Task 1

Being a Chemical Engineer joined ONGC, LPG plant in 1989 as Shift I/c. The time I joined the production
was around 150 tons with a designed throughput of 4.74 LSCMD with a butane % of more than 6. The gas
was associated gas and was termed as Rich gas. However, with decline of the field the avbaialability of gas
gone down and also the butane % was also gone down to less than 3 and the plant was producing only
around 50 MTs. That time most of the LPG was being imported with expenditure of huge foreign exchange.
This was pained me considerably. Carrying out several mass balance, one day it stroked in my mind after
seeing the calculation, there is some scope of increasing production with change in process parameter.
But, how?. To get the idea, I go back to my basics of Chemical Engineering. Again studied Heat Transfer
and Distillation from two books of D Q Kern and Treybal. With consultation of these two books and
Chemical Engineering Handbook, I commenced this exercise in 1996-97. That time I was the only GT in the
Shift. I started the experiment with changing pressure of distillation column and temperature of reboiler
and evaporator of both the distillation columns. At the same time, continuously monitoring the quality of
LPG produced. After several days experiment, it is seen that production is getting increased. After one
month or so, it is seen that there is an incease of % MTs, i.e. around 10% which is quite substantial during
that time. Then it was informed to all other shift I/cs to maintain that pressure and temperature to get
the best result. That is one task I have done in my life which is from the book I have learnt how to do it.

So I would say whenever you have problem, or solving a problem go back to your basics, and then try to
solve the problem. This is the basic thing, which we are lacking at present.

Task 2

From 2004 onwards I was posted in the office of Director Offshore as EA to Director(Offshore) looking
after all case files related to procurement, Financial sanction, HR etc. That time Director(Offshore) told
me that while examining procurement file one has to be cautious regarding change in BEC and
specification alongwith scope of work. There should be some tangible reasons for changes which needs
to be recorded. In 2009 I joined Corporate Well Services and I was involved with procurement of safety
items. Like BOP, BOP Accumulator, Choke & Kill manifold required for drilling and well services.

There is extreme shortage of BOP, the new BOP has not come due to several reasons for last 15 years and
everybody wants to get new BOP for running the operation. BOP is the safety item, which is most critical
item for any drilling and work over operation. In 2010, Macondo Blow out was there. While after tendering
for BOP, all the major International and reputed OEM informed that that can not share their proof for
experience as that is confidential data. Therefore, a crisis soon evolved in ONGC for further course of
action. This problem has suddently started haunting me. Once side it was related to safety and another
side the noncooperation of OEMs.

In the next meeting of the technical committee, I proposed a way out. I informed them that all these OEMs
had supplied more than 100 BOPs in ONGC in the past and they are working satisfactorily and performance
is excellent. I informed thaem if as an additional clause and as an alternative to tide over the situation,
citing Macondo incident the inability of reputed OEMs, the BEC can be modified and amended to suit the
situation. Therefore, after taking into consideration all pros and cons aan extra clause was added that
whoever supplied BOP to ONGC in the past and if those BOPs are working satisfactorily and performance
was good they need have to submit the experience certificate. This was approved by EPC and BOP was
procure through open tender from M/s Hydrill.

I think this was the first and last time that we have done this type of Case to ease our procurement that
is the process is not hindering our procurement, we have to change as per the requirement as per the
situation as our intentions were clear to get benefit for ONGC.