Will “Petroleum Plant Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
71% Chance of Automation
“Petroleum Plant Operator” will maybe be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #389 out of #702, where higher means less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8093.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 67,870.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 32.00
- Currently, there are 41,630 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers”.
Also Known As…
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Unit Operator
- Stillman
- Refinery Operator
- Pumper
- Outside Operator
- Hydrotreater Operator
- Head Operator
- Gauger
- Crude Unit Operator
- Board Operator
- Transfer Pumper
- Terminal Gauger
- Tank Terminal Gauger
- Refining Equipment Operator
- Refiner
- Pumper Helper
- Pump House Technician
- Product Blending Supervisor
- Process Operator
- Process Control Board Operator
- Pressure Controller
- Plant Operator
- Pipeline Dispatcher
- Pilot Plant Operator
- Petroleum Supply Specialist
- Petroleum Refining Equipment Operator
- Petroleum Refinery Worker
- Petroleum Refinery Operator
- Petroleum Refinery Control Panel Operator
- Operator
- Operations Boardman
- Oil Refinery Operator
- Oil Refiner
- Oil Pumper
- Oil Process Stillman
- Oil Plant Operator
- Oil Pipeline Operator
- Oil Pipeline Dispatcher
- Oil Gauger
- Hydro Operator
- Houseman
- Gasoline Plant Operator
- Gas Blender
- Fuel Distribution System Operator
- Fractionation Plant Supervisor
- Field Gauger
- Dock Pumper
- Dock Operator
- Control Panel Operator
- Control Operator
- Control Board Operator
- Cat Cracker Operator
- Boiler House Operator
- Blender
- Absorption Plant Operator
Tasks for “Petroleum Plant Operator”
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
- Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.
- Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.
- Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
- Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
- Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
- Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products.
Related Technology & Tools
- Socket sets
- Hand centrifuges
- Petroleum trucks
- Pocket knives
- Adjustable handwrenches
- Fencing pliers
- Wire cleaning brushes
- Oil field pumps
- Laptop computers
- Electric centrifuges
- Allen wrench sets
- Punch sets
- Hacksaws
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Petroleum sampling equipment
- Gauge lines
- Pipe wrench sets
- Personal computers
- Safety goggles
- Vernier calipers
- Lease automatic custody transfer LACT units
- Calibrated hydrometer
- Measuring tapes
- Straight tinners snips
- Oil sampling pumps
- Vacuum trucks
- Groove joint pliers
- Chain boomers
- Multipurpose hammers
- Multipurpose screwdrivers
- Pressure testers
- Wire cutting tools
- Oil squirt cans
- Precision file sets
- Needlenose pliers
- Digital feeler gauges
- Compressor control panels
- Moving bars
- Flat cold chisels
- Inventory tracking software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Email software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel