LEAD PIPELINE TERMINAL OPERATOR The Lead Pipeline Terminal Operator is an important member of the Pipeline Terminal Operator team. This role will have experience and demonstrated technical knowledge in crude pipeline and terminal operations, troubleshooting, and applicable regulatory and industry standards. - Ability to interpret alignment sheets, as-built drawings, P&IDs, PFDs, equipment data sheets, shutdown matrices, pump curves, and other operating documentation.
- Understand crude pipeline hydraulics, pressure/flow relationships, surge, restrictions, line pack, pump behavior, and valve behavior.
- Understand crude terminals, tanks, truck unloading, custody transfer, measurement, sampling, inventory reconciliation, and crude-quality fundamentals.
- Understand pumps, MOVs, SDVs, check valves, control valves, instrumentation, SCADA, alarms, permissive, interlocks, and shutdown logic.
- Apply working knowledge of 49 CFR Part 195, Operator Qualification requirements, abnormal operating conditions, integrity-management concepts, HCA awareness, emergency response, and applicable industry standards.
- Troubleshoot complex operating issues across the system and help operators determine probable causes rather than simply reacting to alarms.
- Review planned lineups, transfers, outages, maintenance work, and unusual operations before execution.
- Provide contractor oversight for operationally sensitive work such as excavations, tie-ins, pipeline maintenance, valve work, pigging, inspections, and commissioning activities.
- Review contractor work plans from an operations perspective and identify conflicts with active operations.
- Participate in Management of Change reviews, Pre-Startup Safety Reviews, operating reviews, incident reviews, and lessons learned.
- Help establish consistent operating practices among all four assets.
- Provide vacation and coverage support when appropriately qualified for the specific asset.
- Serve as the first technical escalation point for difficult operating problems before escalation to Engineering, I&E, Maintenance, Integrity, Environmental, or Management.
- Recognize when a condition exceeds Operations' authority or technical capability and escalate it appropriately.
- Support startup, shutdown, commissioning, and abnormal operations.
- Conduct field walkdowns and verify that drawings, procedures, labeling, valve identification, and actual field configuration agree.
OVERVIEW OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES Terminal Operations - Operate terminal pumps, valves, LACT systems, storage tanks, piping, and associated equipment.
- Start and stop pumps and other operating equipment as required.
- Perform equipment and valve lineups before crude movements and verify flow paths prior to transfer.
- Monitor tank levels, pressure, temperature, flow, and equipment status.
- Monitor crude receipts and deliveries and perform tank switches as operationally required.
- Respond to high and low tank-level conditions, pump and valve alarms, pressure alarms, vibration alarms, ESDs, and other abnormal conditions.
- Verify equipment condition following trips or shutdowns and assist with facility startup, shutdown, and restart activities.
- Maintain awareness of inventory levels and available tank capacity.
- Conduct routine facility rounds and identify leaks, equipment deficiencies, and abnormal conditions.
- Respond to power interruptions and assist in safely restoring operations.
- Maintain terminal readiness for continuous crude movement.
Tank Operations - Monitor tank inventory and available working capacity.
- Perform tank gauging, water draws, and crude oil sampling as required.
- Monitor tank receipts and withdrawals and perform tank switches.
- Verify tank valve and piping alignment before and during transfers.
- Monitor tanks during truck unloading and pipeline movements.
- Respond to abnormal or high-level conditions.
- Inspect tanks and associated piping for leaks or abnormal conditions.
- Support tank isolation, inspection, maintenance, and return-to-service activities.
LACT and Custody Transfer Operations - Operate and monitor LACT systems and associated custody-transfer equipment.
- Monitor flow meters, pressure transmitters, temperature transmitters, samplers, strainers, volume regulators, and associated equipment.
- Verify LACT equipment operates within expected parameters.
- Monitor charge pumps and associated piping.
- Identify and respond to abnormal LACT conditions, alarms, and shutdowns.
- Assist with troubleshooting meter or LACT issues and coordinate with measurement personnel when needed.
- Maintain required custody-transfer documentation.
Truck Receiving and Driver Support - Monitor truck unloading activities.
- Assist drivers with terminal access, BOL questions, and loading/unloading system issues.
- Verify crude is directed to the correct tank or system.
- Monitor tank capacity while trucks are unloading.
- Respond to equipment or communication issues affecting truck operations.
- Provide field assistance when remote systems cannot resolve a driver issue.
- Escalate measurement, quality, or paperwork issues when necessary.
Pipeline Operations - Perform field activities associated with pipeline startup and shutdown.
- Coordinate pipeline startup and shutdown with the control room and terminal personnel.
- Verify manual valve alignment and field readiness before startup.
- Verify valves and equipment are returned to the proper operating state after maintenance.
- Monitor pipeline pressure and flow conditions and respond to abnormal conditions.
- Respond to pipeline alarms and control-room notifications.
- Operate manual and automated pipeline valves within assigned authority.
- Verify valve position in the field when required.
- Support pipeline isolation and return-to-service activities.
- Respond to power or communications failures at pipeline facilities.
- Assist with leak investigations and abnormal operating conditions.
- Support restoration of operations following trips, shutdowns, or maintenance.
- Perform field verification when SCADA indications require confirmation.
Mainline Block Valve Operations - Inspect mainline block-valve sites and verify valve position.
- Respond to valve-position alarms, high- and low-pressure conditions, power failures, and communication failures.
- Verify pressure upstream and downstream of block valves.
- Inspect associated transmitters and instrumentation for obvious abnormalities.
- Assist with manual valve operations and restoration following shutdown conditions.
- Report equipment or instrumentation deficiencies.
One-Call / Texas 811 Response - Receive and respond to one-call notifications assigned to field operations.
- Review available information concerning proposed excavation activity.
- Locate and mark company pipeline facilities when qualified.
- Review pipeline drawings and alignment information before locating.
- Coordinate with excavators and contractors working near company facilities.
- Communicate pipeline location and operating concerns.
- Monitor excavation activity when required and escalate unsafe conditions.
- Maintain required one-call documentation.
Pipeline Right-of-Way and Field Inspections - Conduct pipeline right-of-way patrols and field inspections.
- Inspect pipeline markers and signage.
- Identify excavation or construction activity near the pipeline.
- Identify erosion, washout, exposed pipe, ground movement, encroachments, or unauthorized activity.
- Inspect valve sites and associated equipment.
- Report conditions requiring maintenance, integrity review, or additional investigation.
- Document inspection results.
Pipeline Pigging - Support and perform pig launching and receiving activities when qualified.
- Prepare launcher or receiver equipment and verify valve alignment.
- Coordinate pigging operations with the control room and ensure an operator is present during field pigging operations.
- Monitor launcher/receiver pressure and operate associated valves.
- Respond to overpressure or under pressure conditions.
- Retrieve pigs and support inspection of returned pigs or debris.
- Return launcher/receiver equipment to normal operating configuration.
- Complete required pigging documentation.
Pipeline Excavation and Dig Oversight - Provide operational support for pipeline digs.
- Verify line location before excavation.
- Coordinate with contractors performing excavation near company pipelines.
- Monitor excavation activities within company rights-of-way.
- Communicate operational limitations before work begins.
- Support pipeline isolation when required.
- Coordinate with integrity, inspection, maintenance, and contractor personnel.
- Identify field conditions that differ from drawings or expected conditions.
- Support safe exposure, inspection, repair, and backfill of pipeline facilities.
- Maintain required field documentation.
Measurement and Meter Proving - Support crude-oil measurement activities and monitor custody-transfer meters.
- Assist with meter proving and verify meter operation before and during transfers.
- Review operating pressures, temperatures, and flow rates.
- Identify questionable or abnormal meter performance.
- Coordinate with measurement contractors or specialists.
- Support troubleshooting of measurement systems.
- Monitor or inspect volume regulators, samplers, transmitters, and related equipment.
- Collect and maintain required measurement records.
- Support resolution of custody-transfer discrepancies.
Equipment Inspection - Inspect pumps, motors, VFDs, LACT systems, flow meters, valves, actuators, pressure transmitters, tank instrumentation, block valves, pig launchers/receivers, storage tanks, piping, leak-detection equipment, LEL monitors, and safety shutdown equipment as applicable.
- Identify leaks, abnormal vibration, unusual noise, pressure abnormalities, equipment trips, instrument failures, valve-position problems, communication failures, electrical or power issues, and other conditions that could affect safe or reliable operation.
Maintenance Support - Identify equipment requiring maintenance and communicate maintenance needs.
- Assist maintenance and I&E personnel with troubleshooting.
- Assist with equipment isolation and preparation for maintenance.
- Verify field equipment has been returned to a ready state after work is completed.
- Support equipment startup following repair or maintenance and verify correct operation.
- Support valve, pump, instrumentation, and piping maintenance activities.
- Provide field operating knowledge during equipment repairs.
- Assist with planned maintenance outages.
Alarm Response and Abnormal Operations - Respond to control-room notifications and investigate terminal and pipeline alarms in the field.
- Verify actual equipment or process condition and communicate findings to the control room and supervision.
- Take appropriate field action in accordance with approved procedures.
- Document actions taken.
- Support system restart after the cause has been investigated and conditions are safe.
- Respond to alarms involving pressure, tank level, tank shut-in valves, facility ESD, pump vibration, launcher pressure, LEL, valve position, power, communication, flow, and temperature as applicable.
Leak Detection and LEL Monitoring - Respond to suspected leak conditions, leak-detection alarms, and LEL alarms.
- Assist with field verification following a possible commodity-release alarm.
- Inspect facilities or pipeline locations when requested.
- Communicate field findings to the control room and management.
- Support shutdown and isolation activities.
- Participate in leak-detection testing where assigned.
- Assist with abnormal-operation investigation and safe system restart after authorization.
- Maintain awareness of fixed LEL monitor condition and report deficiencies.
Control Room Coordination - Maintain clear communication with the MIS Control Room.
- Coordinate terminal and pipeline startup and shutdown.
- Confirm manual field actions and verify valve positions when requested.
- Communicate abnormal operating conditions and respond to control-room alarm calls.
- Provide status updates during incidents or equipment failures.
- Coordinate tank and crude movements.
- Assist with manual operations if communications or remote control is unavailable.
- Participate in point-to-point verification and other control-room support activities as assigned.
Operational Documentation and Compliance - Complete and maintain accurate shift logs, tank records, alarm-response documentation, pipeline startup/shutdown records, one-call documentation, valve inspection records, ROW inspection records, pigging records, measurement documentation, equipment inspection records, abnormal operating condition records, maintenance observations, incident information, and other required regulatory or company records.
- Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and complete.
Contractor Oversight - Coordinate contractors working within assigned facilities or rights-of-way.
- Participate in pre-job planning and communicate operating hazards and limitations.
- Monitor work affecting active equipment or pipelines.
- Coordinate operational isolations.
- Verify contractor activities do not negatively affect ongoing operations.
- Stop or escalate work when unsafe or abnormal conditions exist.
- Support field verification following completed work and equipment return to service.
Project Support - Participate in project walkdowns and provide field input concerning existing operations.
- Assist with identifying operational impacts and reviewing field conditions against available drawings.
- Support construction activities affecting operations.
- Assist with equipment commissioning and startup.
- Support Management of Change implementation.
- Assist with final field verification and operational turnover.
- Identify punch-list items or operational deficiencies.
- Support project troubleshooting.
Drawings and Technical Knowledge - Develop the ability appropriate to the employee's tier and assignment to read and use P&IDs, pipeline alignment sheets, as-built drawings, plot plans, equipment drawings, operating procedures, control narratives, and manufacturer manuals.
- Relate field equipment to applicable drawings and communicate discrepancies.
Emergency Response - Respond to spills or suspected releases, pipeline abnormal operating conditions, facility ESDs, high/low pressure conditions, tank high-level conditions, loss of power, loss of communications, and equipment failures.
- Assist with isolation of affected equipment and spill containment or other initial field response within training.
- Provide field information to management and the control room.
- Participate in emergency-response drills, incident investigation, recovery, and safe restart following approval.
Training and Operator Qualification - Maintain all required company training and Operator Qualifications applicable to assigned tasks.
- Complete facility-specific training and demonstrate independent operating capability before certification.
- Participate in drills, hands-on training, and procedure reviews.
- Maintain qualifications required for the employee's Pipeline Terminal Operator tier.
- Cross-train on additional operating assets to support advancement.
- Employees classified as Pipeline Terminal OperatorII or Senior Pipeline Terminal Operator may be assigned to train or mentor lower-tier employees; formal qualification decisions remain with management and designated evaluators.
Scheduling and Coverage - Support planned pigging, pipeline digs, maintenance outages, and emergency response.
- Provide vacation coverage and coverage at any operating asset for which the employee is independently qualified.
- Work rotating 12-hour day and night shifts with 7 days on and 7 days off rotating schedule (days, nights) – including overtime and nights/weekend callouts as needed.
REQUIREMENTS - 2-5 years of experience in the chemical or petroleum industry
- Proficient user of MS Teams, Office Suite
- Must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
- Will be added to Company Vehicle Driver List; ability to pass Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) annually.
- Effectively communicate at all levels of an organization, contractors and representatives.
- Ability to demonstrate leadership and team capabilities when necessary.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands of this position vary based on the operating activity being performed. The employee must be able to safely perform field work at pipeline and terminal facilities, including: - Frequently stand and walk for extended periods, including on gravel, uneven ground, pipeline rights-of-way, and terminal operating areas.
- Frequently climb stairs and occasionally climb ladders to access tanks, platforms, equipment, and elevated work areas.
- Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and work in awkward positions while inspecting or operating equipment.
- Operate manual valves and other field equipment requiring physical force.
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently and use team lifting or appropriate mechanical assistance for heavier loads.
- Handle hoses, tools, valve equipment, pigging equipment, sampling equipment, and other operating materials.
- Enter and exit vehicles and drive between terminals, pipeline facilities, valve sites, rights-of-way, and other company locations.
- Possess and maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
- Safely operate a company vehicle during daylight and nighttime conditions.
- Perform field work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, wind, and other normal South Texas weather conditions.
- Safely perform field work in normal and reduced-light conditions, including nighttime operations, call-outs, and emergency response.
- Work around operating pumps, piping, tanks, crude oil, moving vehicles, industrial noise, and other normal pipeline and terminal hazards.
- Wear required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, safety-toe footwear, hearing protection, and flame-resistant clothing. Respiratory protection may be required for specific tasks when properly trained, medically cleared, and fit-tested.
- Possess sufficient vision, including close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception, to safely operate equipment, read instrumentation and displays, identify field conditions, and perform work during daylight and nighttime conditions. Corrective lenses may be used as needed.
- Possess sufficient hearing, mobility, coordination, and communication ability to recognize alarms and abnormal conditions, communicate with the control room and other personnel, and safely operate equipment.
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