Will “Pilot Plant Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
71% Chance of Automation
“Pilot 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
- Petroleum Supply Specialist
- Petroleum Refining Equipment Operator
- Petroleum Refinery Worker
- Petroleum Refinery Operator
- Petroleum Refinery Control Panel Operator
- Petroleum Plant 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 “Pilot Plant Operator”
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- 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.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- 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.
- Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
- Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
- Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- 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.
- Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.
- Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
Related Technology & Tools
- Lease automatic custody transfer LACT units
- Compressor control panels
- Pocket knives
- Wire cleaning brushes
- Digital feeler gauges
- Socket sets
- Moving bars
- Precision file sets
- Petroleum trucks
- Hand centrifuges
- Gauge lines
- Fencing pliers
- Pressure testers
- Personal computers
- Chain boomers
- Vernier calipers
- Adjustable handwrenches
- Laptop computers
- Measuring tapes
- Oil field pumps
- Vacuum trucks
- Straight tinners snips
- Calibrated hydrometer
- Hacksaws
- Wire cutting tools
- Flat cold chisels
- Allen wrench sets
- Safety goggles
- Electric centrifuges
- Pipe wrench sets
- Needlenose pliers
- Multipurpose hammers
- Punch sets
- Oil squirt cans
- Petroleum sampling equipment
- Multipurpose screwdrivers
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Groove joint pliers
- Oil sampling pumps
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory tracking software
- Email software
- Microsoft Word