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Oxy’s energy capture operations in the US, the Middle East, and South America produced an average of 1,327 barrels of oil per day in 2024. Delivering oil and gas safely requires rigorous safety protocols, advanced technology, and a strong culture of responsibility.
Safety at Oxy begins with training and education programs for all employees and contractors. Workers are trained to recognize hazards, use equipment correctly, and how to respond to emergencies. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for many operations depending on the task. Regular safety drills and ongoing education help reinforce best practices and keep safety top of mind.
In the field, Oxy employs advanced engineering controls to prevent incidents during oil and gas extraction, processing, and transport. In operations involving oxy-fuel processes, such as welding or cutting, equipment is designed to keep oxygen and fuel gases separate until the precise moment of use. This separation is critical because mixing those gases prematurely can create highly explosive conditions. Devices like check valves and flashback arrestors are standard, preventing dangerous reverse flow of gases and reducing the risk of explosion.
High-pressure gas cylinders are handled with strict protocols. Operators secure cylinders to rigid structure, use proper tools for valve operation, and follow procedures to purge lines before ignition, minimizing the risk of leaks or accidental ignition.
The company has pledged to minimize spills and respond to any issue immediately. In the event of a spill, Oxy can deploy interim containment systems, conduct groundwater assessments, and evaluate long-term remediation options to prevent contamination and protect human health.
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Oxy also continues to invest in technologies and procedures to monitor and control emissions, manage waste, and reduce the environmental footprint of its operations, including regular inspections, leak detection systems, and maintaining environmental standards.
When it comes to transportation and storage, Oxy uses pipelines, which are monitored for leaks and pressure anomalies and are also equipped with shutoff valves and emergency response systems. Storage facilities are designed with secondary containment and fire suppression systems to mitigate risks.
These safety guidelines and practices are of paramount importance to Roman Gomez, director of facilities, engineering, and construction at Oxy. Gomez was born and raised in West Texas, the US heart of oil and gas. The future facilities director loved working with his hands and grew up working on farms and machinery, eventually finding becoming an engineer.
Gomez says he loves building things that people ultimately see and interact with. In his current role, that plays out in multiple ways. With ten managers reporting directly to him, the director says his role requires him to build teams that he trusts and find the right people for the right roles. Gomez takes special care to identify talent and provide stretch opportunities for people he believes can be high performers. The director does his best to employ a long-term vision for talent, forecasting where they can grow to in three-to-five years.
The director has been in his present business until for the last two-and-a-half years and says transforming the culture of the team is a continued area of focus. The company is also focused on improving business processes, including implementing a production enhancement team whose job is to find small production improvements. Every minor improvement means another barrel of oil into production.
Gomez says adaptability and innovation are critical in his industry. The more twists and turns in one’s career experience, the director says, the better. While we all create plans for ourselves, the key is to stay open, stay flexible, and evolve as needed.
Outside of his role, the natural introvert prefers being outdoors and spending time fishing, hunting, and restoring old cars and trucks. He’s proud of his family, including his wife of twenty-one years and his two children.
As a full-service EPCM contractor, Arion offers comprehensive engineering, project management, procurement, and construction management services to the energy industry. Founded in 2018, Arion emerged from a vision to revolutionize engineering by placing people and relationships at the forefront of project execution. The Arion A-Team, comprised of seasoned professionals across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, is fueled by a commitment to our core values: People, Performance, and Innovation. Houston Business Journal has recognized Arion as one of Houston’s Best Places to Work every year since 2019, reflecting a stellar company culture at the heart of its success.
Gulf Island takes great pride in its diverse workforce, with a particularly vibrant Hispanic population. We believe that a rich mix of backgrounds and perspectives enhances our creativity, drives innovation, and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Our diverse team members from various backgrounds contribute significantly to our success, bringing unique insights, a strong work ethic, and a deep sense of community and family values. We are committed to cultivating a workplace where these cultural influences are celebrated and leveraged to help us better serve our customers and communities.
