Ts. Syed Apendi Syed Latiff
Senior Process Engineer | Business Development | AI/Digital Transformation Lead
Sepang
Summary
Senior Process Engineer with over 18 years of international experience in upstream and downstream oil & gas, covering process design, FEED, EPC execution, flow assurance, asset integrity, production optimization, operations support, and technology development. Proven record of delivering major projects across Malaysia, Sudan, South Sudan, Indonesia, and China.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Generated approximately USD100 million annual revenue through successful South Sudan oil resumption initiatives.
- Delivered multiple FEED, EPC and operational support projects across PETRONAS domestic and international assets.
- Achieved approximately 30% cost optimization through engineering standardization and design replication initiatives.
- Led flow assurance studies adopted as operational best practices in Sudan operating assets.
- Supported RAPID mega-project engineering activities in Tianjin, China.
- Expanded expertise into AI, Data Analytics, ERP Systems and Digital Transformation through 6Technologies.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Development |Technology Consultant
6 Technologies | ECT Technology - Freelance
11.2024 - 12.2025
- Supported strategic entry into Oil & Gas digital solutions market.
- Promoted AI, Data Analytics, ERP and HaaS solutions to industrial clients.
- Prepared proposals, conducted presentations and managed customer engagements.
- Developed new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.
- Supported commercialization of BIOSOLV biodegradable food-grade surfactant products.
Senior Process Engineer
PETROLIAM NASIONAL BHD (PETRONAS)
08.2006 - 07.2024
- Spearheaded process design, optimization, and troubleshooting across diverse oil & gas operations, improving system reliability to achieving min 95% availability.
- Led process design and safety improvement projects, providing technical guidance to embed a Zero Tolerance policy for procedural violations, directly contributing to a Zero Harm culture and ensuring process risks were systematically reduced to ALARP levels.
- Managed the full EPC project cycle for the MIRI Crude Oil Terminal Rejuvenation and Upgrading Project (MCOT) in Sarawak, Malaysia (2007-2009), overseeing detailed design review, construction, and commissioning.
- Directed concept selection studies and managed engineering consultants for FEED documentation of the green field D21 wellhead platform, offshore Sarawak (2009), contributing to a project value in terms of cost and weight reduction for topsides by USD 200K and < 350 mT via Jack Up Rig.
- Executed Sarawak Pipeline Network replacement projects and simultaneously appointed CSR for J4 wellhead platform during SIPROD (2010-2012), ensuring continuity of operations for marginal production of 8,000 BPD oil field.
- Seconded to South Sudan (DPOC), assessing facility health checks for oil resumption after long wells shut-in (2012), mitigating potential downtime and production losses and early oil resumption generating USD 100 mill yearly revenues to both countries.
- Pioneered flow assurance pipeline studies for Greater Nile Producing Oil Company (GNPOC) in Sudan for Neem/Diffra/Canar pipelines and results accepted by JOCs, rolled out as best practices operational pigging for wax mitigations/philosophy (2014).
- Resolving high GOR well issues in NEEM GNPOC facility (2014), optimizing flow by min 25%.
- Contributed to the FEED study for Generic Wellhead Production Platform (GWSP) with Technip Inc. Jakarta, Indonesia (2016) resulting in lower CAPEX/OPEX and early monetization via 11-12 months from engineering to ready to rig (via design replication and faster fabrication).
- Delivered detail engineering design for Olefins Storage of Ethylene, Butadiene, and Propylene for PETRONAS RAPID in Tianjin, China (2018), supporting the region's largest steam cracker complex (300 KBPD) – a JV between PETRONAS and SAUDI ARAMCO.
- Co-led Integrated and joint-reviews with the SHELL MIRI support team for Operational Asset Integrity Assurance (IOAIA) assets audit (2019), identifying and closing 7 gaps in offshore asset integrity (Malikai Deepwater, F14RA and F28RA) SHELL operated fields and preparing reports for key stakeholders (MPM, DOSH, PACs).
- Managed the FEED study for NC8 gas development infill WHP tie-in to NC3 CPP in SK316 block offshore Sarawak, Malaysia (2022), ensuring project readiness and compliance.
- Ensured quality acceptance of process design deliverables (PFD, UFD, HMB, P&ID) and conducted steady-state pipeline hydraulic studies using PIPESIM and OLGA simulators, approving process documents, and verifying basic engineering documents.
- Provided critical operational support and troubleshooting for oil resumption and facility health checks across multiple international sites (DPOC, GPOC, SPOC, GNPOC, Mashyrikov platform), averting potential production stoppages.
- Drove process review and improvement initiatives (Generic wellhead basic engineering design and Build 1 Design Many Concept), collaborating with technologists and managing contractors, resulting in overall 30% cost optimization through design Standardization & Replication, Improved project economics, Fit for Purpose.
- Completed Green Belt Six Sigma methodologies and advancing renewable energy (Hydrogen Fuel Cell) projects.
Fuel Engineer
PETRONAS RESEARCH & SCIENTIFIC SERVICES SDN BHD PRSS
01.2002 - 02.2006
- Engaged in research, development, and testing of fuel and related technologies and processes, contributing to 1 product innovations – Biofuel (industry diesel + palm oil 5% olein) for diesel engines.
- Conducted ASTM methods for fuel and lubricant performance (Density, Viscosity, Pour Point, Cloud Points, Boiling/Flash Points, Corrosion, RON, GC Spectroscopy), ensuring quality control standards were met.
- Performed fuel benchmarking and industry performance comparison for PETRONAS, SHELL, EXXON MOBIL fuels, covering RON, emissions (VOC), and fuel savings (L/km), directly assisting production chemists in optimizing additive formulations.
- Developed PETRONAS’ Fuel Cell Technology through a Joint Industry Partnership (JIP) with CSIRO, Australia, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
- Managed, coordinated, and presented commercialization strategies for fuel cells, infrastructure, logistics, and energy outlook timelines to the Technical Service Department Board.
- Demonstrated expertise in research collaboration, fuel cell material and equipment development, overseeing testing programs, and conceptualizing innovative technologies.
- Contributed as a project team member for initiatives including the 'Market Survey for Biodegradable Lubricant' and 'Development of Palm Olein (B5) for ADO.'
- Conducted plant visits and market surveys across Peninsular Malaysia in the F&B industry, gathering data on food-grade biodegradable usage.
Consultant Engineer
UNIVERSITY MALAYA CONSULTANCY UNIT (UPUM)
09.1999 - 09.2000
- Provided expert engineering advice, design solutions, and conducted research and professional services, ensuring alignment with engineering and ISO standards.
- Contributed as a project team member in the Inventory of Emission Factors for Local Industries (Palm Oil, Quarry, Cement, and Power) for JAS.
- Managed data collection (SOx, NOx, CO, POME), applied US DOE emission factor models, created flow charts, liaised with regulatory agencies, delivered presentations, and utilized CPM for project planning, ensuring timely project completion.
Research Officer & Business Affiliate
BATC, UTM, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MALAYSIA (UTM)
09.1996 - 08.1998
- Conducted research, analyzed data, and collaborated with industry partners to translate research findings into practical applications and commercial opportunities, leading to successful technology transfers.
- Participated in Fuel Cell Technology research, including membrane separation and stack development, contributing to the foundational work of future projects.
- Setup work budget and environment for Master Thesis 'Development of Thin Metallic Polymer Composite Membrane through Magnetron Sputtering Technique,' involving analyses of high-advance scanning equipment (SEM, TEM, CVD).
- Observed a 5-kW PEMFC demonstration, attended relevant conferences, undertook energy trend analysis, and completed technology and engineering management courses, enhancing domain knowledge.
Education
BSc. - Chemical Engineering
Mississippi State University
01-1996
Certificate - Chemical Engineering
University Technology Mara
01-1993
Skills
Research Methodology & Technology Management
,Small Business Development
,AI & Data Analytics
,Flow Assurance & Hydraulic Study
,Production Operation Support
,Asset Integrity Audit
,Safety in Process Design
,FEED & EPC Management
,Process Optimization
,Process Engineering & Simulation ( HYSYS, OLGA, PIPESIM)
Certification
- Registered Member, Board of Engineers Malaysia (YEAR 2006)
- Registered Technologist (Ts), Malaysian Board of Technology (YEAR 2025)
- Artificial Intelligence by EMC, Malaysian Board of Technologist
- PVT & EOS by Schlumberger
- Surface Production Facilities: Oil and Water Handling
- Surface Production Facilities: Gas Handling
- Gas Processing & Conditioning
- Instrument Safeguarding System
- Pipeline Course
- Hazardous Area Classification
- Petroleum Reservoir Fluid Analysis
- BOSET and HUET
- Piping System and Plant Layout
- H2S and Mercury Safety Training
Timeline
Business Development |Technology Consultant
6 Technologies | ECT Technology - Freelance
11.2024 - 12.2025
Senior Process Engineer
PETROLIAM NASIONAL BHD (PETRONAS)
08.2006 - 07.2024
Fuel Engineer
PETRONAS RESEARCH & SCIENTIFIC SERVICES SDN BHD PRSS
01.2002 - 02.2006
Consultant Engineer
UNIVERSITY MALAYA CONSULTANCY UNIT (UPUM)
09.1999 - 09.2000
Research Officer & Business Affiliate
BATC, UTM, UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MALAYSIA (UTM)
09.1996 - 08.1998
BSc. - Chemical Engineering
Mississippi State University
Certificate - Chemical Engineering
University Technology Mara