BP Whiting Business Unit is a 450MBPD refinery, The Machinist/Millwright craft maintains the refinery’s pumps, turbines, compressors, valves, routine maintenance, etc… A day in the life for a Machinist/Millwright can range from equipment maintenance/overhaul on centrifugal compressors(wet-gas, air, etc...), reciprocating compressors, TG(Turbine Generators) power plant, API pump overhaul/OEM repairs on overhung, between bearing and vertical pumps, precision installation of all rotating equipment which exceeds industry standards, precision laser alignments, centrifugal steam turbines repair/overhaul, relief and control valve repair, fin fan, actuator installation/repair/troubleshooting, OSHA CIC certified carry deck operator, rigging specialist, precision roller bearings, Babbitt sleeve bearings, Kingsbury thrust bearings, bearing isolaters, precision machine operator on lathes, mills, VTL, HBM, field marching for milling and clamshell operations, lock-out- tag-out safety, permits to work, HITRA, ICC, and on and on!The Machinist/Millwright craft at the Whiting Refinery pride ourself on maintaining and repairing every piece of equipment in house better than the OEM. Very seldom do we require outside assistance for refinery equipment and if required it’s only due to the lack of manpower. My team has successfully increased a dismal Solomon MTBF from 36 months to an industry leading 100+ MTBF. I am very proud to say I work with some of the most talent craftspersons I have ever seen. I am also responsible for maintaining the training development, planning, track/maintain compliances, scheduling and delivery for refinery training request for 90+ Millwright/Machinist employees, including the continuous development of the Machinist/Millwright Apprenticeship program for future hires. The 4 yr. apprenticeship curriculum involves an extensive safe hands-on training covering all above listed items.

After successfully completing the 4 yr. apprenticeship program delivered at BP Whiting, documented by Department of Labor, I proceeded to become a skilled journeyman in the American Petroleum Institute (API) 687 on Flowserve, Sulzer, DresserRand and Union Overhung, Vertical Sump, Between Bearing type pumps. Along with becoming an API 612 Elliott YR, Worthington, Coppus, Turbodyne, and Terry steam turbine repair craftsman.

BP Whiting underwent a multi-billion dollar modernization plan for its Whiting, IN oil refinery. Approximately half of the refinery was rebuilt inside the live operating refinery. The modernization allowed BP Whiting to process a larger amount of heavy crude. In October 2012 I became a qualified trainer through Practical Management Instruction training facility and I successfully developed and completed the OSHA Process Safety Management 1910.119 training on new equipment installed for the maintenance craft, approx.. 400+.

Purdue University Calumet developed and offers a federally backed skill building program, which was designed to help Military Veterans or Trade Adjustment Assistance displaced workers learn new skills in the Manufacturing sector. I was asked to join the team to instruct the Mechanical Components sections covering Mechanical Drives and Safety (belts), Power Transmission and Shafts (chains) and Machine elements(gears) segments. Throughout the 21 week program, an individual learns about Industrial Electricity, Programmable Logic Controls (PLC), and Mechanical Components, which allow them the possibility to become certified with an industry-recognized (PMMI) certification. It has been a pleasure to give back all the fortunate education I was shared.

In March of 2004, I started my oil and gas career at BP Whiting Business Unit 400+ MBPD refinery in the Machinist/Millwright Apprenticeship program. Throughout the 4 yr. program, I was taught over the various industrial atmosphere subjects: • Machine Shop & Field Math- geometry, trigonometry, tables, graphs, speed & feeds, threading, gear, taper• Precision Measurement & Hand Tools- micrometers (od, id, depth, inside), pi tape, feeler gage, dial caliper, bore gage, dial indicator, etc….• Blueprint- • Shop Equipment & Machines – drill press, sandblasters, presses, coupling pullers, torches, bearing heaters, belt sander, grinders, power saws, parts washers, surface grinders, MSDS, Schenck balancer• Rigging- hand signals, secure loads, proper hitches, come-a-longs, chain-fall• Engine Lathe- Vertical Turret(Boring) Lathe, Engine Lathe• Milling Machine- Vertical Knee Mill, Horizontal Bar Mill• Compressors – Centrifugal and Reciprocating, theory, flow paths, pressures, lube oil sytems• Pump Repair- API 687 ANSI, Overhung, Vertical Sump, Between Bearing disassemble, assembly, repair, installation, troubleshooting, inspection, record keeping, operating• Turbines – API 612 Elliot, Terry, Turbodyne, DresserRand, Coppus, Worthington, safety, PPE, steam theory, Woodward Governors, turbine disassemble, assembly, repair, installation, troubleshooting, inspection, record keeping, operating• Coupling, Bearing, Lubrication• Metallurgy• Fasteners- types, grades, torque values- anti-seize• Tool Repair, Helicoils, Extractors, Pullers • Equipment Setting – pump/turbine/compressor/motor alignment (laser), multi train equipment alignment• Mechanical Seals- API flush plans• Relief Valves- VR National Board • Field Machining- Pipe cutting clam shells, milling• Motor Operated Valves- Rotork and Limitorque • Hydraulics• Swagelok, LocTite, Enerpac• Mazak CNC• Control-of-Work, Lock-out Tag-out, Fall protection, Aerial Lifts certification, Fork Truck certification

In June of 2000, I started my apprenticeship in the Tool and Die field at Heritage Tool and Manufacturing. I attended a training program called Tooling & Manufacturing Association (TMA) which was delivered at Triton College. While working 60+ hr. weeks and attending class weekly, I was taught an invaluable amount of knowledge in the Tool & Die field. Working from engineered blueprints I machined jigs, fixtures, dies, gauges, cutting tools, etc… that were later used in a stamping die’s for production. I personally enjoyed troubleshooting progressive dies, considering I enjoy a challenge. I graduated from the program and completed my 7500 on the job working hours required by the Department of Labor in Illinois to complete the apprenticeship and proceed to enhance my skills.