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. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is 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”
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
- 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.
- Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
- Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
- 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.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
- Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
- Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- 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.
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
Related Technology & Tools
- Flat cold chisels
- Hacksaws
- Gauge lines
- Needlenose pliers
- Pressure testers
- Punch sets
- Oil sampling pumps
- Vernier calipers
- Petroleum sampling equipment
- Wire cutting tools
- Measuring tapes
- Socket sets
- Oil field pumps
- Pocket knives
- Multipurpose hammers
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Petroleum trucks
- Pipe wrench sets
- Vacuum trucks
- Fencing pliers
- Personal computers
- Digital feeler gauges
- Compressor control panels
- Groove joint pliers
- Allen wrench sets
- Safety goggles
- Hand centrifuges
- Straight tinners snips
- Moving bars
- Wire cleaning brushes
- Oil squirt cans
- Adjustable handwrenches
- Multipurpose screwdrivers
- Precision file sets
- Chain boomers
- Lease automatic custody transfer LACT units
- Calibrated hydrometer
- Laptop computers
- Electric centrifuges
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Word
- Email software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software