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Quest Training

Oil Refinery Production Planning & Optimization Training Course

Shows how refineries coordinate crude selection, processing capacity, product specifications and market demand to plan, schedule and optimize production.

DOW · Downstream Operations, Refining, Petrochemicals & Industrial OperationsAll Levels#2657ClassroomEnglish , Arabic
Duration
5 Days
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Free substitution at any time · 30+ days' notice: full refund minus 10%. Cancellation policy

Sectors:Oil & GasCategories:Downstream Operations, Refining, Petrochemicals & Industrial Operations

Course Overview

The Oil Refinery Production Planning & Optimization Training Course provides a comprehensive understanding of the technical, operational, and economic principles involved in planning, scheduling, and optimizing refinery production. The programme examines how refineries can coordinate crude oil procurement, feedstock selection, processing capacity, product specifications, and market demand to maximize profitability, improve operational efficiency, and maintain reliable plant performance. Participants explore the relationship between crude oil characteristics, refinery configuration, processing unit capabilities, and product yield. The course examines crude assay evaluation, feedstock selection, refinery process constraints, production targets, and the influence of crude quality on processing performance. Particular attention is given to balancing production requirements across distillation, conversion, treating, and blending operations while maintaining product quality and compliance with applicable specifications. A key focus is placed on refinery production planning and scheduling, including short-term operational planning, intermediate-term production forecasts, and longer-term strategic planning. Participants examine how crude availability, unit capacity, equipment reliability, maintenance schedules, inventory levels, and product demand influence refinery operating plans. The programme also addresses the coordination of refinery operations with supply chain, procurement, maintenance, laboratory, marketing, and commercial teams to ensure that production decisions remain technically feasible and commercially beneficial. The course further explores refinery economics, process optimization, energy efficiency, and performance monitoring. Participants examine product yield optimization, blending strategies, production bottleneck identification, energy consumption, operating costs, and the financial implications of different crude and processing scenarios. The programme introduces linear programming and other optimization approaches used to evaluate alternative production plans, allocate constrained resources, and identify opportunities to improve refinery margins without compromising safety, reliability, or product quality. Through practical exercises, refinery case studies, production planning simulations, and optimization workshops, participants develop the analytical skills required to improve production decisions and evaluate operational trade-offs. The course emphasizes data-driven planning, cross-functional coordination, scenario analysis, and continuous performance improvement to support profitable, reliable, and sustainable refinery operations.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the principles of refinery production planning, scheduling, and optimization.
  • Analyse crude oil characteristics and assess their implications for refinery processing and product yields.
  • Evaluate refinery configuration, processing capacity, and operational constraints.
  • Develop production plans aligned with market demand, feedstock availability, and product specifications.
  • Coordinate production schedules across distillation, conversion, treating, and blending units.
  • Apply material balance and product yield analysis to support production planning decisions.
  • Evaluate crude selection and processing alternatives using technical and economic criteria.
  • Identify production bottlenecks and assess opportunities to improve refinery throughput.
  • Apply blending and product allocation strategies to meet quality specifications and commercial requirements.
  • Use refinery economics and optimization techniques to improve operating margins.
  • Monitor production performance using appropriate operational, quality, energy, and financial indicators.
  • Develop practical optimization initiatives that improve refinery profitability, reliability, and resource utilization.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals involved in refinery planning, operations, process engineering, production scheduling, and performance optimization, including: Refinery production managers and planning supervisors. Refinery operations managers and shift supervisors. Production planning and scheduling engineers. Process engineers and process optimization specialists. Petroleum and chemical engineers working in refining operations. Crude oil procurement and feedstock planning specialists. Refinery economics and performance analysts. Product blending and quality management professionals. Supply chain, inventory, and logistics specialists supporting refinery operations. Maintenance and reliability professionals involved in production planning. Energy management and operational excellence specialists. Technical managers and professionals responsible for refinery performance improvement.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyse refinery production requirements and translate business objectives into operational plans.
  • Evaluate crude oil properties and determine their implications for processing strategies.
  • Assess the capabilities and constraints of major refinery processing units.
  • Develop production schedules that reflect feedstock availability, unit capacity, maintenance requirements, and market demand.
  • Apply material balance and yield analysis to evaluate alternative production scenarios.
  • Identify bottlenecks and recommend measures to improve throughput and process utilization.
  • Evaluate blending options to achieve product quality requirements and commercial objectives.
  • Apply economic analysis to compare crude selection and refinery operating alternatives.
  • Interpret production, yield, energy, inventory, and profitability indicators.
  • Use optimization concepts to support resource allocation and refinery planning decisions.
  • Assess the effects of operational disruptions, maintenance activities, and market changes on production plans.
  • Prepare an integrated refinery production optimization plan with measurable performance targets.

Course Outline

Day 1

Refinery Configuration, Crude Oil Characteristics & Production Fundamentals

  • Overview of refinery operations and the relationship between crude oil processing and product demand.
  • Major refinery configurations and their impact on product yield and operating flexibility.
  • Crude oil properties, crude assays, and feedstock quality indicators.
  • Distillation processes and the role of atmospheric and vacuum distillation units.
  • Conversion processes, including catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, and delayed coking.
  • Treating processes and the production of specification-compliant fuels.
  • Understanding refinery product streams and intermediate material flows.
  • Material balances, mass flows, and preliminary yield calculations.
  • Processing constraints associated with crude quality, equipment capability, and unit configuration.
  • Introduction to refinery production targets and performance indicators.
  • Practical Application: Review a representative crude assay and refinery configuration to assess potential product yields, identify key processing considerations, and establish preliminary production planning assumptions.
Day 2

Production Planning, Scheduling & Refinery Coordination

  • Principles of refinery production planning and operational scheduling.
  • Translating market demand and commercial targets into production requirements.
  • Crude oil availability, feedstock procurement, and delivery scheduling.
  • Planning production across distillation, conversion, treating, and blending units.
  • Assessing unit capacity, operating limits, and process constraints.
  • Integrating maintenance schedules and equipment availability into production plans.
  • Managing intermediate streams, tank capacity, and product inventory requirements.
  • Coordinating production planning with operations, maintenance, laboratory, and supply chain teams.
  • Short-term scheduling, medium-term planning, and longer-term production forecasting.
  • Managing production deviations, changing feedstock availability, and unexpected operating constraints.
  • Practical Application: Develop a preliminary refinery production schedule using specified feedstock availability, unit capacities, product demand, inventory constraints, and planned maintenance activities.
Day 3

Refinery Yield Optimization, Blending & Product Quality

  • Understanding product yield distribution and its economic significance.
  • Evaluating alternative crude processing strategies and their effects on product output.
  • Identifying opportunities to improve the yield of higher-value products.
  • Optimizing feed rates and processing conditions within approved operating limits.
  • Fundamentals of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum product blending.
  • Managing blend components, product specifications, and quality constraints.
  • Evaluating the effects of blending decisions on product value and refinery margins.
  • Managing intermediate product streams and processing unit interactions.
  • Balancing product demand, inventory availability, and specification compliance.
  • Coordinating process engineering, laboratory testing, and production operations.
  • Practical Application: Evaluate alternative product blending scenarios and recommend a production allocation strategy that meets quality specifications while improving the commercial value of the refinery product slate.
Day 4

Refinery Economics, Process Optimization & Operational Efficiency

  • Fundamentals of refinery economics and contribution margin analysis.
  • Crude acquisition costs, processing costs, and product realization.
  • Refining margin calculations and the economic evaluation of production alternatives.
  • Identifying operational bottlenecks and evaluating throughput improvement opportunities.
  • Introduction to linear programming and refinery optimization models.
  • Using optimization methods to evaluate feedstock selection, unit allocation, and product production.
  • Energy consumption, fuel usage, steam systems, and operational efficiency.
  • Evaluating the economic effects of unit constraints, downtime, and maintenance requirements.
  • Scenario and sensitivity analysis for crude prices, product prices, and processing conditions.
  • Identifying opportunities to reduce operating costs while maintaining safety and reliability.
  • Practical Application: Compare alternative crude processing and production scenarios using simplified economic data, identify operational constraints, and recommend a plan to improve refinery contribution margins.
Day 5

Integrated Production Optimization, Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

  • Integrating production planning with commercial objectives and refinery operating strategy.
  • Establishing production targets and measurable performance indicators.
  • Monitoring throughput, product yields, energy intensity, inventory, and operating margins.
  • Using production reports and operational data to identify performance gaps.
  • Managing uncertainty in crude availability, market demand, and product prices.
  • Evaluating the effects of unplanned downtime and changing operating conditions.
  • Coordinating production plans with maintenance, procurement, logistics, and sales teams.
  • Developing contingency plans for constrained units and supply disruptions.
  • Prioritizing production improvement initiatives and assigning implementation responsibilities.
  • Establishing review mechanisms and continuous improvement procedures.
  • Final Workshop: Develop and present an integrated production planning and optimization plan for a selected refinery scenario. The plan should include crude selection assumptions, production schedules, unit capacity constraints, product yield targets, blending considerations, inventory requirements, economic comparisons, key performance indicators, operational risks, and a phased implementation roadmap.

Upcoming Dates

Selected date

Makkah · 2 – 6 Nov 2026 · Classroom

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MakkahScheduled
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16 – 20 Nov 2026€6,300—
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23 – 27 Nov 2026€5,300€4,770until 2 Nov
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30 Nov – 4 Dec 2026€6,700€6,030until 9 Nov
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