I have 7 years experience with a global EPC company working in the midstream/downstream markets. I'm looking for a to break into the upstream/midstream side of things on the owner/operator side, in the Houston area.

The majority of my work has been in the field working on large capital projects on the Construction/Commissioning side of natural gas pipelines and LNG/NGL facilities. Extensive experience in managing these mega projects from the ground up. I'm probably actually am best at the commissioning, startup, and full scale operations...which I think is a good thing for trying to get on with owner/operator.

I enjoy my position, but I am tired of the field and ready to come back to my home in Houston. I don't see my current company letting me leave the field for a couple more years. I'm definitely willing to still travel during the week(say ~25%), but these 6 days a week in the field are getting old very fast.

I feel like my skills probably best transition to a Facilities Engineer, Project Manager, Project/System Engineer, Construction Engineer/Manager for an midstream/pipeline company or E&P company.

I've been applying to jobs since the turn of the year but haven't landed any interviews yet....am I not patient enough or am I not qualified?

All I need is my foot in the door somewhere and I know I will succeed. Anyone have any advice or opportunities?

Oh and degree in Civil Engineering...

edit: email in profile

Look at American Midstream. Their deal to acquire Southcross Energy is set to close 2nd Quarter and 95% of Southcross employees in Dallas will not be making the move to Houston. They will be hiring. I'm a former Southcross employee so I do have contacts over there. If interested let me know.

I am a chen trying to make the jump from equipment design/fabrication to the owner side of midstream.

Good luck

You said you are best at commissioning startup and operations. Those jobs are in the field not in Houston. Would a potential contract position with an operator in another city in Texas be of interest or are you set on getting back to Houston.

Username at Yahoo if you would like to discuss.

Also wanted to add a few things. I could be wrong, but I don't think you are going to make a switch by just applying for jobs. At least not with still lower oil and gas prices.

I think you need to work on a project for an owner/operator and do such a good job they want to hire you. That means not just impressing your EPC bosses but getting a lot of face time with the client PMs or engineers.

Also your EPC could contract you out to operator to sit in their offices. Again you do such a good job they want to hire you. I have seen it done both ways. But you need face time with managers on the clients side that would think of you next time they need a project engineer or manager.

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep my eye on American Midstream for opportunities.

I've got a great relationship with our current client and could probably get a job with them, but again it would be in the field along the gulf coast...likely at one of their facilities. That's the issue I am wanting to get back to Houston...that's what's got me worried is that all of a sudden I might be pigeon holed into field work and I feel like the window is closing.

I'm almost considering pursuing entry level positions if that is something that can get my foot in the door.

I've updated OP with my email if anyone has any opportunities.

Ragoo, good luck to you as well.

Would it really be worth taking an entry level position, when you just mentioned you'd be able to get out of the field with your current company in a couple more years?

aduey06 said:

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I think you need to work on a project for an owner/operator and do such a good job they want to hire you. That means not just impressing your EPC bosses but getting a lot of face time with the client PMs or engineers.

Also your EPC could contract you out to operator to sit in their offices. Again you do such a good job they want to hire you. I have seen it done both ways. But you need face time with managers on the clients side that would think of you next time they need a project engineer or manager.

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I work closely with operators and been seconded to them before. My issue is my particular company has a no poaching agreement with most of the operators I work with even if I seek out the opportunity on my own.

OP I'm in a similar boat. Didn't hear back from any online applications for awhile. I started actively networking more and started getting calls back on some of those online applications. I got lazy with networking over the years but its something you should constantly be doing. It was tough for me with 2 young kids at home but it was just something I had to go get done.

There are a plenty of opportunities in Houston. You should have zero problem finding Facility Engineering jobs to apply to. Your issue is going to be your civil back ground. Most facility engineers are process focused with experience in mechanical design and construction.

Exactly. The civil degree name tag is not ideal for what I'm trying to get into, although I do interface and constantly work with Process Engineers all the time when getting systems up and running/operating. I joke with them a lot of times that I'm a poor mans Process Engineer, because they are surprised when I tell them my degree is in Civil Eng.

A no poaching agreement is like getting your nuts cut off. I would change companies if I had that.

I know plenty of Ags that have Civil degrees doing Process Optimization, New Construction, Asset Management, and Process Engineering type work. So many I don't know why you think it's not ideal. Don't sell yourself short.

Have you thought about what your sell is going to be once you get the chance to interview? So far all that you have mentioned is wanting to get out of field work. I can certainly understand the sentiment, but that won't get you past the first round.

Make sure that you have a credible story of how you want to take your experience to the next level. Whether it's using your experience in the field to come up with better up front designs that will save costs, schedule, improve safety what ever, have a good story of what the experiences the operator has that you want, and sell your self that your the person to help them.

Have a good combination of what you offer and how that company then has what your looking for.

In the short term why don't you make an internal move to the group in your EPC that does Your FEED work.

My career path went through some of the smaller engineering companies nested within downstream owner/operators supporting small cap and maintenance expense projects. Twice, after proving myself capable, I was offered direct employment with the owner/operator. The first opportunity allowed me to obtain experience in manufacturing management; the second opportunity as the owner rep of a large multi site capital program.

The take away here is to use a smaller contractor on retainer or allied with an owner/operator as a spring board to direct employment. All the best.