Introduction

Petroleum refineries operate in highly complex and dynamic environments where efficient production planning and scheduling are essential to maximize profitability, optimize product yields, and meet market demand. Integrating operational decisions with strategic and financial perspectives is critical for achieving competitive advantage.

This MBA-level program, designed by Global Horizon Training Center, equips participants with advanced knowledge and practical tools to plan, schedule, and optimize refinery operations while linking technical decisions to business performance and value creation.

Course Objectives

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

• Develop integrated production planning and scheduling strategies for refineries
• Optimize crude selection and product slate based on market demand
• Apply advanced scheduling techniques in refining operations
• Analyze refinery economics and profitability drivers
• Identify bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency
• Utilize optimization tools and data analytics
• Integrate technical planning with financial and strategic objectives
• Enhance decision-making for operational and commercial success

Target Audience

This program is designed for:

• Refinery Planning and Scheduling Engineers
• Process and Operations Engineers in refining
• Supply Chain and Logistics Professionals
• Commercial and Trading Professionals
• Technical Managers and Decision-Makers
• Professionals seeking MBA-level refinery optimization skills

Outline

Day 1: Refinery Operations and Strategic Context

• Overview of petroleum refining processes
• Refinery configuration and complexity
• Product slate and market demand
• Role of planning and scheduling in refineries
• Linking operations to business strategy

Day 2: Crude Oil Selection and Assay Analysis

• Crude oil characteristics and classification
• Crude assay interpretation
• Crude selection strategies
• Impact on yields and profitability
• Blending strategies

Day 3: Refinery Economics and Margin Optimization

• Refinery margin concepts (GRM)
• Cost structures and profitability drivers
• Pricing of crude and products
• Economic evaluation tools
• Sensitivity analysis

Day 4: Production Planning Fundamentals

• Long-term vs. short-term planning
• Planning models and tools
• Capacity and constraint analysis
• Demand forecasting
• Inventory planning

Day 5: Scheduling Techniques in Refineries

• Detailed scheduling concepts
• Unit scheduling and sequencing
• Tank farm and blending operations
• Pipeline and logistics scheduling
• Managing operational constraints

Day 6: Yield Optimization and Process Efficiency

• Yield optimization techniques
• Process unit optimization (distillation, cracking)
• Energy efficiency considerations
• Loss minimization strategies
• Performance benchmarking

Day 7: Advanced Optimization and Modeling Tools

• Linear programming (LP) models
• Refinery planning software (e.g., PIMS)
• Scenario analysis and simulation
• Data-driven decision-making
• Integration with digital tools

Day 8: Supply Chain Integration and Logistics

• Integration with supply chain operations
• Product distribution and logistics
• Inventory management and storage
• Coordination with trading and marketing
• Risk management in supply chain

Day 9: Performance Monitoring and Decision Support

• KPIs and performance metrics
• Monitoring refinery operations
• Decision support systems
• Continuous improvement strategies
• Change management

Day 10: Strategy, Case Studies, and Executive Decision-Making

• Strategic planning in refining operations
• Real-world case studies
• Problem-solving workshops
• Best practices in refinery management
• Final assessment and executive insights