Computational Pipeline Monitoring/Leak Detection Engineer

#WeAreONEOK – Fortune 500 company. 100+ years in business. Leading midstream service provider. Safety first. Sustainable operations. Environmentally responsible. Employee focused.

JOB SUMMARY

As a member of the Operations Control Support team, the CPM (Computational Pipeline Monitoring)/Leak Detection Engineer contributes to ONEOK's commitment to safe, efficient, 24/7 operations by maintaining a state-of-the-art computer-based transient model leak detection and CPM systems and pipeline simulation systems for liquid petroleum pipelines.

The CPM Engineer provides real-time support to Operations Control, maintains and updates the CPM Systems, and evaluates and implements enhancements to the CPM Systems.

This role requires an ability to manage multiple projects of varying timelines, while also providing operations support.

Final grade and wage will be commensurate with background, skills, and experience.

Job Profile Summary
Maintains and implements state-of-the-art computer-based transient model leak detection and computational pipeline monitoring (CPM) systems and pipeline simulation systems for liquid petroleum pipelines.  Provides real-time support to Operations Control, maintains and updates the CPM Systems, and evaluates and implements enhancements to the CPM Systems.  Applies fundamental engineering principles and experience to improve operational safety, solve real-time problems, reduce operations upsets and increase efficiency.  Develops specifications and recommendations for process control applications.  Provides support on matters requiring immediate diagnostic response on critical system outages.  Works closely with multi-discipline teams made up of Project Managers, Controls Technology Engineers, other CPM Systems Analysts, Controllers, SCADA Analysts, etc., to complete projects.  Manages multiple engineering projects with competing priorities and occasionally be required to achieve tight project deliverable schedules.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Applications Support & Development
  • Analyzes, develops, implements, and maintains computational pipeline monitoring (CPM), leak detection systems, and pipeline simulations systems to meet business requirements, in compliance with regulatory requirements and Company standards, and to meet systems supportability.
  • Uses physics, engineering, and computational fluid dynamics principles to perform pipeline profile analyses and assessments.
  • Provides leak detection applications support, development, and testing for a diverse range of issues/scopes and CPM designs. 
  • Provides 24/7 control room support, including being a part of the on-call support rotation
  • Interacts with controllers and explains concepts of hydraulics in practical terms
  • Collaborates with the software vendor to maintain leak detection and simulation models, including upgrades and periodic re-certification testing. 
  • Collaborates with internal stakeholders to determine business needs for development and maintenance of applications enhancements and coding. 
  • Serves as project manager for enhancement and maintenance projects, supporting both internal and external stakeholders within the organization. 
  • Collaborate with stakeholders within the organization to identify system or operational enhancements, develop system solutions, and implement to reduce operational costs and improve operations reliability and efficiency
  • Works with project managers and other engineers to ensure that future projects contain the necessary equipment and instrumentation to achieve leak detection goals
  • Participates in evaluation, selection, and implementation of vendor applications including designs/develop for required system interfaces. 
  • Recommends hardware and software.
  • Evaluates systems architecture and new leak detection technologies, recommends CPM systems, and develops plans for their integration into leak detection application environment.
  • Analyzes SCADA and leak detection system data to identify leak detection system alarm parameters’ key performance indicators (KPI) and to evaluate SCADA systems performance.
  • Develop and implement custom applications using Python, VBA, DOS batch file, and/or Powershell.
  • Develop, maintain, and update technical practices related to leak detection and pipeline hydraulics
• Data & Reporting
  • Performs periodic monitoring of all leak detection system alarms
  • Reviews and interprets CPM data.
  • Prepares reports regarding CPM systems alarms data.
  • Reviews and/or performs leak size calculations and updates records.
  • Reviews and updates manual overrides to CPM systems.
• Incident Investigations
  • Troubleshoots and resolves abnormal operating conditions related to leak detection
  • Participates in incident investigations involving CPM and/or other leak detection systems data by analyzing and interpreting data. 
  • Performs resulting action items involving CPM and or other leak detection systems model modifications, systems configurations, processes and procedures, and other areas as needed.
• Training
  • Develops knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to pipeline CPM systems
  • Analyzes and establishes instructional goals and objectives for proper use of the CPM model-based leak detection systems applications. 
  • Designs and develops training documents/materials. 
• Hydraulic Modeling
  • Uses physics, engineering, and computational fluid dynamics principles to perform complex pipeline profile analyses to create hydraulic modeling of pipeline leak signatures.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology or Computer Science is required.

Work Experience

• At least 4 years of related work experience preferred
• Experience with Python, JAVA, PowerShell
• Aptitude in hydraulics, leak detection technologies, statistical analysis, measurement/instrumentation, and/or SCADA

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of: pipelines or hydrocarbon processing and related facilities design, construction, operation, and maintenance
• Knowledge of: material failure and structural analysis and industry standards and governmental regulations
• Ability to: read and interpret governmental regulations, blueprints, contracts, manuals, specifications, surveys, charts, load studies, and other relevant reports and correspondence
• Ability to: analyze and resolve issues and/or questions concerning engineering design and calculations with supervisor assistance as needed on more design and calculations
• Ability to: manage and prioritize multiple assignments with competing deadlines
• Ability to: recommend and implement new initiatives and complete projects
• Ability to: apply math, algebraic formulas, and statistical methods
• Ability to: interact, negotiate and communicate effectively
• Ability to: operate office tools and equipment required
• Ability to: communicate thoughts, ideas, information, messages, and other written information, which may contain technical material, in a logical, organized, and coherent manner

Licenses and Certifications

• None required

Strength Factor Rating - Physical Demands/Requirements

• Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Strength Factor Description - Physical Demands/Requirements

• Standing: Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about (Occasionally)
• Walking: Moving about on foot (Frequently)
• Sitting: Remaining in a seated position (Constantly)
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) (Occasionally)
• Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder (Occasionally)
• Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (Occasionally)
• Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking) (Occasionally)
• Climbing: Ladders, Stairs (Occasionally)
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling (Occasionally)
• Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist (Occasionally)
• Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees (Occasionally)
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine (Occasionally)
• Crawling: Moving about on the hands and arms in any direction (Occasionally)
• Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands (Manual Dexterity) (Constantly)
• Fingering: Picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (Finger Dexterity) (Constantly)
• Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects/materials as size, shape, temperature, texture, movement or pulsation by receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips (Constantly)
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas/information by means of the spoken word (Frequently)
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sound by the ear (Frequently)
• Tasting/Smelling: (Occasionally)
• Near Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (Constantly)
• Far Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 feet for more (Frequently)
• Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision; ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (Frequently)
• Vision: Color - The ability to identify and distinguish colors (Constantly)

Working Conditions/Environment

• Employee is subject to inside environmental conditions

Working Conditions

• Well lighted, climate controlled areas (Constantly)
• Frequent repetitive motion (Constantly)
• CRT (Computer Monitor(s)) (Constantly)

Travel

• Travel to other locations may be required

Driving

• Based on assigned tasks, employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring the applicable driver's license

ONEOK is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, national origin, gender identity, disability, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other categories protected by applicable law.

The job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of ONEOK.

ONEOK is committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request an accommodation email [email protected] or call 1-855-663-6547​.

Expected Salary Range

$110,000.00 - $166,000.00