Operations Mechanical Static Technical Authority

Ithaca Energy; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ithaca Energy, based in Aberdeen, seeks an Operations Mechanical Static Technical Authority to act as SME for static mechanical equipment and piping issues across its North Sea assets. You will ensure safety-critical elements meet Performance Standards and provide technical oversight in risk-based decision making.

The role requires engineering degree-level qualification, strong knowledge of design standards and safety regulations, and capable leadership to support asset operations while visiting

Qualifications

• Relevant degree-level engineering qualification(s).
• Thorough understanding of Major Accident Hazard, Risk Assessment and other relevant UL Legislation particularly Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, Safety Case and PFEER.
• Strong, positive safety leadership and team building skills.

Responsibilities

• Owns and applies Ithaca Performance standards for piping, pressure systems and static mechanical equipment through their lifecycle.
• Identify Major Accident Hazards and assess risks to prevent, detect and mitigate incidents.
• Ensure deviations from standards are risk assessed and mitigated to keep operations ALARP.
• Define and manage maintenance/inspection for SECEs to meet performance standards.
• Provide SME input and leadership across departments; mentor engineers and support operations.
• Visit offshore facilities to verify status of critical equipment and procedures.
• Lead or participate in Root Cause Analyses for incidents affecting Mechanical Static discipline.

Skills

Mechanical design standards

Process safety management

Regulatory knowledge

Risk assessment

UK HSE regulations

Education

Relevant degree-level engineering qualification

Chartered engineer (preferred)

Job description

About Us

Ithaca Energy is a leading full cycle exploration and production company headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland. The business has built a diverse and high value portfolio of operated and non-operated assets across the Northern & Central North Sea and West of Shetland.

We are a dynamic and ambitious business on a rapid growth journey, recognising that the energy industry is entering a new era. As we move towards energy transition, our commitment to the North Sea is unwavering.

As a leading North Sea Operator, we are an agile and driven business, taking a pragmatic approach to oil & gas production through innovative thinking and advanced technologies. Our goal is to maximise value through the safe, efficient and responsible production of our assets.

Success is dependent on our talent and, with bold and inspired people, we will create a workplace that is diverse and equitable, building a culture of collaboration and inclusion.

Position Overview

The Operations Mechanical Static Technical Authority, acting as subject matter expert and technical authority for resolving static mechanical equipment and piping issues for pressure systems, has functional responsibility for the integrity and suitability of the relevant discipline equipment related safety critical elements across Ithaca assets, throughout the entire asset life cycle.

The Mechanical Static Technical Authority will provide technical oversight and guidance across Ithaca’s assets to ensure compliance with relevant Performance Standards, in close support of the Asset Managers. This includes the assessment of deviations and deferrals through risk assessment, developing appropriate remediation plans in liaison with the relevant Asset Operations Team.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of the relevant discipline Ithaca Performance standards, ensuring fit for purpose application of these standards to drive safe, efficient optimisation and compliance across Ithaca operations. This includes maintenance and review of the relevant Piping, Pressure Systems and Static Mechanical equipment performance standards throughout their lifecycle, including changes, amendments and issue resolution with the relevant Regulator and ICP.
• Identify and assess Major Accident Hazards and the static mechanical equipment required to prevent, detect, control, mitigate Major Accidents in line with Safety Case Regulations and the Asset Integrity Management Program.
• Ensure that any deviations from Performance Standards or deferral of any safety critical maintenance or inspection activities are fully risk assessed and that any mitigating actions to support continued safe operation are in place and that risks to personnel remain ALARP. Validate the likelihood and consequence rankings associated with failure of critical equipment as defined by the Asset Integrity Management System.
• Identify suitable codes and standards such that facilities meet legal requirements and reflect industry good practice. Where relevant, maintain asset specific or functional codes, standards and relevant Safe Working Practices. Management of deviations from Company standards and procedures.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support operations and optimise production efficiency; trouble shooting, supporting asset operations as required (including short-term backfill cover as needed) and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Define through-life requirements, via company procedures and standards, for maintenance, inspection and testing of discipline responsible SECEs to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements defined in the asset’s Performance Standards and the Asset Integrity Management Program.
• Provide Functional review of Management of Change proposals as required, and through review of discipline Process Safety Information.
• Represent Company on various external industry bodies with the purpose of keeping abreast of best industry practice, technical issues, and new and revised legislation and guidance. Facilitate Knowledge Transfer and Technology development by participating in industry bodies, corporate technical networks, JIPs etc. Share best practices and lessons learnt.
• Provide technical input and leadership across other departments as required. Mentor discipline engineers and ensuring that discipline specific competence management and development paths are in place.
• Regularly visit offshore to verify status of critical equipment and procedures related to core discipline, including LOD2 audits.
• Participate in or where appropriate lead Root Cause Analyses, for incidents or events impact Mechanical Static discipline.
• Ensure consistency between Integrity Management Systems and Performance Standards confirming that Performance Standard assurance processes are reflected within the Computerised Maintenance Management System & RBI program. Confirm that maintenance and inspection ensure the ongoing suitability of the SECEs.
• Manage ageing assets and asset life extension in line with the expectations of the HSE. Manage fitness for service (FFS) assessments for anomalous static pressure equipment. Make repair recommendation and assign critical due dates for replacement. Provide support to the Repair Order Coordinator & Asset Integrity team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant degree-level engineering qualification(s)
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical design standards, relevant codes and recommended practices
• Thorough understanding of Major Accident Hazard, Risk Assessment and other relevant UL Legislation particularly Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, Safety Case and PFEER
• Preferred Chartered engineer
• Significant relevant discipline specific design, site operational and support experience in energy or equivalent high-consequence industry
• High level of discipline competence, familiarity with relevant industry codes and standards.
• Fluency in Process Safety Management. Understanding of UK HES regulations.
• Strong, positive safety leadership and team building skills with proven track record in delivering business results. Can develop and sustain collaborative relationships with assets and functional teams to share lessons learned, best practices and to generate improvement opportunities.

We are committed to building a diverse organisation with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the better we are. We recognise you may not fulfil every criteria but if you meet most of them, please apply.