April 2015 Workshops

Management Workshop

Brief Overview of Project Management Principles

Speaker: Teresa Jurgens-Kowal, PhD, PE

Abstract:

Whether you are a supervisor or team leader new to project management, or an experienced manager, you will want to refresh your understanding of the important tools and techniques that lead to project success. In this brief overview of project management principles, we will contrast the work of a project manager with a functional manager and describe key skills for success as a project leader. We will discuss stakeholder identification, effective communication, and transformational leadership as well as a project management planning framework.

Bio:

Teresa Jurgens-Kowal, PhD, PE, is an inspired coach and mentor, guiding strategy and innovation development. As a trusted advisor, Teresa provides guidance for candidates of the New Product Development Professional (NPDP) and Project Management Professional (PMP©) certifications. Since 2009, dozens of candidates have successfully completed their NPDP certification requirements with her coaching and mentoring. Teresa teaches project management at Colorado Technical University-Online and process technology at San Jacinto College. She enjoys scrapbooking and bicycling in her free time.

UEFA

Advances in Flow Assurance Fluid Characterization

Speaker:

Elham Mahmoodaghdam, Reservoir Fluids Project Engineer, Schlumberger

Abstract:

Precipitation and subsequent deposition of organic solids such as asphaltenes is one of the major challenges in wellbore, production lines, transportation and downstream processing. These challenges can significantly influence the economy of oil producers by increasing operational and remediation costs as well as decreasing and halting production. The large capital and operating costs associated with prevention and remediation of deposits has created the need for improved techniques to assess the potential of asphaltene precipitation and deposition, in order to produce oil more economically while still providing operations with minimal risks.

Laboratory analysis provides key insights into the precipitation and depositional characteristics of reservoir fluids. In this presentation, advances in the area of flow assurance fluid characterization including the application of recently developed measurement technology for wax and asphaltene deposition under realistic field conditions will be discussed. Asphaltene deposition measurements using a flow-through live oil deposition cell and the application of the data obtained to asphaltene inhibitor optimization will be presented.

Finally, the group discussion will be encouraged to identify the gaps in the area of fluid sampling and flow assurance fluid characterization.

Bio:

Elham Mahmoodaghdam is a Schlumberger's Reservoir Fluids project engineer. She received an MSc degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary in Canada and worked as a Research Engineer in Gas Hydrate research Group in the University of Calgary and the Petroleum Thermodynamic research group in the University of Alberta. She has 14 years of experience in the oil industry focusing on flow assurance. Elham is currently working as Senior Project Engineer at Schlumberger Testing segment, managing flow assurance fluid analysis and also providing technical support to Schlumberger’s flow assurance characterization globally. Elham was Schlumberger’s Fluid’s Community leader in 2014.
Her expertise includes fluid characterization and assessing the risk associated with flow assurance. She worked on a wide spectrum of reservoirs, ranging from heavy and volatile oil to gas-condensate reservoirs.

PE/PO Workshop

Master Electrical Plans and What a Good Electrical System Looks Like

Speaker:

Vincent W. Wedelich, PE, MBA, Project Manager Power Distribution & Controls, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co, Inc.

Abstract:

Applicable to Refineries and Petrochemical facilities
Review of what an Electrical System Master Plan Study is: to identify system improvements related to reliability, safety and maintainability for projected load expansion at the refinery within the next 5 to 20 years. This master plan and the ideas presented were geared towards creating a good foundation for the future of the electrical system primarily through upgrade and replacement projects. Illustrate what a good electrical system looks like.

Bio:

Mr. Wedelich is an Associate level project manager and electrical engineer in the Houston T&D Power Distribution and Control Department. His responsibilities include Power System Design and Project Management for the Industrial and Refinery Markets.