07-11-2024
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Home > Insights > “Asset integrity doesn’t merely exist alongside safe operations, the two are inseparable from one another” – Meet Yousef

Our People: Yousef Bukhamsin

“Asset integrity doesn’t merely exist alongside safe operations – the two are inseparable from one another.”

In the latest in Our People series, discover how a love of scuba diving has enriched a career in energy for Yousef Bukhamsin, who has joined Penspen from Saudi Aramco on a one-year asset integrity engineering apprenticeship. 

Our partnership with Saudi Aramco dates back to 2005 when Penspen was awarded a six-year contract by Al Khafji Joint Operations, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Oil Company. Since then, we have been delighted to continue to work alongside Saudi Aramco, with the subsequent award of another five-year contract in 2011, and our development of an MSc program in pipeline integrity management through Northumbria University for Saudi Aramco in 2013. Most recently, we have welcomed several placements from the company – including Yousef from this year’s cohort.

The placement program itself covers a full range of asset integrity and risk assessment services for both onshore and offshore pipelines. It also showcases THEIA, Penspen’s digital platform for pipeline integrity management, as part of our goal to drive future-proof solutions for a transitioning energy sector.

“I moved over to London with my young family from Saudi Arabia to join Penspen in June 2024 on a one-year internship, but I’m not new to the job.

“Before that, I spent 12 years as a Plant Engineer at a crude oil marine exporting terminal. I’ve also obtained my certification in Business Continuity Management (BCM) and was appointed as a BCM coordinator at the Disaster Recovery International Institution (DRI), one of the oldest and biggest non-profit organisations aiding disaster preparation and recovery.

“Now, my role at Penspen revolves around asset integrity. Day-to-day, that might include carrying out pipe damage assessments and providing technical recommendations to clients – but no two days are ever the same.  

“The nature of working at Penspen means I get to engage with such rich and widespread expertise from across the team – as someone constantly looking to develop my technical knowledge and gain exposure to established international standards, that’s been absolutely invaluable. 

“Outside of work, since moving to London, I’ve been making the most of the chance to explore a new and exciting city. As a big Manchester United fan, getting to go to Wembley to watch the Community Shield final was a dream come true – even if it didn’t go our way on the day! 

“I’m also an experienced scuba diver. I’ve been diving since 2004, and I’m lucky enough to say that it’s become more than just a hobby – some of my favourite memories throughout my career so far have come from getting the chance to engage with professional divers as part of my work, when I was assigned to an offshore hydrocarbon facility and got to grips with the challenges that arise from underwater inspections. Ever since then, I’ve developed a real love for both marine engineering and protecting the marine environment.

Asset integrity intern

“I think one of my biggest strengths is being able to come up with out-of-the-box solutions. Being able to deploy new technologies to resolve the unique challenges that our clients face is special – it really makes you realise what an exciting time it is to be involved in the energy sector. 

“Why did I choose to specialise in asset integrity? Because it matters. When an asset’s failure has the potential to endanger human life and the environment, asset integrity doesn’t merely exist alongside safe operations – the two are inseparable from one another.” 

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