Laura Mozga’s life has taken some surprising turns. She left Latvia for university in Aberdeen and stayed on, establishing herself as an engineer working offshore for Halliburton. She then took time out for an MSc in renewable energy engineering and ended up in Paris working on offshore wind projects, while also serving for the last three years as chair of the EAGE Paris Local Chapter.
Upbringing in Latvia
I was born in Riga, the vibrant capital of Latvia, located near the shores of the Baltic Sea. At the time, the country was adjusting to its renewed independence. Growing up during this era in a middle-class family, I felt a responsibility to build a better future for both my country and my family. As a child, I spent much of my time in the countryside, where my curiosity about the natural world first took root.
From my early school years, this developed into a strong academic interest in science subjects, especially mathematics, geography and biology. During my final school years, I volunteered with a community in Taizé, France, which was my first real exposure to different cultures and nationalities.
Scottish adventure
Inspired by that time in France and encouraged by my cousin, I applied for an undergraduate scholarship in Scotland. Within the first minutes of landing in Aberdeen, I realised that the ‘English’ I had spent 15 years mastering was about as useful there as a solar-powered torch in a coal mine. Little by little, I managed to pick up different Scottish accents and completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with mathematics at the University of Aberdeen.
Environmental internships
I was selected for a summer internship at Aalto University’s Electrochemistry Department in Espoo, Finland. My work involved characterising electrocatalysts and membranes for PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, intended for hydrogen-powered vehicles. I envisioned seeing hydrogen cars reach the mass market - a goal that has now become a reality.
I also had a placement as an analytical scientist at a Dalkia bioenergy plant in 2013. Among other things, the team was developing innovative solutions to turn whisky production waste, such as ‘pot ale’, the liquid residue, and ‘draff’, the spent grains, into renewable energy.
Cementing experience
In 2014, I joined Halliburton as a laboratory technician in the cementing department and was soon combining that role with offshore operations support. While being the only woman on the offshore cementing team in the North Sea had its challenges, I felt consistently supported by management and found it to be a rewarding experience. I learnt that technical competence is the ultimate equaliser when navigating high-pressure situations, such as equipment failures or tight time constraints. Later, as a project operations engineer, I was involved in delivering a challenging project in the central North Sea where we completed three appraisal wells within a demanding two-and-a-half-month deadline, something I am proud of.
Back to university
Every career has its pivot point. For me, it was the Covid-19 pandemic. Drilling projects were put on hold or cancelled, giving me a rare opportunity to think about my future. In 2020, I returned to my Aberdeen alma mater to obtain an MSc in renewable energy engineering. My studies introduced me to marine, wind, solar and geothermal energy, as well as energy integration into the grid.
French move
Family considerations took me to Paris, where I joined an offshore wind project, a genuinely novel experience for me compared with oil and gas. More recently, I joined the tendering team as an estimation engineer.
Local Chapter role
As chair of EAGE’s Local Chapter Paris, I am very proud that we won the Best Local Chapter Award in 2024. We have managed to triple the size of our chapter by focusing on creating a collaborative environment for our geoscientists and engineers.
Outside work
In my free time, I strike a balance between adrenaline-fuelled adventures and the vibrant arts and culture that are so accessible in Paris. My adventures range from Alpine skiing and diving with basking sharks to skydiving and go-karting. I also enjoy exploring untouched wilderness. Most recently, I trekked through Madagascar’s Marojejy National Park to observe the habitat of the silky sifaka.
