Roger Sprague

Roger Sprague

Freelance Contractor; Analyst Programmer / Software Architect / Team Leader

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location of Roger SpragueRas Al Khair, Eastern, Saudi Arabia

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Process Control & Instrumentation Manager at Ma'aden

  • Education

    • La Trobe University

      -
      Bachelor of Applied Science With Distinction Computer Science and Maths
    • Charles Sturt University

      -
      Graduate Certificate in GIS
  • Experience

    • IBM / Dun & Bradstreet / 4LOOP / Dialog IT / Hewlett & Packard

      Feb 1997 - Mar 2002
      Freelance Contractor; Analyst Programmer / Software Architect / Team Leader

      • Designed a number of commercial and in-house software packages and was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the software development and some of the testing phase. • Responsible for writing business proposals and technical specifications for new projects, and providing consulting services as to the future direction and feasibility of numerous projects.

    • Rio Tinto

      Apr 2002 - Apr 2014

      • Significant involvement in the full lifecycle of numerous large projects including hydrotalcite dewatering (Emerson DeltaV), high density fine seed filter optimisation (ABB infi90 and Emerson DeltaV), trial and final supernatant liquor neutralisation (Emerson DeltaV), supernatant liquor return to refinery (Emerson DeltaV). - Authored, or provided input into, functional and technical designs. - Participated in HAZOP and CHAZOP studies. - Interpreted designs and control narratives and implemented these as efficient maintainable control loops, automated sequences, and associated HMIs. - PLC programming. - Configured and commissioned DCS, controllers, and IO segments. - Implemented and commissioned tie-ins of brownfields areas to greenfileds areas. - Configured foundation fieldbus and HART instrumentation including positioners, flow, pressure, level, temperature, density, turbidity, pH, and conductivity. - Performed final stage testing of control loops, interlocks, and alarms against the functional description, master interlock summary, and master alarm summary. - Performed FAT and SAT. - Carried out signed-off change request modifications as per operational requirements. - Optimised loop tuning based on operational requirements such as disturbance rejection, or minimum deviation from critical operating parameters. - Acted as a shift supervisor during start-up and initial operation of new facilities. • Acted in the role of Control Systems Superintendent during periods of leave. • Administered a large OSISoft PI installation and associated data collection nodes. • Planned the future direction of control systems software and hardware. • Interfaced with other areas of the business to align control system projects with the strategic direction of those areas and negotiated effective solutions with all stakeholders. • Identified continuous improvement opportunities and implemented these using a lean six sigma methodology. Show less • Solely responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning numerous large optimisation projects using a lean six sigma methodology, including deep cone washer train optimisation (ABB infi90 and Emerson DeltaV), pressure decanter optimisation (Emerson DeltaV), high rate decanter optimisation (Emerson DeltaV). • Significant involvement in commissioning and optimisation of numerous large projects including, high temperature bypass (Emerson DeltaV), high temperature digestion 3rd stage expansion (Emerson DeltaV). • Responsible for 24/7 DCS support and fault finding. Liaised with a broad range of areas across the business, including operations, technical, and electrical & instrumentation to get problems rectified. • Ensured that the control system had 100% uptime and functioned optimally with well tuned loops. • Negotiated effective solutions with stakeholders for DCS changes related to new operational requirements and implemented these changes under a rigorous change management policy. • Developed all in-house control system related software, including an alarm capture and reporting system, a loop tracking reporting system, and various system reconciliation utilities. Many of which interfaced with an OSISoft PI historian. • Administration of associated DCS software and servers. Show less • Provided software development capabilities to the control system department. • Responsible for understanding the business requirements for a diverse range of internal departments and then aligning IT strategic direction with the strategic direction of these departments. • Responsible for clarifying, documenting, and distilling user requirements from internal customers and managing implementation, testing, and user acceptance of the solution. • Highly proficient in the following technologies. C# .NET, VB .NET, ASP.NET, Visual C++/MFC, Visual Basic 6.0, Java, Oracle, SQL Server, MS Office macros, database design, system interfacing, DevExpress suite, Cognos ReportNet, and Visual SourceSafe. • Mentored other employees to improve their business knowledge and technical skills. • Responsible for identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities within the IT department and acting as an IT resource to other continuous improvement activities within the business. Show less

      • Senior Control System Engineer

        Jun 2011 - Apr 2014
      • Control Systems Engineer

        Feb 2008 - May 2011
      • Senior IT Business Analyst / Team Leader / Analyst Programmer

        Apr 2002 - Jan 2008
    • Origin Energy

      May 2014 - Dec 2015
      Lead Commissioning Engineer

      ...

    • Ma'aden

      Mar 2016 - now

      ... ... ...

      • Process Control & Instrumentation Manager

        Oct 2023 - now
      • Process Control Superintendent

        Aug 2018 - Sept 2023
      • Lead Process Control Engineer

        Mar 2016 - Jul 2018
  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Emerson DeltaV Advanced Control

      Emerson
    • Emerson DeltaV AMS Device Manager-Foundation Fieldbus

      Emerson
    • Emerson DeltaV Foundation Fieldbus Commissioning

      Emerson
    • Emerson DeltaV Implementation I

      Emerson
    • HAZOP Leader

      Risk Consultancy
    • Introduction to HIMA

      HIMA
    • Lean Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Leader (Greenbelt).

      Rio Tinto
    • Professional Certificate in Instrumentation, Automation, and Process Control

      Engineering Institute of Technology
    • Professional Certificate in PLCs and SCADA Systems

      Engineering Institute of Technology
    • TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Engineer

      TÜV Rheinland
  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Roger Sprague
      Dux of First Year Science & Engineering La Trobe University
    • Awarded to Roger Sprague
      National Australia Bank Award for Second Year Science La Trobe University