Lead Piping Engineer [Offshore Project]

Role Overview

Lead Piping Engineer for an offshore project with Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company LLC, a member of the Ghobash Group, based in Abu Dhabi.

Company Overview

Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company LLC is a proud member of the Ghobash Group. For almost 20 years, the company has made vital contributions to the Oil & Gas sector of the UAE, executing both onshore and offshore projects. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is one of the main clients along with Tier 1 and Tier 2 EPC contractors in this sector. The company has the expertise to carry out full EPC&M services for electrical and instrumentation works and brings localized knowledge to measure and automate exploration, production, separation, refining processes, and distribution.

Role Purpose

Lead and manage all piping engineering activities for the offshore project across multiple offshore platforms at Umm Shaif Super Complex USSC. Ensure safe, compliant, and constructible piping design for instrument air, plant air, utilities, and compressor package integration, fully aligned with ADNOC Offshore standards. The role involves close coordination with Engineering Subcontractors, Process, Mechanical, Electrical & I&C disciplines, OEMs, vendors, and ADNOC Offshore Operations throughout FEED, EPC, construction, and commissioning phases.

Key Responsibilities

Piping Discipline Technical Authority

• Act as the primary technical authority for all piping and layout engineering across the IA/PA upgrade works.
• Ensure compliance with ADNOC Piping Standards (ASME B31.3 / ADNOC CoPs / ADNOC offshore specifications).
• Enforce Project-specific Design Basis & FEED intent throughout the scope.
• Validate designs against offshore brownfield constraints.
• Review OEM piping interface requirements (compressor, dryer, receiver packages).
• Ensure Class requirements for offshore structures are met.
• Provide guidance and approval across the full EPC piping scope.

Package Piping Integration & Vendor Coordination

• Lead piping engineering for integrating Instrument Air Compressors, Plant Air Compressors, Twin Tower Air Dryers, IA/PA Air Receivers, and interconnecting skid piping (oil, air, condensate, drains).
• Review vendor GA drawings, nozzle orientations, connection sizes and elevations.
• Ensure correct mating flanges, material grades, and pressure classes.
• Confirm nozzle loads, alignment and piping flexibility.
• Coordinate 3D model integration of OEM skids.
• Review vendor hook-up drawings and utility tie-ins.

Piping Material Engineering & Specifications

• Oversee and validate piping classes and MTO compliance (CS/SS/Instrument Air/Plant Air).
• Specify pipe supports, clamps, and spring hangers where required.
• Validate insulation and painting requirements.
• Select pressure rating (Class 150/300 for IA/PA network).
• Determine pigging and flushing requirements if applicable.
• Evaluate material substitution proposals from EPC.

Brownfield Integration & Tie-In Engineering

• Lead piping design for brownfield connections across multiple platforms.
• Identify and verify tie-in points on existing IA/PA networks.
• Validate routing feasibility in congested areas.
• Review site survey data, laser scans, and field measurements.
• Ensure safe access and maintenance clearance for new routing.
• Review EPC brownfield method statements (hot work, prefab, cold work).
• Evaluate need for temporary IA/PA bypass lines during shutdown.
• Produce piping risk register for brownfield modifications.

3D Model Governance & Multi-Discipline Integration

• Lead piping model reviews for compressor area layout, dryer skid placement, receiver positioning and supports.
• Optimize routing to avoid clashes.
• Conduct access, operability and maintainability checks.
• Validate escape route and safety distance compliance.
• Conduct structured 3D model review sessions (30% / 60% / 90%) with EPC, OEM, ADNOC PMC and Ops.
• Demonstrate proficiency in AVEVA (E3D/PDMS) and SP3D for advanced piping design, 3D modelling, routing, clash detection, pipe support integration, and extraction of isometrics, GA drawings, IFC and MTO deliverables in alignment with ADNOC design standards.

Piping Stress Engineering Oversight

• Review and approve stress analysis for compressor suction/discharge piping, dryer inlet/outlet lines, and receiver-to-header connections.
• Evaluate large-bore pipe stress and support adequacy.
• Assess thermal expansion cases.
• Validate vendor nozzle load limitations.
• Validate EPC stress reports and compliance with ASME/API standards.

HSE, Safety, and Integrity Compliance

• Provide piping discipline input for HAZID, HAZOP, ENVID, SIMOPS reviews, and SIL/LOPA (piping-related failures and safeguards).
• Conduct escape route and congested area analysis.
• Ensure piping meets fireproofing, hazardous area, and process safety requirements.

Coordination with EPC, OEMs & Other Disciplines

• Coordinate daily with EPC Piping, Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, and I&C teams.
• Liaise with Compressor and Dryer OEM Engineers.
• Partner with ADNOC Ops & PMT and 3rd-party survey teams.
• Review and comment on EPC piping GAs, Isometrics, Support drawings, Tie-in packages, MTOs, TQs and deviations.
• Ensure timely closure of comments.

QA/QC Oversight for Piping Discipline

• Verify EPC compliance with QCP/ITP requirements for welding, NDT, and hydrotesting.
• Review piping fabrication drawings.
• Check spool numbering, fit-up, and prefabrication quality.
• Validate offshore lifting, assembly, and installation feasibility.
• Participate in FAT/SAT for piping-related skid components where needed.

Construction & Commissioning Support

• Assist EPC during offshore piping prefabrication and installation.
• Validate pipe support installation and alignment.
• Review hydrotests packages, charts and reinstatement records.
• Verify line flushing/blowing readiness.
• Provide final piping acceptance for Mechanical Completion (A/B/C punch items).
• Support IA/PA network pressurization and leak testing.

Documentation, Deliverables & Reporting

• Review and approve EPC piping deliverables (P&IDs, GAs, Isos, MTOs).
• Ensure strict compliance with ADNOC numbering systems.
• Maintain discipline comment registers, TQ logs and interface registers.
• Validate as-built piping documents post commissioning.
• Provide weekly piping discipline reports to OE Engineering Manager.
• Deliver approved piping layouts, isometrics, and MTOs.
• Deliver piping stress analysis and support design reports.
• Deliver tie-in lists and brownfield modification packages.
• Deliver vendor interface and piping integration reports.
• Deliver as-built piping drawings and documentation.
• Deliver piping discipline inputs for commissioning and handover.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Piping Engineering.
• Minimum 15+ years of experience in Oil & Gas EPC Projects.
• Mandatory offshore experience; Brownfield Platform Projects preferred.
• ADNOC Offshore approval or eligibility is mandatory.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent certification is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in AVEVA (E3D/PDMS) and SP3D for piping design and 3D modelling.
• Strong technical leadership and decision-making capability.
• Detail-oriented with a strong safety mindset.
• Proactive and accountable approach to work.
• Clear communication skills with ADNOC, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Capable of working under tight offshore project deadlines.