Petroleum Refining – Production Planning, Scheduling, and Yield Optimization 14th – 18th April, 2025

Course Overview

This 5-day advanced training program focuses on strategic approaches to refinery production planning, scheduling, and yield optimisation. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance operational efficiency, the course provides in-depth knowledge on maximising production yields while minimising costs and meeting fluctuating market demands. Participants will explore advanced techniques such as demand forecasting, feedstock selection, and product slate optimisation. Emphasis is placed on efficient scheduling, inventory management, and reducing operational bottlenecks. The course also integrates the application of optimisation models and software tools to support data-driven decision-making, ensuring enhanced production outcomes and operational reliability.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Develop strategic production plans aligned with market demands and operational capacities.

2. Apply advanced scheduling techniques to optimise refinery workflows and minimise delays.

3. Optimise feedstock selection and product slates to maximise yields and profitability.

4. Utilise inventory management strategies to maintain balanced operations.

5. Leverage optimisation models and software tools for data-driven decision-making.

6. Identify and mitigate process bottlenecks to ensure uninterrupted refinery operations.

Target Audience

• Refinery production planners and scheduling professionals.

• Process engineers involved in refinery yield optimisation.

• Refinery operations managers and supervisors.

• Inventory and supply chain coordinators in refining operations.

• Professionals in refinery economics and planning teams.

• Engineers and analysts seeking to integrate optimisation tools into their workflows.

Daily Agenda

Day One: Fundamentals of Refinery Production Planning

• Overview of Production Planning in Petroleum Refining: Principles and objectives.

• Market Dynamics and Demand Forecasting: Aligning refinery operations with market trends.

• Feedstock Selection Criteria: Evaluating crude types for optimal yields.

• Product Slate Optimisation: Strategies to balance product outputs and market needs.

• Economic Drivers in Refinery Planning: Cost factors influencing planning decisions.

• Case Study: Planning for fluctuating market conditions.

Day Two: Scheduling and Workflow Optimisation

• Scheduling in Refinery Operations: Concepts and methodologies.

• Short-Term vs Long-Term Scheduling: Strategies and differences.

• Managing Turnarounds and Maintenance Schedules: Minimising downtime.

• Inventory Management in Refinery Scheduling: Maintaining balance between supply and demand.

• Integration of Supply Chain Dynamics: Linking refinery operations with distribution networks.

• Workshop: Developing a sample refinery schedule.

Day Three: Yield Optimisation Techniques

• Maximising Product Yields: Best practices for improving output efficiency.

• Optimisation of Refinery Units: Techniques for distillation, hydrocracking, and catalytic reforming.

• Energy Optimisation in Refinery Operations: Reducing energy costs while maintaining yields.

• Bottleneck Identification and Resolution: Techniques to enhance refinery throughput.

• Case Study: Yield improvement strategies in a refining scenario.

• Interactive Session: Analysing yield optimisation data.

Day Four: Tools and Models for Refinery Optimisation

• Introduction to Optimisation Models: Their role in production planning and scheduling.

• Software Tools in Refinery Operations: Overview and applications.

• Real-Time Optimisation Systems: Benefits and challenges.

• Data Analytics for Refinery Optimisation: Extracting insights for decision-making.

• Hands-On Exercise: Using software tools for production planning.

• Workshop: Applying optimisation models to a refinery case study.

Day Five: Strategic Implementation and Continuous Improvement

• Developing a Comprehensive Refinery Plan: Integrating planning, scheduling, and optimisation.

• Performance Metrics for Refinery Operations: Setting and evaluating KPIs.

• Strategies for Continuous Improvement: Building adaptive and resilient operations.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring regulatory alignment and mitigating risks.

• Final Assessment: Practical scenarios and strategic planning exercises.

• Wrap-Up Discussion: Insights and key takeaways from the course.

Why Choose this Course?

This course equips refinery professionals with advanced tools and techniques for production planning, scheduling, and yield optimisation. It offers a comprehensive understanding of aligning operational goals with market demands while maximising profitability. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, participants gain actionable insights to enhance decision-making, minimise costs, and achieve operational excellence.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

1. Master advanced production planning and scheduling techniques.

2. Enhance refinery yields through data-driven optimisation strategies.

3. Improve operational efficiency by identifying and resolving process bottlenecks.

4. Integrate modern optimisation tools and software into planning workflows.

5. Adapt to market dynamics and ensure compliance with operational standards.