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Industry Overview - Petroleum
The Petroleum Industry, sometimes referred to as ‘downstream’ covers
the refining and manufacture of petroleum products as well as storage,
blending, distribution and retail operations.
Refining
In the UK there are nine major oil refineries that process stabilised
crude oil from the North Sea as well as crude oil imported from other
parts of the world. Oil refineries are large industrial complexes
with hundreds of employees working around the clock. Maintaining
safety standards and monitoring the environment are important issues
for the people who work in refineries and the community living nearby.
One of the first processes in the downstream petroleum industry is
refining. Refining involves a series of processes to separate and
sometimes alter the hydrocarbons in crude oil. It relies on a
basic difference between the various constituent chemicals - in this
case their boiling points. When crude oil is distilled, many
fractions (or parts) of the oil and gas have to be separated.
This is called fractional distillation. Small molecules of hydrocarbons
have low boiling points, while larger molecules have higher boiling
points.
Storage & Blending
Finished products derived from crude oil are stored in a variety of tanks.
Some tanks have fixed roofs, others have what is termed as floating
roofs in that the roof of the tank moves up and down according to the
product level inside the tank.
In addition, there are spherical and conical shaped tanks in which usually store liquefied petroleum gases.
Some products are blended with others to become new products. A typical
example of this is Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) which is used as an
aircraft fuel. ATK is blended using kerosene and naphtha.
Distribution
The distribution of petroleum products by road in the UK has
significantly increased in recent years. The range of products
being transported and distributed includes medium & heavy fuel
oils, gas oil, kerosene, diesel, aviation fuel, petrol, liquefied
petroleum gases.
The length and tonnage of road tankers has been increased over the
years to 15 metres and 44 tonnes and includes rigid as well as
articulated vehicles.
The distribution of these products throughout the UK by road involves a
wide range of operators including major oil companies, major transport
contracting companies, small & medium employers (SME’s) and single
vehicle operators. Increases in technology have resulted in
greater emphasis on drivers to have skills over and above their
loading, driving and delivery including those of IT, interpersonal and
problem solving.
Retail
There are around 12,000 retail forecourt sites in the UK ranging from
small independently owned sites to large supermarket chains.
In addition to selling petroleum products, sites generally sell a
variety of other goods including confectionary, groceries and
newspapers.
Job Roles
Refining, Storage & Blending
1. Manufacturing Technician
One of the most populated job roles within a modern refinery is the manufacturing technician.
The functions of the manufacturing technician include the control and
monitoring of plant and equipment, responding to abnormal conditions,
maintaining safety and quality standards, dealing effectively with
emergencies.
2. Maintenance Technician
There are several disciplines involved in maintenance including
mechanical, electrical and instrumentation. In addition, there are
service maintenance disciplines including pipefitting, boilermaking,
welding, scaffolding, insulation and painting.
The majority of these job roles are available as modern
apprenticeships, resulting in a level 3 N/SVQ and an HNC in the
appropriate discipline
3. Graduate Engineers
There are several types of graduate engineers associated with the
downstream business including chemical, operations, mechanical,
instrument, electrical and metallurgical.
Opportunities exist in some refineries for time served technicians to
further their careers by undertaking degree courses in their
appropriate disciplines.
4. Support Services
All refineries depend on support services for them to operate
effectively. These services include human resources, learning and
development, safety and security, environment protection,
administration, logistics and warehousing.
In addition, all refineries rely on contractor support in maintenance
disciplines to ensure plant and equipment is kept at optimum operating
conditions.
Distribution
1. Driver
Almost all the distribution activities in the UK are carried out by logistics contractors.
In order to become a fully qualified distribution driver, it is
essential to have an LGV licence (large goods vehicle) and an ADR
(Accord Dangereux Routier).
Over the years, the types and sizes of vehicles has increased to
include 44 tonne articulated, 26 tonne & 17 tonne rigid vehicles
and rigid vehicles with draw bar trailers. Also the levels of
competence expected of a driver have extended to include routing,
scheduling and IT skills.
In addition, distribution drivers are often viewed as the company
representative and as such need to have good communication and
interpersonal skills.
2. Vehicle Maintenance
As stated previously, over the years, the types and sizes of road
tankers has increased to include 44 tonne articulated, 26 tonne &
17 tonne rigid vehicles and rigid vehicles with draw bar trailers.
In addition, road tankers are now equipped with bottom loading
facilities and vapour recovery systems. Consistent with these changes,
road tanker maintenance has been extended to cover all of the above
equipment. Vehicle maintenance technicians are therefore required to be
specialists not only in vehicle maintenance but also in tank
maintenance.
Retail
1. Forecourt Operator
Retail forecourt operators need to be competent in receiving deliveries
of fuel, reconciling fuel stocks, routinely operating a forecourt site
and implementing emergency procedures.
They are often seen as the public face of the brand of fuel they
retail, therefore they must have good inter personal skills and be able
to interface with members of the general public.
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