Management
Engineering Case Histories: Case 94: Why mentors are important for industry
When I started working in industry 50 years ago, it was management’s job to have a senior engineer watch over my work. Much of the quality of my analytical work and technical discipline were formed early in my career with help from these engineers.
Reliability: Reliability and the EPC contractor
In this column, I have often elaborated on critical information related to reliability thinking. However, reliability thinking is continually subverted by approaches that concentrate excessively on project cost and completion.
Viewpoint: A new value proposition for a licensor and EPC contractor
The drop in oil prices has changed the overall dynamics of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), as well as reduced prices for petrochemical products. Approximately $150 B of oil and gas projects have been canceled or put on hold.
Automation Strategies: Drive maximum asset capability with operational technologies
Owner-operators across the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) strive to gain maximum business value from their process plant assets. Here, automation assets and other operational technology (OT) typically play a major role.
Modularization: The key to success in today’s market
The world economic order is rapidly changing. A transition is underway, led by the sudden collapse of crude oil and natural gas prices. Here, the pros and cons of modularization vs. field construction are outlined.
Managing complex changeover processes for integrated cracking furnace safety
Cracking furnace operations (e.g., for the steam cracking of naphtha feedstock into olefins) are an essential part of hydrocarbon (HC) refining; however, they are known to be potentially dangerous and complex to manage.
Viewpoint: Create a culture of safety: Protecting people while boosting your bottom line
Implementing safety best practices helps reduce employee risk, which helps minimize the number of workplace accidents and ensures compliance with industry and government regulations.
Useful tips for a successful HAZOP study
The products we use on a daily basis comprise a variety of chemicals.
Project Management: Performance excellence culture improves processes, giving lasting results
In the downstream industry, where production is at an all-time high and uncompromised safety is imperative, plant owners and operators are responding by implementing the latest time-saving technologies and systems to automate and improve human processes.
People
Abdulaziz F. Alkhayyal has been elected to the board of directors of Marathon Petroleum Corp., increasing the board’s size to 11.
- ITT to acquire SPX Flow for > $4.77 B, expanding leadership in highly engineered components and adjacent flow technologies 12/5
- MOL Group introduces eco-friendly Bag-in-Box packaging for lubricants 12/5
- Addis Energy secures $8.3 MM to scale its transformative approach to low-cost ammonia production 12/5
- World Fuel Services supplies cruise line with waste-based biofuels 12/5
- Chevron announced $18 B-$19-B CAPEX budget for 2026 12/5
- Russia and India sign deal to build urea plant in Russia 12/5

