Gheorghe Oprea
Process Control Engineering Coordinator
With Rompetrol since 1986
I joined Petromidia after graduating from university, in September 1986. After my three year internship period, I went through several professional stages, from Head of the EABTX-SEBOX unit (the Aromatics Unit) to Shift Section Head, Coordinating Section Head in Section 1 and, later, Chief Engineer Production. In 2006, I contributed to the establishment of the Process Control Department, which was needed following the extensive modernization of the control system through the implementation of the Distributed Control System (DCS). Since 2017, the department’s main activity has been the implementation of the Advanced Process Control program, first in the Crude Distillation Unit and later in the other units of the Petromidia refinery.
Which generation of trainees are you mentoring? What made you accept the role of mentor?
Officially, this is my first experience as a mentor, although throughout my career I have constantly shared my experience and knowledge with younger colleagues. As I am approaching the end of my professional activity, I see this program as a very good opportunity to pass on as much as possible from everything I have accumulated over the years.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding part of being a mentor? And the most difficult?
The role of mentor gives me the satisfaction of knowing that the experience, knowledge and values I have gained over time will continue to be useful to the company where I have spent my entire career. The biggest challenge, however, is finding the most effective way to pass them on, so that they can be understood, embraced and applied in practice.
What are the core values you promote when guiding your trainee’s career?
Among the core values I try to pass on are respect for colleagues, collaborators and everyone one works with, because the respect you offer is, most often, the respect you receive in return. This creates a working environment based on trust and collaboration.
Another important value is responsibility towards one’s work and decisions. Last but not least, I believe passion for the profession is essential, because when you do what you enjoy and are truly involved, the results are always better.
How have you adapted your mentoring style to the needs and personality of your current trainee?
I do not follow one fixed training style. I first assess the current level of knowledge so that I can prepare the training plan accordingly.
How do you maintain a balance between offering support and encouraging autonomy?
It is difficult to watch a trainee make mistakes or choose a longer path, but you need to hold back the impulse to solve the problems for them, allowing them to learn on their own.
Describe Rashid in three words:
Proactive, diligent, involved.
Mohamed-Rashid Hopur
Process Control Engineer
With Rompetrol since 2025
Tell us briefl y about your story with Rompetrol.
I joined Rompetrol through the Together We Grow – Rompetrol Traineeship program, 2025 edition. What attracted me most to this program was the learning culture it promotes, encouraging young people to ask questions, stay curious and not be afraid to experiment. I saw this opportunity as an excellent way to start my career in a complex industrial environment.
What was your biggest fear when you joined the company? How did you overcome it?
My biggest fear was my lack of experience and knowledge. I encountered many things I had not yet mastered, and I can say that I still have a lot to learn. However, with the support of the experienced colleagues around me, I managed to overcome the fear of asking questions and to better understand each process and every detail.
What is the biggest advantage of having a mentor?
The biggest advantage of having a mentor is that I always have an experienced person by my side, someone I can learn from and who can guide me when I face difficulties. My mentor gives me the confidence that any question can find an answer and that there is always a direction to follow. Among the mentors who have contributed to my development is Mr. Tiberiu Crudu, who dedicated a great deal of time to training us, the new colleagues, and to explaining the refinery processes. I also learned from Mr. Vlad Bărăscu how important it is to take care of the people in your team, because they are one of the refinery’s most important pillars. I have also learned from operators, foremen, process engineers and control engineers in the CCR (e.n. - Control Center).
What is the most important advice or feedback you received from your mentor?
One of the most important pieces of advice I received from Mr. Gheorghe Oprea was to analyze every situation from several perspectives. Not all problems are the same and, often, the solution requires a different approach, adapted to the objective pursued.
How has your current mentor helped you integrate into the team and your current role?
My mentor helped me integrate in a natural and friendly way, without pressure and without rushing the process. Through his experience and the interesting stories, he shared about the refinery, he offered me both valuable information and the confidence to adapt more easily to the team.
Describe your mentor in three words:
Experience, Respect, Humanity.
