Candidate

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First Name: Avinash Soni
E-Mail Address: aksoniji@yahoo.co.in
Country: India
Phone: +91 7772858771
Current Job Designation: Manager E&I
Job Designation Applying For: Lead Engineer E&I
Total Years of Experience: 19
Copy your Resume / CV in this box: AVINASH K. SONI
Lead Engineer / Manager – Electrical & Instrumentation
Oil & Gas, Mining | Operation & Maintenance, Commissioning & Project Execution
📍 Africa & International Mobility | Location: Ahmedabad, India |
📞 +243 997 866 183 | WhatsApp: +91 77728 58771
✉️ aksoniji@yahoo.co.in
🔗 linkedin.com/in/avinash-soni-5042551b
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Strategic and technically astute Electrical & Instrumentation Leader with over 19 years of international experience across India and Africa. Expert in the lifecycle management of large-scale assets in Gas terminals Onshore & Offshore, refineries, petrochemicals, gas gathering stations, mining, and renewable energy. Proven track record in delivering complex greenfield and brownfield projects, specializing in High-Voltage Power Systems (up to 220kV), rotating equipment, and industrial automation. Recognized for driving operational excellence, increasing equipment uptime and maintaining an impeccable Zero-LTI safety record in hazardous environments.

CORE COMPETENCIES

ǁ Engineering & Design: FEED review, Detailed Engineering, SLDs, and Protection Logic.
ǁ Project & Commissioning: Onshore/Offshore, Greenfield/Brownfield execution, Live Plant Tie-ins, and Operational Readiness.
ǁ Maintenance & Reliability: Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Predictive Maintenance, FAT/SAT and Asset Integrity.
ǁ Leadership: Team Mentoring, Contractor/OEM Management (EPC Interface), and Budgeting.
ǁ Safety & Compliance: PTW Enforcement, LOTO, HAZOP, and International Standard Alignment.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

ǁ High-Voltage Systems: Management and maintenance of 220kV Switchyards and Main Receiving Substations (MRSS).
ǁ Power Assets: Expertise in HV/MV/LV substations, protection systems, and power transformers up to 38 MVA.
ǁ Rotating Equipment: Extensive experience with Gas Engine Generators (CAT, Jenbacher), Gas Turbines (SGT700/800), and Diesel Generators.
ǁ Industrial Automation: Hands-on with PLC, SCADA, DCS, and UPS systems; specialized in Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix).
ǁ Asset Integrity: Focused on reliability engineering and lifecycle management of critical industrial facilities.


KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Project Management & Commissioning

ǁ High-Voltage Infrastructure (2024): Spearheaded the installation, testing, and commissioning of critical assets, including MV Switchboards, 120kV CT/CVT & SF6 Circuit Breakers, and 28MVA Transformers.
ǁ System Integration: Orchestrated a complex electrical shutdown for system hookup at the Main Consumer Substation and 120kV Yard, achieving seamless integration with zero unplanned downtime.
ǁ Power Generation Systems: Directed the full-cycle commissioning of Jenbacher and GE 952kW Gas Engine Generators and 11kV Substations; managed technical drawing reviews, risk assessments, and Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
ǁ Gas Infrastructure (RIL): Led the successful execution and commissioning of Gas Gathering Station No. 12 (CBM-RIL), delivering the project ahead of schedule while maintaining 100% adherence to safety and quality protocols.
ǁ Onshore Operations: Served as Lead Commissioning Engineer for the Onshore Terminal Boost-Up Compressor (OTBC) at RIL-KGD6, ensuring delivery within strict budgetary and timeline constraints.

Operational Excellence & Maintenance

ǁ Shutdown Leadership: Managed the inaugural shutdown of RIL Gas Gathering Station-12, completing all objectives ahead of schedule with a perfect safety record.
ǁ Refinery Expansion: Facilitated the commissioning and subsequent maintenance of HMU, DHU, and DCU units and a 220kV Switchyard during major refinery expansion projects at ESSAR Oil Limited.
ǁ Infrastructure Modernization: Key contributor to the strategic conversion of a 33kV AIS to a GIS system, successfully resolving chronic blackout and tripping issues to stabilize the grid.
ǁ Asset Preservation: Established a comprehensive identification and preservation protocol for electrical spares, optimizing inventory levels and ensuring equipment readiness.
ǁ Turnaround Management: Played a pivotal role in multiple annual refinery turnarounds, executing critical maintenance paths to ensure long-term operational reliability.
ǁ International Experience (SEEPCO, Nigeria): Directed the commissioning and maintenance of 600kW Jichai Gas Engine Generators and various compressors, significantly increasing plant uptime and equipment reliability.

EXPERIENCE JOURNEY


DETAILED EXPERIENCE JOURNEY

1. Manager - Electrical & Instrumentation (Operations & Projects) MES SARL | Mining & Power Assets | DRC | July 2024 – Present
ǁ Acting as Asset Owner Representative for E&I systems supporting critical mining and power operations.
ǁ Overseeing HV/MV substations, protection systems, and brownfield upgrades without impacting production.
2. Lead Engineer - Rotating Equipment (SEEPCO) / Backcross | Oil & Gas | Nigeria | March 2023 – July 2024
ǁ Supported operational assets with commissioning and maintenance of 2.4 MW CAT GEGs and SCADA systems.
ǁ Reduced unplanned downtime through condition monitoring and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
3. Lead Manager - Electrical Projects Adani Green Energy Ltd. | India | December 2022 – March 2023
ǁ Managed E&I execution for large-scale renewable energy projects, improving productivity by 15%.
4. Technical Lead - EPC PSPL | India | June 2020 – December 2022
ǁ Served as the interface between the EPC contractor and asset owner to ensure alignment with safety and technical specifications.
5. Senior Manager - Electrical Operations & Maintenance Reliance Industries Ltd. | India | March 2013 – June 2020
ǁ Accountable for E&I O&M of gas terminals (Onshore & Offshore) at KGD6 & CBM projects and captive power plants; increased equipment uptime by 25%.
6. Deputy Manager - Electrical O&M (Refinery & Utilities) Essar Oil Ltd. | India | March 2008 – March 2013
ǁ Managed refinery electrical systems at 130% design capacity and reduced generator trips by 90% via SCADA implementation.
7. Bhushan Steel Ltd. – Electrical | India | Apr 2007 – Mar 2008
ǁ Trainee Engineer-Build strong foundation in electrical maintenance, operations and plant system.

Category Specific Equipment Mastery
Power Distribution Transformers (up to 38MVA), 220kV Switchyards, HT/MV Switchgear (33/11/6.6kV), LT Panels (0.415kV).
Protection Relays ABB REF 630 and REM 615 numerical protection relays (testing and troubleshooting).
Generation 2.4 MW CAT G3520H, Jenbacher+GE 952KW, Emergency Diesel Generators (250-1250 KVA).
Motors/Drives HT/LT Motors up to 2080kW; 11 MW VFDs and Soft Starters (ABB, Siemens).
Critical Power Emerson AC/DC UPS systems (up to 50 KVA), Chloride, and Battery Banks.
STANDARDS & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
ǁ International Standards: IEC, IEEE, API, ANSI, NEC (NFPA 70) .
ǁ Safety Standards: OSHA compliance, NFPA 70E, and National Safety Council (NSC) protocols.
ǁ Regional/Sector Regulations: DGMS (Mining Safety), OISD (Oil Industry Safety), and CEA (Central Electricity Authority).
ǁ Operational Compliance: Expert in Permit to Work (PTW), Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO), and SOP/SMP development.
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
ǁ Reliance Certified Electrical Engineer-Vadodara
ǁ Electrical Supervisor License (Mining & Non-Mining) – Govt. of MP.
ǁ Industrial Safety & Emergency Response – National Safety Council (NSC).
ǁ Technical Training: ABB Protection Relays, Emerson UPS Systems, and Rockwell Automation (PLC).
ǁ Generative AI & AI Tools – Princeton Academy.
EDUCATION & LANGUAGES
ǁ Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical): University of Rajasthan (2002–2006).
ǁ Languages: English (Professional), Hindi (Native), Gujarati, and Rajasthani (Fluent).
PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE
ǁ Engineering: AutoCAD, ETAP, FEED, PLSCAD.
ǁ Management: MS Project, Primavera P6, SAP/TACTIVE.
ǁ General: MS Office Suite, Windows.

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