Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Classroom
14 sessions
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Online / Live
14 sessions
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Introduction
Course overview
Refineries convert crude oil into fuels, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks through a complex series of separation, conversion and treating processes. Understanding how these units work and interact is essential for engineers, operators and commercial staff alike.
This Aractech course explains crude oil characteristics, refinery configurations and the main processing units, including distillation, catalytic reforming, fluid catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, hydrotreating, alkylation and blending. Participants also examine refinery economics, product specifications, utilities, safety and the energy transition challenges facing refiners.
Practical exercises on crude assays, unit operations and product blending help participants connect process knowledge with business performance.
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Describe crude oil properties and assays
- Explain refinery configurations and process flows
- Understand the main separation and conversion units
- Describe treating and blending to meet product specifications
- Understand refinery economics and margins
- Recognise operational, safety and environmental challenges
Who should attend
Target audience
- Refinery engineers and operators
- Process and planning engineers
- Commercial, trading and supply staff
- Technical sales professionals
- HSE professionals in refineries
- New engineers joining downstream operations
Methodology
Learning approach
- Process explanation with refinery flow diagrams
- Crude assay and blending exercises
- Case studies on unit operations
- Refinery economics workshop
- Group discussions
Complete course outline
Five focused days of learning and application
The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.
Day 1
Crude Oil and Refinery Basics
- Crude oil composition and classification
- Crude assays and quality
- Refined products and specifications
- Refinery configurations
- Coffee break
- Refinery configurations (continued)
- Refinery margins and economics
- Exercise: Interpreting a crude assay
Day 2
Separation Processes
- Desalting
- Atmospheric distillation
- Vacuum distillation
- Gas plant and LPG recovery
- Coffee break
- Gas plant and LPG recovery (continued)
- Operating variables
- Case study: Distillation unit troubleshooting
Day 3
Conversion Processes
- Fluid catalytic cracking
- Hydrocracking
- Catalytic reforming
- Coking and residue upgrading
- Coffee break
- Coking and residue upgrading (continued)
- Alkylation and isomerisation
- Exercise: Comparing conversion options
Day 4
Treating, Blending and Utilities
- Hydrotreating and sulphur removal
- Product blending
- Hydrogen and sulphur plants
- Utilities and energy systems
- Coffee break
- Utilities and energy systems (continued)
- Product quality control
- Workshop: Gasoline blending exercise
Day 5
Operations, Safety and the Future
- Refinery planning and optimisation
- Process safety in refineries
- Environmental performance and emissions
- Coffee break
- Environmental performance and emissions (continued)
- Biofuels and co-processing
- Energy transition strategies for refiners
- Capstone: Refinery improvement proposal
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Crude Oil Refining Processes and Operations (OG-033) cover?
This course covers Oil and Gas through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 2 - 6 November 2026. See the course schedules section for the available dates and delivery formats.
Who should attend this course?
Refinery engineers and operators, Process and planning engineers, Commercial, trading and supply staff
Is bilingual course delivery available?
Yes. All course materials and presentations are provided in English, while bilingual explanation and discussion support may be available depending on the selected location and trainer availability. For example, when attending a course in Istanbul, you may request a Turkish-speaking trainer to explain the English course content in Turkish. Arabic explanation support may also be requested at this location. Other languages are available in selected cities. You can choose your preferred language support as an optional preference during registration.
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Check the course schedules section for currently published classroom and Online / Live sessions.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Barcelona, Cape Town.
How long is the training programme?
The programme runs for five days from 09:00 to 14:00, which gives 25 contact hours, including a daily 30-minute break (22.5 hours of instruction).
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