Cooney_edit.qxp 1/7/09 3:46 pm Page 17
Getting the Maximum from Your Refining Assets
relaxed the operating constraints, it is then necessary to work to The development of competency assessments and externally accredited
make the process unit capable of achieving this new optimum training programmes coupled with flexible remuneration and improved
performance 24/7. This is achieved through application of advanced performance management have characterised the industry during the
process control and process unit optimisation allied with application last decade. These processes have been driven by the growing
of process quality measuring instruments and product quality complexity of individual jobs and the need to ensure that all are trained
estimators. The application of these processes needs to be tied to to respond to emergencies but also that all are aware of how to drive
constraint removal, otherwise the task of installation and ongoing the value chain. Coupled with this has been a significant exodus of staff
maintenance of these tools can be to onerous for the refinery to bear. and hence a need to be able to get new staff up to speed as quickly
and consistently as possible. The need to train and retain staff is now
Energy optimisation is a key element in maximising the value of the paramount, but labour is more mobile than ever and there will be a
assets. Attention to energy and ultimately the carbon footprint of the retirement peak in the industry in the next few years. Retaining critical
refinery has to be included in the same fashion and has become a far knowledge as people leave the industry is of concern for many refiners.
more important consideration in optimisation of the site. Tools are The development of a systematic approach to retaining critical
now available for modelling the refinery fuel and utility systems and knowledge is gaining pace.
optimising energy performance on- and off-line. These, combined
with the approaches discussed earlier on setting targets and Conclusion
strategies, taking a holistic view of the refinery and sweating the The real path to maximising the value of our refinery assets is not as
current assets, mean that measurable improvements in energy and complicated as one often presumes. The key to maximising the value
carbon efficiency do not always require large investments. of the technologically advanced processes at the site as well as the tools
available to the modern refiner are sound business process design, clear
Developing Our People responsibilities and accountabilities, appropriately trained staff at all
Until at least the 1970s, technological change drove margin levels of the organisation and a single, consistent, up-to-date view of
improvement; however, as margins tightened across the industry and the economics of the refinery. A solid, externally referential
less capital became available to simply add technology to the existing performance analysis provides the start and objective of the journey,
assets, the focus – as outlined above – has shifted to maximising the but does not add value unless it is turned into value-generating
value of existing assets. This approach to maximising the value of the strategies that can be implemented, embedded in the day-to-day
refinery involves the total organisation and requires greater attention operation by motivated individuals and sustained by a well-trained and
to the quality of our people. motivated team. ■
Brazil • China • Denmark • France • Germany • Great Britain • India • Mexico • Portugal • Romania • Spain • Sweden • USA
OSBORN
Cutback Brushes for
Systemweld cleaning!
www.pipelinebrush.com
OSBORN International GmbH · Ringstrasse 10 · 35099 Burgwald / Germany
Tel. +49 (64 51) 5 88-0 · Fax +49 (64 51) 5 88-206 · eMail
info@osborn.de
ISO 9001:2000 Certified Quality System A UNIT OF JASON INCORPORATED
HYDROCARBON WORLD VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1
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