Lead Testing & Commissioning Engineer [Offshore Platform]

Role Overview

Lead Testing & Commissioning Engineer for an offshore platform project with Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company LLC, a member of the Juman Energy Group based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Company Overview

Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company LLC is a member of the Juman Energy Group. For almost 20 years, the company has executed onshore and offshore projects in the Oil & Gas sector of the UAE. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is a main client, along with Tier 1 and Tier 2 EPC contractors. The company delivers full EPC&M services for electrical and instrumentation works, including measurement and automation of exploration, production, separation, refining and distribution processes through localized services.

Role Purpose

The Lead Testing & Commissioning Engineer will lead the complete pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, performance testing and handover of the Project. The primary process package is the instrument air and plant air compressor system. Successful commissioning depends on extensive integration with electrical power systems, instrumentation, package PLC, DCS/ESD/F&G, mechanical and piping systems, utilities, brownfield tie-ins and offshore operations. The role is multidisciplinary and requires coordination of all relevant disciplines, OEMs, subcontractors and Company representatives to achieve safe and timely system start-up.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning Management and Planning

• Own and lead the overall testing and commissioning strategy, systemization, execution plan and handover process for the complete Project.
• Develop the overall Pre-Commissioning, Commissioning, Start-up and Performance Test Plan for the project.
• Define commissioning systems, subsystems, boundaries, priorities, turnover sequence and required completion milestones.
• Prepare and maintain the commissioning schedule, resource plan, vendor mobilization plan and offshore execution sequence in coordination with Planning and Construction.
• Establish commissioning readiness criteria, system handover requirements, Mechanical Completion (MC), Ready for Commissioning (RFC), Ready for Start-up (RFSU) and final acceptance requirements.
• Prepare and maintain the Commissioning Register, system/subsystem status tracker, punch list register, constraint register, interface register and vendor attendance schedule.
• Coordinate commissioning inputs for shutdown planning, brownfield tie-ins, SIMOPS, offshore campaigns and marine/logistics requirements.
• Conduct commissioning readiness reviews, daily coordination meetings and system walkdowns with all stakeholders.

Compressor and Mechanical Package Commissioning

• Lead pre-commissioning and commissioning of instrument air and plant air compressors, dryers, filters, receivers, after-coolers, drains and associated auxiliaries.
• Verify package installation, alignment, lubrication, cooling, ventilation, cleanliness, flushing, leak testing and readiness for initial start.
• Coordinate compressor OEM activities including preservation release, pre-start inspection, first start, no-load/load trials, vibration checks, capacity testing and reliability run.
• Validate compressor loading/unloading sequence, duty/standby operation, automatic changeover, pressure control, dryer regeneration and package operating philosophy.
• Coordinate piping blowdown, flushing, pressure/leak testing, reinstatement, line-up and introduction of air to the existing platform networks.
• Lead package performance testing against approved datasheets, guaranteed capacity, pressure, dew point, power consumption and other contractual performance criteria.
• Ensure safe interface with existing instrument air and plant air systems during cutover and transition.

Electrical Testing and Energization

• Lead testing, energization and functional checks for all electrical systems supporting the project package, including HV/LV switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, UPS/DC systems, distribution boards, transformers and control panels as applicable.
• Review and approve energization procedures, switching programs, electrical isolation plans, LOTO requirements and energization certificates.
• Ensure completion and acceptance of insulation resistance, continuity, earthing, contact resistance, primary/secondary injection, protection relay, functional and inter-trip tests.
• Verify protection settings, relay coordination, motor starting requirements, control power availability and interfaces with existing electrical systems.
• Lead motor solo runs, rotation checks, VFD tuning, current/vibration monitoring and load testing of compressor motors and auxiliaries.
• Coordinate electrical OEM support and resolve issues related to switchgear, MCC, VFD, ECMS/PMS and package power/control interfaces.

Instrumentation, Control and ICSS Integration

• Lead calibration, loop checking and functional testing of pressure, temperature, flow, dew point, vibration and other package/process instruments.
• Ensure completion of instrument installation checks, impulse line verification, tubing leak tests, instrument air connections, range/settings verification and calibration records.
• Review and validate I/O lists, loop diagrams, instrument index, alarm and trip set points, control narratives, Cause & Effect matrices and shutdown philosophy.
• Lead package PLC, DCS, ESD, F&G, ECMS/PMS and other ICSS interface testing, including hardwired and communication signals.
• Coordinate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Integrated FAT, Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), loop tests, logic tests and end-to-end functional tests.
• Validate compressor start permissive, trips, alarms, sequencing, duty/standby changeover, remote/local operation and emergency shutdown response.
• Coordinate DCS graphics, alarm displays, trends, historian points and operator interface validation with ADNOC Operations.

Engineering, Construction and Vendor Interface

• Review engineering deliverables from a commissioning and operability perspective, including P&IDs, SLDs, layouts, cable schedules, loop drawings, logic diagrams, Cause & Effect, datasheets and vendor documents.
• Identify commissioning requirements early and ensure they are incorporated into design, procurement, construction and vendor scope.
• Provide input to constructability, operability, maintainability, HAZOP/PHA, design reviews, 3D model reviews and shutdown/tie-in studies.
• Coordinate resolution of design changes, field changes, technical queries, NCRs, interface gaps and vendor deviations affecting commissioning.
• Confirm preservation, storage, installation and pre-commissioning requirements for vendor packages and long-lead equipment.
• Ensure adequate availability of commissioning spares, consumables, temporary facilities, test equipment, special tools and vendor specialists.

Offshore Brownfield, SIMOPS and Start-up Coordination

• Plan and coordinate offshore commissioning activities in live operating facilities with minimum disruption to existing operations.
• Prepare detailed tie-in, cutover, isolation, de-isolation, reinstatement and start-up sequences in coordination with ADNOC Operations.
• Ensure compliance with PTW, SIMOPS, LOTO, energy isolation, electrical safety rules and offshore work control requirements.
• Participate in job safety analysis, task risk assessments, toolbox talks, pre-start-up safety reviews and operational readiness reviews.
• Coordinate offshore manpower, rotation, access, logistics, material movement and vendor/OEM attendance for commissioning campaigns.
• Provide immediate technical leadership for troubleshooting and safe recovery from failed tests, trips or start-up issues.

Documentation, Completion and Handover

• Prepare, review and obtain approval for pre-commissioning, commissioning, energization, functional test, start-up and performance test procedures.
• Ensure complete and accurate ITRs, check sheets, loop folders, FAT/SAT reports, test certificates, calibration records and commissioning dossiers.
• Manage MC, RFC, RFSU, System Completion and final handover dossiers in accordance with project and ADNOC requirements.
• Coordinate red-line markups, as-built drawings, O&M manuals, spare parts records, vendor data books and final turnover documentation.
• Lead punch categorization and closure, ensuring no safety-critical or start-up-blocking punch remains open before commissioning.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly commissioning reports, progress curves, look-ahead plans, risk/constraint reports and management updates.
• Coordinate training, familiarization and final handover to ADNOC Operations and Maintenance teams.

Multidisciplinary Coordination and Leadership

• Act as the single focal point for commissioning interfaces among Engineering, Procurement, Construction, OEMs, subcontractors, ADNOC Offshore Operations and the project management team.
• Ensure all systems and subsystems are mechanically complete, safe, properly documented and ready before energization, introduction of utilities or start-up.
• Drive closure of punch items, technical queries, interface issues and commissioning constraints to meet project milestones.
• Lead and coordinate commissioning engineers, discipline