COURSE OVERVIEW:

Crude oil blending and tank farm operations are essential components of refinery logistics, serving as the critical interface between global oil markets and process unit requirements. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the technical and operational strategies used to manage large-scale storage facilities and create optimized crude "cocktails." Participants will examine the physical properties of different crude types and the mathematical principles of blending to ensure that the resulting refinery feed meets specific technical and economic targets.

The scope of this training involves the detailed management of tank farm assets, including tank types, gauging systems, and mixing technologies. Attendees will learn about the challenges of managing multi-crude inventories, including the prevention of asphaltene precipitation and the handling of high-vapor-pressure or high-pour-point oils. The course emphasizes the importance of accurate inventory measurement and the role of specialized software in tracking stocks, managing transfers, and calculating blending ratios to maximize refinery margins.

Coverage includes the safety and environmental aspects of tank farm management, such as vapor recovery, spill prevention, and fire protection systems. Participants will explore the mechanics of tank cleaning, inspection, and maintenance to ensure asset integrity and compliance with international standards like API 653. By integrating logistical planning with practical operational logic, this course equips personnel with the knowledge to optimize storage utilization, reduce product giveaway, and maintain a steady, high-quality feed to the distillation units.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1.  Explain the economic and technical drivers for crude oil blending in refineries.

2.  Differentiate between various tank designs including fixed-roof and floating-roof types.

3.  Calculate blend properties using linear and non-linear blending rules.

4.  Identify and mitigate the risks of asphaltene incompatibility during blending.

5.  Utilize automatic tank gauging (ATG) and manual methods for precise inventory control.

6.  Manage tank mixing systems to ensure a homogeneous feed for the process units.

7.  Execute safe tank transfer procedures and prevent overfills or line hammers.

8.  Implement effective vapor recovery and emission control strategies for storage.

9.  Assess the impact of crude oil contaminants like BS and W on tank bottom management.

10.  Plan and supervise tank cleaning and de-sludging operations safely.

11.  Interpret API standards for tank inspection, repair, and modification.

12.  Coordinate tank farm logistics with refinery planning and supply schedules.

13.  Troubleshoot common tank farm issues such as pump cavitation and valve failures.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Tank Farm Operators, Terminal Managers, Refinery Planners, Logistics Coordinators, and Maintenance Engineers responsible for storage assets.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.