Commissioning/Startup/Operation/Optimization/EPCC Project/Turnaround

Location:

Houston, TX

Posted:

May 13, 2025

Contact this candidate

Resume:

GERARD A. LORIAGA

Houston, Texas

mobile no.: +1-713-***-****

WhatsApp no.: +713*******

email: ******@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Over 36 years professional experience with strong expertise in Oil & Gas, refinery, petrochemical operational/ process activities from pre-commissioning/ through start-up, plant stabilization & normal operation.

Have work in USA, Africa, Middle East & Asia. Currently working with Egyptian Projects & Operation (EPROM) as Operations General Manager in Egyptian Refining Company Project.

Mega Projects Handled/ Involved with

Egyptian Refining Company- $4 billion USD grass roots refinery

Sohar Refinery Improvement Project - $2.8 billion USD

Saudi Strategic Storage project - $10 billion USD

Shintech Ethane Cracker project -$ 1.4 billion USD grassroots ethylene plant in Plaquemine, La.

As Operations General Manager of Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) from April 2021 to July 2024, had spearheaded the 410 operations personnel attaining the refinery’s best performance, VDU @ 110%, HCU @ 105% and DCU @ 110% with no LTI. Established sound refinery process safety culture and refinery at its best reputation after successfully leading MARSH Engineering- Operation Deep Dive audit May 2024.

As Start-up Manager for Sohar Refinery Improvement project (SRIP) Area 400- Hydrogen & sulfur recovery units, has a comprehensive project experience. Prepared the readiness plan & was involved in various engineering technical reviews e.g. 3D model, HAZOP, P&ID/ PFD, DCS FAT etc. Had witnessed vital construction activities & provided vital support on pre-commissioning, mechanical completion, commissioning, initial start-up (which includes Pre-start-up safety reviews-PSSR), performance testing, Initial acceptance of relevant units. Was directly involved in the development of the SRIP Lender’s Reliability Test procedure, identifying its various requirement to carry-out the LRT successfully. Had coordinated with various stake holders i.e. Operations, Maintenance, SCM, HSE, LAB/ Technical service relevant to the LRT requirements under the guidance of LRT Technical Adviser.

Worked on the adaptation and development of the operational procedures of each area based on all the procedures delivered by the manufacturing companies, also written procedures that were not delivered by the licensor but also written by their nature where required in the unit. Developed on Job Training, giving emphasis on the operational walks, punch lists review, care and custodian transfer, creation and lifting data from reports, execution of certificates of completion and techniques to commissioning and Start-Up safely.

Strong technical ability and ability to steward multidisciplinary teams. Developed training activities as an advisor, applying operators training as the most effective tool for seamless, timely and safe start-up of various process units. Experienced with Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) & Process Control System applications.

Process safety champion for Operations ORPIC- Sohar Refinery (2011-2017); has thorough knowledge of PSM & HSE (NEBOSH certified & has completed IOSH-managing safely). As start-up Manager has led the successful pre-com., commissioning & Start-up of 7 process unit of ORPIC-SRIP with zero LTI & zero Process safety incident.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Calcasieu Refining Company

Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) project

Lake Charles, LA, United States 03/2025 – 04/2025

The Refinery capacity is 135,000 bbl/d primarily utilizing Atmospheric and Vacuum distillation processes.

Position: Operations Manager 03/2025- 04/2025

Responsibilities:

Managed the Operations team to seamlessly operate at maximum rates and optimized performance.

EPROM- Egyptian Projects Operations & Maintenance

Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) project

Cairo, Egypt 09/2019 – 07/2024

The Refinery Project is designed to address Egypt’s demand for Petroleum products, reducing the

country dependence on import, as well as the Sulphur emissions, as it will meet Euro 5 product

specifications. It is of a Complex Configuration with an 80,000 bbl/d High Vacuum Unit, a 40,000 bbl/d

Hydrocracker (Axens), a 100,000 Nm3/h Hydrogen Production Unit (KTI), a 23,000 bbl/d Continuous

Regeneration Reforming (CCR) (Axens), a 25,000 bbl/d Delayed Coker DCU (ConocoPhilips), a 32,000

bbl/d Diesel Hydrodesulphurization Unit (Axens), 2 SWSs / 2 Amine & Regen / 3 SRUs, Utilities &

Offsites.

Position: Operations General Manager 04/2021- 07/2024

Responsibilities:

-Managed the Operations team to receive the Refinery from the Owner to seamlessly operate at maximum rates and optimized performance.

Key Achievements

-No LTI

-Achieved Refinery performance as its best i.e. VDU @ 110%, HCU @ 105% & DCU @ 115%

-Highly improved Refinery Process Safety performance & Regains Lender confidence

-Refinery Performance at its best with no total Refinery Shutdown experienced since taking over as refinery Operations GM

-Steer successful 2021 & 2023 General Turnaround (GRTA) as Operations GM supporting GRTA timely Shutdown & Successful re-start-up of the units

-Refinery operational flexibilities demonstrated

-GRM at all-time high, achieving all contractual KPI target

Position: Operations Manager Area 1 (SRU/ARU/SWS/TGTU) 09/2019-04/2021

Responsibilities:

-Plan and manage operations in the Process Area to ensure compliance with production requirements and quality management.

-Prepare in conjunction with the operation general manager annual plans and budget proposals for the process areas

-Ensure all major process incidents are investigated and causes identified

-Review causes of process losses and upsets and the effectiveness of the procedures involved

-Identify current most frequent causes of loss or process upset

-Monitor and improve the service provided by the are operations team

-Direct, evaluate, motivate and improve performance of the Area operation staff

-Contribute to preparation for, and management of, plant shutdowns and other special activities.

CHEVRON NIGERIA LIMITED (CNL)

Escravos, Nigeria 06/2019 – 9/2019

Project: 3Q2019 EGTL Turnaround – Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) 33,000 BPSD Escravos Gas to Liquids (EGTL) Plant. The Escravos GTL project converts more than 325 million cubic feet of natural gas a day to GTL diesel and GTL naphtha.

Position: Operations Maintenance Turnaround Planning Advisor Grade 1 (06/2019 – 10/2019).

Responsibilities:

-Provided operations support and advice for the Turnaround Department of Chevron Nigeria GTL plant for their scheduled 2019 turnaround.

-Developed procedures for work packages in Utilities, Product Work-Up, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Auto Thermal Reforming to be used during the Turnaround 2019.

-Provided technical advice for LOTO preparations, blinding system and isolation marking in the PID and tagging.

-Developed documentations for JSAs, variances, PSSRs and job completions.

TOYO ENGINEERING CORPORATION -USA

Louisiana, United States of America 01/2019 – 06/2019

Project: 550 KTA ethylene plant for SHINTECH INC. (Shintech Ethane Cracker Project) - Plaquemine, Louisiana in USA

The ethylene plant will employ CB&I's latest, proven ethylene technology, including highly selective SRT® cracking heaters and its innovative recovery section design, featuring low pressure separation and mixed refrigeration to minimize investment costs.

Position: Senior Principal Commissioning Specialist Supervisor (01/2019 – 06/2019). Responsible for overseeing the completion of pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up of the Ethylene Cracking Unit.

OMAN OIL REFINERIES AND PETROLEUM INDUSTRIES COMPANY (ORPIC).

Sultanate of Oman 02/2007 – 06/2018

Department: Technical Service Department

Position: Senior Specialist Energy Management/ SME for new Refinery operation Units esp. HGU & SRU plants (05/2018 – 06/2018). Responsible for in-depth analysis of refinery energy balances and efficiency. Supports ongoing energy-saving projects and develops new initiatives for energy cost reduction and optimize effective reporting. Provides advice & acts as mentor to Omani engineers to enhance their technical skills.

Provides technical advice for the optimization & seamless operation of the new operating Sohar Refinery Plant SR no. 2 which was integrated to the Old Sohar Refinery Plant SR no. 1

Project: New Hydrogen & Sulfur Recovery Units

Position: Start-up Manager (01/2015 – 05/2018). Responsible for the Commissioning, Startup & Operational integration of Sohar Refinery Improvement Project's relevant plants i.e. Hydrogen Generation Units, Sour Water Stripping Units, Amine Recovery Unit, Sulfur Recovery & Tail Gas Treating Units.

-Represents and safeguards Owner’s interests.

-Coordinates between Owner Operations team and Contractor Commissioning Manager.

-Ensure close coordination with Hydrogen consuming units esp. Hydrocracker Unit (HCU), Diesel Hydrodesulphurization (DHDS) & Isomerization Unit.

-Monitors and verifies Contractor commissioning procedures and activities are in line with industry commissioning practices.

-Verifies that Contractor commissioning activities conform to Owner requirements with respect to overall Plant start-up and safety.

-Provides adequate operating personnel experienced in the operation of the plant.

-Provides sufficient personnel to witness pre-commissioning & commissioning activities.

-Provides engineers to witness test runs as agreed between Owner and Contractor.

-Provides craft workers to carry out activities as per Owner’s responsibility matrix

-Coordinates with Operations to supply fuel required for refractory dry out activities.

-Verifies that all handover documentation is available before start-up commences.

-Ensures the proper & timely development of system/ subsystem operating procedures in compliance with company template.

-Monitors pre-commissioning activities and verifies Owner requirements with respect to testing and calibration are followed.

-Verifies that agreed utilities (Fire Water, HP Natural Gas, HP BFW, and Nitrogen) and feedstock are made available upon the issuance of RFSU test notice.

-Ensure availability of hydrogen to support refinery processes esp. HCU, DHDS & ISOM units to facilitate smooth start-up

-Ensure reliability of Sulfur recovery units for gas treating/ H2S removal & meet Sohar Environmental regulation on gas emissions

-Ensure availability of Chemical & Catalyst

-Prepare/ Develop the department’s budget OPEX & CAPEX

Department: Area 400 -Hydrogen & Sulfur Recovery Units

Position: Area Manager (A)/ Sr. Operations Engineer (02/2007 – 01/2015). Monitors the operational and technical efficiency of the HGU / SRU units and provides technical back up for Area Manager. Includes carrying out technical studies, review/ develop operating procedures to keep it up to date. Recommend solutions to operational problems including minor plant modification and performing a variety of related tasks aimed at ensuring that the plant operates at optimum efficiency levels.

-Develops solutions to operating and product quality problems. Includes reviewing each day’s plant performance from the control room and computer reports, analyzing the causes of problems, holding discussions with operating personnel or equipment vendors, licensors, etc., investigating by physical checking and documentary evidence, proposing solutions for implementation, or preparing report and recommendations for approval. Examples: Processing, mechanical or quality problems

-Carries out technical studies for process development. Includes estimating optimum process parameters, developing methods for increasing plant capacity, carrying out test runs to monitor plant performance, finding ways of improving product quality and carrying out test on new products.

-Designs minor plant modifications in area of responsibility and follows through project to completion.

-Participates in regular and unscheduled technical meetings with third parties such as marketers, licensors, vendors and affiliated companies. Includes preparing documentation e.g. technical papers and reports, making presentations at meetings, following up on results of such meetings and reporting back to supervisor on items discussed.

-Develops technical procedures. Includes studying the existing system considering safety as number priority and operational convenience, drafting new or modified procedures, obtaining higher level approval as appropriate, informing all parties concerned, and following up to ensure procedures are being followed.

-Participates in the preparation of the refinery production plan. Includes determining the product yields and optimum plant throughput.

-Participates as a member of special task forces in problem solving. Includes Participating in basic scheduling, proposing modifications and following up on the implementation of instrument and control system modifications.

-Performs other similar or related duties such participating in product quality studies or capacity enhancement and the execution of joint technical studies.

-Prepares area budget OPEX & CAPEX

-Observes all fire and safety practices

ABV ROCK GROUP KB. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1997 – 2006

Project: Saudi ARAMCO Strategic Storage Project (Underground Oil & Gas Storage Facilities Project)

Position: Lead Operations Engineer- Comm. & Operations Department (Form 2003 – 2006). Lead for multi-disciplined engineers (Electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and operation engineers) responsible for the Development and production of System/ Sub-system Operating Procedures, Performance Acceptance Testing documentation in accordance with the Project wide System Commissioning Manual, Plant Start-up Manual and the Manual for Operating Procedures.

-Allocate/ Organize Resources within the Commissioning and Operation Support Section

-Maintain time schedules identified for the development of Performance Acceptance Testing documentation (PATS), and System/ Sub-system Operating Procedures

-Coordinate with Engineering, Field Commissioning and Operations sections on all technical matters related to procedures and relevant documentation.

-Liaise with Client on technical matters related to the production of Performance Acceptance Testing documentation (PATS), and System/ Sub-system Operating Procedures

-Establish methods to ensure relevant Operational Procedures are developed, implemented and updated to meet project objectives.

-Plan, organize and implement operations related matters during design and construction.

-Advise and review operational requirements to ensure optimum and safe operation.

-Provide technical input to Design and verify Operability

-Develop Systems Commissioning Test Sheets.

Position: Operations & Planning Engineer-Comm. & Operations Department (Form 1997 – 2003)

-Develop operating procedures & Performance Test procedures

-Develop project planning strategies which will represent the long-term views of the Company.

-Prepare periodic planning progress reports to be presented to the Client and Project management, utilizing P3, Project Planner and Power point software.

-Prepare and distribute time schedules and progress reports for the execution of works in accordance with Site requirements.

-Ensure time schedules and progress reports, related to the Site, are uniform and coordinated.

-Ensure planning of works and progress monitoring for the Site is performed in accordance with the Site-specific planning procedures.

-Identify and report progress on interfaces and milestones which shall be the basis for further discussions and remedial actions where required.

-Coordination with site commissioning and operation groups.

-Provide quality control function concerning document and data control.

-Update on continuous basis the nature of all changes to computer database for Project Control purposes and accountability

STEPAN PHILIPPINES INC. Philippines 1996 – 1997

OPERATIONS: Gas Plant/ Surfactant Plant

Position: Process Specialist 1- Production & Maintenance Supervisor

-Follow SPI project procedures for (TCCC) Transfer, Care, Custody and Control from Flour Daniel Pacific (FDPI).

-Familiarization of Piping and Instruments Diagram (P&ID) & Process Flow Diagram (PFD).

-Punch listing, e.g., list items that require corrections, checks the completeness and conformity to the design drawing of the entire plant.

-Systems walk-through with FDPI personnel to locate or identify punch listed items.

-Sign off completed items on the list.

-Reviews the Turn-Over package content which includes Hydro-test package list, Mechanical and Electrical list, Instrumentation and other items.

-Follow lock out and tag-out procedures.

-Accepts/ approves TCCC letter supporting documents of each assigned system.

-Responsible for the static and dynamic testing of the equipment water flushing, air blowing/ drying of piping equipments.

-Involved in the CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, Verification) of the following system:

-(SO3 Gas Plant System/Sulfonation System/Neutralization System/Reblend System/Drying System/ Wastewater System/Utilities (Storage, Cooling Water, Chilled Water, Water Softening, Steam/ Condensate Distribution, Nitrogen, Process/ Plant Air, 69 kV Substation).

PROCTER & GAMBLE PHILS., INC. Manila, Philippines 1989 - 1996

OPERATIONS: Chemical (Sulphonation) Acid Plant/ SO3 Gas Plant/ High Active Neutralization/ Vacuum Flush Dryer Plant

Position: Sr. Production Technician – Shift Team Leader (1990 – 1996).

-Control Room Operator/ Boardman. Utilizing Honeywell (TDC 3000 DCS control system)

-In charge of one shift composed of one assistant Control room/ Boardman, five field operators, and one lab. Technician and ten production technicians.

-Assist Research and Development Dept. of Procter & Gamble Cincinnati U.S.A. to improve production and ensure optimum plant production according to customer specifications.

-Surfactant Department’s Environmental Quality technician working for the improvement and efficiency of waste and pollution control devices. Monitors plant discharges and ensures compliance with the government environmental protection agencies set emission limits.

Position: Provisionary Technician -Field Operator (1989 – 1990).

-Monitor field parameter readings and made necessary field adjustments as directed by the senior operators.

-Takes raw materials and production inventories.

-Checks raw material inventories and ensures utilities e.g. Cooling Tower/ Cooling Water, Steam supplies are online before every plant startup and on normal operation.

-Takes and analyze samples of CFAS, NaCFAS paste and dried CFAS powder production.

-Takes effluent discharges and gas emission samples (dragger method)

-Dispose plant effluents to Lorries and other prescribe disposal methods with all safety precautions taken.

-Assist in the commissioning of the 5 Mt/ hr Chemithon Surfactant plant.

-Operates 2-ton Forklift.

-Dump/ maintain raw material feeds, e.g. Sulfur flakes, Sodium Sulfate & water solution.

-Maintain good housekeeping.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of the East, Kalookan, Philippines. 1989

NATIONALITIES: United States Resident Green Card Holder/ Filipino

LANGUAGES: English, Filipino

Work Reference