Senior Production Chemist - Oil & Gas Facility Optimization

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Production Chemist for a major Oil & Gas operation at Upington, Northern Cape. You will lead production chemical programs, optimize processes, and safeguard asset integrity while ensuring environmental compliance on site.

You will work with operations and engineering teams to troubleshoot chemistry issues, manage chemicals, and mentor junior staff. This on-site role requires a strong petrochemical background and commitment to safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in production chemistry within Oil & Gas.
• Experience in water treatment, corrosion inhibition, scale control and demulsification.
• Strong knowledge of analytical techniques for oil and gas production chemistry.
• Experience with chemical management systems and process optimization.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and diagnostic skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse teams.
• Willingness to work at an operational facility in Upington, Northern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement chemical treatment programs for production facilities.
• Monitor production chemistry parameters (water cut, pH, scaling tendency, corrosion rates).
• Troubleshoot operational chemistry issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee the selection, procurement, and inventory management of production chemicals.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations regarding chemical usage and discharge.
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to optimize production processes.
• Conduct laboratory analyses and interpret results to inform operational decisions.
• Manage contracts with chemical vendors and service providers.
• Develop and deliver training on production chemistry best practices.
• Contribute to process safety and risk management related to chemical handling.

Skills

Production chemistry

Water treatment

Corrosion control

Scale control

Demulsification

Analytical skills

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Chemical management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant operator in the Oil & Gas sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Production Chemist to join their operational team. This role is based at a key facility in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA , and focuses on ensuring the efficient and safe operation of production facilities through expert chemical management and analysis. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing production chemicals, troubleshooting operational chemistry issues, and optimizing processes to enhance production and asset integrity. This position requires a strong understanding of the chemistry involved in oil and gas production, including corrosion, scaling, and emulsion treatment. You will work closely with operations and engineering teams to maintain optimal facility performance and environmental compliance. A commitment to on-site presence is essential for effective operational support.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement chemical treatment programs for production facilities.
• Monitor and analyze production chemistry parameters (e.g., water cut, pH, scaling tendency, corrosion rates).
• Troubleshoot operational chemistry issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee the selection, procurement, and inventory management of production chemicals.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations regarding chemical usage and discharge.
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to optimize production processes.
• Conduct laboratory analyses and interpret results to inform operational decisions.
• Manage contracts with chemical vendors and service providers.
• Develop and deliver training on production chemistry best practices.
• Contribute to process safety and risk management related to chemical handling.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in production chemistry within the Oil & Gas industry.
• Proven expertise in water treatment, corrosion inhibition, scale control, and demulsification.
• Strong understanding of analytical techniques relevant to oil and gas production chemistry.
• Experience with chemical management systems and process optimization.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and diagnostic skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in an operational environment.
• Knowledge of relevant South African environmental and safety regulations.
• Willingness to work at an operational facility in Upington, Northern Cape.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• annual bonus
• medical aid
• retirement contributions
• opportunities for professional development