Ben O'connell
About Ben O'connell
Ben O'Connell is a Wheatstone Upstream Production Technician at Chevron in Perth, Australia, with over 12 years of experience in the oil, gas, and alumina refining sectors.
Title and Current Position
Ben O'Connell currently serves as Wheatstone Upstream Production Technician at Chevron in the Perth Area, Australia. In this role, he specializes in various aspects of production operations related to the upstream oil and gas industry. His responsibilities include hands-on start-up, commissioning, operation, and monitoring of equipment and systems used in hydrocarbons and condensate processing circuits.
Previous Experience
Before joining Chevron, Ben O'Connell gained significant experience at multiple renowned companies. He worked at ConocoPhillips as a Process Technician in Darwin from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, he spent two years at Rio Tinto Alcan, serving initially as a Relief Supervisor and Senior Process Technician from 2009 to 2011, and as a Process Technician from 2006 to 2007. Additionally, he held the position of Assistant Manager/Yard and Maintenance Coordinator at Gove Yacht Club from 2004 to 2006.
Education and Certifications
Ben O'Connell studied Metalliferous Mining Operations at Apprenticeships Australia, where he earned a Certificate III over the duration of four years from 2006 to 2010. He also studied Glass Glazing and Aluminium Fabrication at TAFE NSW, achieving a Certificate III, from 1996 to 2004. These educational qualifications have equipped him with a strong foundation in mining operations and fabrication techniques.
Skills and Specializations
With over 12 years of experience in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industries as well as alumina refining, Ben O'Connell possesses specialized skills in HSE Management Systems, Gas, Petroleum, Process Control, and Heat Exchangers. He is adept at planning, organizing, troubleshooting, and providing technical guidance to less experienced colleagues. His expertise extends to validating production routines and procedures while ensuring safe plant operations.
Operational and Technical Responsibilities
At Chevron, Ben O'Connell is responsible for managing the safe preparation and return of the plant to service during maintenance activities. He utilizes the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to plan and execute work, liaises with the Maintenance team to monitor equipment performance, and maintains competencies for efficient plant operations. He is also involved in coaching, mentoring, and assessing Production Technicians, ensuring clear communication through 'CNOTES' documentation, and solving operational problems using his technical skills.