Senior Project Manager – Thermal Power Plant Fuel Conversion; Oil to Natural Gas

Role Overview

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) is accountable for the full EPC delivery of the fuel conversion project, transitioning an operating thermal power plant from fuel oil to natural gas. The role requires strong leadership across engineering integration, brownfield execution, gas infrastructure coordination, commissioning, achieving the Performance guarantees, handover, and project close out within the defined & Agreed Project Milestones, with strong focus on contract management, engineering, technical due diligence, and planning ensuring no disruption to existing plant operations while achieving safe, compliant, and efficient conversion.

Proven capabilities and efficient managing challenging assignments assuring delivery on time, within budget, meeting project objectives, and client expectations.

• Own overall project Profit & Loss, schedule, and delivery strategy.
• Define execution plan (EPC / EPCM / phased shutdown approach).
• Establish project controls: baseline schedule, cost control, KPIs.
• Lead internal governance reviews and reporting to senior management.
• Lead full EPC project delivery with complete accountability for schedule, cost, Profit & Loss, and execution performance.
• Develop project execution strategy including phased shutdown planning, resource mobilization, and brownfield execution planning.
• Drive project controls covering schedule, cost, risk, productivity, and KPI management.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Manage client, OEM, consultant, and stakeholder coordination for timely project execution.
• Ensure compliance with contractual milestones, HSE standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead risk mitigation, issue resolution, and recovery plans for critical project challenges.

• Lead all engineering activities for fuel conversion scope from design review through site implementation.
• Oversee design of gas receiving stations, Pressure Reducing systems, fuel gas piping networks, tie-ins, and gas compressor/buffer systems.
• Manage burner conversion, dual-fuel systems, boiler/furnace modifications, Boiler Internal modifications and combustion performance optimization.
• Oversee electrical system modifications including switch gear interfaces, MCCs, cable routing, transformers, motors, UPS systems, and power supply integration for new gas systems.
• Lead I&C/DCS/BMS modifications, interlocks, control logic changes, gas detection systems, ESD systems, and plant automation integration.
• Ensure constructability, operability, maintainability, and brownfield integration reviews.
• Ensure compliance with client specifications, Saudi Energy standards, NFPA, ASME, API, IEC, and applicable international codes.
• Manage critical engineering risks related to flame stability, furnace pressure, heat balance, material compatibility, electrical integration, and system reliability.
• Coordinate engineering interfaces between OEMs, consultants, EPC teams, and plant operations.

• Lead end-to-end commissioning and startup strategy for safe conversion from fuel oil to natural gas.
• Lead performance testing, reliability runs, emission compliance verification, and final acceptance testing.
• Ensure seamless fuel transition with stable plant operation, minimum downtime, and zero major operational disruptions.
• Lead troubleshooting and rapid resolution of critical startup and operational issues during commissioning.