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Day in the Life: Alfonso Dominguez Martinez
From solving the industry’s most pressing electrification challenges to helping pioneer microgrid solutions, technology manager Alfonso Dominguez Martinez is a conduit for creating reliable approaches to power today’s oilfields. Learn why oilfield electrification is top of mind in the oil and gas industry – and for Alfonso.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER AT CATERPILLAR?
I earned a hybrid degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on electrical engineering, providing specialty training and engineering support for power generation and power management systems. I started my career as a power generation technical trainer, then I moved into product support and electrical engineering roles until I transitioned into a career at Caterpillar as a product engineer in the Electric Power Division.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE — AND WHAT DOES YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LOOK LIKE?
As technology manager for electrification and control systems, I evaluate trends impacting the oil and gas industry’s increasing demand for reliable energy and power management. That means working with internal and external teams to understand current electrification challenges and identifying the Caterpillar technologies that can support operational success, as well as defining the technologies that further improve oilfield companies’ experiences.
Q: HOW DOES YOUR ROLE SUPPORT CATERPILLAR OIL & GAS?
I support Caterpillar Oil & Gas by helping operators explore a variety of solutions for their power needs. As the oil and gas industry evolves, we see the demand for electric power increasing exponentially and utility companies doing their best to keep pace with such an aggressive demand.
With today’s technologies, oilfield companies don’t need to exclusively rely on a single source of power. We’re looking into all possibilities so companies can access the right power source based on their specific needs and unique applications. It's a very customized approach.
Q: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE OILFIELD CURRENTLY THAT EXCITES YOU?
One of the biggest shifts we are seeing is the electrification of the industry. This presents an exciting challenge to not only provide power but help ensure it meets the industry’s high reliability standards. I’m passionate about applying the skills I’ve learned in my career to create more power solutions to address these challenges.
Oilfield companies are increasingly interested in microgrids with power management systems that can leverage the best available power source at any given point in time while adding reliability to their operations. This not only helps drive down fuel costs but also helps lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Q: IS THERE A PROJECT THAT YOU FOUND ESPECIALLY FULFILLING IN YOUR CAREER?
We deployed a microgrid system as part of an e-frac application in the Permian Basin, which helped an operator become a pioneer in harvesting power from the grid while supplementing additional demand with on-site power generation. This created financial benefits and also helped the operator reduce Scope 1 GHG emissions on-site. I’m especially proud of this project.
We’ve also helped oil and gas operators access hybrid energy solutions to increase reliability, optimize fuel consumption and realize significant operational savings.
Q: HOW DO YOU HELP OILFIELD COMPANIES PRODUCE THE ENERGY THE WORLD NEEDS AS THE INDUSTRY EVOLVES?
It comes down to power management and making sure we provide the best solutions specific to drilling, well services and production. Each segment has explicit technological requirements that must be met for companies to achieve success. The approach is customized for a site, as each site is unique.
Q: HOW MIGHT THE OILFIELD LOOK OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
As demand and use of microgrids expand, the industry will require more power management solutions that flex in all the energy sources available — from public utilities and natural gas on-site power generation to alternative fuels and traditional diesel as necessary. The technologies controlling these assets will keep evolving, and I see our industry shaping what a smart grid will look like for generations to come.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR CATERPILLAR?
It’s the people and our collaborative environment that make Caterpillar an exciting place to work. I have the opportunity each day to work with great people to turn ideas into practical, real-world solutions.
Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Any time outside of work is spent with my kids, David (10 years old) and Eva (12 years old). Whether taking them to after-school activities, helping them with homework or taking the occasional trip to a museum, zoo or the beach, it’s all about spending time with my family.
