From my original archive
Chad
Destination overview
About this destination
Chad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa. Its capital, N'Djamena, stands near the meeting of the Chari and Logone rivers. The country's landscapes extend from the Sahara in the north through the Sahel to southern savanna.
Lake Chad is shared with neighbouring countries and gives the country its name. Arabic and French are official languages, alongside numerous local languages. The Tibesti and Ennedi regions contain striking mountain and rock formations.
Farming, pastoral life and regional trade have deep roots here. Oil production added a further industrial dimension, particularly around the southern Doba basin.
My connection
From 2006 to 2008, I worked at Kome 5 with KBR for ExxonMobil. I coordinated electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, piping and HVAC activities. My responsibilities included work planning, permits, fault analysis, troubleshooting and the organisation of the teams and equipment needed for the work.
Original archive notes and photographs
My original travel notes
Chad is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, with a population of approximately 16 million people. The country is characterized by a desert landscape in the north, savannas in the center, and forests in the south. The official languages of Chad are French and Arabic, reflecting its colonial history with France and its cultural ties with the Arab world. In addition, there are over 100 different ethnic groups in Chad, each with its own language and culture. Chad has a primarily agricultural economy, with cotton, cattle, and gum arabic being major exports. The country also has significant reserves of oil, but this industry has faced challenges due to security issues and corruption.Chad faces several challenges, including poverty, a lack of infrastructure, and ongoing conflicts with rebel groups. The country has also struggled with political instability and authoritarian rule.Despite these challenges, Chad has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population with a range of traditions and customs. The country has also made progress in areas such as education and health, but there is still much work to be done to improve the lives of its citizens.
Personal memories
I worked in Chad for two years, from 2006 to 2008. It was my first experience of the country, and working with Chadian, Filipino and American colleagues from Exxon was very rewarding. Even fifteen years later, we were still writing to one another and remembering both the good times and the challenges.
In a remote location, we extracted thick, sticky oil and sent it towards Cameroon through a pipeline running through the jungle. We sometimes encountered elephants, snakes and other wild animals.
I met some excellent people, including Tony Caldwell, one of the best colleagues I have ever had, as well as Richie Beynon, Stewart Miller, John Wayne Johns and Ed Kadchadorian. We worked together in a friendly and professional atmosphere.
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