The juxtaposing idea that the energy industry can simultaneously be a small world and a vast expanse of unexplored business terrain is one with which Paul Homik can agree. Homik has worked within a large segment of the energy industry and can attest to the benefits of such experience. Originally, Homik hails from the University of Manitoba, where he obtained a degree in industrial engineering.

He began his career by gaining domestic and international experience in the petrochemical industry, and held a variety of progressively responsible roles at Winpak and Nova Chemicals Ltd. Moving forward to the midstream sector, he began working with ATCO Midstream in 2006 as a senior marketing representative and was promoted to commercial manager of natural gas liquids in 2007. In 2011, he was appointed senior manager to direct the commercial, engineering and operations groups within the natural gas liquids business unit.

MIDSTREAM: You’ve been able to gain experience from several different spectrums of the oil and gas industry.

HOMIK: Absolutely. Since starting my career in the downstream industry, I’ve continued moving closer and closer to the beginning of the value chain and I‘ve gained a breadth of experience from that transition. My time in the midstream sector has been particularly rewarding. I constantly communicate with our customers, to find ways we can grow our business together. Strong customer relationships are always generating opportunities for additional business either inside of existing arrangements, or starting something completely new.

MIDSTREAM: What led you to ATCO?

HOMIK: I knew how important the natural gas liquids business was to the derivative industries, and I really wanted to work in that part of the industry. Midstream is a dynamic and entrepreneurial segment of the industry, and there is a lot of deal-making and day-to-day activity going on. Joining ATCO Midstream allowed me an excellent opportunity to work in that environment; it provided the challenges I was looking for, from both a collaborative and creative perspective. As part of the ATCO Group of Companies, there is also the potential for global businesses and career growth opportunities. This was definitely a consideration.

MIDSTREAM: How do you find new opportunities?

HOMIK: Because the market is changing, opportunities are always opening up, both short and longer term. The more I know about my customers, the more opportunity I have to work with them to make deals happen. This could also mean an integrated solution with several companies, so it’s not just my customers I’m communicating with, I’m always trying to extend my circle of contacts and business relationships.

MIDSTREAM: What do you do in your day-to-day work?

HOMIK: I try to develop relationships, and learn more about my customers and potential customers’ businesses. Relationships help foster future business, and by leveraging those relationships, you may find opportunities where you can provide a role in the next project. You can’t have a productive, growth-focused business without interaction, both internally and externally. So relationships are huge, in that regard.

This is a dynamic business, and you must be learning new things all the time. I really enjoy keeping up with these new developments as they often provide an opportunity or a solution to an old problem. Naturally, all business we do these days has to be delivered in a safe and efficient manner—this is critical to our success. I provide oversight to several areas that are essential to our business, such as health, safety, security and environmental and regulatory compliance. In order to be a leader in those areas, you have to be diligent and make it a priority. Again, the industry is changing constantly and we have to always be focused on what we can do better.

MIDSTREAM: Are there any new projects on your radar?

HOMIK: We have a collaborative senior management team, and in the midstream sector, we are looking to expand our capabilities and services, either by actively pursuing acquisitions or spending capital to enhance our current businesses. At ATCO Midstream, we have three separate business units: Natural gas liquids, gas gathering and processing and natural gas storage.

MIDSTREAM: What are your thoughts on the midstream industry’s outlook?

HOMIK: There are several challenges. One of the biggest is the cost-effective delivery of services or projects. There are a lot of issues with developing projects. The ability to deliver safely and on-budget is crucial and, more than ever, you really have to understand the capital and operating economics to be competitive.

Additionally, regulatory change can affect our business in many ways and can often be difficult to anticipate. There is always regulatory change, so it’s a matter of understanding the changes and how you can position yourself in order to work within those changes.

Lastly, like most industries, we need to focus on creating better technology, which will present new opportunities. Extracting and transporting gas more economically, in a safer manner and in a more environmentally friendly fashion will take us far as we find new ways to be better at what we do.