Monica Marquez: Cal Poly Pomona Petroleum Engineer Driving Innovation in Oil and Gas

For over a decade, Monica Marquez has stood at the intersection of academic excellence, hands-on engineering, and industry innovation as a petroleum engineer shaped by Cal Poly Pomona. Her career—marked by impactful projects, technical expertise, and a commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions—exemplifies how a Cal Poly Pomona petroleum engineering education prepares professionals to lead in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. From optimizing unconventional reservoir performance to advocating for lower-carbon extraction methods, Marquez’s work underscores the critical role of skilled engineers in balancing energy demand with environmental responsibility. Below, we break down the key elements of her journey, the lessons from her Cal Poly Pomona foundation, and her contributions to the oil and gas sector.

Cal Poly Pomona’s Petroleum Engineering Program: Building a Foundation for Excellence

Monica Marquez’s path to becoming a leader in oil and gas began at Cal Poly Pomona, where the petroleum engineering program is renowned for its “learn by doing” philosophy. As a student, she immersed herself in coursework that blended theoretical rigor with real-world application, including courses like Reservoir Characterization, Drilling Engineering, and Petroleum Geomechanics. These classes, paired with lab work in the university’s state-of-the-art Petroleum Engineering Laboratory—equipped with core analysis tools, flow simulators, and wellbore models—gave her a tangible understanding of subsurface processes.

But what truly set her education apart was Cal Poly Pomona’s emphasis on industry collaboration. Through internships with major operators and service companies, Marquez gained early exposure to field operations. For example, during a summer internship with a leading independent oil producer, she assisted in analyzing production data from a Permian Basin well, learning to identify inefficiencies in completion designs and recommend adjustments. This hands-on experience taught her to bridge the gap between classroom theory and on-the-ground problem-solving—a skill that would become foundational to her career.

Today, Cal Poly Pomona’s petroleum engineering program continues to thrive, maintaining strong ties to industry partners and adapting curricula to reflect emerging trends like digital oilfield technologies and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). For aspiring engineers, this means graduating with not just a degree, but with a portfolio of practical skills and professional connections that accelerate their impact in the field.

Tackling Unconventional Reservoirs: Marquez’s Work in Shale and Tight Gas

After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, Marquez joined a large international oil company, where she specialized in optimizing production from unconventional reservoirs—shale and tight gas formations that require advanced techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Her first major project involved a Barnett Shale play in Texas, where she led a team to analyze well performance data and identify underperforming stages.

By integrating geomechanical modeling with production history matching, Marquez pinpointed inefficiencies in the original fracture design, such as uneven proppant distribution and suboptimal fluid viscosity. She recommended adjustments to the fracturing fluid system and cluster spacing, which reduced non-productive time by 20% and increased initial production rates by 18%. Over three years, this work contributed to a 30% uplift in ultimate recovery for the asset, demonstrating how precise engineering can maximize the value of unconventional resources.

Marquez’s success in unconventional plays stems from her ability to synthesize data from multiple sources—seismic surveys, well logs, and production metrics—and translate that into actionable strategies. As she often notes, “Unconventional reservoirs are complex, but they’re not unpredictable. With the right tools and a systematic approach, engineers can unlock their potential while minimizing costs and environmental impact.”

Advancing Sustainability: Reducing Emissions in Oil and Gas Operations

In recent years, Marquez has shifted her focus to addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At her current role with a mid-sized producer, she leads the company’s “Low-Emission Development” initiative, aiming to cut methane emissions by 50% by 2030.

Her work here builds on her Cal Poly Pomona training in fluid mechanics and reservoir engineering, but with a new emphasis on sustainability. For example, she spearheaded a project to replace high-bleed pneumatic controllers with low-emission alternatives across 50 well sites. By conducting a cost-benefit analysis and partnering with equipment manufacturers to test new technologies, she reduced methane emissions by 75% at those sites while maintaining operational efficiency.

Marquez also advocates for transparency in emissions reporting. She developed a standardized protocol for measuring and verifying methane leaks using optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras and continuous monitors, a method now adopted by her company’s regional operations. “Sustainability isn’t just about compliance,” she explains. “It’s about ensuring the long-term viability of our industry by aligning with global climate goals. Engineers have a unique role to play here—we can innovate solutions that benefit both business and the planet.”

Mentoring the Next Generation: Sharing Knowledge with Cal Poly Pomona Students

True to Cal Poly Pomona’s ethos of community and mentorship, Marquez remains deeply connected to her alma mater. She serves as an adjunct professor, teaching a course on Advanced Well Completion Design, where she shares real-world case studies from her career—including lessons from failed projects as well as successes. “Students learn best when they understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘how,’” she says. “I want them to see that engineering isn’t just about equations; it’s about solving problems that matter.”

Beyond the classroom, Marquez mentors Cal Poly Pomona students through the university’s Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board. She hosts site visits to active drilling rigs and production facilities, giving students a firsthand look at field operations. Many of her mentees have gone on to secure positions at top oil and gas companies, citing her guidance as pivotal to their career growth.

Lessons from Monica Marquez: What Aspiring Engineers Can Learn

Monica Marquez’s career offers valuable insights for anyone pursuing a career in petroleum engineering, whether they’re a student at Cal Poly Pomona or elsewhere:

1. Prioritize Hands-On Experience: Internships and fieldwork are not optional—they’re essential. Marquez credits her early internships with teaching her to think like a practicing engineer, not just a student.
2. Embrace Lifelong Learning: The oil and gas industry evolves rapidly, from new drilling technologies to changing regulatory landscapes. Marquez stays current by attending conferences, publishing papers, and collaborating with researchers.
3. Focus on Sustainability: Even in traditional energy sectors, environmental responsibility is no longer optional. Engineers who can innovate sustainable solutions will lead the next wave of industry growth.
4. Build a Network: Cal Poly Pomona’s strong industry connections helped launch Marquez’s career. Nurture relationships with peers, professors, and professionals—they’ll open doors to opportunities you might not find alone.

Conclusion: A Leader Shaping the Future of Energy

Monica Marquez’s journey—from a Cal Poly Pomona classroom to leading sustainability initiatives in oil and gas—epitomizes the impact of a well-rounded petroleum engineering education. Her work demonstrates that technical expertise, combined with a commitment to innovation and sustainability, is key to thriving in today’s energy landscape. For students, professionals, and industry observers alike, Marquez’s story is a testament to the power of education, experience, and purpose-driven engineering. As the world continues to grapple with energy demands and climate challenges, engineers like Marquez will remain at the forefront of building a more efficient, responsible, and sustainable future.