One Year at Pontem Analytics
A Journey of Growth and Innovation
A year ago, I embarked on an exciting journey with Pontem Analytics, driven by curiosity and a desire to grow. Stepping into a new role always comes with its uncertainties, but from the very first day, I knew I was in the right place. What followed was a transformative year—filled with challenges, opportunities, and breakthroughs—that has redefined both my professional and personal path.
“Happy one-year anniversary to me!”
Embracing New Industries and Expanding Horizons
When I joined Pontem Analytics, my initial mission was to leverage technology to revolutionize agriculture, particularly in smart irrigation systems. However, life had other plans. Entering the oil and gas sector, an industry far removed from anything I had previously encountered, opened unexpected doors. Pontem inspired me to broaden my horizons, embrace new industries, and refine my vision. This experience even rekindled my passion for sustainable farming, particularly hydroponics, as a future solution for smallholder farmers. It also allowed me to fall in love with flow assurance, one of many disciplines used in the oil and gas industry.
My First Steps in a New Field
When I first started as a software engineering intern in the oil and gas industry, the term "flow assurance" was entirely new to me. I had no idea how critical it was to ensure the smooth transportation of oil and gas through pipelines. Over the past year, however, I’ve had the chance to dive deep into this field and uncover just how fascinating and vital it is. From my experience, I can confidently say that it has been a journey of discovery, growth, and a fair share of challenges.
Breaking Down Flow Assurance
At its core, flow assurance involves solving real problems that can disrupt pipeline operations—things like hydrate formation, wax deposition, and even flow instability. Initially, these terms sounded complex and overwhelming, but as I worked on real-world projects, they began to make sense. One of the first tools I learned to use was OLGA, a powerful simulator that models how fluids behave in pipelines. I remember feeling both intimidated and excited the first time I set up a simulation. Slowly but surely, I became more comfortable analyzing flow patterns, predicting pressure drops, and identifying risks like hydrate formation.
Another important aspect of my work has been using thermodynamic simulators like Multiflash and PVTsim. These tools help model fluid behavior under different conditions, giving me the data I need to understand what’s happening inside the pipeline. At first, it was a steep learning curve, but the more I used these tools, the more I appreciated how software engineering skills—like coding and problem-solving—can complement traditional engineering practices in a big way.
Leveraging Tech in Flow Assurance
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been applying automation to streamline repetitive tasks. For example, I’ve written scripts to generate reports from simulation outputs, which has saved hours of manual work. This experience has shown me how much value software engineers can bring to industries like oil and gas, even in areas like flow assurance that seem far removed from traditional software roles.
Insights from My Experience
Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown, not just technically but also in my confidence to tackle unfamiliar challenges. Flow assurance is a unique field that brings together engineering, physics, and technology in a way that’s both challenging and impactful. For anyone curious about the intersection of these disciplines, I’d highly recommend exploring it. It’s not just about understanding pipelines—it’s about solving complex, real-world problems that keep vital systems running smoothly.
If you’re interested or have any questions about flow assurance or my experience, I’d be more than happy to share more!
Diving into Impactful Projects
This year I had to step out of my comfort zone and dive deep into impactful projects that pushed me to learn and innovate. Two standout projects, PyPontem and the Contamination Tracker, shaped my growth and technical expertise in unique ways:
PyPontem: My very first project at Pontem, PyPontem, is a Python-based tool designed to analyze PPL and TPL files generated by OLGA simulations. Automating this analysis not only enhanced operational efficiency but also introduced me to the critical role simulations play in decision-making processes. For someone entirely new to the oil and gas sector, it was a steep learning curve, but one that strengthened my Python programming skills and highlighted the practical power of data science.
Contamination Tracker: Another pivotal experience was developing a tool for tracking and managing sulfur species (mercaptans) in pipeline networks. By calculating mass balances, this tool ensured compliance with regulatory limits at delivery points. Working on this project deepened my understanding of how data science supports operational safety, regulatory compliance, and the management of large-scale industrial datasets. It was a significant learning curve, but one that taught me to navigate and contribute to a field I was initially unfamiliar with.
By mapping user locations in Excel (left) and correlating them with a Google Earth schematic of the pipeline network (right), we can effectively monitor mercaptan inputs for each user. A Team Like No Other
Throughout these projects, I was fortunate to work with a team of exceptional individuals. Pontem’s working environment is truly one of a kind—friendly, inclusive, and free from rigid hierarchies. Everyone, from colleagues to leaders, is approachable, making collaboration feel effortless. The mentorship I received during this time transformed me from a hesitant newcomer to a confident contributor, ready to tackle complex problems.
"It wasn’t just an office—it became our office."
One of the highlights of the year has been our office culture in Rwanda. Friday evenings often turned into spirited card game competitions, where laughter and friendly competition brought us closer as a team. On special days like birthdays, we organize small outings or celebrations, which always make us feel seen and appreciated. These simple but thoughtful moments of connection remind us that we are more than just colleagues—we’re a community. A special ritual that has also become part of our culture is visiting the ice cream shop on the first floor of our office building. Whether it’s to celebrate a small win, take a break during a busy day, or simply indulge in a sweet treat, these shared moments have strengthened our camaraderie and added joy to our daily routine. When we moved to a new office, everyone pitched in to make the space feel like home. From arranging furniture to adding personal touches, it wasn’t just an office—it became our office, a shared space that symbolizes our unity and pride as a team.
The Little Things That Keep Us Going
For me, my trusty water bottle and a few snacks have become my daily companions, keeping me energized and ready to tackle whatever the day brings. In addition to my professional responsibilities, I’ve also embraced a role I affectionately call “the mother of Pontem Africa.” Whether it’s ensuring we never run out of drinking water, renewing the Wi-Fi on time, or handling other small but essential tasks, I genuinely enjoy doing these things to make our daily lives easier. It’s fulfilling to know that these little efforts contribute to creating a smooth and comfortable working environment for everyone. It’s just another way I feel connected to my team and the shared sense of belonging we have at Pontem.
Exploring Beyond Professional Goals
This year has sparked a deep desire to explore beyond my professional goals and personal boundaries. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse regions has fueled my curiosity about the world, inspiring me to dream of new experiences. Even though I’ve never traveled outside my home country, working in a multinational environment has opened my eyes to the richness of other cultures—and yes, even the thought of breathing “different” air excites me.
As a personal New Year’s resolution, I’ve set my sights on visiting Tanzania for my first venture abroad. It will be my first glimpse of the ocean, my first dive into crystal-blue waters, and an opportunity to embrace the beauty of exploration. Determined to make the most of it, I’ve taken swimming lessons seriously over the past few months. Now, I’m proud to say I’m ready—both as a swimmer and as someone eager to dive into this thrilling chapter of discovery.
Looking Back with Gratitude
Looking back, this year has been more than just a collection of professional milestones—it has been a journey of personal growth, resilience, and learning. From mastering new technical skills to finding my voice in a team of brilliant minds, Pontem Analytics has given me the confidence to dream bigger and push boundaries. It has also reignited my passion for sustainable agriculture, particularly hydroponic farming, which I am determined to make accessible and impactful for smallholder farmers. Amidst these professional achievements, I also celebrated personal milestones that enriched my journey further: earning my driving license and graduating from the ALX Virtual Assistant course. The course equipped me with essential organizational and administrative skills, which have complimented my technical expertise.
What do I look forward to?
Yet, amidst all these achievements, one personal milestone remains a milestone I still look forward to: transitioning from an internship to full employment. While the past year has been incredibly rewarding, I am eager to contribute even more to Pontem’s growth and mission as a full-fledged member of this remarkable team.
As I celebrate this one-year milestone, I feel immense gratitude for everyone at Pontem Analytics. Your support, trust, and collaboration have made this journey unforgettable. Here’s to another year of innovation, growth, and making a meaningful difference together.