icon linkedin

SciDev Innovators: Meet Katerina – Driving Innovation in Upstream Energy

Katerina Newman SciDev Innovator
Home All News

Apr 4, 2025

Katerina Newman SciDev Innovator

At SciDev, we’re driven by innovation, and our people are at the heart of that drive. This month, we’re spotlighting Katerina Newman, a chemical engineer and Senior Technical Consultant with five years at SciDev in Houston, Texas. Katerina embodies the spirit of innovation, bringing her expertise and passion to the forefront of upstream energy solutions. Her journey, from academic research to impactful contributions in the oilfield, is a testament to the power of dedication and continuous learning.

From Research to Real-World Impact: Katerina's Career Journey
Katerina‘s career path is a fascinating blend of academic exploration and practical application. Her early involvement in university research projects, focused on biochemistry, physical chemistry, and microbiology, laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors. While she briefly explored manufacturing operations, the oilfield’s allure proved irresistible. Since joining a major oilfield service company, Katerina has dedicated her career to applied research and development, working on projects across the globe – from North and South America to Africa, Asia, and Europe. This diverse experience has equipped her with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. Now, at SciDev, Katerina leverages her skills and knowledge to develop cutting-edge products for a major operator, contributing to advancements in upstream technology.
A Passion for Sustainability: The Carbon Capture and Storage Project with ExxonMobil
Katerina is particularly proud of her contributions to a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, a critical area of focus for the energy industry. For over a year, she’s been deeply involved in helping a major customer develop innovative technology to improve CO2 injection processes. The SciDev team, working closely with the client, is testing specialty chemicals that enhance CO2 delivery and placement into the formation downhole. Katerina‘s role in this project highlights SciDev’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact and developing sustainable energy solutions. “Minimizing environmental footprint is one of the most important targets in the industry,” Katerina emphasizes. “I am excited to be contributing to this project.” The dynamic nature of new product development provides ample opportunities for innovation. Katerina and her team’s deep understanding of the technical challenges allows them to leverage existing products and create cost-effective, innovative solutions.
Fostering Innovation and Adapting to Technological Advancements
Katerina believes that innovation is about applying existing technologies in novel ways. She cites the example of surfactants, widely used in various industries, including oil and gas. By understanding the properties and applications of these existing chemicals, engineers can develop innovative solutions for downhole activities. Katerina‘s role has evolved alongside advancements in oil and gas technologies. While her core engineering principles remain constant, the tools she uses have become increasingly sophisticated. From advanced laboratory instruments to complex data acquisition systems, these technological advancements enable engineers to delve deeper, see more clearly, and increase efficiency. However, Katerina stresses the importance of the human element. “My focus would be human factor to choose proper information and make the right final decision, then computational tools that can be used to derive correct findings.” She recognizes the need for collaboration and specialized expertise, particularly in areas like electrical and control systems, as technology becomes more complex.
Looking Ahead: Growth, Learning, and Impact

SciDev’s recognition by Forbes and Financial Times as a top high-growth company in the Asia-Pacific region fills Katerina with pride. She’s excited to continue contributing to the company’s success and looks forward to tackling new challenges and projects. Her advice to aspiring young engineers is to embrace continuous learning, education, and practice. She emphasizes the importance of developing both technical expertise and “soft skills,” including communication, emotional intelligence, and public speaking. Katerina believes that the biggest challenges facing the oil and gas industry today are opportunities for growth and evolution. She sees SciDev as uniquely positioned to help customers address technological and operational issues through tailored chemical solutions and a team of highly educated and innovative professionals.

Beyond the Lab: Life in Houston
Outside of work, Katerina enjoys the vibrant cultural scene in Houston with her husband. They frequent theaters, concerts, and museums, and enjoy spending time outdoors with their dogs in Houston’s many parks, maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The Future of Upstream: Technology, Data, and Human Intelligence
Katerina sees a bright future for the upstream sector, driven by advancements in technology and data analytics. She believes that SciDev can leverage these advancements to provide practical, high-efficacy solutions to its clients. She emphasizes the crucial role of human intelligence in selecting the right information and making informed decisions, even with the aid of sophisticated computational tools. Katerina‘s perspective highlights the importance of combining technological prowess with human expertise to drive innovation and create a sustainable future for the energy industry.

    Recent News

    .