Venkata Satish Ponnamalla
Summary
Instrumentation Engineer with 15 years of extensive experience in oil and gas CSU and SIL compliance. Expertise in DCS, SIS, F&G, ESD and telecom systems across major onshore projects in Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. Certified Functional Safety Engineer (IEC 61508/61511), showcasing strong proficiency in loop checks, SAT, OTP/C&E testing, and system energization. Committed to delivering high-quality results while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in all engineering endeavors.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Instrumentation Commissioning Supervisor
Saipem Contracting Nig
03.2025 - Current
- Spearheaded instrumentation commissioning and functional logic validation across critical units, ensuring Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) complied with safeguarding philosophies and control narratives.
- Executed SIL proof testing procedures, documented compliance trails, and collaborated with engineering for certification readiness, including resolution of test anomalies through root-cause diagnostics.
- Supported basic engineering efforts by reviewing feasibility inputs, updating red-line markups, and aligning field installations with approved project standards and technical documentation.
- Led SAT execution and commissioning of instrumentation systems including DCS, F&G, SGS, and telecom infrastructure for Jetty, CSU, Wet Flare, and Liquefaction units.
- Oversaw pre-commissioning activities with construction teams, ensuring seamless transition from mechanical completion to commissioning phases across process and utility areas.
- Coordinated closely with plant operations during system energization and start-up, ensuring instrumentation performance aligned with operational readiness and safety benchmarks.
- Actively contributed to commissioning strategy meetings and progress reviews, ensuring proactive risk mitigation and compliance with project milestones and safety objectives.
- Brief Overview:
Instrumentation Commissioning Lead
Occidental Petroleum
12.2014 - 12.2023
- Led end-to-end instrumentation commissioning for both greenfield and brownfield systems, ensuring integration with legacy control architecture and alignment with operational and safety protocols.
- Conducted feasibility studies, technical risk assessments, and red-line markups for instrumentation upgrades and new installations, contributing to robust front-end engineering design (FEED) processes.
- Defined instrumentation system boundaries, developed detailed ITRs, and established commissioning workflows for SIL-rated and non-SIL systems, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
- Supervised functional safety implementations including ESD, F&G, and Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs), managing proof testing and loop validation for SIL certification readiness.
- Championed HSE excellence by embedding safety leadership into daily commissioning routines and fostering a proactive safety culture across all instrumentation teams and contractors.
- Served as the primary interface across multidisciplinary stakeholders—engineering, construction, ICAT, and operations—driving synchronized project execution and seamless handovers.
- Oversaw contractor performance during installation and commissioning phases, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and instrumentation integrity aligned with project KPIs.
- Projects Handled: Central Processing Facility, Risk Reductions, FRT, and Gas Plant Upgrading, 120/150k Skim Oil Tanks, Pumping Systems (Crude, Water Injection, HP Transfer & Chemical), Debottlenecking of LP/MP Fuel Gas Systems, Flare Stacks & Well Pads, Production Test Separators & FWKODs, CI Skids & Biocide Skids, FRT Optimization & Expansion Projects, Control System Upgrade Projects, 120k BPD New Production Facility, Desalters, Black Start Generator Projects
PCS/Instrumentation Commissioning Supervisor
SATROP
12.2012 - 12.2013
- Supervised pre-commissioning and commissioning of critical instrumentation systems including tank gauging units, metering skids, DGs, and marine loading arms, ensuring operational readiness and system reliability.
- Validated instrument loops, cause & effect matrices, and operator interfaces (HMI) in alignment with international standards and project specifications.
- Collaborated closely with operations teams during system startups, offering technical direction and ensuring smooth transition from commissioning to production.
- Led daily coordination with contractors, driving timely execution of deliverables and resolving on-ground issues through hands-on engineering support and proactive progress monitoring.
- Brief Overview:
Instrumentation Commissioning Senior Technician
Saipem Contracting Nig
11.2011 - 03.2012
- Executed end-to-end loop checking and functional testing of instrumentation systems including field transmitters, ESD valves, and fire & gas detection instruments, ensuring system accuracy and compliance.
- Conducted Cause & Effect and Operational Test Procedure (OTP) validations in coordination with client stakeholders, ensuring robust system integrity and documentation.
- Organized and assembled detailed instrument loop folders and commissioning packages with all required technical records and calibration reports for smooth handover.
- Facilitated system readiness by preparing instrument check sheets and pre-handover documentation, integrating both maintenance and commissioning standards.
- Brief Overview:
Instrumentation (F&G) Supervisor
Bader Al Mulla Bros & Co.
07.2009 - 08.2010
- Oversaw preventive and corrective maintenance programs for critical Fire & Gas detection systems, ensuring optimal functionality and readiness in compliance with client and regulatory standards.
- Led calibration scheduling and supervision, ensuring accurate execution, report generation, and adherence to international quality and ISO documentation protocols.
- Conducted and validated full-scale Deluge System testing alongside client representatives, integrating engineering insight and safety assurance into system verification
Instrumentation Site Supervisor
CCIC (Qatar Gas Expansion Project)
11.2006 - 08.2008
- Interpreted detailed instrumentation drawings to coordinate accurate material planning and execution of field installations in alignment with engineering standards.
- Supervised comprehensive site activities including installation and integration of transmitters, valves, fire & gas detectors, junction boxes, and network infrastructure, ensuring adherence to quality protocols.
- Led multi-disciplinary teams of technicians and supervisors, ensuring efficient cable management, glanding, termination, megger testing, and panel assembly aligned with project ITRs.
- Managed inspection workflows by issuing RFI requests and coordinating sign-offs with contractors and client to commissioning representatives, ensuring seamless transition from construction.
- Brief Overview:
06.2002 - 10.2006
- Various Roles between Jun’02-Oct’06
Education
Bachelor of Science - Instrumentation
Andhra University
Visakhapatnam01.2002
Skills
- Committed to Safety
- Construction completion Walk downs
- Brown/Green Field projects
- Process Control Systems, F&G, ESD
- Building F&G, VESDA
- Installation Inspections/SAT
- Pre-commissioning/Commissioning
- System, Plant & equipment Startup
- Control wiring/Interface wiring
- Onshore wells commissioning (ESP/Beam pumps/Water Injection)
- System/Subsystem preparations
- TREX, HART, SFC, Field Calibrators
- RTU Panels
- Level Calculations
- Troubleshooting
- Tx Calibrations/Configurations
- PTW Field Audits
- Safety Walk throughs
- Conducting/Participation in PSSR B
- ICAPS/OPERCOM, PCOS
Certification
- TUV Functions Safety (Level 1) IEC 61508/IEC 61511 Validity: 2027-06-15
- OPITO BOSIET-EBS Validity: 2027-06-23
- OPITO H2S Validity: 2027-06-23
EXPERTISE
- Extensive working experience with control systems of Allen Bradley RS Logix, Siemens S-5 100u, FOXBORO I/A, Tata Honeywell TDC 3000, Triconex SGS/FGS.
- Instrument Loop checks, Inter trips, C&E, OTP testing.
- Attending MEI Walk-downs and finding out the deviations
- Extensive knowledge of field devices e.g., Pressure, temperature, Level, Flow transmitters, ON/OFF, ESD, control valves, Field switches, Thermocouples, RTDs, Solenoids, and Self-regulating valves of various suppliers
- Excellent working experience with F&G detection instruments covering H2S, Flame, UV/IR, Smoke, Heat, Hydrogen, Manual Call points and Building FACP, VESDA.
- UHF/VHF radio systems (analog/long & short range), TETRA, Access Control, PAGA, Structured Cabling, CCTV & Security, Intrusion Detection.
- Highly experienced with using Testing equipment (TREX, HART, SFC, Dead Weight Tester, Druck pressure and process calibrator, mA source, multimeter)
- Providing engineering team with required support and field feedback on upcoming brownfield projects
- Field devices wiring modifications concerning site conditions and preparing Red-line drawings for AS BUILTS and Up-Rev
- Review construction work packs to progress mechanical completion of commissioning systems for MEI walk-downs. Confirming all necessary documents are available to progress the scope of work (Datasheets, Instrument Index, Wiring diagram, Layouts, Hook up details, Loop diagrams, ATS)
- Coordinate and lead Automation/Communication team to establish communication with plant network through CISCO, Lantronix, FO Network, Redundancy switches, NTron, MOXA, LAN Network, Serial link, Device net.
- Assist automation team in troubleshooting and performing control wiring modifications as required and preparing AS BUILT drawings.
- Strong work experience with specialized field device applications, covering - Rosemount, E&H, nuflow, Fisher.
- Capable of scheduling and executing the Instrument commissioning plan by leading and providing direction to contractors and vendors to achieve delivery on time and within budget.
- Competent with Instrument inspection with supporting QAQC and signing acceptance for the Commissioning team.
- Coordination with the Vendors to resolve the field unsolvable troubleshooting issues
- MOC Executions
- Experienced in reviewing redline markups, MOC implementation, and AS-BUILT documentation for system finalization.
- Extensive experience in Cause & Effect matrix development and validation during FAT/SAT and OTP testing phases
References
Chris, Rogers, Commissioning Team Lead, chris_mecheng@hotmail.com, +64 2102660318, Occidental Petroleum, New Zealand
Training
- Oil & Gas Safety Trainings
- Incident Injury Free | CTJV
- Certified Electrical Person
- Confined Space Entry
- First Aid
- MAXIMO (Basic level)
- Permit to Work (ISSOW)
- Desert Driving
- AGT
- Fire Extinguisher
Timeline
Instrumentation Commissioning Supervisor
Saipem Contracting Nig
03.2025 - Current
Instrumentation Commissioning Lead
Occidental Petroleum
12.2014 - 12.2023
PCS/Instrumentation Commissioning Supervisor
SATROP
12.2012 - 12.2013
Instrumentation Commissioning Senior Technician
Saipem Contracting Nig
11.2011 - 03.2012
Instrumentation (F&G) Supervisor
Bader Al Mulla Bros & Co.
07.2009 - 08.2010
Instrumentation Site Supervisor
CCIC (Qatar Gas Expansion Project)
11.2006 - 08.2008
06.2002 - 10.2006
Bachelor of Science - Instrumentation
Andhra University
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