Our role?
Develop products for the energy industry, while protecting all of life’s resources.
At Cameron, we’re proud of our work and our responsibilities in the energy industry. We thrive on the fact that the world depends on our products and services. From keeping life on the move to protecting our planet to ensuring the safety of our employees and customers, these are the reason we’re dedicated to excellence. And it shows.
Here are just a few of our most recent accolades:
Smart Materials – Smart People
Solids that change shape, liquids that decrease harmful vibrations, crystals that generate electricity when deformed – science fiction? No, just science. These are only a few of the properties being studied in a growing technology field known as “Smart Materials.” In an effort to improve the capabilities of our products to meet the future challenges of oil and gas exploration, Cameron is involved in applied research using these leading-edge materials. Through a funded research program with the University of Houston, we’re collaborating on projects using these materials to solve current and future problems. The university’s professors and graduate students, working closely with our engineers, are analyzing material properties and building prototypes that could someday change how the industry recovers oil and gas resources.
Partnering with Some of the World’s Greatest Minds
Through its efforts to seek out solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing our industry, Cameron has developed an international network of technology partners. Our corporate development and technology team is engaged with subject matter experts from academia, applied research and industry on a variety of projects. This global reach enables our technology to improve by collaborating with leading experts in specific fields of engineering and science. Our support of education and applied research ranges from mentoring high school students in engineering-related curriculum to funding leading-edge applied research in smart materials, wireless communication and nanotechnology. By working with students at the high school and university level, we gain insight into their creativity and problem-solving skills while introducing them to the practical challenges facing our need for recovering fossil-fuel resources in ever-challenging locations. By working with recognized experts in specific technologies across the globe, we benefit from the flexibility of having access to some of the greatest minds working to solve the targeted objective.
Little Structures Solve Big Problems
How can tiny microstructures no greater than 1/50,000 the thickness of a human hair help us meet future demands for the world’s energy? Some of these molecular-level materials exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties. The broad field is known as nanotechnology. Nanotech is beginning to enter our lives in everything from honey to tennis rackets. One particular application that scientists are finding intriguing is the field of carbon nanotubes. These cylindrical carbon molecules, when applied properly, can produce fibers that are 17 times tougher than the Kevlar used in making bulletproof vests, or 20 times the toughness of the same weight and length of steel cable. However, while there is great promise in these miniscule materials, there are also great challenges in applying them.
Our engineers are working with the University of Florida’s chemical engineering department to harness the strength of these tiny tubes. Through a funded research program, Cameron is supporting the university’s work in solving current problems in achieving these properties of strength and toughness in useful engineering materials. When we succeed together, we will be able to support the world’s need for energy exploration and recovery in some of the most challenging locations on Earth.
Action Learning Projects – How Appropriately Named
The title of Rice University’s program says it all – Action Learning Projects. A cross-section of Cameron marketing professionals along with two groups of Rice MBA program students from the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management teamed up this past semester on separate market research studies. The two segments of Cameron that are benefiting from the joint project are our Process Valves and Surface Systems divisions.
The work performed for our Process Valves division provided Cameron with an in-depth understanding of market drivers and customer preferences for the products and services we supply. In return, the students received a deep immersion into the Valve business and were able to work in a business environment alongside seasoned professionals.
Through the Surface Systems project, the students assisted Cameron’s marketing team in evaluating the market acceptance of a proposed new product concept. Through direct customer interaction and broader market research, the students helped to quantify market needs, gauge market demand and determine customers’ perceived value.
We consider ourselves the very fortunate beneficiary of this prestigious collaboration. The students provided a fresh perspective on both of these critical strategic issues. Their reward was practical experience and the satisfaction of a job well done.
