Transportation & Installation Lead (Pre-commissioning & Decommissioning)

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Transportation & Installation (T&I) Lead to oversee and manage the pre-commissioning and decommissioning of offshore pipelines for a significant offshore oil and gas development project in Qatar. This position will be the key point of contact for all pipeline pre-commissioning and decommissioning activities, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards, from engineering and planning stages through offshore execution and project close-out.

The ideal candidate must exhibit extensive offshore installation experience, technical expertise in subsea pipeline operations, and strong leadership capabilities to guide cross-functional teams in dynamic offshore settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee pre-commissioning operations on both greenfield and brownfield offshore pipeline projects.
• Manage critical pre-commissioning tasks such as flooding, cleaning, gauging, hydrostatic testing, inline inspection, dewatering, drying, and nitrogen purging, ensuring strict adherence to approved procedures, specifications, and industry best practices.
• Review and sanction contractors' pre-commissioning methodologies, philosophies, and execution plans.
• Direct offshore subsea pipeline decommissioning activities, guaranteeing safe and compliant procedures.
• Facilitate risk screenings and formal risk assessments with relevant stakeholders to obtain all necessary approvals.
• Coordinate decommissioning operations including pipeline isolation, depressurization, flushing, cleaning, subsea pipeline cutting, recovery, spool removal, tie-in disconnection, abandonment in place, grouting, and capping.
• Ensure secure subsea isolation and abandonment using specialized tools and technical plugs.
• Lead marine vessel mobilization and serve as the main offshore representative aboard construction, diving support, and pre-commissioning vessels during execution phases.
• Synchronize daily offshore tasks with project management, vessel management teams, operations staff, and contractors to ensure smooth and efficient offshore activities.
• Provide technical direction, troubleshooting, and operational decision-making support to offshore teams.
• Oversee contractor scope from engineering and planning through to offshore execution and project completion.
• Evaluate engineering deliverables including procedures, calculations, drawings, and work packs, verifying contractor inputs related to hydrotest pressures, test durations, fill volumes, pig train configurations, dewatering and drying criteria, nitrogen demands, compressor capacities, pump sizing, and temporary equipment.
• Monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with project standards.
• Collaborate with offshore operations, marine, diving, ROV, HSE, quality, and project management teams to align activities with simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) requirements and offshore constraints.
• Secure all permits and approvals for offshore execution and manage technical/site queries, punch lists, deviations, and non-conformance.
• Support change management by providing technical solutions for operational changes and unforeseen field conditions, developing recovery and mitigation strategies, and participating in Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Drive proactive problem-solving and incident management throughout offshore campaigns.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Subsea Engineering.
• A minimum of eight years’ experience in offshore installation within Transportation & Installation activities.
• At least one year in a supervisory or lead capacity supporting offshore installation operations.
• Five years’ experience working as a Field Engineer or Site Supervisor onboard offshore installation vessels.
• Demonstrated success in managing subsea pipeline pre-commissioning and decommissioning projects.
• Experience collaborating with major oil & gas operators is a plus.
• Familiarity with Permit to Work (PTW) systems and offshore operational control mechanisms is preferred.
• Technical expertise in pipeline pre-commissioning techniques, including pigging, flooding, cleaning, gauging, hydrostatic testing, dewatering, drying, nitrogen purging, and inline inspection.
• Proven knowledge in pipeline decommissioning methods such as subsea pipeline isolation, use of technical isolation plugs (e.g., STATS plugs), subsea decommissioning tools, abandonment processes, pipeline recovery, dismantling, spool and tie-in disconnections.
• Strong understanding of offshore and pipeline standards including DNV-ST-F101, ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, API standards, ISO pipeline standards, and client-specific offshore engineering standards.