Change career from operation engineer to process engineer

[Esam]

I work for ten years as operation engineer on offshore oil and gas industry (operating company) , and i have good skills in using process simulation software , i take decision to change my career for development my self to work as process engineer (desgin)in engineering firm is that right or not , and what the best process design books which i can start read it in it before i can take this step
and is it difficult to do that and i must start my career as design engineer ?

[ivu]

Hello ESAM,
It is a difficult change!
You will have undoubtely something that I miss in many process engineers, specially young ones: FIELD EXPERIENCE!
This experience will help you save a lot of time working out a process design because it will be easier for you to appreciate at first sight to what parameters your model is more sensitive to and which are secondary. You will also have a better comprehension of the order of magnitude (In a P&ID a 4" and a 20" header look somehow similar)
Nevertheless you will find a few big barriers: you will have o be able to sit down in front of a computer for the whole working day. A process engineer has some difficulty to find an excuse to grab the hat and have a look at the real process. As per my experience in these walkings through the plant there are many good ideas that come up to your mind when facing a problem. I don't know if this is related to the phisical exercise or it is just that you move your attention from the focus of the problema for a while and then the bright idea finds a way to show up.
Another big barrier will be your salary, in general a process engineer has difficulty to get the same pay as an offshore operator. On the other hand you may have already balanced that part, being fed-up of rotations and you want to start a different type of job.

In any case my recommendation is that you first make sure what type of process you would like to be modelling because you will have to specialize. In general, a power plant process engineer has little knowledge of modelling a stripper and a specialist in HDS processes wouldn't know how to prepare the datasheet of a glycol contactor. Obviously I would recommend you to choose the processes were you have mor field experience.

In any case good luck with your choice and carrier development!!

[Esam]

Hello ESAM,
It is a difficult change!
You will have undoubtely something that I miss in many process engineers, specially young ones: FIELD EXPERIENCE!
This experience will help you save a lot of time working out a process design because it will be easier for you to appreciate at first sight to what parameters your model is more sensitive to and which are secondary. You will also have a better comprehension of the order of magnitude (In a P&ID a 4" and a 20" header look somehow similar)
Nevertheless you will find a few big barriers: you will have o be able to sit down in front of a computer for the whole working day. A process engineer has some difficulty to find an excuse to grab the hat and have a look at the real process. As per my experience in these walkings through the plant there are many good ideas that come up to your mind when facing a problem. I don't know if this is related to the phisical exercise or it is just that you move your attention from the focus of the problema for a while and then the bright idea finds a way to show up.
Another big barrier will be your salary, in general a process engineer has difficulty to get the same pay as an offshore operator. On the other hand you may have already balanced that part, being fed-up of rotations and you want to start a different type of job.

In any case my recommendation is that you first make sure what type of process you would like to be modelling because you will have to specialize. In general, a power plant process engineer has little knowledge of modelling a stripper and a specialist in HDS processes wouldn't know how to prepare the datasheet of a glycol contactor. Obviously I would recommend you to choose the processes were you have mor field experience.

In any case good luck with your choice and carrier development!!

Very thanks

[link Point to another website Only the registered members can access] for yor advice and time , with refarnce to big barriers which you referred to it
1- the firts one which ( be able to sit down in front of a computer ) i don't have probelm in it and i'm intersted in that
2- the second which (big barrier will be your salary) also the salary can't make more different with me as i need to enjoy by my work and i will find my self as process design engineer.

although i need to only correct my information , that i think that process design engineer salary is high than that for operation engineer ?!

but i want to know if there is any barrier from technical point of view in join engineerng company after ten year as operation and not as desgin , as i areldy working as operation in complex platform consite of prodction wells , separators , heat exchangers , furnaces , flare system and water treatment system and also a good user for modeling software (hysys , Olga ,..)

and if there is any book can depend on it , for ex. what the best of the fllowing books and by any one i can start

1- Chemical Engineering Design, Principles, Practice and Economics of Plant and Process Design, Second Edition

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2- Ludwig's Applied Process Design for Chemical and Petrochemical Plants

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and if any onther book i can depend on it i will be thankful

Best regards

[Mohamed]

Practical Process Engineering: A Working Approach to Plant Design

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[imrankhan.chemical]

Hello esam,

I am planning to do the same,can you please tell me whether you got success into it or not? and how was your transformation journey?please do share with us.
Thanks and regards

[imrankhan.chemical]

Hello ESAM,

I am planning to do the same,can you please tell me whether you got success into it or not? and how was your transformation journey?please do share with us.
Thanks and regards