Pipeline Integrity Engineer

Company Overview

Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy, has the vision to become the premier LNG export company in North America. It is our mission to bring clean energy from Texas to power the world, and we seek to do that in a way that values safety, integrity, our people, community, and the environment. To achieve those goals, we are bringing together a diverse team of experienced and talented professionals. Headquarters in Downtown Houston, the Golden Pass LNG organization expects to double in size over the next several years as we complete the project, commence natural gas trading activities, and ramp up full LNG production. Once full operations commence, Golden Pass LNG will become the second largest consumer of natural gas in the US and produce more than 200 cargos of LNG per annum.

Job Summary / Purpose

Golden Pass LNG is seeking a Corrosion and Integrity engineer to join our Engineering team working for Gas pipelines and LNG Terminal. This role reports to the Integrity Engineering Supervisor and will support the Golden Pass Pipeline, Export / Import Terminal and Plant Facilities. Work location is Beaumont / Sabine Pass based on work demands and activities. The role involves working with Projects teams and Maintenance/Operations to achieve the following:

• Integrity Program Implementation - Responsible for development, monitoring KPIs, and implementation of mitigation / management programs as required.
• Operations support – implement processes, and tools/technology for monitoring the equipment integrity to ensure equipment availability.
• Mechanical Integrity Scopes, Maintenance and Projects - Define the scope of inspections, support the inspection, and develop remediation scope of work from the inspection report. This individual will prepare and review technical and commercial scope of work (SoW) or scope of supply for obtaining bids or to go through a technical bid evaluation.
  
  

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Priorities

• Develop and Steward the Pipeline Integrity Program under Golden Pass Management System (GPMS) and support of SSHE, Regulatory, and legal as required.
• Maintain the Pipeline Integrity Management Program as prescribed by the DOT (PHMSA). Leads the effort for periodic program reviews, class location and High consequence area ROW surveys, and annual PHMSA reporting. Update as required with latest pipeline regulations, industry standards, integrity assessment methods, repair methods, etc.
• In context of mechanical integrity scopes, support RCFA and Bad Actor program stewardship and reporting, as well as action development, RBWS and closure plans.
• Ensure timely ALT visibility of reliability/availability risks and impact (e.g., list of open or overdue ES tasks/PM’s with risks)
  
  

Day To Day Responsibilities

Integrity Assessment and Analysis

• Developing repair plans for Pipelines
• Develop or update a pipeline's equipment strategy.
• Plans and management ILI campaign
• Assesses and repairs corrosion anomalies, deformations, or cracks.
• Plan for an ICDA / ECDA campaign
• Leverages PLOS to visualize or extract integrity critical data from PODS database.
• ILI repair plan development
• Development or update of plant and pipeline equipment strategy
• Provide mechanical integrity engineering support to daily plant operations (e.g. modifications, upgrades, repairs, maintenance, new construction and applications).
• Conduct surveillance of key pipeline parameters (CP monitoring, valve evaluations, pipeline leak detection surveys, gas / liquid sample analysis, etc.) to identify issues or required changes to facilities.
• Support pipeline stress analysis as required (project/construction activities, road crossings, pipeline crossings, etc.)
• Evaluate loads, perform stress analysis/design verifications, and perform fitness-for-service assessments of equipment, and advise Operations on residual risk, testing programs and equipment strategies. Develop repair and/or mitigation programs as required.
• Complete required material selection, review of contractor material recommendations, coordination of compatibility reviews, and development of chemical qualification testing to support ongoing operations, maintenance, or projects activities in the facility. Responsible for coordinating analysis of any issues identified during inspection programs and development of mitigation / management plans with respect to materials issues (corrosion, cracking, etc.).
• Write, review, and update integrity management manuals based on continuous learning and inspection data.
• Steward implementation of inspection data into integrity management software program.
• Collect data for regulatory reports, key performance indicators, engineering surveillance health monitoring tasks.
• Assess inspection findings and provide conditions and probability recommendations following Company standards.
  
  

Corrosion Control and Prevention

• Monitor and troubleshoot CP systems (sacrificial anodes or impressed current) to stop electrochemical corrosion.
  
  

Regulatory Reporting

• Responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance for integrity scope through interface with Operations, Maintenance, Regulatory, and Legal Functions for Pipeline and LNG terminal.
• Act as the primary technical contact for audits by agencies like PHMSA (in the U.S.)
• Prepare or update Manuels, IMP and face Regulatory Audits for pipelines and plant
  
  

Project Support

• Assist project for framing scope of integrity related activities and gather appropriate Company specifications to include in the SoW.
• Support Maintenance in the oversight of integrity inspection contractors or other contractors completing integrity scopes of work.
• Generate MOCs and provide clear information and communication.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

Minimum education required of the position

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, or Metallurgical Engineering or a related field of study.
• NACE certification – Corrosion technologist (added advantage)
  
  

Minimum Experience Required Of The Position

• Minimum of ten years of experience in a position dealing with mechanical integrity engineering or closely related professional engineering experience in the oil and gas industry, ideally with LNG experience.
  
  

Technical Skills

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required of the position

• In-depth knowledgeable in pipeline repair plan development, equipment strategy development, hydrotesting, ILI tool selection, pipeline integrity threats and mitigations, pipeline repair methods, remaining life of pipelines, cathodic protection and surveys, direct assessment, chemical inhibition, external corrosion mechanisms, internal corrosion mechanisms, maintenance and cleaning pigs, deformations (dents, gouges, buckles), fatigue, and cracking mechanisms
• Working knowledge of codes, standards and practices and their application (e.g. ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, API, PHMSA, etc.).
• Experience with PHMSA Integrity Management Program, Direct Assessment, Defect Assessment, and Training/Operator Qualification requirements (esp. Gas Transmission Pipeline experience).
• Technical expertise in all areas of pipeline equipment and operation, construction, installation and support. Approaching Expert in Pipeline Design skills.
• Strong understanding of Facility Integrity Management Systems (FIMS) or similar Integrity/Corrosion programs development and implementation
• Advanced understanding of electrochemical reactions, corrosion, and cathodic protection design and testing.
• Demonstrated ability to perform ASME B31.8S corrosion assessment calculations.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and perform cathodic protection calculations.
• In depth knowledge of NDE technology and industry practices for conducting and revising inspection surveillance methodology, including establishing appropriate sensitivities.
• Preference for knowledge of material alloys, materials selection, corrosion mechanisms, welding, temporary and permanent repairs to structures, coating, cathodic protection, and pressured equipment
• Experience in major facility turnaround planning and support
• Experience in Contractor interface and Management (Inspection, Chemical, etc.)
• Ability to learn new software related to centralized maintenance management systems, integrity management systems, pulling data from historians, management of change software, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to use emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement.
  
  

Other Skills

• Willing and able to travel domestically as required, for short periods to support specialized technical activities.
• Demonstrated ability to drive accountability and influence without authority, such as with action/improvement of scoping, scheduling, and execution.
• Previous experience with leading (formally or informally) cross functional improvement programs/initiatives. Able to lead and motivate team members, along with mentorship.
• Ability to work cross functionally with safety, operations, and maintenance departments, to plan and execute inspection/improvement projects.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct work in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ability to work autonomously and be initiative-taking/focused on achieving business results.
• Ability to adapt, innovate, and continuously learn, knowing when to ask for assistance and support.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with diverse and multidisciplinary teams with strong interpersonal skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication to create clarity on issues, priorities, and action stewardship. Read, write, and speak fluent English, especially as it applies to technical and business communications.
• Communicate regularly and build trust; prepare clear thoughts, be respectful, and embrace active listening.
• Provide solutions and speak to foster discussion, own tasks, be proactive, acknowledge and learn from mistakes.
• Embrace uncertainty and different viewpoints and evaluate appropriately, encourage discussion and questions to ensure alignment.
  
  

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required for the position

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status.
• State issued Current and Valid Driver’s License
• Preferred: Professional Engineer (PE) License or equivalent CEng license. NACE certification.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Normal field and office environment
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
  
  

Other

• Not all aspects of the job are covered by the description – may require “other duties as assigned”
• Job may change over time in accordance with business needs
• Job description does not guarantee employment