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