Akhlaq Ahmed

Manager Projects / Turnarounds / Shutdown-Plant Services @ Olayan Descon Industrial Company

About

A globally seasoned project delivery executive with more than two decades of leadership across mega-scale plant turnarounds, shutdowns, and complex EPC construction programs in the Oil & Gas, petrochemical, and power generation sectors throughout the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia. I am recognized for consistently leading mission-critical projects in highly regulated, safety-intensive, and schedule-driven environments, transforming strategic intent into operational reality while safeguarding profitability, performance, and reputation. My career is defined by a sustained record of building and directing large, multicultural, and multi-disciplinary organizations to outperform contractual, commercial, and operational targets. I partner at executive and board level with clients, licensors, OEMs, and prime contractors to shape delivery strategy, de-risk execution, and unlock value across the full project lifecycle, from bid and front-end planning through construction, commissioning, and operational handover. With a leadership philosophy grounded in accountability, precision, and people development, I consistently deliver superior safety outcomes, predictable schedules, optimized cost structures, and long-term client confidence on some of the region’s most demanding industrial programs.

Country

Saudi Arabia

City

Jubail

Industry

Construction

Skill

Cost Management, shutdown execution, Resource Management, Pre-commissioning, Change Management, T&I, Turn Around Management, Construction, Construction Management, Interpersonal Skills, Mitigation Strategies, Construction Processes, Budget Management, Project Engineering, EPC, Commissioning, MS Project, Procurement, Primavera P6, Project Management

Experience

Manager Projects / Turnarounds / Shutdown-Plant Services

Olayan Descon Industrial Company

2010-10 - Present · 16 yrs

Jubail, Eastern, Saudi Arabia

Delivered multiple large-scale construction, plant turnaround, and shutdown projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supporting some of the region’s most prestigious industrial clients. Successfully executed complex brownfield and greenfield projects, ensuring operational readiness, safety compliance, and on-time handover. Led end-to-end planning and execution of plant turnarounds, shutdowns, and EPC construction projects, providing overall leadership to multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors. Managed manpower mobilization of up to 3,000 personnel, including workforce selection, onboarding, training, and performance management. Proactively resolved execution and interface challenges through effective debottlenecking, risk mitigation, and constructability planning. Acted as the primary focal point with clients and stakeholders, leading progress reviews, coordination meetings, and alignment of all subcontracting and support resources to achieve project milestones. Demonstrated strong technical and operational oversight across a wide range of static and rotating equipment, including heat exchangers, pressure vessels, columns, reactors, pumps, compressors, MOCs, tie-ins, piping modifications, and EPC expansion works, ensuring quality, safety, and schedule adherence throughout project delivery.

Project Manager

AMS POWER & Industrial Engineering Pvt Ltd

2008-11 - 2010-9 · 1 yr 11 mos

Served as Project Manager for large-scale combined-cycle and engine-based power generation projects, including: • Nishat Power Plant – 225 MW CCPP • Liberty Power Plant – 225 MW CCPP • Gulf Power Plant – Engine-based power plant Led full EPC execution, with direct responsibility for construction and commissioning activities across all sites. Delivered projects involving high-capacity engine and balance-of-plant systems supplied by Wärtsilä, with individual engine capacities of up to 18 MW. Held overall accountability for site execution, interface management, and commissioning readiness of major plant systems, including boilers, steam turbines, cooling towers, HVAC chillers, and associated auxiliaries. Ensured alignment of contractors, OEMs, and commissioning teams to achieve safe, timely, and performance-compliant project delivery.

Project Engineer

Intergen - IML Impianti s.r.l., An IML Group Company

2008-3 - 2008-8 · 6 mos

Lecco, Lombardy, Italy

Supported the delivery of a cogeneration (CHP) power plant project, providing engineering and site execution support across construction, system integration, and commissioning activities. Coordinated with EPC teams, OEMs, and subcontractors to ensure timely completion of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation works, while maintaining compliance with project specifications, safety standards, and quality requirements.

Assistant Manager Mechanical

GHANI GROUP OF COMPANIES

2003-7 - 2006-9 · 3 yrs 3 mos

Led the installation and commissioning of a complete float glass production facility in close collaboration with a Chinese OEM, ensuring full compliance with project specifications, safety standards, and performance requirements. Managed mechanical execution and system integration across all major production and utility areas, including the furnace, batch plant, conveyor systems, nitrogen generation plant, captive power plant, and tin bath section. Played a key role in construction coordination, interface management, and commissioning readiness, enabling successful start-up and stable plant operations.