Metering – Perils of Measurement by Difference

September 9, 2008

There are two accepted ways of performing allocation metering here in Malaysia:

  1. direct measurement – what you meter (at an approved metering station) is what you get (WYMISWYG, kinda like WYSIWYG). You honour the product metered.
  2. measurement by difference – You take the furthest downstream meter, subtract all the upstream flows metered by approved meter stations, and the difference is assigned to the unmetered production source.

Kinda obvious that if the downstream meter is negatively biased (undermetering) and the upstream meters are positively biased, the production allocated to the ‘difference source’ will be less than actual.

Throw in the situation that each source might have a different production sharing contract (PSC), different partners and percentage interest, and the calculations as to how much you loose (or gain) can get pretty wild.

Here’s one example I’ve attached (credit goes to an associate for crunching the numbers). What I would like to note is that, even if you have no share in Platform A production, the performance of their metering station affects your crude entitlement. So, a meter you might not have access to (why should you, you don’t own a drop of oil metered through station A), affects your dollars and sense.

 

Measurement by Difference

Example: Measurement by Difference


Saturday Star 2008-09-06 – Job Opportunities

September 8, 2008

Sorry for skipping a week. I was out of town. My next few post will have some photos I took on my trip.

Another week, another scan of the Saturday Star newspaper. Here’s a list of job ads in the paper:

  • Optimal is looking for a Kerteh-based Chemist. Emailand web presence available. A lot of people moved to Optimal when it first started up, though I think the renumeration package isn’t as good nowadays. However, it’s still better than PETRONAS because Dow Chemicals is running interference.
  • ExxonMobil is looking for a safe/ risk engineer. Submit CVs by 20th Sept, 2008 at the local web page.
  • Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is looking for a senior project, process control, process consultant and senior safety engineer. There is  a walk in interview on the 18th to 22nd October, 2008 (tempting, tempting) at the JW Marriot, between 0900 to 1700. You can apply via email here
  • MISC has some positions, though with the recent hijackings, they might expect a drop of takers.
  • Shell is looking for some downhole people and well people: Offshore Completion and Intervention Supervisor, Offshore Drilling Supervisor, Well Completion Design Engineer, Well Eng, Well Opns Eng.  Head to their website and follow Professionals & Apply → Job Search → Region → Asia. Closing date’s Sept 21st, so run to your nearest netbook.

 

Jalan Sukajadi, Bandung, Indonesia

Jalan Sukajadi, Bandung, Indonesia


Engineering Hunting Packs

September 5, 2008

While I visited a engineering oil and gas company in Indonesia, I came across a novel concept: engineering packs.

It works like this: you have a group of young engineers tackle one activity at a time. Note that I refer to one project, one activity, like doing a line list, or filling out datasheets, or entering data into a database. The pack acts a group collective, each having partial knowledge of the topic. Together, they check and counter check their work.

The disadvantage about this approach is that initially you pay double or triple a young grad’s salary, as they act as one. However:

  • less checking of work by seniors (have packs in an assembly line, one checking the work of the other)
  • more incentive to learn fast (break from the pack, become alpha leader)
  • spreading technical knowledge faster (hopefully, each pack member wants to impress the other in terms of what they know, less threatened to bring out their ideas).

Could this concept work in Malaysia?


Photosynth – Poor Man’s Plant Tour

September 3, 2008

Has anyone thought of using the Photosynth application in engineering. According to Wikipedia,

Photosynth is a software application from Microsoft Live Labs and the University of Washington that analyzes digital photographs to build a three-dimensional point cloud of a photographed object.[1] Pattern recognition components compare portions of images to create points, which are then compared to convert the image into a model. Users are able to view and generate their own models using a software tool available for download at the Photosynth website.

So, you can build up a pseudo 3D model using photos, kinda like the game Myst. How about using it to display equipment undergoing a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)? Or take a picture of an installed skid? You could make a walkthru of your plant, assuming you are allowed to take photos.

I guess there would be techniques you have to pay attention to to maximise the technology’s benefits:

  • Take overlapping photos, so the software can figure out how to transition from one frame to another.
  • If you want to zoom into something (gauges, nameplates), you have to take a photo (no miracles here).
  • Learn to rotate and take pictures around a point.
  • Think 3D! Take pictures pointing up/down, or take pictures from an elevated/sunk perspective.

Point me in the direction of you masterpieces.


Recruiting for SABIC (update)

September 1, 2008

Okay, I finally get the list of positions SABIC is interested in. Heck, I’m not qualified for these positions, unless 1 year of overtime counts as 2 years experience?…

PROJECT MANAGER – Large Steam Power Plant

Requirements:

  • University Mechanical Engineering degree from accredited university
  • Experience in at least 2 large Steam Power Plant Projects min 500MW as single point responsible Project Manager for EPC Contractor
  • Worked for large and qualified EPC contracting firm
  • Organize and managed at least 1000 people staff in projects – indirect, direct and subcontractors work force
  • Proven leadership and entrepreneurial ship – successful completion of projects within time schedule and budgets
  • Managerial, technical, commercial and financial know how
  • Excellent oral and written communication and negotiations skills
  • Good knowledge of planning, thoroughly familiar with Steam Power Plants Milestones, activity durations and resources
  • Well familiar with Power Plant Equipment manufacturers, products and its technical features
  • Cost and Budget conscious
  • Keen on quality and safety

Experience Required: 20-35

PROJECT MANAGER – Combined Cycle Power Plant

Requirements:

  • University engineering degree from accredited university
  • Experience in at least 1 large Combined Cycle Power Plant Projects min 500MW as single point responsible Project Manager for EPC Contractor
  • Worked for large and qualified EPC contracting firm
  • Organize and managed at least 500 people staff in projects – indirect, direct and subcontractors work force
  • International experience and able to work with multi-national workforce
  • Proven leadership and entrepreneurial ship – successful completion of projects within time schedule and budgets
  • Managerial, technical, commercial and financial know how
  • Excellent oral and written communication and negotiations skills
  • Good knowledge of planning, thoroughly familiar with Combined Cycle Power Plants Milestones, activity durations and resources
  • Well familiar with Power Plant Equipment manufacturers, products and its technical features
  • Cost and Budget conscious
  • Keen on quality and safety

Experience Required: 15-35

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER – Large Power Plant Project

Requirements:

  • University Mechanical Engineering degree from accredited university
  • Experience in at least 2 large Power Plant Projects min 500MW as overall Construction Manager for EPC Contractor
  • Worked for large and qualified EPC contracting firm
  • Organize and managed at least 1000 construction workers in projects – indirect, direct and subcontractors work force
  • Proven leadership – on time completion of projects within time schedule and budgets
  • Managerial and technical know how
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Good knowledge of planning, thoroughly familiar with Power Plants Milestones, activity durations and resources
  • Well familiar with Power Plant Equipment erection requirements and high pressure piping
  • Cost and Budget conscious
  • Outstanding on quality and safety
  • International experience and able to work with multinational work force

Experience Required: 20-35

CONTRACTS AND SUBCONTRACTS MANAGER – Large Power Plant Project

Requirements:

  • University degree from accredited university
  • Experience as Contracts and Subcontracts Manager in at least 2 large Power Plant or Oil and gas Projects for EPC Contractor values in multiple of hundreds of millions of US dollars
  • Worked for large and qualified EPC contracting firm
  • Managed large construction subcontracts from pre-qualification process, bidding, evaluation, implementation and close out
  • Proven leadership and entrepreneurial ship
  • Excellent oral and written communication and negotiations skills
  • Manage contractual correspondence, change orders, claims and invoicing with client and subcontractors
  • Manage project cash flows, invoicing and receivables from client and subcontractor

Experience Required: 15-35

SENIOR PROJECT PLANNER/SCHEDULER – Large Power Plant Project

Requirements:

  • University engineering degree from accredited university or higher technical schools
  • Experience in at least 2 large Power Plant Projects min 500MW responsible for Planning and Schedule
  • Worked for large and qualified EPC contracting firm and to work for large EPC Contractors
  • Proven leadership to lead other planners and schedulers
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent knowledge of Milestones, critical path, activity durations and resources for Steam and CC Cycle Power Plants
  • Planning on Primavera Software

Experience Required: 15-35

SENIOR THERMAL CYCLE DESIGN ENGINEER – Large Steam or Combined Cycle Power Plant Project

Requirements:

  • University Mechanical Engineering degree from accredited university
  • Experience in design of heat balance using international recognized software (GT-Pro, Steam Pro and equivalent) for at least 2 large Steam or Combined Cycle Power Plant Projects min 500MW for EPC Contractor
  • Preparation of technical specification for Steam and gas Turbines, HRSG’s, Fired boilers, FGD’s, ESP’s, BFW pumps, Condensers and other mechanical equipment for steam or CC Power Plants
  • Review of vendors’ quotations, designs and drawings for compliance with specifications
  • Prepare PI&D and flow diagrams
  • Worked for large and qualified design and/or EPC contracting firm
  • Organize other engineering staff in projects in project team
  • Proven leadership
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Well familiar with Power Plant Generation Equipment manufacturers, products and its technical features – Cost and Budget conscious

Experience Required: 15-35

MECHANICAL SUPERINTENDENT – Large Steam or Combined Cycle Power Plant

Requirements:

  • Higher Technical school education
  • Between 15 – 35 years experience
  • Experience in at least 2 large Steam or Combined Cycle Power Plant Projects min 500MW as mechanical superintendent responsible for major mechanical erection or high pressure piping for Construction Contractor
  • Organize and managed at least 500 workers in projects direct and subcontractors work force
  • Proven leadership – successful completion of construction within time schedule and budgets
  • Good knowledge of planning, Milestones, activity durations and resources
  • Well familiar with major Power Plant Equipment (GT’s. ST’s, HRSG’s, Fired Boilers, etc.)
  • Cost and Budget conscious
  • Excellence on quality and safety
  • Manpower Control

Experience Required: 15-35

Director of Construction for Industrial and Power Projects

Requirements:

  • The candidate should have good experience in construction of Industrial or Power Projects and should have worked as Construction Director/Manager for at least 10 years with reputable international companies for large Oil & Gas or Power Projects.

Experience Required: 10

Vice President Operations / Senior Vice President

Requirements:

  • The candidate should have worked either as General Manager or Senior Vice President with similar companies.
  • Support and control the Business Units for Civil and Electromechanical Projects.
  • Ensure that the contracts, established budgets, and schedules are properly implemented on each project.
  • Ensure that the Corporate is not at risk at any time.
  • He will report to the CEO/President.

Experience Required:

Corporate Senior Contract Administrator

Requirements:

  • Responsible to develop and manage all contracts of the Company with main customers, subcontractors and vendors.
  • In charge of monitoring the budget of the projects and cost control. He will control the Claims and Change Orders of the projects.
  • Reports to the CEO/President and all Contract Administrators in the projects will report to him.

Experience Required:

Head of Planning Department

Requirements:

  • The Candidate will act as the Corporate Senior Planner for Industrial & Power Projects and will be located at the Head Office.
  • Minimum 10 years experience in large Industrial or Power Projects with reputable international companies.
  • Upon project award, he will establish Plans for the project, monitor and report on its implementation.
  • Reports to the Exec. Vice President and all Project Planners will report to him.

Experience Required: 10 years

Director of Engineering

Requirements:

  • The candidate should have good experience in conceptual, basic and detailed engineering, and experienced in value engineering and cost saving for construction work.
  • Responsible for the overall engineering activities of Industrial & Power Projects, supervise the engineering team, appoint engineering subcontractors and supervise them.

Experience Required: 10 years

Project Manager for Power Projects

  • The candidate should have minimum 10 years experience in medium and large type Power Projects (Steam and Gas Turbine) with reputable international companies.
  • A University Degree in Engineering is required.

Experience Required: 10 years

Project Manager for Industrial Projects

Requirements:

  • The candidate should have minimum 10 years experience in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical and Pipeline Projects with reputable international companies.
  • A University Degree in Engineering is required.

Experience Required: 10 years

Executive Director for Industrial Projects

Requirements:

  • The candidate is preferable to be a Mechanical Engineer with at least 10 years experience in running Industrial Projects, including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical and Pipeline Projects. Candidate should have experience in Engineering, Procurement and Construction.
  • Work location will be in Saudi Arabia and will be in-charge of projects all over the Kingdom and outside.
  • He should have worked with reputable international companies and should possess strong leadership and managerial skills. Excellent service record and references are required.

Experience Required: 10 Years


Malaysia – Mobile number portability to start Friday (Today!)

August 29, 2008

Grabbing the words from the Star:

PUTRAJAYA: Mobile phone users can now enjoy the freedom of switching network service providers without having to forego their original phone number (including the prefix).

Effective Friday, the service will be extended to users with prepaid mobile phone numbers in the Klang Valley. Postpaid users can start enjoying the facility in two weeks.

“Service providers are allowed to charge up to RM25 each time a subscriber changes their mobile phone service provider. This will give the users choice and freedom to choose their service providers without the inconvenience of having to change their numbers.

Using my engineering skills and assuming this is a problem where constraints have been loosened, and my knowledge of Malaysians (I did have to tie this into the Malaysia-engineering theme, you know), I predict:

  • Price War! Singapore had mobile number number portability starting June 13th this year, and look at all the attractive offers to tempt you to switch carriers.
  • Maybe the Yellow Guy has enough of a following that his master suddenly increases in subscribers.
  • Here’s wishful thinking. How about tempting us geeks to change nos. by launching the iPhone 3G officially in Malaysia. Singapore’s official launch was 22nd Augst.

Anyhow, let me know how it goes.


Saturday Star 08-08-23 – Job Opportunities

August 26, 2008

As next week is the month of Ramadhan, I wish all readers a fruitful and fulfilling month.

Back to our regular program. Another week, another scan of the Saturday Star newspaper. Here’s a list of job ads in the paper:

  • Wow! Talisman’s got a two page coloured spread! I guess they are tired of contracting out what should be in house jobs. Let’s see (deep breath): Opns Eng, Snr Integrity Eng (Materials, not Ethics), Integrity Eng, Subsea Insp Eng, Snr Prod Chem Specialist, Pipe/Mech Eng, Maint Systems Eng, Metering Eng (hey, I thought they had one already, just saw him on Friday), Rot Eqt Eng (they lost one of their last ones to CHOC, I believe). Visit their website if you are interested in the positions, and many more.
  • Qatargas is looking for engineers and operators, interviews scheduled for mid-Sept, 2008. The engineering positions are under the Development (i.e. Projects) Dept. You can inquire and apply via email here. They do have positions for Controls Eng, Facilities/Process Eng, Metering Eng (Way hay again!)
  • Why does Talisman have another advert for a Senior Completions Eng? Are various departments not talking to each other? Bad sign for the company, good sign for contractors, all the more chaos and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) to feed off.
  • The Grenland Group is advertising for Senior Engineers, Stuct/Piping. Email here.

I put in a free advert for my favourite chicken rice place, Chee Meng. Go, people, go! I’m waiting for their loyalty card to come out. If you want to meet me, I’m usually there most Wed lunches. BTW, anyone been to the nasi kandar in the Sungai Wang rooftop foodcourt lately? It’s still there, with the cheap meals I love so much.


Saturday Star 08-08-16 – Job Opportunities

August 18, 2008

Another week, another scan of the Saturday Star newspaper. Here’s a list of job ads in the paper:

  • Shell is looking for a mess of engineers, with either design or operations experience.  Head to their website and follow Professionals & Apply → Job Search → Region → Asia. Closing date’s August 31st, so run to your nearest netbook.
  • Carigali Hess is looking for people in the Operations and Development area: Odd Services Man (now there’s a title you won’t throw around casually), Constr Man, Snr. Struc Eng, Snr RBI Eng, Mech Eng, Rot Eqt Eng. Looks like nothing a process eng would want. Send your docs in via email before 30th August, 2008. Alternatively, snail mail to HR & Admin Section, Carigali Hess Operating Company Sdn Bhd, Level 68, Tower 2, PETRONAS Twin Towers, KLCC, 50088 KL. If you don’t apply, all the more jobs for me…
  • Petrofac is looking of people to be located at Sharjah, UAE. Positions are Proj Eng Man, Proj Man, Pipe. Eng, Piping Eng, Process Eng, Safety & Risk Analysis Eng, Rot Eqt. Eng, Telecom Eng. Need 10+ years relevant exp. Apply here with full details. Hey, don’t they need more people for their operations here?

Space Portal Sighted

August 17, 2008

I provide the following photo, for your contemplation. Has a certain sci-fi series moved from the tv (the series ended) to real life?

Artifact by the roadside

Artifact by the roadside

What’s the connection with oil and gas, you say? Our national company’s gas station overlooks the artifact.


Saturday Star 08-08-09 – Job Opportunities

August 11, 2008

Another week, another scan of the Saturday Star newspaper. Here’s a list of job ads in the paper:

  • DPS Bristol (M) Sdn Bhd and DPS Consultant Malaysia Sdn Bhd are looking for a lot of engineers. Examples are Project Eng (6 pax), Lead Process Eng (10 pax!), Lead Mech/Pipe (10 pax)… I wish my company was expanding that fast. Anyhow, closing date is 15th August, 2008. You can fax your resume to +603 9206 2626 or email it in.
  • MISC are looking for a few engineers. 
  • MMHE is looking for engineers. They have a walk in interview at Hotel Grand Continental Kuantan, 16th and 17th August, between 8.30 to 6.00 pm. Visit their site under Career Opportunities, or email your resume in.
  • Schlumbergeris looking for a geoscientist / reservoir engineer. Email your resume in before 20th August.
  • Newfield are looking for a Geologist / Geophysicist / Completions Engineer / Offshore Installation, Projects Engineer / Onshore Construction, Project Engineer. Email your resume in before 23rd August.
  • Nippon Oil is looking for a whole mess of people. I guess they want to staff up a project management team (PMC) for new developments. Engineering positions available: contract, facility, senior production, senior reservoir, DCS & instr, senior opns, senior process, senior maintenance, mech. Snail mail before 31st August, 2008 to Human Resources Section, Nippon Oil Exploration (Malaysia), Ltd, Lot 1168, 3rd Floor, Wisma Interhill, Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak. Hey, this is almost exactly the advert that went out 08-04-26. If I were you, I would ask for more money as they didn’t get the people they wanted 4 months ago.
  • Oryxin Kuwait has a position for Head of Production, Utilities & Hydrogen Production and Product Workup Units. Another GTL opportunity. They are a JV between the ever loved Qatar Petroleum and Sasol of South Africa.
  • Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is looking for a process, instrument / control system, safety engineers and polypropylene operators. There is  a walk in interview on the 16th to 19th August, 2009. (tempting, tempting) at the JW Marriot, between 0900 to 1700. You can apply via email here.

Happy hunting. Let me have some feedback if you find this list useful. Even better, spread the news. PayPal donations welcome.