A Digital Memoir
From a carefree childhood in Bettystown to the oil fields of Libya, the deserts of Abu Dhabi, and the towers of Manhattan — John O’Connor tells his story in his own words.
All Chapters
Growing up was fairly idyllic (in retrospect?). From the age of about 4 until 14 or 15 Bettystown in August, and tennis most summer days. I was also packed off to Collon, or to Limerick for two to three weeks at a time…
I was in High School from 1958 to 1963. The school was Colaiste Muire in Parnell Square in the north inner city of Dublin. Again it was an all Irish school, meaning all teaching and conversation was in Irish. So, Latin…
Interestingly, my childhood memories seem to be more recallable than my college years from 1963-1967! So I have no ability do do a chronology of the college years..I’ll try to do themes. Because of the scholarships…
1967 was known as The Summer of Love. It was also just about the peak year for the Vietnam War, with in excess of 500,000 American troops in country. The war dominated global headlines and created the student lead…
The multiplicity of earth-shaking events which impacted the US and indeed the wider world in 1968 were without precedent. On the music scene R&R bands were at their peak; think Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Hey Jude/Born To Be…
I flew to Tripoli in Autumn ‘68 and never was one more exposed to a life-altering step-changing…
I flew to Tripoli in Autumn ‘68 and never was one more exposed to a life-altering step-changing…
It’s hard to overstate just how chaotic Tripoli was in September 1970. The Italian colonists were all being processed out. The oil companies were being harassed and their production cut back. And on top of that, the…
I don’t really know why, but when I flew to Abu Dhabi at the end of December 1970, I had to start on a solo basis. Arrival at the airport was reassuringly different than the hateful transits of Tripoli. The locals were…
Why is 1974 picked out as a key date for me in this story? It was picked because it’s one of two years when the oil industry events had a global impact. And of course, in addition to impacting global economies, it…
Sometime in 1977 I took on the role of Chief Petroleum Engineer. That probably happened more because so many experienced people had already been transferred out, than because I was a good candidate. Whatever, being in…
After the semi-permanent nature of work and life in Abu Dhabi, events now seemed, in retrospect, to move much more quickly. I arrived in Manhattan in Summer 1980 to work in Mobil’s head office on the fabled 42nd street.…
A classic pink convertible with the biggest tail fins imaginable, an oyster bar in the French Quarter, and a big promotion awaiting — New Orleans was always going to be different.