Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) SME

Wood is recruiting for a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join its Projects team focusing on delivering across Oil and Gas projects. Position is based in Oman for duration of one year.

The Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Subject Matter Expert (SME) will be responsible to support an operating refinery and petrochemical complex. The role will lead and support the transition from API RP 580 to API RP 581 within a GE-APM (Meridiam / Asset Strategy Management) environment, while also providing ongoing technical leadership for the site RBI and asset integrity program.

Designing the future. Transforming the world 

Reflecting the market focus for the office in both brownfield and green field opportunities, multi-skilled personnel are sought, for those with experience in Onshore Oil and Gas. 
 

What we can offer 

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across oil and gas  and emerging energy sectors  

• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice 

• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market 

• Medical Insurance: Ensures inpatient and outpatient care is available should you require treatment. Cover limits apply, please refer to the terms of benefit and network list for further details. 

• Workmen’s Compensation: Provides payment of 3 x Annual Wage (up to a maximum of 5000 OMR) upon death or permanent disability. 

• Employee Assistance Programme: Allows you to feel comfortable knowing that you or your immediate family members can confidentially discuss any work or personal issues that are an inevitable part of life. The programme helps support your mental, physical, social & financial well-being. 

Typical responsibilities  

API 580 to API 581 Transition (Operating Plant Context)

• Lead the transition from API 580 qualitative/semi-quantitative RBI to API 581 quantitative RBI for refinery and petrochemical process units. 

• Implement and validate API 581 RBI models in GE-APM, ensuring they reflect actual operating conditions, materials of construction, and process chemistry. 

• Assess legacy RBI studies and inspection plans for migration suitability and regulatory defensibility. 

• Identify data gaps typical of brownfield assets (corrosion rates, inspection history, damage mechanisms) and define practical remediation plans. 

• Ensure assumptions, damage models, and consequences reflect plant-specific risks, including inventory, toxicity, flammability, and siting. 

RBI Execution & Governance 

• Act as the site RBI technical authority, providing governance, review, and approval of RBI studies and updates. 

• Ensure RBI outputs support: 

   o Regulatory compliance 

   o Safe operating envelopes 

   o Optimized inspection intervals without compromising risk 

• Support audits, regulatory reviews, and internal assurance activities related to RBI and inspection programs. 

Corrosion & Damage Mechanism Management 

• Lead and support corrosion studies and damage mechanism reviews (DMR/DMI) for: 

   o Crude, vacuum, hydrotreating, hydrocracking, RFCC, reforming, sulfur recovery, and petrochemical units 

• Validate corrosion rate development and degradation models used in RBI. 

• Interface closely with site corrosion engineers to ensure consistency between corrosion management plans and RBI assumptions. 

Inspection Strategy Development (Operating Units) 

• Develop and optimize risk-based inspection strategies for pressure vessels, piping, tanks, heat exchangers, and associated static equipment. 

• Ensure inspection plans account for: 

  o Shutdown windows and turnaround planning 

  o Online vs. offline inspection feasibility 

  o Access, safety, and operational constraints 

• Support integration of RBI outputs into inspection execution and long-term maintenance plans. 

Bad Actor Identification & Continuous Improvement 

• Identify and analyse bad actors across refinery and petrochemical equipment populations. 

• Investigate recurring damage, unexpected failures, and high-risk equipment trends. 

• Recommend changes to inspection effectiveness, corrosion mitigation, and operating practices where required. 

• Support site initiatives focused on reliability improvement and loss prevention. 

Interface with Operations & Engineering 

• Work closely with Operations, Process Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure RBI reflects real operating realities. 

• Participate in management of change (MOC) reviews, assessing RBI impacts of process, feedstock, or operational changes. 

• Support turnarounds by prioritizing inspection scope based on risk. 

Training & Capability Development 

• Deliver hands-on training and mentoring to site RBI, inspection, and corrosion engineers. 

• Develop and deliver training tailored to an operating plant environment, covering: 

  o API RP 580 and API RP 581 application 

  o Quantitative RBI interpretation using GE-APM 

  o Damage mechanisms specific to refining and petrochemicals 

  o Practical use of RBI to support turnaround and inspection planning 

• Build long-term RBI competency and consistency across the site.

What makes you remarkable?  

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.  

Experience:

• BSC degree engineering in mechanical preferred
• Over 10 years of experiecne in petro-chemical industry