May 2026 - Vipul Mathur
A bit about Vipul Mathur
What do you find most fascinating / challenging about the O&G industry?
The O&G industry is one of the most challenging environments in the world to work in. Whether it be any aspect of it Drilling, Completion, Production or my current role in surface pressure control which is one of the most critical parts of this industry. In my current role as VP Polymer Technology and Molding, I am responsible to ensure qualification, validation, and failure analysis of non-metallic seals inside a blowout preventer (BOP). Failure of these seals literally means life and death as we all remember from the tragic events of Macondo in GoM. A BOP is the last line of defense and designing/molding/testing of these seals is a major responsibility to ensure compliance with industry standards like API 16A. The O&G environment is unforgiving and the amount (pressure and temperature) and type (chemical, mechanical, etc.) of stressors that the seals get exposed to are harsh to say the least. This industry is also very rewarding as you know that the work one does provides energy to the world in a safe manner.
What is your hobby and why?
I am avid fan of the game of Golf. I play almost 2-4 times per month and watch nearly all the golf tournaments on TV. I haven’t had any formal training or lessons in Golf, but I do try to learn from training videos and watching the habits/techniques of professional golfers. It’s an individual sport where one is constantly battling against one’s own self. Just like O&G, it is a rewarding experience when you do well.
Have you had a mentor in the industry and what valuable lesson / catch phrase has that person passed to you?
I have had many mentors and people I look up to in the industry during my career. I would consider Andy Anderson from back in the day as the very first person to help/guide me into the world of elastomers. Jim Goodson who I had the pleasure of working with for a few years has been a great mentor and someone that I look up to for technical advice and leadership.
What do you enjoy most about your job and what advice to you have for others?
I enjoy the daily challenges that the job brings. In the world of elastomers, the problems are never ending, and they keep you on your toes. The world of molding/testing/qualifying seals for O&G environment is full of pain with very few days of pleasure. That makes you never stop learning and evolving. One must take the small victories as they are few and far between while learning from the bad days.
How long have you been with EPG and what brings you back year after year?
I have been with EPG for 10+ years. The people/members at EPG are the ones that keep bringing me back year after year. I like the networking opportunity at EPG with new members and the chance to catch up with old timers. I learn more from conversing with the people at EPG and learning from their experiences. Listening to the presentations is critical as they could spark an idea that can be applied directly or indirectly to your current line of work. It could lead to thought provoking conversations.
