API 653 Inspector

Role Overview

You will be tasked with inspecting, assessing, verifying repairs, and evaluating the fitness-for-service of aboveground atmospheric storage tanks in line with API 653 standards and company integrity protocols. Your key focus is to ensure these tanks operate safely and reliably by planning and executing inspections, reviewing documentation, and overseeing repairs.

Tank Inspection Responsibilities

• Conduct external, internal, and on-stream inspections following API 653 guidelines.
• Perform condition assessments including remaining life and corrosion rate analysis.
• Review historical inspection data and integrity records of tanks.
• Inspect tank components such as shells, roofs, bottoms, annular plates, nozzles, manways, and structural parts.
• Evaluate tank deformation issues like settlement, out-of-roundness, peaking, buckling, and distortion.
• Observe and appraise various NDT methods: Ultrasonic Thickness (UT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Dye Penetrant Testing (PT), Vacuum Box Testing (VBT), Radiographic Testing (RT), and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) where applicable.
• Document and report inspection results comprehensively.
• Generate inspection reports including repair recommendations and schedule subsequent inspections.

Repair and Modification Oversight

• Ensure repairs and modifications comply with API 653 and approved engineering specifications.
• Monitor replacement works on shell plates, floor plates, roof plates, and nozzles.
• Verify completeness and accuracy of repair documentation and packages.
• Supervise welding activities during repair projects.
• Witness hydrostatic and leak testing procedures as applicable.
• Confirm that repairs comply with safety and procedural requirements.

Welding Procedure Review

• Assess and approve Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) related to tank fabrication and repairs.
• Validate Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) against ASME Section IX and project criteria.
• Review Welder Qualification Records (WQTR/WPQ).
• Check compliance of welding consumables, essential variables, and qualification ranges with standards.
• Ensure welding procedures are appropriate for tank materials and service conditions.
• Evaluate requirements for heat treatment or post-weld heat treatment as necessary.

Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) Evaluation

• Analyze contractor and vendor ITPs to confirm inclusion of hold points, witness points, and surveillance checkpoints.
• Verify that inspections adhere to API 653, API 650, project, and client standards.
• Coordinate inspection activities with QA/QC teams.
• Ensure documentation matches approved plans and participate in preliminary inspections and kickoff meetings.

Integrity Assessments

• Identify and evaluate corrosion mechanisms affecting tanks.
• Review Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) guidelines if applicable.
• Determine tanks’ suitability for continued operation.
• Examine fitness-for-service reports in line with API 579.
• Recommend inspection frequencies based on assessment results.

Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare and review inspection-related reports including API 653 reports, repair logs, NDT findings, thickness measurements, settlement surveys, hydrotest records, and inspection clearances.
• Maintain comprehensive inspection databases and integrity files.
• Ensure all reports comply with regulatory and organizational standards.

Health and Safety

• Follow HSE protocols relevant to refinery and terminal environments.
• Engage in Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and risk assessments prior to work.
• Conduct confined space inspections safely.
• Advocate and uphold a strong safety culture during inspection and repair operations.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Possess a Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Hold a valid API 653 Certification.
• Preferably have ASNT Level II certification in relevant NDT techniques.
• Bring 5 to 10 years of experience inspecting Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Refining, or Storage Terminal facilities.
• Have experience supporting tank turnaround or shutdown projects.
• Have demonstrated ability to review WPS, PQR, and welder qualification documentation.
• Familiarity with Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs) review and implementation.

Core Competencies

• Expertise in tank integrity management.
• Proficiency in welding inspection.
• Strong corrosion assessment ability.
• Skill in interpreting NDT results.
• Technical report writing proficiency.
• Root cause analysis capabilities.
• QA/QC documentation review experience.
• Contractor management skills.
• Strong communication and organizational coordination abilities.