Facility Manager – Natuna D-Alpha

Facility Manager – Natuna D-Alpha

Job Title

Facility Manager Natuna D-Alpha

Location

Jakarta Indonesia

Reporting Structure

Reports to Senior Project Manager

Job Summary

The Facility Manager will lead the design, construction, operational readiness, commissioning, startup, and ongoing operations of the oil and gas processing facility, with deep technical expertise in gas treating, dehydration, compression, and CO2 removal, including oversight of the implementation of new CO2 removal technology. This role bridges the gap between project execution and steady-state operations, ensuring the facility is designed, built, commissioned, and operated to meet production targets, product specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

This position requires a rare combination of process engineering depth, hands-on operations leadership, and the ability to manage first-of-kind technology performance risk during startup and early operations.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Operations Leadership

·       Provide senior oversight and accountability for all oil and gas processing facility operations, from commissioning through steady-state production

·       Develop and implement operating philosophies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational readiness plans

·       Lead the transition from construction/commissioning to operations, ensuring smooth handover and startup sequencing

·       Serve as the senior technical authority on-site for all operational and process-related issues

·       Oversee day-to-day facility operations, ensuring production targets, uptime, and efficiency metrics are met

·       Manage facility turnarounds, shutdowns, and major maintenance campaigns

Oil and Gas Processing & Technical Oversight

·       Provide expert-level oversight of the full oil and gas processing train: oil and gas separation, CO2 removal and export/sales gas conditioning

·       Serve as the lead technical authority for the new CO2 removal technology, overseeing its commissioning, performance testing, and integration into operations

·       Review and validate process simulations, mass/energy balances, and design basis documentation during FEED and detailed engineering

·       Monitor facility performance against process specifications

·       Troubleshoot process upsets, equipment underperformance, and off-spec product issues, particularly related to CO2 removal

·       Oversee corrosion management program for CO2-rich process streams, including materials monitoring and inspection (NACE-aligned practices)

·       Manage relationship with the CO2 removal technology licensor for ongoing technical support, performance and troubleshooting

·       Ensure integration and optimization of utilities systems (power generation, instrument air, cooling systems) supporting the oil and gas processing train

Commissioning & Startup Management

·       Lead pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for all process systems, with particular focus on the CO2 removal unit given its novel status

·       Develop and execute systemization plans, commissioning procedures, and startup sequences

·       Coordinate performance testing protocols to validate process performance against contractual/vendor specifications

·       Manage punch list closure, mechanical completion verification, and readiness reviews (Ready for Startup / Ready for Operations gates)

·       Interface with EPC contractor and technology vendor during commissioning to resolve technical issues and design gaps

Cost & Budget Management

·       Develop and manage the facility's operating budget (OPEX), including staffing, maintenance, chemicals, utilities, and consumables

·       Monitor operating costs against budget, identifying cost optimization opportunities without compromising safety or reliability

·       Support capital budget planning for facility modifications, debottlenecking projects, or technology upgrades

·       Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs)

HSE & Process Safety Management

·       Champion a strong HSE culture across all facility operations, targeting zero incidents

·       Lead or oversee Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), HAZOP, and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) reviews, with specific attention to novel technology risks

·       Ensure robust management of change (MOC) processes for any modifications to process systems or operating procedures

·       Oversee CO2-specific safety protocols (asphyxiation risk zones, high-pressure CO2 handling, emergency shutdown systems)

·       Ensure compliance with process safety management (PSM) standards and applicable regulatory frameworks

·       Lead incident investigations related to process safety events, near-misses, and equipment failures

·       Ensure environmental compliance related to CO2 disposition (venting, sequestration, utilization, or sales per project's CO2 strategy), emissions monitoring, and reporting

Maintenance & Reliability

·       Oversee maintenance strategy (preventive, predictive, and corrective) for all process equipment, including compressors, heat exchangers, and the CO2 removal unit

·       Implement reliability engineering practices to minimize unplanned downtime

·       Manage spare parts strategy and critical equipment sparing philosophy, especially for long-lead technology components

·       Coordinate with maintenance/reliability engineers on root cause analysis for equipment failures or performance shortfalls

Stakeholder & Interface Management

·       Serve as primary interface between facility operations and the Senior Project Manager during the construction-to-operations transition

·       Coordinate with the Drilling Manager to ensure wellstream characteristics (pressure, composition, CO2 content) align with facility processing capabilities

·       Liaise with the CO2 removal technology licensor on performance issues, technical support, and continuous improvement initiatives

·       Manage relationships with regulatory bodies on environmental permits, emissions reporting, and operational compliance

·       Report facility performance, technology performance, and operational KPIs to executive leadership and JV partners

Team Leadership

·       Build, lead, and mentor a team of process engineers, operations supervisors, and technicians

·       Oversee competency assurance and training programs, particularly for personnel operating the new CO2 removal technology

·       Foster a strong safety and operational excellence culture across shifts and disciplines

·       Conduct performance reviews and support professional development of facility operations staff

Required Qualifications

Education

·       Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field (required)

·       Master's degree in Chemical/Process/Mechanical Engineering a plus

·       Professional or certified engineer status preferred

Experience

·       20+ years of experience in gas processing facility operations, with progressive responsibility

·       Minimum 5-7 years in a Facility Manager, Plant Manager, or Operations Manager role

·       Expertise in oil and gas separation

·       Demonstrated experience with new technology commissioning/startup, ideally involving first-of-kind or early commercial deployment of process technology

·       Track record of successful commissioning and startup of oil and gas processing facilities

·       Experience with technology licensor relationships, performance management, and vendor technical support coordination

Technical Skills

·       Expert-level understanding of oil and gas processing fundamentals: separation, dehydration, compression, acid gas removal, and gas conditioning

·       Proficiency in process simulation software

·       Solid understanding of corrosion mechanisms in CO2-rich environments and materials selection (NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 familiarity required)

·       Knowledge of process safety management systems, HAZOP/LOPA methodologies, and management of change processes

·       Familiarity with control systems (DCS, SIS) relevant to gas processing operations

Leadership & Soft Skills

·     Strong crisis management and decision-making skills under high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions

·       Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical/process issues for executive and JV audiences

·       Ability to manage ambiguity and risk inherent in operating first-of-kind technology

·       Strong safety leadership and process safety culture-building capability

·       Effective cross-functional collaboration with drilling, project management, and technology licensor

·       May require extended hours during commissioning, startup, and performance testing phases