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