COURSE OVERVIEW:

This advanced course focuses on product and process optimization in refinery operations, building on the basic understanding of refinery units and product specifications. It introduces the concepts and framework of optimization, explains how optimization models are structured, and shows how they are used to improve refinery margins through better crude selection, unit operation and product blending decisions.

Participants will be introduced to basic and intermediate optimization concepts, linear programming (LP) as applied to refineries, and the practical application of optimization software in day-to-day and strategic refinery decision making. The course will emphasize how operators and front-line technical personnel can understand, support and practically implement optimization guidelines on the units to maximize economic performance while respecting safety, environmental and product quality constraints.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

1. Explain the role of product and process optimization in modern refinery operations.
2. Describe the basic concepts of optimization, including objectives, constraints and decision variables, in the refining context.
3. Understand the structure of a refinery optimization framework, from data inputs to optimization results and operating targets.
4. Explain, at an operational level, how linear programming is used to optimize refinery operations.
5. Recognize how optimization software is applied to refinery planning, scheduling and real-time operations.
6. Understand how refinery margins are calculated and how optimization decisions influence overall profitability.
7. Describe the impact of crude selection and crude specifications on optimization results and refinery performance.
8. Understand how refinery product blending is optimized to meet specifications at minimum cost and minimum quality giveaway.
9. Translate optimization recommendations into practical operating actions on units and blending systems.
10. Communicate effectively with planning, economics and process engineering teams regarding optimization constraints and practical limitations on the plant.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

-Field and panel operators in refinery process units

-Console operators involved in routing streams and product blending

-Utility and offsite operators handling product tanks and transfers

-Junior process and production technicians supporting refinery operations

-Operation engineers working closely with planning and economics teams

-Any operators or technical staff who need an advanced understanding of refinery product and process optimization

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures and discussion sessions, as well as case studies, will be managed to maximize the amount and quality of information, knowledge, and experience transfer. The course will be intensive but 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 learning. 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.