Chevron
I have spoken to guys who have had involvement with Chevron , and they spoke highly of them.
I concur your gas engineer background can only be a help not a hindrance. If you have the aptitude for aircraft engineering, and are committed to seeing it through anything is possible.
I personally do short contract work all over the world, its not the best but suits me at the moment. Keep your nose in your books and keep up the hard work, it will pay off in the end.
Good luck
PB