I have been working in the Oil & Gas/Petrochemical Industry since January 1982, the majority being involved in Turnaround, Shutdown & Routine Maintenance Planning and Execution.

I started out as a Mechanical Fitter in a GTL Refinery in 1982 (South Africa) from where I was promoted to Mechanical Foreman in 1988, which position I held until September 2002. Since 1988 my duties included both Routine Maintenance as well as Turnaround and Shutdown Planning & Execution through all the phases of Turnaround & Shutdown Planning.

In September 2002 I accepted a position as Shutdown Planning Engineer at the Bahrain Petroleum Company in Bahrain, Middle East, where I worked until July 2009. Shortly after my arrival I was promoted to Senior Shutdown Planning Engineer running a Shutdown Planning Section eventually consisting of two Planning Engineers, two Shutdown Planners, a Shutdown Administrator and a Trainee Shutdown Planner working under me.

In July 2009 I accepted a position as IMPACT Lead Planner in Cabinda, Angola working for Chevron. My duties here includes implementing pacesetter Turnarounds via the Chevron IMPACT process. (Initiative for Managing Pacesetter Turnarounds) This includes the planning of Shutdowns on all offshore and onshore facilities through all the phases of Shutdown Planning & Execution. I’m currently still working here.