Specialist Energy Efficiency Engineer, CEM, PhD
Resume:
K o b i e Ve n t e r, P h . D .
**.***********@*****.*** https://za.linkedin.com/in/kobieventer
C E RT I F I E D E N E R G Y M A N A G E R ( CEM), C H E M I C A L E N G I N E E R
1 7 + Y E A R S O F E X P E R I E N C E I N P E T R O C H E M I C A L P R O C E S S O P T I M I Z AT I O N & C O S T C O N T R O L
Analytical, cost-minded professional with extensive experience directing and supporting key projects aimed at
achieving energy wins in production environments. Strategic change manager skilled in identifying and capitalizing
on process improvement opportunities, with proven background saving millions of dollars in company costs.
Strong relationships with service providers SPIRAX, ARMSTRONG and STEAMTEC, as well as industry leaders
like McKinzey SA and KBC. Engaging communicator and respected leader of high-performance teams.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Energy Management Energy Modeling Relationship Building
Energy Efficiency Optimization Fault Finding / Problem Solving MS Excel
Refinery Operations Cost Control Cross-Team Collaboration
Artificial Intelligence Process Improvements Communications
Inventory Management Solar Implementation Regression Analysis
PROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE
SASOL SYNFUELS Johannesburg, South Africa
Integrated energy and petrochemical company that develops and commercializes synthetic fuels technologies, and
produces liquid fuels, chemicals and electricity.
Energy Management Specialist 2009 – Present
Measure, evaluate, recommend and follow through energy related solutions. Align recommendations with
requirements for environmental compliance, cost-effectiveness and emerging technologies. Key part of energy
management team delivering energy savings in terms of fuel gas, various grades of steam and electricity. Oversee
energy performance of personnel in Refinery, Monomers, and Steam Leak Prevention. Perform petrochemical plant
energy management and process optimization, refinery operational expertise and inventory management.
Administer self-built Excel-based Mathematical Regression models to save up to 9% of unit cost
Handpicked for special team tasked to drastically reduce and measure plant’s energy consumption
Achieve energy cost metrics of SYNFUELS’ consumption to below budgeted values by actively
addressing Operational Energy issues
Team’s total savings equaling $70M per year
Production Planning Fuel Specialist 2005 – 2008
Led and supported daily/monthly production planning for total inventory management processes. Identified and
overhauled operational deficiencies to impact production planning and overall bottom line.
Achieved on-time, on-budget deliverables
Built positive, lasting relationships with high-level clients
Section Leader at Gas Water Cleaning (Level 5b) 2003 – 2004
Exercised leadership over daily plant management and maintenance, personnel management, budget control,
shutdown planning and project management. Executed statutory plant procedures and codes control.
Directed team of 50 people on a variety of qualification levels
Proactively participated in three shutdowns towards the four core goals, i.e., plant integrity, safety,
schedule and cost
K o b i e Ve n t e r, P h . D .
**.***********@*****.*** https://za.linkedin.com/in/kobieventer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SASOL SYNFUELS (CONTINUED)
Logistics Manager (Level 5b) 2001 – 2002
Reported to the member of Executive Team, collaborated regularly with senior management to plan, execute and
lead projects in product shipment. Procured contracts with numerous key advisors to drive Logistic Information
System software and rail / road infrastructure decision-making. Performed regular site visits to report and correct
irregularities concerning the process of road tanker loading.
Drove improvements in team productivity, team participation and results sharing
Developed and compiled Winning Index KPI, in use since June 2002 and contributing toward of the
company Synfuels’ incentive bonus
Created KPI set to measure performance at logistics department of Supply Chain Integration
Re-deployed and improved LIS software through source code transfer, upgrades, hardware placement and
change management
Project Manager 1999 – 2000
Recommended and played leadership role in 40+ projects aimed at improving performance across various
production-related metrics. Initiatives fell into specific categories including Personnel Projects, Process Feed
Stream Projects, Utility Optimization Projects, Waste Minimization Projects, Process Improvement Projects and
Research Projects.
Spearheaded Coal Supply Prediction Model improvement, modifying and streamlining system processes
Project manager for “Plant Data Integrity,” removing 10% of plant data errors and achieving more accurate
production predictions
Catalyzed $3M in savings by directing “Process Predictions with Neural Networks” to successfully
identify and implement opportunities for improving operations and limiting downtime
PALMIET FERROCHROME
Three-furnace operation with ferrochrome capacity of 110,000 tons per year.
Plant Upgrading and Process Development 1998 – 1999
Partnered with McKinsey Breakthrough Team to troubleshoot and overhaul operations through implementation of
continuous improvement initiatives. Chief projects included Casting Bay Optimization, Gas Plant Correcting and
Feeder Improvements. Worked closely with project team members to drive efficient operations.
Achieved lowest worldwide ferrochrome production cost for DC Plasma furnace
Conceptualized and developed Knowledge Based expert system on Borland Delphi for furnace problem
diagnosing
E DUCATION
NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Ph.D (Mineral Processing Plant Synthesis with Hybrid Artificial Intelligence Techniques), 1997
Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering (Slurry Pump Selection with Expert Systems), 1994
B.Eng, (Chemical Engineering), 1992
PUBLICATIONS
1. Paper presented at the Minerals Engineering Congress in Brisbane (August 1996)
2. Paper published in the Minerals Engineering Journal (March 1997)
3. Paper presented at the first Internet Congress (December 1996) on Mining Simulation: MineSim ’96
4. Paper presented (Johannesburg, June 1997) and article in the Journal of SAIMM
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