Saqlain Abbas

A results-driven professional with 15 years of experience in Oil & Gas process operations, specializing in onshore Crude Sweetening Units, Upstream NHT, and Platformer CCR units Downstream. Skilled in project pre-commissioning, commissioning, and stabilization. Possesses 5 years of expertise in DCS/Panel operations and 7 years as a Field Operator, demonstrating strong teamwork and operational excellence..

Aramco & Kuwait Gulf Operations – Khafji Joint Operations, Saudi Arabia

Role: DCS / Console Operator (100,000 BBL/Day)
Duration: March 25, 2024 – Present

Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Lagos, Nigeria

Role: Junior Panel Operator – World’s Largest Single Train Refinery (650,000 BBL/Day)
Duration: July 2022 – March 24, 2024

CNERGYICO PK LIMITED (Byco Petroleum Pakistan)

Role: DCS / Field Operator (155,000 BBL/Day)
Duration: October 2015 – July 2022

Pakistan Refinery Limited, Karachi, Pakistan

Role: Field Operator (50,000 BBL/Day)
Duration: September 2010 – October 2015

• Operate and maintain refinery process units efficiently, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and plant instructions.
• Monitor process parameters, trends, and alarms in real-time; take timely corrective actions to prevent deviations and ensure smooth operations
• Maintain detailed records, logbooks, and reports for operational activities, interlock bypasses, and equipment status..
• Coordinate effectively with field engineers, supervisors, field operators, and maintenance teams for optimal plant performance.
• Conduct routine inspections of critical equipment, including pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, and pressure vessels, ensuring integrity..
• Perform operational checks for utilities such as cooling water, steam, and Nitrogen & IA, ensuring uninterrupted support to process units..
• Respond promptly and safely to plant emergencies, including any failure, fire incidents, and equipment malfunctions, following safety protocols..
• Assist in commissioning, start-up, shutdown, and stabilization of process units, ensuring adherence to operational and safety guidelines..
• Participate in preventive maintenance and troubleshooting activities to minimize downtime and maintain process reliability.
• Enforce refinery safety standards, HSE compliance, and operational discipline across the plant.

Pre-Commissioning & Commissioning Activities

DCS / Control Room Role

• Checking and closing punch points in DCS and control loops.
• Testing alarms, trip points, interlocks, and relief valve signals via DCS.
• Verifying control logic, shutdown sequences, and interlock schemes (ESD, fire & gas, and safety interlocks).
• Performing FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) & SAT (Site Acceptance Test) for DCS and instrumentation systems.
• Monitoring vessel/column operations remotely during box-up, seal pan tests, and loop flushing.
• Coordinating start-up and shutdown sequences from the control room for CDH, flare, and AG systems.
• Supervising pigging and Rotomol cleaning operations for large lines via DCS monitoring.
• Ensuring accurate instrumentation calibration, signal integrity, and data logging.
• Assisting in control logic troubleshooting and loop tuning to optimize process performance.
• Maintaining DCS records of pre-commissioning/commissioning tests, alarm logs, and interlock verification.

Field Operator Role

• Performing physical inspection and closure of punch points on field equipment.
• Conducting loop checks, functional testing of instruments, vibration switches, and gas detectors.
• Executing vessel/column box-up, seal pan tests, and flushing of lines manually.
• Assisting in pigging, Rotomol cleaning, and leak testing of pipelines and circuits.
• Checking and ensuring proper installation, alignment, and tagging of field instruments and valves.
• Monitoring relief valves, flare headers, and safety vent systems in the field during commissioning.
• Coordinating with DCS engineers to verify field-to-control room signal integrity.
• Supporting emergency response drills and verifying ESD system actuation in the field.
• Documenting field testing results, punch points closure, and operational readiness of equipment.
• Participating in commissioning handover to operations team with complete checklists.

• Heat exchanger channel head gasket leakage.
• Main crude fire heater tube rupture.
• Stablizer Bottom Pump Mechanical Seal failure.

Process Equipment Expertise

• Pumps: Centrifugal, Positive Displacement (PD), Turbine-driven, and Motor-driven
• Compressors: Centrifugal and Reciprocating
• Fire Heaters: Natural Draft, Forced Draft, and Balanced Draft
• Heat Exchangers: Shell & Tube, and Double-pipe Configurations
• Columns: Sieve Trays, Bubble Cap Trays, and Valve Trays
• Vessels & Separators: Atmospheric and Pressurized
• Desalters & Dehydrators: Crude Oil and Process Feed Systems

2006 – 2009: DAE in Chemical Engineering Technology (Islamabad, Pakistan)

Date of Birth: 03.03.1990

Nationality: Pakistani

Marital Status: Married

Driving Licence: Yes (Saudi Arabia)

Address: District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan

Mr. Wahid Bukhsh – Senior DCS Operator, Dangote Refinery & Petrochemical Co., Nigeria
📞 +234 811 377 1459

Mr. Hafiz Imran Mehmood – Deputy General Manager – MHC Operations, Dangote Refinery & Petrochemical Co., Nigeria
📞 +234 916 008 2945