Day 2: EPRU and Project Description

2nd February, 2009

before I begin explaining what happened with the HOD and why day 2 is on 2nd Feb and not 29th Jan. Well, I tried to contact the HOD but could not get through. Vanessa even went over to the college to meet him, but to no avail! We finally gave up, and due to some unmentionable reason, I did not go to Uran on 29th (the actual and official day 2, hereon referred to as Day 1A). 30th was a Friday and we were supposed to go. But due to some unforeseen circumstance with Guha, the solidarity showed and none of us showed up.

 

I love the Government of India for having 5 day weeks for PSUs. With Sat and Sun off, 2nd Feb i.e. Monday had to be Day 2 (for me at least).

 

Meanwhile, on Day 1A, the HOD had already talked to the small dude about the projects to be allotted to us and both of them had a fair idea now. I later came to know that the only input the HOD gave was that anything technical would do, which was smart in a way, as the two dudes were getting a little concerned. Smart HODs lead to smarter decisions. Awesome. As a result of all that, we got our projects today. Here is mine:

“Undertake a detailed study of the H2S emissions from the GSU and suggest measures to reduce its concentration”

For those who don’t know, H2S smells like rotten eggs, and are really harmful. But work is work, and I shall willingly do it. Who knows, a revolutionary idea may emerge. There is no harm in hoping.

The main tour today was to the EPRU(Ethane Propane. Recovery Unit) which looks like this:

maybe bigger, as we were inside the beast. It had like an unlimited number of claws(piping), a few organs (knockout drum, PSVs, Relief Pumps, Compressors and Expanders and i could go on…maybe not), and a hell of a lot of noise. It was fun.

 

The best part is to go up the 6 storey structure made of nothing but equipments supported on cage floor, and look down through the cages. It is impressive, and scary at the same time. ONGC Uran fun fact: you can see the Nariman Point atop the EPRU on clear days.

Before the end of the day, we had to meet the Big Dude, but even after a long wait, that did not happen. In the process, we missed the 2:30 shift bus and hence had to come via ST-BEST-BEST combo. Finally reached home at 5:30pm. Walked a lot today, so totally tired. Good Night!

Day 1: Photo Gallery

27th January, 2009
ONGC Plant, Uran, Navi Mumbai

ONGC Plant Management Policy

 

ONGC Plant Management Policy

 

Sea Gate, ONGC Uran Plant

Day 1: find another company

27th January, 2009

The day began early. I woke up at 5:30 and left home at 6. Had to change trains at Kurla as stated in the previous post about the preparations. As the train was crossing the creek just before Vashi Station, and as I was enjoying the beauty of the same in light barely enough for even twilight to claim a stake, a thought struck my mind.

This is the first day of the rest of my life…

Caught up with Rahul at Vashi Station. We then took the rick (the first rick for me in New Bombay which had a working meter, as far as memory serves me) to Koparkhairni Bus Depot. Vanessa showed no signs of turning up, so we boarded the Bus No. 31 to Dronagiri, Uran.

The Bus ride was, well, LONG. It took an hour for us to reach the place called Dronagiri from where we had to take a rick for the plant. The BUS ride was interesting though. I felt a little trippy, what with the beautiful scenery interspersed with whacky destructive ideas from Arvind Adiga’s White Tiger (the book was my companion for the journey). Add to that a rumble strip which made us feel that the bus was dipping its beak into the ground.

Anyways, we managed the bus ride, and then took a rick for the plant. Reached there at 9. Then the frustrating wait in order to get the security clearance and the trainee pass. We could not enter the plant till 11am. Inefficient to say the least, but I won’t say it as that is not the way you treat your employers, not on the first day.

I was so bored waiting that i made replicas of fire safety posters

Menawhile, I called the guys over at Du Pont, Gurgaon. They were also trying to get into their office. Bet it took less time for them.

Finally, we went in and met with the two dudes we have to meet regularly during the course of our internship. For the sake of corporate discretion, I would name them Big Dude and Small Dude. Big dude is the boss of all the small dudes and the small dude is our immediate boss.

The first shock came then. See, the big dude thought that we were MBAs and had already completed our Engineering (some B.E. stuff) and hence was more than interested in giving us a project on Supply Chain Management. It was all great, just that the college would just not approve such a non-technical project. So we had to tell him that we were students of an integrated course thingy and he HAD to give us a technical project. His reply was  : “go find some other company”

“Go find some other company”

FIRED ON DAY 1. All the dreams of my family shattered to pieces. Alas, destiny!

The emotions and drama lasted 5 seconds and then the Big Dude realised that he had not used the right words. He took then back and told us to get projects which he could give us, but they had to be challenging, not the monosyllable projects the small dude kept on feeding to the supply chain of the discussion.

I was fed up of all the tension and drama by then. We went to the office of the small dude and told him that we would discuss with our HOD and get back to him regarding the projects. DAY OFF TOMORROW, my subconscious screamed. So, we had lunch in the canteen (the food worked for me), and left. Out of the plant by 2.

The return journey wasn’t so tiring as we found the ONGC bus and hopped on. I slept in the bus, so nothing interesting there.

No ONGC tomorrow. Maybe would write something about what happened with the HOD.

Watch the space, its legendary.

My Official Confirmation Letter

here is how it goes:

myboss@ongc.co.in	Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
To: ankit88@gmail.com
Dear Vanessa,Ankit & Rahul    It is confirmed that all three of you are allowed for training from 27th Jan,2009 at ONGC,Uran PLant,Uran for three months. Regards Your Boss CE(P) I/C Training ONGC,URAN PLANT,URAN MOBILE-9999999999

Day 0: The Preparation

Getting ready for a training stint is a very easy job. All you have to is to get excited, and find out what you have to take with you to the plant on Day 1. After that, find out how to get to the frigging place, and the reporting time.

Luckily, I am totally equipped with this information by now. Still 19 hours to go.

Here is my list:

What to take?

1. ID Card
2. PAN Card
3. 4 passport photos

How to reach?

1. Go to Kanjurmarg station, and buy a return ticket from there to Vashi via Kurla
2. Change the train from the same platform at Kurla
3. Reach Vashi and meet Rahul Guha there (I am training with Rahul and Vanessa, more about them later
4. Go to KOPAR KHAIRNI bus depot with Rahul availing a Rickshaw
5. Meet Vanessa there and take a bus to Uran
6. There I am!

Reporting time: 7:30 am

Time to leave home: 5:30am

lots of info...

too much to take...

wish me luck....

Day 1 tomorrow....

Interning @ ONGC - An experience worth sharing

Hey people, I would use this blog to share my experiences as an intern at ONGC, the Oil and Gas Major. I would be joining ONGC on the 27th Jan 2009 and continue to work there till 30th April 2009.

I totally hope it will be an enriching experience.

Watch this space if you are interested. Else go read cricket.