Engineer - Pipeline Operations Optimization I at Kinder Morgan, Inc. in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Position Description

KINDER MORGAN
Kinder Morgan is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. We own an interest in or operate approximately 83,000 miles of pipelines and 144 terminals. Our pipelines transport natural gas, refined products (gas, diesel, jet), renewable fuels, crude oil, carbon dioxide (CO2) and more. Our terminals store and handle renewable fuels, petroleum products, chemicals, vegetable oils and other products.
We are a market leader in each of our businesses - Natural Gas Pipelines, Products Pipelines, CO2, and Terminals. We have an unparalleled, large footprint of diversified and strategically located assets that are core to North American energy infrastructure and help deliver needed energy products to high-demand markets.
BUSINESS UNIT: PRODUCTS PIPELINES
Kinder Morgan is the largest independent transporter of petroleum products in North America, transporting approximately 2.4 million barrels per day. The great majority of these products are transported through our Products Pipelines business, which moves gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, renewable fuels and condensate through about 9,500 miles of pipelines. We also have approximately 65 liquids terminals in this business segment that store fuels and offer blending services for ethanol and renewable fuels.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
Kinder Morgan's Products Pipelines business unit is seeking a Pipeline Engineer to provide hydraulic and energy-optimization support services for the Operations Optimization workgroup. The Operations Optimization workgroup manages the procurement and efficient use of electricity, natural gas, and drag reducing agent for all assets in the business unit. This position performs a variety of technical hydraulic assessments, develops and maintains multiple drag reducing agent and hydraulic optimization programs and manages several hydraulic and energy related databases and platforms.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Willingness to learn and train in pipeline simulation and data management software


• Develop and maintain hydraulic models for multiple in-service liquid pipeline systems


• Perform theoretical "what-if" hydraulic modelling capacity and energy consumption analysis


• Provide guidance to Products Movement and Operations personnel related to scheduling, fluid flow, pump efficiencies and optimization


• Support existing tools to track pump efficiency, energy consumption, DRA consumption and performance, pump unit configuration, batched movements and flow configurations


• Troubleshoot and recommend solutions to upset hydraulic conditions with material support


• Identify suboptimal operating conditions like throttling, pump inefficiencies and head loss, DRA performance and prepare recommendations for improvement


• Develop and maintain historic hydraulic and energy related databases that support the Operations Optimization workgroup


• Manages multiple projects concurrently and appropriately communicates with management the status and development of assigned projects


• Coordinate with other workgroup members in evaluating optimal fuel/DRA/power optimization characteristics


• Interface with multiple internal work groups to ensure effective integration of DRA, hydraulic and database recommendations


• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with management, employees, customers and other third-parties


• Participates in industry workgroups related to DRA use, energy management and general hydraulic matters


• Accountable for completing tasks with quality and compliance to codes and standards


• Special projects as required


• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Education:

• Accredited Bachelor degree in engineering required - civil, mechanical or petroleum engineering preferred

Experience / Specific Knowledge:

• With a degree and additional 1-3 years' experience in either the oil & gas, electric utility, or pipeline operation industries


• Demonstrated proficiency in interpreting and applying engineering principles, theories and concepts related to hydraulic flow, energy efficiency and data management


• Experience developing models with third party simulation software


• Experience with supervisory control and data acquisition programs (SCADA)


• Intermediate to Advanced proficiency level with Microsoft applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, Visual Basic for Applications, PowerPoint, and Access, for purpose of word processing, calculations, analysis, presentations and information retrieval. Must be able to develop and manipulate complex Excel spreadsheets.

Certifications, licenses, registrations:

• A satisfactory driving record as determined by the company and a current, valid state driver's license are required

Competencies, Skills and Abilities:

• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company employees, assets, and the general public


• Consistently adhere to Kinder Morgan's policies and procedures, demonstrate the company's core values of honesty, integrity, and respect for people


• Consistently maintain a professional and respectful demeanor; work effectively with a team as well as with other departments


• Demonstrate well-balanced interpersonal skills and is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, employees, customers, vendors, and outside regulatory agencies; must be able to clearly and effectively communicate both orally and in writing, using good grammatical form, both in general correspondence, as well as on technical issues


• Possess strong analytical skills and able to identify problems and/or cause-effect relationships; identify key issues; secure relevant information from all appropriate sources; identify possible root causes of problems, and develop and implement corrective actions for resolution of problems


• Ability to make decisions and/or take action based on logical assumptions derived from factual information


• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks are essential. Must be able to establish a course of action for self and others/departments to accomplish specific goals; must plan and prioritize proper allocation of resources


• Must be self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision and/or direction.


• Must be accountable and take direction from management; keep required work schedules, which includes regular and predictable job attendance; focus attention on details; follow work rules


• Compliance is required for any license or certification deemed necessary by Kinder Morgan to fulfill the requirements of this position

Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills and Abilities:

• Above the minimum requirement, not required but advantageous in this position


• Engineering degree preferred


• Demonstrated experience with DRA applications for pipeline optimization


• Experience with third-party hydraulic evaluation or modeling software applications for both transient and steady state analysis


• Knowledge of pipeline equipment and controls


• Demonstrated knowledge of batched interstate pipeline operations


• Knowledge of electric or natural gas utility rate components


• Knowledge of the various business units and entities within Kinder Morgan

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Apply Now