Adam Alembakis, aged 28, has been appointed supervisor of one of the largest gas stream pipelines in the world for the next three years. The Azerbaijan pipeline, starting from the Caucasus, which will connect Turkey and Greece with Italy, has been contracted by BP.
Adam completed his Bachelor in Construction at UTS in 2009, and a Graduate Diploma in Construction Law in 2010. From 2004 until 2011 he was working for Aquenta construction consultancy on building massive projects. He spoke to Neos Kosmos from Georgia about his career success and the responsibility that comes with it.
In 2011, his company Aquenta gave him the opportunity to be posted to Central Queensland, near Roma, in order to work on the 420km GLNG pipeline project which would eventually convert coal seam gas to LNG and be sent to Korea.
“I was based on site from 2011 till 2014, reporting on and handling the main contractor’s contract, estimated about AUD$1 billion, reporting to our main office in Brisbane,” Adam tells Neos Kosmos.
During his Queensland job, Adam worked with senior industry leaders, a time which gave him adequate experience to be on BP’s top list at such a young age.
“I was chosen for my position due to the fact it is a very similar project – a 400km pipeline – and it belongs to the same main contractor from Australia, Saipem ENI,” he explains.
“The senior managers knew me well from Australia and they were positive they could rely on me to deliver the same contractual responsibilities.”
Adam is very proud of his Greek heritage, as both his parents come from Macedonia.
“My father is from Edessa and my mum is from Thessaloniki,” Adam says.
“I went to St Euphemia’s School in Bankstown, which also enhanced my love for Greece and my culture.”
“Now that I am based in Europe, I try to visit Greece often; about twice a year.”
Adam found the people in Azerbaijan are very warm and friendly, with a unique culture and landscape which he is keen on discovering.
“When I first arrived in the Caucasus, I thought I was on a different planet – it’s completely different to any other place I have visited, including Europe.”
“At the moment I am in Tbilisi (Georgia) waiting for my visa for Azerbaijan,” says Adam.
Adam Alembakis is hoping his role on this project will eventually lead him onto the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which is the 400km pipeline connecting Greece with Albania.
“The Trans Adriatic is due to start around end of 2016, with most of its volume passing through Macedonia and Thrace,” he adds.
“I enjoy the oil/gas industry and the opportunity to travel around the world with my job, especially when this includes Greece.”
With the current oil prices, a lot of big developments and projects have been cancelled around the world, including Australia. Will this affect major projects the likes of the Azerbaijan pipeline or the Trans Adriatic?
“The good news is BP are 100 per cent committed to this project,” he muses.
“I am not sure if the Greek position will influence the industry, we will just have to wait and see.”
Neos Kosmos is wishing Adam good luck on his new construction venture which will hopefully shoot him to Greece.