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Lead Testing & Commissioning Engineer [Offshore Platform]

Ghobash Group · Remote, United Arab Emirates

Oil & GasLeadRemoteQuick applycontract14 days ago

About The Role

  1. Position Purpose

The Lead Testing & Commissioning Engineer shall lead the complete pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, performance testing and handover of the Project. The primary process package is the instrument air and plant air compressor system; however, successful commissioning depends on extensive integration with electrical power systems, instrumentation, package PLC, DCS/ESD/F&G, mechanical and piping systems, utilities, brownfield tie-ins and offshore operations. The role is therefore multidisciplinary and shall coordinate all relevant disciplines, OEMs, subcontractors and Company representatives to achieve safe and timely system start-up.

  1. Key Accountabilities
  • Own and lead the overall testing and commissioning strategy, systemization, execution plan and handover process for the complete Project.
  • Lead commissioning of compressor and dryer packages, including mechanical run-in, electrical energization, instrumentation calibration, logic validation, functional testing and performance testing.
  • Act as the single focal point for commissioning interfaces among Engineering, Procurement, Construction, OEMs, subcontractors, ADNOC Offshore Operations and the project management team.
  • Ensure all systems and subsystems are mechanically complete, safe, properly documented and ready before energization, introduction of utilities or start-up.
  • Drive closure of punch items, technical queries, interface issues and commissioning constraints to meet project milestones.
  1. Detailed Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 Commissioning Management and Planning

  • Develop the overall Pre-Commissioning, Commissioning, Start-up and Performance Test Plan for the project.
  • Define commissioning systems, subsystems, boundaries, priorities, turnover sequence and required completion milestones.
  • Prepare and maintain the commissioning schedule, resource plan, vendor mobilization plan and offshore execution sequence in coordination with Planning and Construction.
  • Establish commissioning readiness criteria, system handover requirements, Mechanical Completion (MC), Ready for Commissioning (RFC), Ready for Start-up (RFSU) and final acceptance requirements.
  • Prepare and maintain the Commissioning Register, system/subsystem status tracker, punch list register, constraint register, interface register and vendor attendance schedule.
  • Coordinate commissioning inputs for shutdown planning, brownfield tie-ins, SIMOPS, offshore campaigns and marine/logistics requirements.
  • Conduct commissioning readiness reviews, daily coordination meetings and system walkdowns with all stakeholders.

3.2 Compressor and Mechanical Package Commissioning

  • Lead pre-commissioning and commissioning of instrument air and plant air compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, after-coolers, drains and associated auxiliaries.
  • Verify package installation, alignment, lubrication, cooling, ventilation, cleanliness, flushing, leak testing and readiness for initial start.
  • Coordinate compressor OEM activities including preservation release, pre-start inspection, first start, no-load/load trials, vibration checks, capacity testing and reliability run.
  • Validate compressor loading/unloading sequence, duty/standby operation, automatic changeover, pressure control, dryer regeneration and package operating philosophy.
  • Coordinate piping blowdown, flushing, pressure/leak testing, reinstatement, line-up and introduction of air to the existing platform networks.
  • Lead package performance testing against approved datasheets, guaranteed capacity, pressure, dew point, power consumption and other contractual performance criteria.
  • Ensure safe interface with existing instrument air and plant air systems during cutover and transition.

3.3 Electrical Testing and Energization

  • Lead testing, energization and functional checks for all electrical systems supporting the project package, including HV/LV switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, UPS/DC systems, distribution boards, transformers and control panels as applicable.
  • Review and approve energization procedures, switching programs, electrical isolation plans, LOTO requirements and energization certificates.
  • Ensure completion and acceptance of insulation resistance, continuity, earthing, contact resistance, primary/secondary injection, protection relay, functional and inter-trip tests.
  • Verify protection settings, relay coordination, motor starting requirements, control power availability and interfaces with existing electrical systems.
  • Lead motor solo runs, rotation checks, VFD tuning, current/vibration monitoring and load testing of compressor motors and auxiliaries.
  • Coordinate electrical OEM support and resolve issues related to switchgear, MCC, VFD, ECMS/PMS and package power/control interfaces.

3.4 Instrumentation, Control and ICSS Integration

  • Lead calibration, loop checking and functional testing of pressure, temperature, flow, dew point, vibration and other package/process instruments.
  • Ensure completion of instrument installation checks, impulse line verification, tubing leak tests, instrument air connections, range/settings verification and calibration records.
  • Review and validate I/O lists, loop diagrams, instrument index, alarm and trip set points, control narratives, Cause & Effect matrices and shutdown philosophy.
  • Lead package PLC, DCS, ESD, F&G, ECMS/PMS and other ICSS interface testing, including hardwired and communication signals.
  • Coordinate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Integrated FAT, Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), loop tests, logic tests and end-to-end functional tests.
  • Validate compressor start permissive, trips, alarms, sequencing, duty/standby changeover, remote/local operation and emergency shutdown response.
  • Coordinate DCS graphics, alarm displays, trends, historian points and operator interface validation with ADNOC Operations.

3.5 Engineering, Construction and Vendor Interface

  • Review engineering deliverables from a commissioning and operability perspective, including P&IDs, SLDs, layouts, cable schedules, loop drawings, logic diagrams, Cause & Effect, datasheets and vendor documents.
  • Identify commissioning requirements early and ensure they are incorporated into design, procurement, construction and vendor scope.
  • Provide input to constructability, operability, maintainability, HAZOP/PHA, design reviews, 3D model reviews and shutdown/tie-in studies.
  • Coordinate resolution of design changes, field changes, technical queries, NCRs, interface gaps and vendor deviations affecting commissioning.
  • Confirm preservation, storage, installation and pre-commissioning requirements for vendor packages and long-lead equipment.
  • Ensure adequate availability of commissioning spares, consumables, temporary facilities, test equipment, special tools and vendor specialists.

3.6 Offshore Brownfield, SIMOPS and Start-up Coordination

  • Plan and coordinate offshore commissioning activities in live operating facilities with minimum disruption to existing operations.
  • Prepare detailed tie-in, cutover, isolation, de-isolation, reinstatement and start-up sequences in coordination with ADNOC Operations.
  • Ensure compliance with PTW, SIMOPS, LOTO, energy isolation, electrical safety rules and offshore work control requirements.
  • Participate in job safety analysis, task risk assessments, toolbox talks, pre-start-up safety reviews and operational readiness reviews.
  • Coordinate offshore manpower, rotation, access, logistics, material movement and vendor/OEM attendance for commissioning campaigns.
  • Provide immediate technical leadership for troubleshooting and safe recovery from failed tests, trips or start-up issues.

3.7 Documentation, Completion and Handover

  • Prepare, review and obtain approval for pre-commissioning, commissioning, energization, functional test, start-up and performance test procedures.
  • Ensure complete and accurate ITRs, check sheets, loop folders, FAT/SAT reports, test certificates, calibration records and commissioning dossiers.
  • Manage MC, RFC, RFSU, System Completion and final handover dossiers in accordance with project and ADNOC requirements.
  • Coordinate red-line markups, as-built drawings, O&M manuals, spare parts records, vendor data books and final turnover documentation.
  • Lead punch categorization and closure, ensuring no safety-critical or start-up-blocking punch remains open before commissioning.
  • Prepare daily, weekly and monthly commissioning reports, progress curves, look-ahead plans, risk/constraint reports and management updates.
  • Coordinate training, familiarization and final handover to ADNOC Operations and Maintenance teams.
  1. HSE and Quality Responsibilities
  • Demonstrate visible HSE leadership and stop any unsafe testing, energization or start-up activity.
  • Ensure all commissioning works comply with ADNOC HSE requirements, Electrical Safety Rules, PTW, LOTO, SIMOPS and project procedures.
  • Confirm calibrated and certified test equipment is used and all test records are traceable.
  • Ensure commissioning activities comply with approved Inspection and Test Plans, method statements and quality requirements.
  • Lead incident/near-miss reporting, technical investigation and corrective action for commissioning-related events.
  1. Team Leadership
  • Lead and coordinate commissioning engineers, discipline engineers, supervisors, technicians, vendors, OEM specialists and subcontractor personnel.
  • Allocate responsibilities by system and discipline and ensure clear ownership of commissioning deliverables and field activities.
  • Mentor team members, provide technical guidance and maintain effective communication between office, yard and offshore teams.
  • Forecast manpower and specialist requirements and support timely mobilization, offshore certification and competency verification.
  • Promote collaborative working with ADNOC representatives while protecting project scope, schedule, quality and contractual requirements.
  1. Key Deliverables
  • Approved Commissioning Execution Plan and system/subsystem breakdown.
  • Commissioning procedures, energization plans, test packs and performance test procedures.
  • Commissioning schedule, resource/vendor mobilization plan and readiness tracker.
  • MC/RFC/RFSU/System Completion dossiers and punch-list closeout records.
  • Daily/weekly/monthly progress reports and commissioning risk/constraint registers.
  • Final handover dossiers, as-built documentation, operating records and training completion.

Minimum Qualification and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. An Electrical or Instrumentation background with strong compressor/mechanical package commissioning experience is preferred.
  • Minimum 16 years of experience in Oil & Gas EPC projects, with at least 8 years in testing, commissioning and start-up leadership roles.
  • Demonstrated experience in commissioning compressor packages and associated electrical, instrumentation, control and utility systems.
  • Substantial offshore brownfield experience, including live-plant tie-ins, shutdowns, SIMOPS and start-up activities.
  • Experience with ADNOC Offshore or similar major operating companies is strongly preferred.
  • Proven experience coordinating package OEMs, electrical vendors, ICSS vendors, construction teams and operations personnel.
  • Ability to independently lead multidisciplinary commissioning from engineering review through final handover.

Required Technical Competencies

  • Compressor package operation and commissioning, including rotary screw/centrifugal compressor systems, dryers and air treatment equipment.
  • HV/LV electrical systems, switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, motors, UPS/DC systems, protection and energization.
  • Instrumentation calibration, loop checking, package PLC, DCS/ESD/F&G integration, Cause & Effect and functional testing.
  • Mechanical completion, systemization, commissioning dossiers, punch management and turnover processes.
  • Brownfield tie-ins, isolation philosophy, cutover planning, SIMOPS and offshore commissioning execution.
  • Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, SLDs, schematics, wiring diagrams, loop drawings, logic diagrams and vendor documentation.
  • Knowledge of ADNOC standards, IEC, ISA, API, NFPA and applicable hazardous-area requirements.

Software and Tools

  • MS Office, advanced Excel-based trackers and commissioning reporting tools.
  • EDMS/Aconex/Wrench or similar document management systems.
  • Commissioning management or completion systems such as WinPCS, ICAPS, Zenator, CoConsole or equivalent.
  • ETAP and electrical testing tools such as Omicron, Megger and Fluke are desirable.
  • PLC/DCS diagnostic and configuration exposure relevant to ABB, Siemens, Schneider, Rockwell or other project systems is desirable.
  • AVEVA E3D/PDMS, Navisworks or similar model review tools are desirable.

Personal Attributes

  • Strong leadership, ownership and decision-making capability in high-pressure site and offshore environments.
  • Excellent multidisciplinary coordination, communication, reporting and stakeholder-management skills.
  • Systematic approach to safety, quality, documentation, troubleshooting and closeout.
  • Ability to work across engineering, construction, commissioning and operations teams and manage multiple vendors simultaneously.
  • Willingness and medical fitness to travel and work offshore as required.

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