Dhaval Desai
Asset Integrity Management | Senior Manager
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About
Results-driven Asset Integrity Management (AIM) professional with 15+ years of progressive experience across the global Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Refining industries. Proven track record leading multi-disciplinary inspection and integrity teams across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, managing complex turnarounds involving 200+ equipment items simultaneously. Combines hands-on mastery of advanced NDT technologies (IRIS, RFET, ECT, MFL, NFT, Guided Wave, HOMC) with executive-level business development, contract negotiation, and strategic client management.
Postgraduate qualified in Data Science & Business Analytics with active application of machine learning and predictive analytics to failure analysis and AIM programs. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Ultrasonics (2025-2027). Co-founder of Continental Technologies Consulting LLC, with experience managing EPC projects and partnerships with Shell, AGIP, and Chevron.
Passionate about leveraging digital transformation, RBI methodologies, and data-driven decision-making to extend asset life, reduce operational risk, and drive CAPEX/OPEX efficiency.
Experience
Senior Manager, Asset Integrity & Business Development – North America - Continental Technologies Consulting LLC (CTC) - North America (HQ) | Global Remote Operations
(2018-07)
Co-founded and led CTC, building technical partnerships with EPC mega-projects for Shell SPDC, AGIP (pipeline construction), and Chevron (cathodic protection), managing multi-million-dollar project scopes across Africa, North America, and Europe.
Directed full commercial cycle: business development, tender submissions, contract negotiations, supplier qualification, and technical delivery for oil & gas EPC projects involving pipes, flanges, valves, and rotating equipment. Solely managed ESCON's HOMC (High-resolution On-stream Magnetic Crawling) integrity inspection operations across North America and provided remote technical support and data analysis for the European team. Expanded HOMC service line into new North American markets; drove pipeline support inspection programs using CUPS-HOMC technology, protecting critical infrastructure at ExxonMobil US and Imperial Oil Canada.
Leveraged postgraduate Data Science expertise (PG Diploma – 2022) to implement ML-based failure analysis models for AIM programs, transitioning clients from calendar-based to risk-predictive maintenance strategies. Managed sales of gas/diesel power generation assets for exploration, drilling, and mining proje
Turnaround Team Manager – Advanced NDT & Inspection - ESCON Group - Asia-Pacific | Middle East | India | North America
(2010-01)
Led cross-functional inspection teams of 10–30 technicians across simultaneous turnarounds at major refineries and petrochemical plants across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Brunei, and Kuwait. Delivered comprehensive ECT, RFET, MFL, NFT, IRIS, and Guided Wave inspection programs for Heat Exchangers, Air Fin Coolers, Boilers, and Storage Tanks at Tier-1 operators: ExxonMobil, Shell, Petronas, Petron, BASF, Chevron, and Lotte Chemicals. Managed the largest turnaround inspection programs in the region: 200+ Heat Exchangers and Air Fin Coolers at Petronas Pena Pisan (Melaka) during PSR-1 & PSR-2 turnarounds (Jan 2013 – Dec 2014) and Dec 2015 Turnaround.
Served as Inspection Manager for the HOMC Tank Annular Plate program at ExxonMobil (38+ storage tanks), Singapore Refining Company (7+ tanks), Shell Jurong Island (5+ tanks), and Petronas (3 tanks).
Executed
Long-Range Guided Wave Testing (GWUT) programs for jetty piping, road crossings, and plant piping at ExxonMobil Singapore, ExxonMobil Chemicals, Petronas Melaka, and HPCL Vishakhapatnam. Ensured compliance with client HSE requirements, API standards, and plant safety protocols at all sites; maintained zero LTI r
Advanced NDT Engineer - Testex NDT India Pvt. Ltd.
- India | Multi-site
(2008-05 - 2009-11)
Performed IRIS, RFET, ECT, and MFL inspections on Heat Exchangers, Boilers, and Air Fin Coolers for major Indian refineries and fertilizer plants including IOCL (Mathura & Gujarat), Indo Gulf Fertilizers, IFFCO, NTPC, Nagarjuna Fertilizers, and Reliance Industries (Jamnagar). Developed foundational expertise in tube inspection techniques and field data interpretation that underpinned career-long specialist proficiency.
Education
Ph.D.
- Industrial Ultrasonics Guided Wave - PP Savani University, India (2025-01 - 2027-12)
Postgraduate Diploma - Data Science & Business Analytics - The University of Texas (Texas McCombs) (2022-01 - 2022-12)
Master of Science - Applied Physics - The Maharaja Sayajirao University, India (2008-01 - 2008-12)
