Pipelines Manager

Job Summary:

The Pipelines Manager for OML 30 is responsible for the end-to-end management of crude oil and gas pipeline systems connecting flow stations, manifolds, and export terminals (e.g., Trans Forcados Pipeline system or alternative evacuation routes). The role ensures asset integrity, flow assurance, production uptime, and security of pipeline infrastructure within a high-risk Niger Delta operating environment.

This position plays a critical role in sustaining production evacuation, minimizing deferments, and managing stakeholder relationships across host communities and regulatory agencies.

This position reports to the GM Production Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Pipeline Operations & Production Evacuation
  
  
  
  • Oversee crude oil evacuation from OML 30 flow stations to export systems (e.g., TFP or barging alternatives).
  
  
  • Ensure uninterrupted pipeline operations to meet production targets.
  
  
  • Monitor pressures, throughput, and system bottlenecks using SCADA and field data.
  
  
  • Manage pipeline shutdowns, start-ups, and pigging schedules to optimize flow.
  
  
  
  


• Pipeline Integrity Management (Aging Assets Focus)
  
  
  
  • Develop and execute integrity programs for aging pipelines typical of OML 30 infrastructure.
  
  
  • Conduct:
    
    
    
    • Inline inspections (ILI)
    
    
    • Corrosion monitoring and control (CP systems)
    
    
    • Ultrasonic testing and thickness measurements
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Maintain and update the Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS).
  
  
  
  


• Security, Surveillance & Loss Prevention (Critical Priority)
  
  
  
  • Design and implement robust pipeline surveillance systems to combat:
    
    
    
    • Illegal bunkering
    
    
    • Pipeline vandalism
    
    
    • Sabotage
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Coordinate with:
    
    
    
    • Host community surveillance teams
    
    
    • Government security agencies (NSCDC, Military JTF)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Develop early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms for pipeline breaches.
  
  
  • Track and reduce production losses due to theft and leaks.
  
  
  
  


• Alternative Evacuation & Contingency Planning
  
  
  
  • Manage and optimize alternative crude evacuation strategies such as:
    
    
    
    • Barging operations
    
    
    • Temporary storage solutions
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Develop contingency plans for frequent outages of export pipelines (e.g., TFP disruptions).
  
  
  • Ensure minimal production deferment during export system downtimes.
  
  
  
  


• Host Community Engagement
  
  
  
  • Work closely with Community Relations teams to maintain peaceful operations along pipeline ROWs.
  
  
  • Support community surveillance programs and conflict resolution.
  
  
  • Participate in stakeholder engagement to prevent disruptions.
  
  
  
  


• Projects & Rehabilitation
  
  
  
  • Lead pipeline replacement, repair, and upgrade projects.
  
  
  • Drive brownfield modifications to improve reliability and capacity.
  
  
  • Ensure compliance with Nigerian Content Development (NCDMB) requirements.
  
  
  
  


• HSSE & Spill Management
  
  
  
  • Enforce strict HSSE standards in pipeline operations.
  
  
  • Ensure compliance with:
    
    
    
    • NUPRC regulations
    
    
    • NOSDRA spill reporting and management requirements
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Lead oil spill response, containment, and remediation efforts.
  
  
  • Conduct risk assessments (HAZOP/HAZID) for pipeline operations.
  
  
  
  


• Regulatory Compliance
  
  
  
  • Ensure full compliance with:
    
    
    
    • Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
    
    
    • NMDPRA and NUPRC requirements
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Prepare and submit operational reports, incident reports, and audit documentation.
  
  
  
  


• Team Leadership
  
  
  
  • Lead pipeline engineers, operators, technicians, and surveillance teams.
  
  
  • Build strong field execution capability across multiple locations in OML 30.
  
  
  • Promote safety culture and operational discipline.
  
  
  
  


• Budget & Cost Control
  
  
  
  • Manage OPEX budgets related to:
    
    
    
    • Pipeline repairs
    
    
    • Surveillance contracts
    
    
    • Integrity programs
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Optimize cost of evacuation (pipeline vs barging economics).
  
  
  • Reduce losses impacting revenue.
  
  
  
  


• Qualifications & Requirements
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Petroleum, or Civil Engineering.
    
    
    • COREN registration strongly preferred.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Experience

• 
  
  
  
  • Minimum 12–15 years in pipeline operations within upstream oil & gas.
  
  
  • Strong experience in Niger Delta onshore assets (critical).
  
  
  • Proven track record managing:
    
    
    
    • Crude evacuation systems
    
    
    • Pipeline security challenges
    
    
    • Community-interface operations
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Technical Skills
  
  
  
  • Deep expertise in:
    
    
    
    • Pipeline integrity management (corrosion, pigging, inspection)
    
    
    • Flow assurance and crude evacuation logistics
    
    
    • SCADA systems and leak detection
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Experience with Trans Forcados or similar export systems is an advantage.
  
  
  
  


• Core Competencies (OML 30 Critical Success Factors)
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Crisis and incident management
    
    
    • Security risk mitigation
    
    
    • Community engagement and negotiation
    
    
    • Production optimization under constraints
    
    
    • Decision-making in high-uncertainty environments
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  
  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    • Production evacuation uptime (%)
    
    
    • Reduction in crude losses (theft/spills)
    
    
    • Pipeline availability and reliability
    
    
    • Spill frequency and response time
    
    
    • Community-related downtime incidents
    
    
    • Maintenance and inspection compliance rates
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Working Conditions

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  • 
    
    
    
    • Field-intensive role across multiple OML 30 locations.
    
    
    • High exposure to:
      
      
      
      • Security risks
      
      
      • Swamp and difficult terrains
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • On-call availability for emergency response (24/7 situations).
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Role Context (OML 30 Reality)

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  • 
    
    
    
    • Export pipeline disruptions directly impact production revenue.
    
    
    • High incidence of sabotage requires constant vigilance.
    
    
    • Aging infrastructure demands proactive integrity management.
    
    
    • Strong community relations are essential for uninterrupted operations.