Case Studies

Ritupon, you have worked for Oil India Limited since graduating in 2018. Can you tell us a little bit about the organisation?
After graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree from Jorhat Engineering College, one of the premier and oldest Engineering Institutes of Assam, I joined Oil India Limited (OIL) on probation aged 22 as a Senior Officer. OIL is a leading Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of Govt. of India with a Maharatna status and is one of the oldest and most prestigious names in the country’s energy sector. OIL holds the historic distinctions of establishing both the first crude oil well in Asia in 1889 and India's first independent oil field in Naharkatiya in 1953. These milestones laid the foundation of India’s Upstream Petroleum Industry.

Today, OIL is an integrated energy company with a diversified portfolio across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. The company has a 69.63% stake in Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), reinforcing its presence in the downstream sector. The company is also venturing into offshore exploration in the Mahanadi, Andaman, and Kerala-Konkan Basins, demonstrating its commitment to expanding India's energy frontier.

With over 6,500 employees and a growing international presence, OIL plays a vital role in both domestic and global energy markets. Its midstream infrastructure includes Naharkatiya Barauni Crude Oil Pipeline - Asia’s first fully automated crude oil cross-country trunk pipeline, which is also one of the longest pipelines in India spanning 1157 km across three eastern states of India – Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. The company also owns and operates a 654 km long multi-product pipeline that transports refined petroleum products from Numaligarh in Assam to Siliguri in West Bengal. These critical assets plays a vital role in ensuring reliable energy logistics and supply for the country.

OIL is deeply committed to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) excellence, embedding robust safety culture and environmental stewardship into every aspect of its operations to ensure sustainable and responsible growth. In addition, OIL upholds high standards of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, focusing on reducing its carbon footprint, supporting community welfare, and maintaining transparent and ethical governance practices, in line with global best practices for long-term sustainable development. As part of its sustainability goals OIL is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and addressing climate change.

You are employed as a Superintending Electrical Engineer. What does this entail?
As a Superintending Electrical Engineer, I am responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of critical electrical infrastructure and cathodic protection (CP) systems along OIL’s cross-country pipeline network, which includes pump stations, IP stations, and terminal facilities. In my role, I must ensure system reliability and long-term infrastructure integrity, and this is achieved through diligent planning and execution, whilst always ensuring strict adherence to statutory safety and operational standards.

Another key responsibility, as demanded by my position in the company, is to oversee the upgrade of legacy systems and electrical equipment to modern, energy-efficient technologies that enhance operational performance and safety. To achieve this I conduct regular inspections, perform failure analysis, and implement preventive and corrective maintenance measures in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. My hands-on electrical engineering experience helps me to effectively manage complex infrastructure projects and I always ensure there is a strong emphasis on sustainability, safety, and innovation in everything I do.

You recently completed your NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management.

• Why did you take this qualification and what made you choose NEBOSH?

As I work in a high-hazard industry where the consequences of process failures can be severe, I wanted to deepen my understanding of process safety beyond routine electrical and corrosion management practices.

I chose NEBOSH because of its global reputation for setting the benchmark in safety education. The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management (PSM) offered a structured and practical approach to understanding the core principles of process safety, tailored specifically for high-hazard industries. It gave me a broader perspective on managing risk, compliance, and human factors in hazardous environments.

• Did you enjoy the course?

Absolutely. The content was informative and highly relevant to my work. I particularly appreciated the balance between theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, which often reflected the challenges we face in our plant operations. The interactive elements and practical examples kept me engaged and I could directly apply the learning when I returned to my day-to-day responsibilities.

• How did this qualification help you in your role?

The NEBOSH HSE PSM course has significantly enhanced my ability to identify, evaluate, and manage process safety hazards and risks effectively. It has deepened my knowledge of key safety principles like HAZOP studies, asset integrity, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and barrier management. I now apply this knowledge to ensure operational continuity, particularly when I conduct system upgrades and reliability assessments. The training also reinforced the importance of asset integrity, enabling me to take a more proactive approach to maintaining the health of critical infrastructure across electrical, mechanical, and structural systems.

The course has improved collaboration across cross-functional teams (including safety, operations, and maintenance) especially in aligning risk management practices with real-world operational needs. It also strengthened my capabilities in internal audits, risk assessments, and the development of safety improvement plans.

The qualification also provided a solid framework for embedding process safety into our digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that new technologies align with safety standards and asset management strategies.

What’s next for you in terms of your professional development?
Having recently completed the NEBOSH PSM qualification, I’ve built a strong foundation in managing operations in high-risk industries. It reinforced the important role proactive hazard identification, structured control measures, and leadership accountability play in avoiding incidents and ensuring operational discipline.

To build on this, I plan to pursue the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals to gain deeper insight into system-based safety frameworks and regulatory compliance in complex industrial settings.

I also aim to obtain NACE/AMPP certification in cathodic protection, further strengthening my capabilities in corrosion control and long-term asset integrity, especially relevant for ageing infrastructure under continuous service.

Ultimately, my professional development path is closely aligned with my organisation’s HSE and ESG objectives with a focus on building safer, more resilient, and sustainable industrial systems.

What achievements in your career are you most proud of?
I take pride in several milestones that reflect my commitment to personal growth and professional contribution.

Passing the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management was a significant achievement, reinforcing my commitment to safety in high-hazard environments and equipping me with a globally recognised process safety qualification.

I take great pride in maintaining an accident-free record since joining the organisation, which I believe reflects diligent planning, a proactive approach to risk mitigation and strong safety ethos.

One of my most rewarding experiences has been in ensuring the asset integrity of a more than 60-year-old hydrocarbon pipeline system, which has been achieved through continuous, efficient corrosion management and a robust cathodic protection system. This not only safeguards the infrastructure but also supports environmental and operational sustainability.

I'm proud to have contributed to OIL’s digital transformation through initiatives like pipeline integrity management systems, IoT-based monitoring, and GIS-based RoW management, all aimed at enhancing safety, system reliability, and asset integrity through data-driven approaches. I had the opportunity to serve as a commissioning electrical engineer in a significant system upgrade project, where we modernised ageing pumping infrastructure by integrating advanced automated energy-efficient technologies, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency and improved safety standards. I was also involved in the replacement of old pipeline coatings, a key initiative that significantly enhanced the operational reliability and extended the service life of our cross-country pipelines, demonstrating a proactive approach to infrastructure modernisation and risk mitigation.

What would be your advice who wishes to follow a similar career path to your own?
For anyone aspiring to build an electrical engineering career within high-risk industries like oil and gas my advice is:

• Build a strong technical foundation: A solid grasp of electrical systems, power distribution, control circuits, and protection schemes is fundamental for operating in complex industrial settings.
• Make safety a core principle: Safety should be a mindset not merely a matter of compliance. Risk assessment and hazard identification must become integral to daily decision-making.
• Value hands-on experience: Practical exposure through direct involvement in maintenance and operations deepens understanding and improves problem-solving in real-world conditions.
• Focus on asset integrity: Operational reliability depends mostly on asset health. Gaining knowledge in inspection techniques, preventive maintenance, and lifecycle management across electrical and mechanical systems is essential.
• Be open to multidisciplinary learning: Effectiveness in the field often depends on understanding how electrical systems integrate with other disciplines like mechanical, civil, and instrumentation.
• Gain on-site experience: Experience during commissioning, shutdowns, and field operations offers critical insights into system behaviour and strengthens applied knowledge.
• Adapt to digital transformation: Be open to using modern tools like remote monitoring, automation systems, and data analytics. These are becoming essential for reliability and performance tracking.
• Commit to continuous learning: Advancing through training, certifications, technical study, and professional networking helps sustain a high level of competence and confidence over time.