Pedro Gouveia
Manly Vale
Summary
Skilled Chemical Engineer with 15+ years of experience in the petrochemical, water treatment, and energy sectors. Proven expertise in process optimisation, project management, and operational efficiency. Adept at identifying and resolving complex process issues, leading cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, developed through roles as both Operations and Process Engineer as well as a Senior Consultant.
Proficient in process analysis, modelling, and simulation (AspenPlus certified user), and performance optimisation. Solid background in fluid flow processes, distillation, heat exchange, and mass/energy balance development. Skilled in risk management and safety protocols, having successfully led projects in plant upgrades, energy efficiency, and water treatment systems. Familiar with industries including petrochemicals, water treatment, cooling systems, and renewable energy.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Engineer
Veolia
06.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the operations of the District Cooling Plant (52.5MW), Recycled Water Plant (1ML/day), and Embedded Network (14 Substations) in the Barangaroo South Precinct
- Planned and executed critical District Cooling Plant test, evaluating emergency controls for seawater leaks. Completed 3 hours ahead of schedule with zero safety incidents. Verified SCADA controls, shutdown sequences, and sump pump operations, ensuring plant robustness and safety compliance;
- Achieved record District Cooling Plant KPIs: >99.95% chilled water availability and 6.1 coefficient of performance. Implemented improvements including controller optimisation, chiller prioritization, strategic maintenance scheduling, stakeholder engagement for improvements, and chemical upgrades;
- Mitigated severe H2S corrosion risk by managing a critical $200k fine screen upgrade project in the Recycled Water Plant. Collaborated with suppliers on solution development, coordinated contractors, managed plant shutdown logistics, and resources allocation;
- Increased nanofiltration cycle length by 15% by implementing key modifications to CIP procedures and revising operational strategies, decreasing plant downtime and improving overall availability;
- Led investigation and resolution of MBR ultrafiltration membrane ragging issues. Developed multi-tiered strategy including membrane replacement, re-screening trials, and basket optimization. Extended membrane lifespan, reducing downtime and maintenance costs;
- Achieved record Recycled Water Plant KPIs: 99.6% availability, 2.8 waste ratio, 3.91 kW.h/kL energy index. Implemented optimisation initiatives across systems, developing action plan for sustained efficiency including equipment runtime optimization and operational improvements;
- Planned and oversaw 6+ Embedded Network substation shutdowns without operational impact. Developed communication plans, risk assessments, and notification protocols. Coordinated with HV electrical subcontractors and captured lessons for future improvements;
Senior Consultant
Ontoit
07.2021 - 05.2022
- Assisted the condition assessment for Veolia Aqua contract in Victoria, covering 3 major water treatment plants. Assisted with on-site inspections, analysed maintenance historical data, and assisted consolidate findings into reports to present to key stakeholders;
- Supported G4S during Woodside Energy Tender transition, overseeing project scheduling, liaising with stakeholders, developing risk registers, reporting tools, and management plans for effective decision-making;
- Collaborated on V/Line Corridor Strategies and Network Asset Management Plan, developing prioritization matrices, asset frameworks, and an actionable roadmap for network asset management.
Process Operator
B&C Plastics
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Managed plastic injection machines in a safe manner ensuring its correct operation;
- Performed packing operations of plastic components in accordance with quality targets;
- Developed internal procedures and work instructions to ensure the effectiveness of the operations;
- Assisted with mould changing/setting and performed machine shut-downs.
Process Engineer
Braskem
10.2010 - 10.2019
- Responsible for supporting the operations of aromatic units at the Camaçari site. The site includes two crackers with a production capacity of 1,250 kt a year of ethylene among numerous basic petrochemicals that contributed to a company-wide average annual revenue of US$16.5 billion
- Prepared several RFI/RFQ documents and evaluated vendors’ proposals for catalysts and chemical contracts including catalytic reforming, sulphur removal, and fouling/corrosion treatments;
- Participated in numerous projects interfacing with the project management department ensuring the effectiveness of multiple deliverables including feasibility analysis, conceptual planning, programming/schematic design, and early project planning;
- Mitigated over 15 high-risk processes employing risk assessment techniques, particularly PHA, HAZOP, and LOPA studies and implemented management of change (MOC) processes safeguarding the facilities, operations, and workers from potential harm;
- Eliminated the isoprene unit capacity constraints by 8%, delivering a comprehensive distillation tray hydraulics solution and achieving a return on investment of US$ 1.5M;
- Executed a project to fix the trisodium phosphate injector nozzle to the BFW system, improving boiler feed pump reliability and ensuring proper pH control for steam generation in aromatics-fired heaters. This prevented early shutdowns for inspection and mitigated potential failures;
- Directed the implementation of an innovative chemical additive system, eliminating carbon disulphide from isoprene production and reducing annual costs by US$13.5M;
- Collaborated with the operations engineer to the success of the Six Sigma initiative that raised the reforming fired heater’s efficiency by 1.0%, improving the unit annual profitability by US$1.2M;
- Led and managed 15+ technical projects that addressed plant’s wastes, solved recurring equipment failures, and delivered process improvements rising the performance level over 5.0%;
- Trained and assisted the operational team on start-ups and emergencies procedures, and ensured the success of six major turnarounds, meeting all deadlines.
Operations Engineer
Braskem
09.2008 - 10.2010
- Responsible for supporting the operations of isoprene extractive distillation unit, automotive gasoline production, and water-cooling tower at the Camaçari site
- Maintained the plant’s profitability performance through production management program, improving operational continuity, reliability, and maintenance planning;
- Participated in the advanced control project, acting specifically during the start-up and commissioning phases and ensured an efficient operation, resulting in US$2.5M annual profit;
- Applied the Six-Sigma DMAIC methodology to complete an improvement project that increased the isoprene recovery by 1.0%, adding U$ 1.0M annual profitability;
- Addressed the water-cooling tower constraints by working closely with the civil engineer to recover and upgrade the tower concrete structures and fill packing, resulting in a 15% reduction of downtime and increasing the system availability by approximately 20%.
Project Engineer
Progen
01.2008 - 09.2008
- Responsible for delivering process engineering services to Braskem while working in an engineering firm specialised in the oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical, mining, metallurgy, and fertilizer industries
- Executed processes’ simulations using either Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS to assess and optimise various process adjustments proposed by the Braskem’s process team;
- Prepared conceptual designs for improvements in the butadiene plant increasing product recovery by 2.0%, reducing unit energy consumption close to 5.0%, and maximizing reboilers run length. Financial Results for the client surpassed US$3.5M on annual basis.
Education
MBA - Project Management
Kaplan Business School
Brisbane, QLD10.2021
Postgraduate - Process Engineering
Petrobras University
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Salvador - UNIFACS
Bahia, Brazil01.2007
Skills
- Project Management & Planning
- Process Improvement & Optimisation &Improvement
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation (HAZOP & LOPA)
- Effective Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Process Modeling & Simulation (AspenPlus Certified)
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Management of Change (MOC)
- Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt Certified)
- Analytical & Strategic Thinking
- Operational Efficiency & Maintenance Strategy
- Technical Report Writing
Certification
- NSW Driver’s License
- White Card
- Working at Heights
- Confined Space
- Chemical Handling
System Skills
- Proficient in MS Office & Google Workspace
- Advanced in Aspen Plus & HYSYS, Aspen EDR, Aspen Process Explorer, and Aspen DMCplus
- Intermediate in MS Project and Smartsheet
- Minitab & Power BI
Personalachievementsandawards
- High Achievement at Kaplan Business School in 11 out of 12 subjects across the MBA program
- Proof not Promises Award (PNP) – personal award accomplished in partnership with GE/Suez
- Naphtha Fractionation Reboiler Run - 2019
- Isoprene Reboiler Run - 2016
- Optimization of Chemical Additive for Gasoline Automotive System - 2014
- Postgraduate Final Assignment - Design of a New Column for p-xylene Expansion Capacity Production - 2014
- Featured Award of Braskem – personal award - 2009
- Undergraduate thesis - Study of Technical and Economic Feasibility of Alternatives to an n-hexane Stream - 2007
- Undergraduate Research - Experimental Study of the Separation of CO2 Using Pressure Swing Adsorption - 2006
Professional Highlights
- Delivered a AUD$250k infrastructure upgrade for the Recycled Water Plant, restoring sewage tank roof coatings and improving primary screening. Coordinated four contractors with a peak workforce of 15, completing the project on time, on budget, and to client expectations.
- Conducted a cross-functional team throughout a complex root-cause analysis (RCA) that identified and solved a reboiler mechanism of failure avoiding an annual loss of profit by US$ 4.0M.
- Directed and executed a project which solved the catalytic reforming reactors distribution issues generating an increment of 2% on the aromatic yield, increasing annual profit by US$2.0M.
Awards
- High Achievement at Kaplan Business School in 11 out of 12 subjects across the MBA program
- Proof not Promises Award (PNP) – personal award accomplished in partnership with GE/Suez
2019 - Naphtha Fractionation Reboiler Run
2016 - Isoprene Reboiler Run
2014 - Optimization of additive for Gasoline Automotive System
- Postgraduate Final Assignment - Design of a New Column for p-xylene Expansion Capacity Production
- Featured Award of Braskem – personal award - Increasing Profitability of the Isoprene Unit
- Undergraduate thesis - Study of Technical and Economic Feasibility of Alternatives to an n-hexane Stream
- Undergraduate Research - Experimental Study of the Separation of CO2 Using Pressure Swing Adsorption
Languages
Portuguese
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Operations Engineer
Veolia
06.2022 - Current
Senior Consultant
Ontoit
07.2021 - 05.2022
Process Operator
B&C Plastics
08.2020 - 07.2021
Process Engineer
Braskem
10.2010 - 10.2019
Operations Engineer
Braskem
09.2008 - 10.2010
Project Engineer
Progen
01.2008 - 09.2008
MBA - Project Management
Kaplan Business School
Postgraduate - Process Engineering
Petrobras University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Salvador - UNIFACS
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