the business is really centered today—was a huge opportunity for me. It opens the door to future rotations outside Ecuador. I especially loved the field visit, seeing the camp and the treatment plants. The Reservoirs team even took us straight into the field with whiteboards to explain things to us.”
And on the social side: “For me, it was also a bit of a cultural shock. The food in Argentina is really good, but I quickly learned that eating habits are very different. Here, breakfast is light, lunch is about the same, there’s a snack at tea-time, and then dinner comes late, around 10 p.m., and it’s a big meal. That took some getting used to, especially coming from Ecuador, where we’re used to a much heavier breakfast.”
POV: “The experience really strengthens your technical skills and helps you understand what Tecpetrol does as a whole. And it also breaks the stereotype that engineers are a bit distant, it shows that we have strong social skills too. At the same time, it challenges you. I was pushed out of my comfort zone for a full month, without being able to go home on weekends. It taught me that we have to take on challenges, even when they’re outside our specialty, because there’s always someone willing to explain things and support you. You’re never left to figure it out on your own.”
The talks with directors. A look at the human side of building a career. -
Nicolás Holoveski, HSE Analyst in Buenos Aires
A more technical viewpoint: “As an environmental engineer, I was already more familiar with what happens in the facilities, so TUIC gave me the chance to dive deeper into exploration, drilling, and reservoirs, areas I don’t usually work with on a daily basis. One of the biggest takeaways for my current role was seeing firsthand how drilling teams operate, especially in an activity that involves specific risks. Visiting different work environments on site also helped me understand how important it is to know each person’s context when building relationships, whether it’s for making a request or defining a requirement.”
And on the social side: “I really feel like I’ve made friends. Meeting new people always broadens your horizons, but this was something more. At Tecpetrol, one of the competencies we’re evaluated on is professionalism, and you might expect to find that mainly in people with more experience or senior roles. What surprised me was finding that same level of professionalism among the TUIC participants themselves. This group brings together knowledge, information, and a strong sense of belonging. It honestly feels like a graduation trip—we have our sweatshirts, we still get together every couple of weeks for lunch or after-work drinks, and even though TUIC is over, we still call ourselves TUICers.”
POV: “The conversation with the directors was another highlight. It showed a very human side, and that surprised me in the best possible way. As young professionals trying to find our place in the company, it was incredibly valuable to reflect on that journey alongside the opportunities ahead for things like travel, rotations, and complex decision-making. I have huge admiration for leaders who are true role models, who are experts in what they do, and who are willing to share everything they’ve learned over the years. That kind of insight is priceless.”
At Fortín de Piedra. Everybody enjoys their first field experience. -
The great simulator
As the final challenge of TUIC, participants work in teams to put their skills to the test in a simulator. Each year, TUICers face two scenarios, one for conventional developments and another for unconventional ones. Following a set of instructions, teams must make strategic decisions aimed at building a profitable project and generating real economic value.
Facundo and Ámbar ended up on the same team, and their collaboration paid off. They finished the activity with the highest score.
“We went through some very stressful moments,” Ámbar recalls, “but we talked things through, divided up the tasks, and everyone contributed from their own background. We leaned on each other’s strengths and made decisions together. The first time we got it wrong. The second time we looked at the variables closely and realized we’d misunderstood part of the instructions. Things hadn’t gone well, but they weren’t a disaster either.”
The final project. Working in teams, the TUICers had to come up with profitable projects using a simulator. -
At a key moment, the team made a bold call. Instead of using their cards to consult the expert advisors, they chose to trade them in for an extra round. They increased drilling activity and expanded the size of the plant, and in just 10 minutes of play, they secured the win.
“In the unconventional project, the simulator—based on Fortín de Piedra—was progressive, with decisions playing out over a two-year period,” Facundo explains. “We did well overall, though we made a couple of mistakes when defining the wells. On the third attempt, after making corrections, we achieved a solid 30-year project. At the end, with only 10 minutes left, we had a good discussion about whether to tweak the parameters one more time or stick with the result we had. In the end, we decided to leave it as it was.”