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