Commissioning Electrical Lead

Our client is a major international energy operator running a large integrated development in the Basra region of southern Iraq. The project includes upstream oil, gas processing, water injection and solar power components. This role sits on the main full-field development: around 221 new wells feeding a newly built Central Processing Facility (CPF) with a capacity of 210 kbopd. The EPCC contract is worth about USD 1.1 billion, and the commissioning site workforce is estimated at 150-200 people. The project has strong H3SE and local-content requirements and several interfaces with neighbouring projects.

• Position: Commissioning Electrical Lead
• Reports to: Commissioning Manager (preparation) / CPF Commissioning Site Lead (execution)
• Location: Resident in Istanbul, Turkey (UAE option) during preparation. Rotational at the construction site in southern Iraq during execution.
• Missions: About 3 one-week trips to Iraq per year during preparation, plus trips to the UK, Turkey, UAE and vendor factories.
• Start: 1 December 2026 (tentative)
• Duration: 24 months, with a possible 12-month extension

Preparation (engineering) phase:

• Review and validate electrical commissioning procedures, check sheets and test plans in line with the company’s commissioning methodology, for both the CPF and the wells-and-pipelines package.
• Make sure the completion management database is correctly populated for electrical systems and interfaces.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to plan FATs, electrical testing and system integration.
• Take part in risk assessments and make sure electrical requirements are built into commissioning plans.
• Help define system boundaries and interface logic between the electrical components of the two packages.
• Make sure the temporary equipment, systems and tools needed for electrical commissioning are ready.
• Engage early with Field Operations to align on commissioning activities and knowledge transfer.

Execution phase:

• Supervise on-site electrical commissioning for compliance with HSE standards, specifications and schedule.
• Lead a small team (one Electrical Supervisor) and coordinate with the contractor.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors for safe energization and functional testing of electrical systems.
• Act as Electrical Isolation Authority for the network above 20 kV, preparing and carrying out isolations and de-isolations.
• Make sure risk assessments for all electrical tasks are prepared and applied on site.
• Ensure safe energization from both temporary and permanent power sources.
• Coordinate operational tests with the contractor, involving Field Operations and Maintenance.
• Track progress, manage punch list clearance and keep commissioning documentation up to date.
• Support the Completion Coordinator in reaching RFC, AOC/RFSU and handover milestones for electrical systems.
• Attend daily coordination meetings and capture lessons learned.

• Engineering degree
• 15+ years in oil & gas projects as a Commissioning Electrical specialist
• Experience with major electrical vendors such as Schneider, ABB and Siemens
• Experience as Commissioning Electrical / Electrical Isolation Authority is a plus
• Knowledge of structured commissioning methodologies and completion management software (e.g. ICAPS) is highly desirable
• Able to work effectively with client, contractor and vendor personnel
• Fluent English (mandatory)