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Isaac Odumah
Tallahassee
Summary
Process Engineer with over seven years of experience supporting the commissioning, startup, and operation of large-scale refinery, fertilizer, gas processing, and utility facilities. Progressed from Field Engineer to Senior Process Engineer within the Dangote Group after completing a six-month refinery operations and management training program at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), India. Hands-on experience in ammonia production, crude distillation, CO₂ removal using aMDEA, gas turbine and utility systems, process troubleshooting, operational readiness, and process safety. Worked with multidisciplinary teams to bring new process units safely into operation and support reliable plant performance.
Overview
6
6
Certification
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Process Engineer
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals
12.2021 - 08.2024
- Returned to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a Senior Process Engineer after supporting the successful commissioning, startup, and stabilization of the Dangote Fertilizer plant.
- Contributed to the commissioning, startup, stabilization, and operation of refinery process units and utility systems, working closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and OEM representatives to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.
- Coordinated field activities, verified system readiness, and resolved commissioning issues with multidisciplinary teams to transition refinery process units from mechanical completion to safe startup.
- Monitored critical operating parameters during startup and early plant operation, investigated process deviations, and worked with operations and maintenance teams to achieve stable and reliable unit performance.
- Worked alongside OEM representatives during commissioning and troubleshooting activities to confirm equipment performance and support reliable plant operation.
- Supported Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and operational readiness assessments by verifying equipment readiness, confirming outstanding punch list items were resolved, and preparing process systems for the safe introduction of hydrocarbons.
- Supported the commissioning and start-up of GE Frame 6 gas turbine systems through subsystem verification, functional testing, lube oil flushing, and operational readiness activities before transition to plant operations.
- Identified improvement opportunities, supported troubleshooting efforts, and enhanced unit reliability during startup and routine operations by analyzing process operating data and equipment performance trends.
- Developed and revised operating procedures, startup documentation, and commissioning records to promote safe, consistent, and reliable plant operations.
senior Process Engineer
Dangote Fertilizer Limited
01.2021 - 11.2021
- Promoted to Senior Process Engineer following successful commissioning and startup assignments to support the transition of ammonia process units from startup into stable production.
- Acted as the primary Process Engineer for the CO₂ Removal (aMDEA) Unit while providing operational support across other ammonia process systems to improve reliability, optimize process performance, and maintain safe plant operations.
- Acted as the primary Process Engineer for the CO₂ Removal (aMDEA) Unit, monitoring and optimizing unit performance to sustain stable ammonia production, maximize CO₂ removal efficiency, and support plant reliability.
- Monitored and analyzed key operating parameters—including absorber and regenerator operating conditions, lean amine circulation, steam consumption, and CO₂ removal efficiency—through the Yokogawa CENTUM DCS to identify process deviations and maintain stable plant operation.
- Investigated process deviations and operational upsets in CO₂ Removal (aMDEA) Unit and ammonia process systems, conducted root cause analysis, implemented corrective actions, and restored stable operations.
- Delivered operational support across refrigeration, ammonia storage, and other ammonia process systems during routine operations, plant upsets, and shutdown activities to sustain safe and reliable production.
- Analyzed operating trends and equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities and optimize unit performance, enhancing reliability during routine operations.
- Applied Permit to Work (PTW), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and process safety procedures during operations, maintenance, shutdowns, and troubleshooting activities to ensure the safe execution of field work.
- Reviewed and updated operating procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation to support safe, efficient, and consistent plant operations.
Process Engineer
Dangote Fertilizer Limited
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Assigned to the Dangote Fertilizer project as the facility entered pre-commissioning, commissioning, and startup.
- Supported pre-commissioning activities within Nitrogen Unit, contributing to commissioning and startup of major ammonia process systems, including 30,000 MT refrigerated ammonia storage tank, CO₂ Removal (aMDEA) Unit, and other ammonia process units.
- Began commissioning activities within the Nitrogen Unit, participating in line checks, system walkdowns, hydrotesting, air blowing, steam blowing, nitrogen purging, chemical cleaning, catalyst loading, and lube oil flushing to prepare equipment and piping systems for safe startup.
- Facilitated commissioning and startup of 30,000 MT refrigerated ammonia storage tank, engaging in system testing and ensuring operational readiness for safe facility introduction.
- Progressed to the commissioning and startup of the CO₂ Removal (aMDEA) Unit, verifying system readiness, coordinating field activities, supporting functional testing, and resolving commissioning issues before transition to plant operations.
- Coordinated commissioning and startup activities across refrigeration, methanation, and utility systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe transition of process systems into operation.
- Contributed to commissioning records, startup documentation, and operating procedures to support safe, consistent, and reliable plant operations.
FIELD Engineer
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals
02.2018 - 12.2018
- Joined the Dangote Petroleum Refinery during the construction phase and supported engineering design reviews, technical documentation, and project execution activities for refinery process and utility systems.
- Completed a six-month Refinery Operations and Management Training Program at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Kochi Refinery, India, before transitioning to the Dangote Fertilizer project during pre-commissioning and commissioning.
- Reviewed engineering deliverables, including PFDs, P&IDs, equipment and instrument datasheets, and vendor drawings, ensuring compliance with project specifications and engineering standards to facilitate project execution.
- Evaluated engineering documents, resolved technical comments, and supported the incorporation of approved revisions during multidisciplinary design reviews.
- Reviewed vendor technical documentation and equipment packages to verify consistency with design specifications and support procurement, installation, and system integration activities.
- Maintained engineering document control by ensuring accurate revisions of technical drawings and specifications were available to engineering and construction teams throughout project execution.
- Maintained engineering document control by verifying accurate revisions of technical drawings and specifications for engineering and construction teams, supporting effective project execution.
- Selected by Dangote Group to complete a six-month Refinery Operations and Management Training Program at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Kochi Refinery, India, gaining practical exposure to crude distillation, refinery utility systems, process operations, and process safety practices.
- Completed a six-month Refinery Operations and Management Training Program at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Kochi Refinery, India, to gain practical exposure to crude distillation, refinery utility systems, process operations, and process safety practices.
Intern / Research Engineer
MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Refinery
06.2011 - 10.2011
- Contributed to research on downstream refining processes and biorefinery integration concepts, enhancing understanding of sustainable practices.
- Assisted in monitoring daily refinery operations and equipment performance.
- Supported the execution of safety protocols and compliance measures during operations.
- Collaborated with engineers to analyze process data and recommend improvements.
Education
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL12-2026
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Hungary06-2012
Skills
- Commissioning & Startup
- Commissioning
- Plant Startup
- Precommissioning
- Operational Readiness
- Functional Testing
- Mechanical Completion Support
- Punch List Closeout
- Process System Turnover
- Process engineering
- Chemical Production Optimization
- Distillation Process Design
- Energy Management Systems
- Turbine Performance Analysis
- Utility Systems
- Operations support
- Process optimization
- Process Troubleshooting
- Plant Performance Monitoring
- Process Safety Management (PSM)
- Safety management
- Safety review
- Permit to Work (PTW)
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Safe Work Practices
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Aspen HYSYS
- Process Simulation Software
- AutoCAD Plant 3D
- 3D Modeling Software
- Control systems
- Vendor/OEM Coordination
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Teamwork
Affiliations
- COREN, Registered Engineer
- AIChE, Member
Certification
- Process Engineering Training - Refinery Operations & Management, BPCL Kochi Refinery, 08/01/18 - 12/31/18, Gained hands-on exposure to refinery operations, including process monitoring, distillation systems, and plant safety practices.
- Process Safety Training (AIChE – CCPS)
Publications
Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Coconut Oil using Bifunctional Catalyst derived from Crab Shell and Coconut Shell, Odumah, I. et al., European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/14188, 2023
Projects
Undergraduate Thesis, Evaluated co-processing of biomass with petroleum residues for bio-oil production, supporting integration of alternative feedstocks into refinery systems.
Timeline
Senior Process Engineer
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals
12.2021 - 08.2024
senior Process Engineer
Dangote Fertilizer Limited
01.2021 - 11.2021
Process Engineer
Dangote Fertilizer Limited
01.2019 - 12.2020
FIELD Engineer
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals
02.2018 - 12.2018
Intern / Research Engineer
MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Refinery
06.2011 - 10.2011
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Florida State University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Budapest University of Technology and Economics