FIDELIS KEVIN KWARSHAK

Operations:

• Delivered high-quality field services, ensuring all projects were completed on time and within budget constraints.
• Provided review of design modifications and requests for clarification.
• Managed team in troubleshooting efforts that alleviated errors.
• Troubleshot system malfunctions using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, quickly resolving issues to minimize disruptions in service.
• Championed strict compliance with refinery HSE policies, permit-to-work systems, LOTO procedures, and safe operating envelopes.
• Participated in root cause analysis (RCA) for process upsets and equipment failures, recommending corrective and preventive actions to improve unit reliability.
• Mentored junior operators and engineers on safe start-up, shutdown, and troubleshooting practices within the Motor Spirit Unit.
• Contributed to refinery-wide reliability and production optimization meetings, providing technical insights to support strategic production planning.

• Assumed operational responsibility for stable and efficient production of reformate/blended motor spirit components, ensuring compliance with product specifications and refinery production targets.
• Directed safe and seamless pump changeovers without process upsets, maintaining continuous hydrocarbon flow and preventing operational disturbances.
• Supervised heater light-up operations and combustion optimization in strict adherence to SOPs and refinery safety management systems.
• Managed equipment isolation, bypass line-ups, and restoration of control valves and rotating equipment during maintenance activities to ensure zero incident restart.
• Monitored and optimized key performance indicators including unit throughput, hydrogen purity, reactor temperature spread, pressure drop, and energy efficiency.
• Identified process deviations through routine field inspections and DCS trend analysis, implementing corrective actions to prevent off-spec production and equipment damage.
• Coordinated catalyst performance monitoring through routine sampling and laboratory analysis of catalyst, process gas, and hydrocarbon streams to sustain optimal reforming and desulfurization efficiency.
• Supported continuous improvement initiatives aimed at maximizing on-stream factor, reducing flaring, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing operational reliability.

Pre-Commissioning, Commissioning & Start-Up Leadership

• Played a key technical role in pre-commissioning and commissioning of the Motor Spirit Unit, including system integrity validation, equipment readiness verification, flushing, leak testing, and mechanical completion sign-off prior to start-up.
• Provided technical oversight during catalyst loading, reactor preparation, inerting, and regeneration activities for Continuous Catalytic Regeneration (CCR) Platforming Units, ensuring full compliance with refinery HSE and operational standards.
• Led instrumentation loop checks, control logic validation, interlock verification, and cause & effect testing to ensure process safeguarding systems functioned as designed.
• Reviewed and validated P&IDs, PFDs, operating manuals, and start-up procedures to ensure technical accuracy and operational readiness.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Process Control) during initial start-up and post-maintenance start-ups to achieve safe and stable unit ramp-up.
• Optimized critical process variables (reactor temperature profile, hydrogen circulation, pressure control, feed rates, and reformate stabilization parameters) to achieve design throughput and product quality targets during start-up phases.
• Provided technical leadership during planned and emergency shutdowns, minimizing downtime and ensuring safe preservation of critical equipment.