The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns
A roadmap to successful execution
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From 38 years in oil and gas and 75 shutdowns
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The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns
A roadmap to successful execution
Get Your Copy
A contractor-centric shutdown playbook from 38 years in O&G and 75 shutdowns.
Digital Edition
EPUB + PDF. Instant download. Includes PMT checklist pack.
Paperback Edition
Printed book.
Executive Bundle
Paperback + Digital + 120-min consultation.
What industry leaders say
Practical, field-tested guidance for shutdown teams across the GCC.
25+ years global Oil and Gas experience. Former QatarEnergy and Schlumberger. University of Texas at Austin alumnus.
“ Haitham’s book stands out because he has lived shutdown execution from every angle—first as a technician at the very bottom, later as a general manager, and on both sides of the table as a client and a contractor. That rare breadth of perspective, combined with his humility to listen and learn from every worker, makes his insights exceptional. His unmatched attention to detail and passion for this work permeate every page, turning hard-won experience into practical, actionable guidance. This is an indispensable resource for anyone serious about mastering shutdown management. Haitham brings a rare, 360-degree perspective to shutdown execution—having started as a technician, risen to general manager, and worked on both client and contractor sides. His humility in learning from every level, combined with unmatched attention to detail and passion for excellence, makes this book stand out. The insights are practical, hard-won, and immediately useful for anyone aiming to master shutdown management.”
Qatar Engineering and Construction Company (Qcon). Ex-Maintenance Manager at QatarGas, now QatarEnergy LNG.
“ A very interesting and unique book. Professionals in the industry can use this book to standardize the Shutdown execution strategy and guarantee success for their Shutdown as this book deals with not only the managerial exceptions but down to the details. The English saying that says "The devil is in the detail" I assure you this book has removed the devil from the details. It has addressed issues from A to Z from contractual risks, planning, staffing, organization requirements, and resources needs across all stakeholders of the Shutdown. The beauty of this book you and read it full or read the related part to your job I.e. planning or QC or Safety to become aware of the needs and the risks for your portion of the work. The project manager needs to read it from my perspective fully. This book summarized a professional who lived multiple Shutdown and multiple clients and summarized the best practices and lessons learner. As contractor I will be ashamed to reinvent the wheel when this is already done. As a managing director I believe success factor is initially in good robust planning this book has comprehensively addressed this element. Finally, I would recommend this book to my own leadership team and key stakeholders and recommend it to my colleagues in the industry.”
Nasser Al Kuwari
Chairman, Coreinfo Consulting
Coreinfo Consulting
Former CEO of QCHEM and QAFAC.
“ The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns by Haithm Adnan Elsaka is an outstanding and practical resource for anyone involved in the oil and gas sector. The book stands out for its clarity, structured approach, and wealth of real-world lessons drawn from decades of experience and over 75 major shutdown projects. It addresses a critical knowledge gap by focusing on the contractor’s perspective, offering actionable checklists, methodologies, and proven practices. Written in a concise and easy-to-follow style, it serves as both a field reference and a training tool. A must-read for professionals seeking excellence in shutdown execution.”
“From the very first pages, it becomes abundantly clear that this work is not only a technical account of complex industrial operations but also a thoughtful reflection on the challenges, decision-making processes, and leadership responsibilities that accompany such critical projects”
25+ years global Oil and Gas experience. Former QatarEnergy and Schlumberger. University of Texas at Austin alumnus.
“ Haitham’s book stands out because he has lived shutdown execution from every angle—first as a technician at the very bottom, later as a general manager, and on both sides of the table as a client and a contractor. That rare breadth of perspective, combined with his humility to listen and learn from every worker, makes his insights exceptional. His unmatched attention to detail and passion for this work permeate every page, turning hard-won experience into practical, actionable guidance. This is an indispensable resource for anyone serious about mastering shutdown management. Haitham brings a rare, 360-degree perspective to shutdown execution—having started as a technician, risen to general manager, and worked on both client and contractor sides. His humility in learning from every level, combined with unmatched attention to detail and passion for excellence, makes this book stand out. The insights are practical, hard-won, and immediately useful for anyone aiming to master shutdown management.”
Qatar Engineering and Construction Company (Qcon). Ex-Maintenance Manager at QatarGas, now QatarEnergy LNG.
“ A very interesting and unique book. Professionals in the industry can use this book to standardize the Shutdown execution strategy and guarantee success for their Shutdown as this book deals with not only the managerial exceptions but down to the details. The English saying that says "The devil is in the detail" I assure you this book has removed the devil from the details. It has addressed issues from A to Z from contractual risks, planning, staffing, organization requirements, and resources needs across all stakeholders of the Shutdown. The beauty of this book you and read it full or read the related part to your job I.e. planning or QC or Safety to become aware of the needs and the risks for your portion of the work. The project manager needs to read it from my perspective fully. This book summarized a professional who lived multiple Shutdown and multiple clients and summarized the best practices and lessons learner. As contractor I will be ashamed to reinvent the wheel when this is already done. As a managing director I believe success factor is initially in good robust planning this book has comprehensively addressed this element. Finally, I would recommend this book to my own leadership team and key stakeholders and recommend it to my colleagues in the industry.”
Nasser Al Kuwari
Chairman, Coreinfo Consulting
Coreinfo Consulting
Former CEO of QCHEM and QAFAC.
“ The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns by Haithm Adnan Elsaka is an outstanding and practical resource for anyone involved in the oil and gas sector. The book stands out for its clarity, structured approach, and wealth of real-world lessons drawn from decades of experience and over 75 major shutdown projects. It addresses a critical knowledge gap by focusing on the contractor’s perspective, offering actionable checklists, methodologies, and proven practices. Written in a concise and easy-to-follow style, it serves as both a field reference and a training tool. A must-read for professionals seeking excellence in shutdown execution.”
“From the very first pages, it becomes abundantly clear that this work is not only a technical account of complex industrial operations but also a thoughtful reflection on the challenges, decision-making processes, and leadership responsibilities that accompany such critical projects”
Shutdown Manager Checklist Pack
A role-linked, phase-by-phase toolkit the PMT can apply immediately.
What’s inside:
- Shutdown Manager checklist covering award, planning, execution, and close-out for oil and gas turnarounds
- PMT stakeholder RACI matrix for client, contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, head office, and government or security
- Manpower and resource planning templates for P&M, services, and mobilisation
- HSE and permitting toolkit including JSA, TBT, LOTO, and ePTW flow
- QA and QC pack with WPS, PQR, ITPs, and weld and NDT logs
- Site setup and TSF checklist covering access, utilities, scaffolding, and clinics
- Reporting templates for daily and weekly reports, delay and variation registers, and KPIs
- Close-out bundle with turnover dossier index, reconciliation, and lessons learned
Benefits:
- Clear ownership and faster decisions across client, contractor, and subcontractors
- Fewer readiness gaps and more on-time starts
- Standardised reporting that keeps control-room rhythm tight
- Faster onboarding for new supervisors and coordinators
Meet Haithm Adnan Elsaka
With 38 years of hands-on experience in Qatar’s energy sector, Haithm has led critical operations at QatarEnergy, Qcon, OryxGTL, and Qatar Chemical Company. His career spans field engineering to senior leadership, overseeing complex, multi-billion dollar projects.
This book distills decades of practical experience, proven shutdown strategies, and lessons learned in high-risk environments. The goal is simple. Help you execute better, faster, and with fewer surprises.
38+ Years
Industry Experience
3 Companies
Leadership Roles
300+ Engineers
Mentored
$2.5B+ Projects
Managed
Ready to run shutdowns on time?
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FAQs
Quick answers, grouped by topic
Where can I buy The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns?
You can purchase the book directly at haithmelsaka.com It is also available on major book-selling platforms such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Additionally, the book is available via Lulu.com as a print-on-demand service. Visit www.lulu.com Different packages and offers are available.
Who is Haithm Adnan Elsaka?
Haithm Adnan Elsaka has 38 years of field-tested experience in maintenance management, brownfield projects, and shutdown and turnaround execution in the oil and gas industry. He spent more than two decades working with operating companies before joining the contracting sector in January 2008 as Maintenance Services Manager at Qatar Engineering & Construction Company (Qcon). He was later promoted to Operations Manager and then General Manager in October 2018. Over his career, he has managed and executed multi-million-dollar projects. He also held senior roles in Training and Development, strengthening his expertise in coaching, human assets management, and organizational development.
In which countries has the author worked?
USA: Clopay Plastic Products Company in Nashville, TN and Volunteer Electric Inc. in Nashville, TN. Qatar: QGPC (now QatarEnergy), QChem, OryxGTL, Qcon, and Qaws Management Consultancy. UAE: Qcon UAE.
What makes the author uniquely qualified to write this book?
Haithm worked with operating companies for over 18 years, directly involved in planning, preparation, and execution of shutdowns. He later transitioned to the contractors’ side, where he managed the assessment, planning, and execution of dozens of shutdowns and brownfield projects. Under his leadership, his organization grew from executing one or two shutdowns per year to handling nine to eleven annually. In 2022, seven major shutdowns were executed in parallel with an additional 19,000 manpower, all delivered on schedule, on budget, with zero incidents, and full compliance with quality standards. The book captures the systems, methods, and lessons that enabled these results.
What is The Ultimate Guide to Manage Shutdowns about?
This book is a practical, battle-tested roadmap for professionals working on the contractor’s side of oil and gas shutdowns, particularly in the GCC region. It is designed as a field reference rather than an academic read, providing step-by-step methods, charts, tables, and actionable tools. The content follows the shutdown lifecycle from planning to execution to post-completion, addressing the responsibilities of every role within the Project Management Team.
Who is this book written for?
The book is written for Project Management Team members involved in shutdown execution from the contractor’s perspective. Client staff will gain valuable insight into contractor challenges and how to support successful execution. Oil and gas professionals seeking to understand shutdown projects will find it a strong learning reference. Senior management of contracting companies will gain a practical playbook to maximize execution effectiveness and quickly identify and correct issues before losses occur.
How is this book different from other shutdown management books?
It is the only comprehensive book that focuses on shutdown execution from the contractor’s organizational perspective and provides tested, step-by-step activity lists. While many books explain shutdowns from the client or asset owner viewpoint, this book addresses contractor risks and challenges directly. Its content combines a proven systematic methodology with real lessons learned from executing numerous shutdowns and brownfield projects.
Can I read a free sample before buying? Where can I download the free preview?
Yes. Free samples are available at haithmelsaka.com These include the Shutdown Manager checklist, an overview explaining why the book was written and how to use it, and guidance on systematic shutdown execution through the implementation of checklists.
Can Haithm Elsaka provide shutdown consulting services?
Yes. For shutdown consulting and advisory services, please send your inquiry to info@qaws.qa.
Talk to Haithm about your next shutdown
75 major shutdowns and 53 brownfield projects. Short, targeted engagements that move the needle.
We reply within one business day.