Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Management

Industry Perspectives: The digitalization of the downstream industry

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

The digitalization of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is in full swing. Numerous companies have created, and are optimizing, digital technologies to improve plant operations, increase energy efficiency and lower costs.

Digital: Transitioning from the spreadsheet to the Cloud

GE Digital: Renick, J.

The Industrial Internet of Things is expected to create a $225-B market by 2020, opening new opportunities for industrial organizations related to data and asset management.

Automation Strategies: Looking to the future of process control staffing

ARC Advisory Group: Gupta, M. S.

Technology is changing, and fast. Labor availability and skillset requirements are changing, as well. Process control personnel makeup and skillsets have evolved over decades of iterations. The process industries are challenged to continue to operate efficiently in an increasingly competitive environment.

Editorial Comment: Optimizing our message to the oil and gas industry

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

The pages of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> contain numerous case studies, techniques, advice and step-by-step approaches to optimizing downstream operations. These elements have been the focus of the magazine for the last 95 yr.

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group says owners to reduce management role

TAIPEI (Reuters) -- Formosa Plastics Group said on Thursday it will set up a management center next month to allow the owners of one of Taiwan’s biggest conglomerates to reduce their role in the management.

Equipment critical analysis: The need for an effective maintenance program

Toyo Engineering Canada Ltd.: Zardynezhad, S.

Oil refineries and large petrochemical plants contain thousands of pieces of process and utilities equipment that are subject to wear, erosion, deterioration, aging, etc., resulting in increasing breakdowns and outages. Imagine being a maintenance engineer and receiving 50 work orders during an overhaul with a limited budget, time, labor, spare parts, tools, machines, etc. How does that engineer prioritize the work?

HP announces launch of IRPC Europe, WGLC Europe, and HP Awards in Vienna

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Three co-located events allow for ease of networking and attendance in one of Europe’s most renowned cultural and artistic centers.

Engineering Case Histories: Case 96: Career paths—technical and management

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

I have spent most of my career in the mechanical engineering technical area because that is what I do best. I was a manager of advanced engineering for many years, but then realized that it was not my calling.

Business Trends: Human reliability—a disruptive innovation

Small Hammer Inc.: Snider, B.

Annual bottom-line losses due to equipment failures total more than $100 MM at major refineries and petrochemical complexes. Corporate executives charge plant personnel with improving the reliability of the facility.

Editorial Comment: Maintenance—a value-added expense

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> tackles one of the most integral aspects of the downstream industry (or any industry, for that matter): maintenance and reliability. These two terms go hand-in-hand and help to ensure efficient and safe operations.