Gustavo Assing

Petroleum Engineer with more than 27 years of international experience in heavy oil upgrading, refinery operations, delayed coking, commissioning, operational readiness, maintenance coordination, process optimization and multidisciplinary technical leadership across the complete lifecycle of complex refining assets. Recognized for integrating engineering, operations, maintenance, reliability and process safety into practical business solutions that improve operability, increase production reliability and reduce technical and financial risk. Extensive experience supporting concept development, FEL-1/FEL-2 studies, startup planning, commissioning, refinery optimization, turnaround preparation, troubleshooting and long-term asset reliability.

Specialized in heavy residue conversion technologies including Delayed Coking Units (DCU), Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation (CDU/VDU), Solvent Deasphalting (SDA), Hydroprocessing and Refinery Integration. Known for translating complex operational challenges into executable engineering decisions long before capital investments are committed.

Senior Process & Heavy Oil Upgrading Consultant - Independent - Canada | Middle East | International Projects

(2023-01)

• Developed proprietary heavy oil upgrading concepts focused on maximizing liquid yields while minimizing capital investment.
• Led FEL-1/FEL-2 conceptual studies involving DCU, SDA, CDU, VDU and refinery integration.
• Performed technical evaluations supporting investment decisions before FEED.
• Integrated engineering, operations, maintenance and process safety into conceptual refinery development strategies.
• Supported refinery optimization and operational improvement studies for international clients.

Senior Operations Engineer – Delayed Coking Unit - SATORP (Saudi Aramco / TotalEnergies) - Saudi Arabia

• Supported operations of one of the world's largest delayed coking complexes.
• Coordinated Operations, Maintenance, Inspection and Engineering organizations.
• Led troubleshooting involving heaters, coke drums, fractionators and associated systems.
• Participated in MOC, PSSR and HAZOP reviews.
• Supported turnaround activities, startups, and shutdown execution.
• Optimized operating conditions to improve production reliability and energy efficiency.
• Mentored operators and junior engineers.

Commissioning & Startup Process Engineer - Foster Wheeler Italiana - Turkmenbashi Refinery Expansion – Turkmenistan

• Participated in commissioning and startup of a new delayed coking complex.
• Supported mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning and performance testing.
• Reviewed startup procedures and commissioning documentation.
• Coordinated EPC personnel, licensors and refinery operations during system turnover.
• Supported PSSR and acceptance testing activities.

Senior Process / Operations Engineer - SINCOR Upgrader (Currently Petrocedeño) - Venezuela

• Supported one of the world's largest extra-heavy oil upgrading facilities.
• Led refinery process optimization initiatives.
• Coordinated production, maintenance and engineering activities.
• Participated in startup, shutdown and troubleshooting.
• Developed operating procedures supporting process safety and operational excellence.

Petroleum Engineer - Petroleum Engineering

Associate Degree - Mechanical Engineering

Specialization - Heavy Crude Oil Upgrading Process