How can you explain petroleum concepts to non-technical stakeholders?

1 Know your audience

Before you start explaining any petroleum concept, you need to know who your audience is and what their level of understanding and interest is. This will help you tailor your message, tone, and language to suit their needs and expectations. For example, if you are talking to a potential investor, you may want to focus on the economic and environmental aspects of your project, rather than the technical details. If you are talking to a regulator, you may want to emphasize the safety and compliance of your operations, rather than the production potential. If you are talking to a client, you may want to highlight the benefits and value of your services, rather than the processes and methods.

2 Use analogies and examples

One of the most effective ways to explain petroleum concepts to non-technical stakeholders is to use analogies and examples that relate to their everyday experiences or familiar situations. Analogies and examples can help you simplify complex ideas, illustrate abstract concepts, and create connections with your audience. For example, if you want to explain how petroleum is formed, you can use the analogy of cooking vegetables in a pressure cooker. If you want to explain how seismic surveys work, you can use the example of echolocation in bats or dolphins. If you want to explain how horizontal drilling works, you can use the example of a straw bending in a glass of water.

3 Avoid jargon and acronyms

Another important tip to explain petroleum concepts to non-technical stakeholders is to avoid jargon and acronyms that may confuse or alienate your audience. Jargon and acronyms are specific terms or abbreviations that are used by experts or insiders in a field, but may not be understood by outsiders or generalists. For example, terms like API gravity, BOP, DST, or EOR may mean something to you as an energy engineer, but may not mean anything to your non-technical stakeholders. Instead of using jargon and acronyms, you should use plain and simple language that your audience can easily comprehend and remember. If you have to use a technical term or an acronym, you should always define it or explain it in a clear and concise way.

4 Use visuals and stories

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a story is worth a thousand pictures. That is why using visuals and stories can help you explain petroleum concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a more engaging and memorable way. Visuals and stories can help you capture your audience's attention, illustrate your points, and appeal to their emotions and senses. For example, if you want to explain how petroleum reservoirs are distributed in different regions, you can use a map or a graph to show the data. If you want to explain how petroleum exploration and production affect the environment and society, you can use a photo or a video to show the impact. If you want to explain how petroleum engineering has evolved over time, you can use a timeline or a narrative to show the history.