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| Code | Date | Location | price (€)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| REF 101 | 6 - 10 Apr 2026 | Online | 3300 |
| REF 101 | 5 - 9 Oct 2026 | Aberdeen | 4400 |
* Prices are subject to VAT and local terms. Ph.D. students, groups (≥ 3 persons) and early bird registrants (8 weeks in advance) are entitled to a DISCOUNT!
Refinery production planning and scheduling sit at the heart of refinery profitability. In a volatile market where crude oil prices fluctuate, product specifications tighten, and margin pressures intensify, the ability to optimise crude selection, unit operating conditions, and product blending can mean the difference between profit and loss. This course gives you the practical knowledge and technical tools to develop robust production plans, create executable schedules, and optimise refinery operations using spreadsheet-based linear programming.
Over five intensive days, you will learn how to formulate linear programming (LP) models, interpret crude assays and product specifications, optimise crude slate selection based on netback values, manage unit constraints (CDU, FCC, reformer, hydrotreater, alkylation), and develop weekly and daily schedules that balance inventory targets, logistics, and margin objectives. You will also explore advanced topics including blend optimisation, giveaway minimisation, multi-period planning, and integration with supply chain and logistics – all through real-world case studies and hands-on workshops using spreadsheets. Whether you are a refinery planner, scheduler, supply chain professional, process engineer, or commercial manager, this course will equip you with immediately applicable skills using tools you already have on your desktop. You will leave with the confidence to build your own planning models, challenge suboptimal plans, identify hidden margin opportunities, and communicate effectively between operations, commercial, and management teams – ultimately maximising refinery profitability and operational reliability.
o The Planning Hierarchy (strategic, tactical, operational, real-time)
o Refinery Configuration and Complexity Index
o Crude Assays – interpretation and key parameters
o Product Specifications
o Refinery Economics – netback, gross margin, cash cost, breakeven, crack spreads
o Refinery planning Key Performance Indicators
o Workshop – Refinery Margin Calculations (given crude and product prices, using Excel)
o Crude Evaluation and Selection
o CDU Optimisation
o Conversion Unit Optimisation
o Treating Units Optimisation
o Workshop – Crude Slate Optimisation, select optimal crude mix given crude prices, unit constraints, product prices, and sulphur limits)
o LP Formulation for Refineries
o Interpreting Solver Outputs
o Common LP Pitfalls
o Workshop – Building and Solving a Refinery LP Model in Excel
o Scheduling Methodology
o Time Horizons and Time Buckets
o Tankage and Inventory Management
o Blend Optimisation
o Inventory and Logistics Coordination
o Workshop – Blend Optimisation and Giveaway Reduction using Excel Solver (calculate least-cost gasoline)
o Supply Chain Integration
o Multi-Period Planning and Inventory Optimisation
o Planning Under Uncertainty
o Integration with Production Unit Scheduling
o Advanced Topics – grassroots refinery economics (site selection, configuration, CAPEX estimation – Lang factor, factored estimates.
The Instructor holds BSc and PhD degrees from the UK and has over 30 years of experience in refinery technology, operations, and management with major oil companies. He currently works as a Senior Consultant at PetroTeach, specializing in oil and gas, process technology, safety, and environmental management.He is a Chartered Chemist and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), as well as a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (USA). He previously served as an Approved Safety Inspector at Cyprus Petroleum Refinery Ltd. He holds honorary academic appointments at several European universities and is involved in research in vacuum distillation, gas recovery, and pyrolysis. He is a team member of the Energy Integration Lab at Huddersfield University and heads the Waste to Plastics effort at a major recycling facility in Cyprus. Since 1996, he has delivered more than 250 professional training courses.
o Refinery planners and supply chain professionals
o Process engineers and optimisation engineers
o Schedulers and operations coordinators
o Commercial and trading professionals
o Finance and business analysis professionals
Some prior exposure to refinery operations or supply chain management is ideal but not required. The course builds from basic principles while providing practical tools for experienced participants.
o Advance
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
o Explain the refining value chain—from crude oil receipt to finished products (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG)—including key terminology and unit abbreviations
o Formulate and solve linear programming (LP) models using Excel Solver – Build refinery LP models in spreadsheets, interpret LP outputs including shadow prices and reduced costs, and conduct sensitivity analysis.
o Optimise crude selection and unit operations – Select crude slates based on netback value, manage unit constraints (CDU, FCC, reformer, hydrotreater, alkylation, coker), and evaluate crude switching and co-processing opportunities.
o Develop production schedules
o Optimise product blending
o Integrate planning with supply chain and logistics
Registration is now OPEN!
* Prices are subject to VAT and local terms. Ph.D. students, groups (≥ 3 persons) and early bird registrants (8 weeks in advance) are entitled to a DISCOUNT!
For more details and registration please send email to: register@petro-teach.com
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