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.


Malaysia – Tank Fire at Tanjung Langsat (Update)

August 28, 2008

From the desk of Bernama:

KUALA KUBU BAHRU, Aug 22 (Bernama) – The Fire and Rescue Department will be sending a forensics team to investigate the cause and assess losses incurred in the fire that occurred at the tank farm in Tanjung Langsat, Johor.

Its deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Mahadi Md. Ali said the team would leave Saturday to assist the Johor Fire and Rescue Department in the matter.

“The operation to put out the fire took 65 hours, however, the probe report will take about two weeks to complete,” he told reporters after officiating the closing of a fire fighting course at Akademi Bomba here Friday.

 Someone remind me to follow this up cum Eid…


Pirates hijack MISC tanker (Update)

August 27, 2008

From the New Straits Times, dateline 23rd August, 2008:

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shipping firm MISC Bhd had established communications with its hijacked tanker on Thursday and were informed of a “casualty” onboard.

In a statement released yesterday, MISC said communications with the MT Bunga Melati Dua chemical/palm oil tanker had been established at 5.05pm Malaysian time.


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.


Malaysia – Petrol Prices Drop

August 25, 2008

The government has reduced the price of petrol in Malaysia (actually, they reduced it on Saturday, 23rd August, 2008 but I’m a slooow reporter).

The price of RON 97 was lowered to RM2.55 from RM2.70, while RON 92 dropped down 22 sen to RM2.40 a liter. Hey, which petrol station sells RON 92, I missed that.

Diesel will cost 8 sen less at RM2.50 a litre.

Those of you following Malaysian politics will be pleased to note that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that “we did this for the entire country and not just for the folks in Permatang Pauh.”

I would like to highlight what a spokesperson from the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said at another occasion. She asked whether goods and service providers, who used the petrol price hike to raise prices would now lower their prices.

Wanna bet they don’t?

Note that all this doesn’t effect the price of oil used by oil companies to derive economics to develop hydrocarbon assets. Also, I think it’s a shame that we have not provided more efficient public transport before the price drop was made.

On another note, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said “… If the people do not appreciate the (fuel) rebates, it is better for us not to give rebates in the future.”


Audible Alarm Signals

August 23, 2008

I just realised that the Menara ExxonMobil lifts had audible signals indicating whether the carriage is heading up or down. It gives a single tone for a carriage going up or two tones going down. I think my office block has the same audible setup as well, but I haven’t noticed that.

Oil and gas sites have audible (and visual) alarms that indicate potentially how serious a situation is. The alarm levels I’m used to are:

  • Process alarm – potential process upset.
  • Assembly alarm – platform personnel are required to assemble at the safe haven.
  • Abandon platform – leave the platform, now.

I’m well trained. Upon hearing the assembly alarm, I go from sound sleep to heading out of the living quarters without engaging my brain :).


Pirates hijack MISC tanker

August 22, 2008

Quoting from the Star:

PETALING JAYA:The whereabouts of 29 Malaysians and 10 Filipinos on an MISC Bhd tankers remains unknown since the vessel was hijacked by heavily-armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday.

MISC, the world’s largest single owner and operator of liquefied natural gas tankers, confirmed that its 32,025 dead-weight-tonne chemical tanker Bunga Melati Dua which carried palm oil was hijacked by pirates at 10.09pm local time off the coast of Somalia.

Bernama has this to say:

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 21 (Bernama) — Wisma Putra will utilise all diplomatic channels and work closely with countries in the Gulf of Aden region to amicably end the hijacking of Malaysian tanker MT Bunga Melati by heavily-armed pirates on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Wisma Putra would continue to monitor the situation and developments through the Malaysian High Commission in Kenya and the Malaysian Embassy in Yemen.

He said this was to coordinate the peaceful recovery of the vessel and the safe return of all crew members on board.

“The tanker owner, Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), has communicated to all family members of the crew that it would continue to keep them updated on a timely basis,” Rais said in a press release Thursday.

PETRONAS has 62% ownership of MISC.


Malaysia Wimax – Price List

August 21, 2008

I had a previous article mentioning that Wimax is here in Malaysia. Now for the numbers that matter to your wallet:

Assuming you want a Personal account:

  • P1 W1MAX 1200 (1.2 Mbps): RM99 (12 month contract) or RM89 (24 month)
  • P1 W1MAX 2400 (2.4 Mbps): RM229 (12 month contract) or RM199 (24 month)
  • Nationwide Access: RM10 (waived, but think about it, what nationwide access?)
  • and they have 400 kbps and 700 kbps packages at their website.

Charges:

  • Modem: RM999  (waived, cool!)
  • Registration: RM100
  • Activation: RM10
  • Stamp duty: RM10
  • Installation fee: RM80 (optional, I don’t know whether it’s worth taking up or not)

To reiterate my previous comment:

My opinion? This roll out is on the bleeding edge. Only apply if you want to be the first on the block to have it. Me, wait till TM comes up with Wimax, then you have national pride on the line. In the meantime, use unlimited 3G.

 The company providing the service is P1.