Engineer Chemical / PSM Advisor

Melinda Helton

**** **** ** **************@*****.***

Lake Charles, LA 70611 281-***-****

Summary

Highly qualified, knowledgeable Chemical Engineer with 20+ years of experience in the chemical industry, predominately petrochemicals. This experience includes PSM & risk management, process design, production, maintenance, site optimization and equipment design (both process and mechanical), with a thorough working knowledge of multiple simulation software packages. Has demonstrated skills in people management, budget control, and strategy development. Additional experience includes hands – on turnaround activities, Engineering Discipline, project scope development/completion, and Best Practice sharing and implementation. Qualified / experienced Hazard Analysis Facilitator in PrimaTech, A. D. Little, and ABS Consulting techniques, as well as Apollo Root Cause Analysis Facilitator.

Experience

Temporary Contract Positions May 2015 – Present

Indorama

Technical Writer and PSM Engineer

Direct in establishing PSM procedures/programs for the re-start of the olefins cracker in Lake Charles, LA

Utilize procedures from sister plants and ensure modifications are in accordance Lake Charles site

Work with Managers and other procedure authors to ensure accuracy within the site

Conduct formal training on OSHA 1910.119 – 14 Elements

Lead/Provide assistance in finalization of internal Safey Council orientation

ACS Engineering (Contracted via InsightGlobal)

Facilitate and document PHA/LOPA’s for clients in compliance with OSHA 1910

Conduct formal training on OSHA 1910.119 – 14 Elements

Provide direction for flare studies in accordance with API RP 520 & 521

Petromax Refinery (Contracted via Whitaker Technical Resources)

Establish Process Safety Process and Procedures for Refinery start-up

Assist with Operating Start-up and Emergency Response Procedures

Train Operator /MaintenanceTechnicians in accordance with OSHA 1910 regulations

INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA 2010 – August 2014

PSIM (Process Safety and Integrity Management) Advisor

Provide expertise and influence to the organization in the areas of OSHA “Process Safety Management” (PSM) compliance, integrity management and risk management to maintain appropriate practices and systems

Ensure manufacturing facilitiess protect people (both internal and external to facilities), the business and assets against the consequences of unexpected integrity-related incidents

Led the flare system relief study for the Chocolate Bayou Olefins facility

Influence to move the organization to the next level of compliance in Process Safety by providing expertise as needed to individual sites

Manage facility siting studies and PHA/LOPA’s to ensure compliance with OSHA 1910, both initial and revalidations

Led PSM/RMP internal audits to certify compliance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.119 and 40 CFR 68

ABS Consulting Inc., Houston, Texas 2006 – 2010

Principal Consulting Engineer

Team lead for the LANL Pressure System Safety Team, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Participate in facility siting studies and PSM assessments at refineries, off-shore platforms and upstream facilities

Assist in the establishment of safety systems/programs at refineries in preparation of NEP audits

Served as Project Manager, RLOC Ethylene and Polyethylene Plants, Qatar,

Provide support to project engineers to ensure completion of all independent 3rd part design verification studies

Coordinate efforts between the client E&C firm and ABSC for all aspects of the engineering projects

Direct and developed new engineers in accordance with competency models

Lyondell, Laporte Texas 2005 – 2006

Olefins Optimization Site Analyst

Utilized ASPEN PIMS software to determine the most profitable/strategic feedstock for the site

Communicated and explained the drivers of the global and site specific olefins plan to plant personnel

Supplied guidance for Operations to maximize profitability consistent with economic plan constraints

Provided direction to Engineers and Operations to achieve/maintain optimum configurations and feedstocks

Determined values of plan deviations and work with appropriate individuals to address and correct

Lyondell, Channelview, TX 2003 – 2005

Quality Control Laboratory Superintendent

Supervised workforce of 23 employees to effectively achieve expectations of the laboratory

Supplied direction and assist in prioritizing work loads to accommodate customer needs and business goals

Initiated and implement cost reduction initiatives

Coordinated efforts between the laboratory and other functional groups to implement system changes

Equistar, Chocolate Bayou, TX 2002 – 2003

Senior Production Engineer

Monitored KPI’s and recommend operational changes to ensure maximum unit efficiency

Communicated effectively with the Business Group to optimize workflow and develop action plans to achieve business goals

Initiated, led, and participated in plant improvement programs, including best practice initiatives

Equistar 2001 - 2002

Olefins Best Practice Team Engineer

Provided technical assistance to olefin plant sites in developing and implementing improvement projects/programs

Facilitated site to site communication for sharing of best practices and assist plant personnel in calculating project/initiative savings

Monitored progress of implemented projects/programs and track olefins KPI’s

Refrigeration & Recovery Optimization Team Leader – Led efforts to establish guidelines/models for efficiency calculations and tower split optimization

Cooling Water Exchanger Reliability Team Leader – Worked to establish/implement a program to minimize exchanger leaks, thereby reducing hydrocarbon releases to the atmosphere

Equistar, Lake Charles, LA (formerly OxyChem) 1997 - 2001

Production Engineering & Process Engineering Positions

Provided technical assistance and support to aid in achieving production and organizational goals

Identified, supported and executed long term projects to drive unit improvements

Developed heat exchanger monitoring programs to track fouling indicators

Improved method for monitoring cracked gas compressor efficiencies to optimize anti-foulant injection

Routinely monitored pH levels and Cl2 in cooling tower system

Coordinated and supervised implementation to improve cooling tower chemical treatment program

Worked closely with operators to identify and resolve plant constraints

Responsible for initiating, leading and participating in improvement programs, including best practice initiatives

Developed process, product, utility, and environmental improvement programs to maximize operational capabilities and minimize production costs

Site Energy Team Leader – Monitored daily energy consumption and organized efforts for energy savings opportunities

OxyChem, Lake Charles, LA

Plant Mechanical Engineer 1996 - 1997

Provided technical support to plant maintenance organization including hands-on troubleshooting

Developed methods to address equipment reliability, efficiency, and operational cost reduction

Provided maintenance input on capital projects to ensure design and installation were in accordance with plant specifications

Rotating Equipment Reliability Team Leader - Determined root cause of failures, monitored mean time between failures, and developed/implemented improvement projects

OxyChem, Lake Charles, LA 1991 - 1996

Process Engineer

Developed process improvement programs to optimize operational capabilities

Evaluated processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality and/or safety conditions

Functioned as the site PHA Coordinator

Process Representative for debottleneck project - Evaluated plant limits, flare capacity, etc.

Assessed flare system and re-sized RV capacity to accommodate debottleneck capacity

Served as lead engineer for the cold flare vaporizer system design

Led Process Hazard Review for area which included quench tower & quench water system, caustic stripper, cracked gas compressor, and primary process driers & regeneration system

Pyrolysis gasoline distribution team leader - Identified contamination sources and resolved product quality issues

Education

McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA

B.S. Engineering, Chemical Engineering Option, December, 1991

Professional Societies and Associations

AIChE registered member

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