Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upstream Project Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Upstream Project Technician is a hands-on technical professional who supports planning, execution, commissioning and early life operations for upstream oil & gas projects — including wellsite activities, production facility upgrades, pipeline tie-ins, and associated mechanical, electrical and instrumentation work. This role focuses on safe and compliant field execution, inspection and testing, documentation and coordination with multi-discipline project teams and contractors. Ideal candidates combine practical trade skills with project execution understanding, familiarity with P&IDs and lifting/pressure test procedures, and strong HSE and permit-to-work discipline.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Operations Technician
Maintenance Technician (Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation)
Wellsite Operator or Rig Hand with technical certification

Advancement To:

Senior Project Technician / Lead Technician
Commissioning Engineer / Start-up Engineer
Project Engineer (Upstream Facilities)
Operations Supervisor / Production Foreman

Lateral Moves:

Integrity & Inspection Technician
Instrumentation & Controls Technician
Reliability Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute and support commissioning, start-up and mechanical completion activities for upstream facilities, ensuring all work is performed in accordance with approved procedures, P&IDs and project schedules while maintaining safety and quality standards.
Coordinate and supervise contractors and subcontractors on wellsite and facility-based scopes, providing technical guidance, verifying competence and ensuring scope compliance with project specifications.
Perform pre-commissioning checks, loop checks, instrument calibration, electrical isolation, mechanical alignments and functional testing of systems (including pumps, separators, separators, heaters and meters) to prepare equipment for safe start-up.
Conduct pressure testing (hydrostatic and pneumatic), line flushing, pigging and leak testing of piping systems and pipelines. Prepare and review test packs and ensure timely close-out of non-conformances.
Carry out well testing and flowback support activities: install/test surface test equipment, monitor pressures and flows, operate chokes and valves under supervision, and collect samples per lab and HSE protocols.
Maintain and update commissioning records, mechanical completion lists, punch lists, certificates (witness/test certificates), FAT/SAT documentation and as-built P&ID markups to support project handover to operations.
Support equipment installation and alignment activities including rotating equipment (drivers, pumps, compressors), wellhead components, choke and manifolds while ensuring correct torqueing, bolting and mechanical integrity.
Execute instrument and electrical inspections, perform loop checks and verify SCADA/PLC signals during FAT/SAT and commissioning; liaise with controls engineers to troubleshoot I/O and logic issues.
Implement and maintain permit-to-work, job hazard analysis (JHA/JSA), hot-work permits, confined space and lockout-tagout procedures on site; take lead on toolbox talks and pre-job safety planning.
Monitor and enforce HSE, environmental and well control standards; identify hazards, report incidents, participate in incident investigations and support corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance tasks on facility equipment, carry out basic repairs, replace seals/gaskets/packings and escalate complex issues to maintenance engineers for resolution.
Use CMMS/SAP to log work orders, update maintenance schedules, record spares usage and ensure accurate traceability of parts and materials used during project execution.
Assist in materials and spare parts management: verify incoming equipment, track parts against BOMs, perform receiving inspections and ensure calibration tags and certificates are in order.
Support commissioning and operational readiness reviews, contribute to punch-list closeouts, and assist in preparing operational handover packages including O&M manuals and training materials.
Conduct visual and NDT inspections as required (mag particle, dye penetrant, ultrasonic) to verify weld integrity, pressure-retaining components and structural elements per project inspection plans.
Participate in lifting operations planning, review lift plans, inspect lifting gear and rigging, and supervise crane operations to ensure safe handling of heavy modules and equipment.
Perform sampling, basic analytical tests and field lab duties as required for produced fluids, chemicals or environmental discharge monitoring; document results and flag anomalies to supervisors.
Provide on-site technical support during well interventions, sidetracks and completions; set up wellsite equipment, verify interfaces with surface facilities and provide hands-on support for well operations.
Maintain accurate daily reports, progress updates, time sheets and communicate status to project leads; present clear technical observations and raise quality or schedule risks in a timely manner.
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and instrumentation faults using schematics, P&IDs and diagnostic tools; recommend corrective actions and implement temporary fixes where permitted.
Ensure compliance with vendor procedures and OEM requirements during installation, commissioning and warranty activities; coordinate vendor field service visits and specialist testing.
Support environmental protection measures, waste handling, spill response readiness and erosion control during onshore/offshore construction and commissioning activities.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Maintain and update technical libraries, drawings and tagging systems to assist engineering teams during change management and future modifications.
Assist in competency development by training junior technicians and contractors on company procedures, safe work practices and job-specific tasks.
Support procurement and expediting activities by verifying technical submittals, test certificates and expediting critical long-lead items.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in reading and interpreting P&IDs, isometric drawings, electrical schematics and instrument loop diagrams.
Practical experience with commissioning and start-up activities for upstream production equipment (separators, treaters, pumps, compressors, heaters, meters).
Experience performing and documenting hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests, line flushing and leak detection.
Competence in instrumentation calibration, loop checking, and validation of analog/digital I/O to PLC/SCADA systems.
Familiarity with PLCs, DCS, SCADA fundamentals and ability to work with controls engineers during FAT/SAT activities.
Hands-on knowledge of mechanical installation: alignment, bolting torqueing, coupling, bearing replacement and rotating equipment checks.
Working knowledge of lifting and rigging practices, reading lift plans and using slings, shackles and taglines safely.
Proficient with CMMS/SAP or equivalent maintenance management systems to create work orders and log service history.
Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) awareness and ability to support inspection technicians during testing (PT, MT, UT).
Strong understanding of HSE systems, permit-to-work, JSA/JHA, confined space entry and well control basics (BOP, kill/flow procedures).
Familiarity with commissioning documentation: mechanical completion, punch lists, FAT, SAT, test certificates and as-built markups.
Basic knowledge of production chemistry, sampling techniques and handling of produced fluids and chemicals safely.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, MS Project and the ability to produce clear technical reports, checklists and status updates.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with ability to lead pre-job safety briefings and enforce procedures.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for cross-discipline coordination with engineers, contractors and operations.
Problem-solving orientation with practical troubleshooting approach under operational pressures.
Team player who can collaborate across functions and mentor junior staff.
High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and test records.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance simultaneous site tasks and shifting project needs.
Adaptability and resilience to work in remote, offshore or harsh field environments with changing conditions.
Customer-oriented mindset to address internal operations and external vendor needs professionally.
Ability to perform under emergency conditions and participate in incident investigations constructively.
Ethical and accountable approach to work, maintaining integrity of inspections and test results.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with technical trade certification (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation) or Associate degree in a related technical field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Petroleum or Process Engineering or equivalent technical diploma plus relevant field experience.
Preferred certifications: IADC/JSEA, BOSIET/FOET (offshore roles), H2S Alive, First Aid/CPR, Confined Space Entry, Lifting & Rigging, NDT certifications (where applicable).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Engineering / Mechanical Technician
Instrumentation & Control / Electrical Technology
Petroleum Engineering / Process Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Technical Trades

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of hands-on field experience supporting upstream oil & gas projects, commissioning or operations. (Entry-level up to senior depending on complexity.)

Preferred:

3+ years supporting commissioning, start-up or operations in upstream facilities, wellsite or production environments.
Demonstrated experience with pressure testing, commissioning documentation and vendor coordination.
Prior work in remote or offshore locations and proven safety/compliance record.