2024 AFPM Summit

Arrive early to the 2024 AFPM Summit and join us at the Heroes Charity Golf Tournament and Clay Shoot. Events include a welcome dinner on Sunday, October 13, and the Heroes Charity Golf Tournament and Clay Shoot on Monday, October 14. Proceeds will benefit the Heroes Charity Foundation, which supports charities that champion initiatives that improve the lives of veterans, children and the families who support them.

Join a fun event and network with colleagues and clients. Click to learn more.

Panelists:
Valerie Pompa, HF Sinclair Corporation
Geoff Glasrud, Flint Hills Resources LLC
Andres Rodriguez, Phillips 66

Facilitators:
Kyle Cassidy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Spencer Blindauer, Axens North America

Welcome
Chet Thompson, President and CEO, AFPM

Speaker: Peter Zeihan, American Geopolitical Analyst

Speakers:
John Eichberger, Transportation Energy Institute
Geoff Moody, AFPM

Perspectives on the market development, challenges, and opportunities to better address emissions.

Facilitator:
Rajan Rathinasabapathy, Phillips 66

Speaker:
Brent Railey, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Demistifying AI by explaining what it is, how it works without a deep dive, no specifics, discussing use cases.

Come prepared with your AI questions by viewing the pre-session AI 101 webinar.

Facilitator:
Willis Jernigan, AFPM

Speakers:
Bill Steiner, U.S. Chemical Safety Board

In this session we will discuss in detail the CSB Investigation of the Fatal Naphtha Release and Fire at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery that occurred on September 20, 2022. This presentation will discuss the lessons learned from the incident and recommendations from the CSB.

Diamond Sponsor — Axens North America

Speakers:
Mike Mitzner, Axens North America
Sindy Stone, Heurtey Petrochem Solutions

Speakers:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Dean Roberts, Ergon Refining, Inc.

Join us for the first ever Reliability & Maintenance Bootcamp!

This series is designed for new engineers in reliability and maintenance who seek practical technical skills, hands-on experience, and exposure to real-world scenarios.

Stay informed. Register early for the 2025 Reliability & Maintenance Bootcamp Webinar.

Facilitator:
Adi Punuru, ExxonMobil Corporation

Speakers:
Brent Railey, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

The two most controversial and potentially useful aspects of applied AI reside in Generative AI and Reinforcement Learning. Generative AI has applications in technical training, procedures and guided application development. Reinforcement Learning has applications in nonlinear closed loop optimization. Both areas will be of interest to refinery engineers and managers. This session is an extension of AI 101 which presented a broader view of the areas of application for AI.

Facilitator:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66

Speakers:
Carlos Acosta, Phillips 66
Abby Esterly, AFPM

Participate in the Bootcamp Technology workshop to explore a simulated potential leak scenario and learn immediate response actions within the initial five minutes. Additionally, discover the benefits of using an acrylic pump to resolve inspection challenges.

This session will help and encourage attendees to:

• Understand what good looks like


• Increase knowledge on new technology tools


• Identify and share good practices

Facilitator:
Wren Mills, Valero Energy Corporation

Speaker:
Ryan Grothe, Chevron Phillips Chemical LP

Attendees will learn about:

1. HOP is a Leadership Mindset Shift


2. Meet Leaders where they are at


3. Using HOP in Incident Investigations is a great way to introduce HOP to an organization and prompt an “Aha” moment for Leaders

Diamond Sponsor — Refined Technologies, Inc. (R-T-I)

Speaker:
Bailey Allen, Refined Technologies, Inc.

AFPM Lounge: Who is AFPM? Join us!

Gold Sponsor — Turner Industries Group, LLC

Speaker:
Jonathan Guidry, Turner Industries Group, LLC

Imagine a world where experience gaps vanish and every frontline worker performs like a seasoned pro - it's closer than you think. A seismic shift is reshaping the workforce in our industry, and it's forcing unique solutions to stay ahead of the curve. Learn how this transformation, with the help of technology, is building a resilient workforce capable of consistently high-quality performance, regardless of individual experience.

Speakers:
Rhasheda Douglas, Principal of Excel in Equity, LLC
Lloyd Freeman, Principal and Owner of Veritas Diversity Solutions, LLC

Sponsored by Solenis

Facilitator:
Ed Rios, Par Pacific

Speakers:
Howard Butler, Phillips 66
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

The unique challenges of FCC processing of ASO will be presented. Representatives from P66 and Marathon will present a lessons learned from processing Alky ASO in the FCC. The characteristics of ASO will be presented.

Facilitator:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66

Speaker:
Larry Webb, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

We will explore scenarios of when things go wrong, delve into PSM regulations, discuss RAGAGEP (Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices), and emphasize the significance of going beyond compliance.

Participants will learn:

• How to move beyond compliance


• How to ‘fail safely’


• How “risk” can be assessed differently – the importance of different points of view

AFPM Lounge: Get involved! Committee Structure & Participation

Speaker:
Justin Edson, HF Sinclair

Facilitator:
Wren Mills, Valero Energy Corporation

Speaker:
Ben Manns, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company

Gold Sponsor — W. R. Grace & Co.

Speaker:
Gary Cheng, W. R. Grace & Co.

Facilitators:
Jaxson O'Brien, CHS Inc.

Speaker:
Paul Barna, RDI Technologies
Vlad Derkach, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

This Bootcamp Technology session will explore and demonstrate the advantages of utilizing motion amplification in a refinery.

Attendees will learn about:

1. Enhanced visibility


2. Non contact measurement


3. Enhanced safety


4. Portability

AFPM Lounge: Immersive Learning Projects Demonstration

Gold Sponsor — Baker Hughes

Speaker:
Joel Lack, Baker Hughes

Facilitator:
Michael Allegro, BASF Corporation

Speakers:
Rodney Reeves, CHS Inc.
Nick Turner, Honeywell UOP

Speakers:
Val Corcoran, BrandSafway
Leonard Degreenia, BrandSafway
Scott Willis, Phillips 66

Facilitators:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Jimmy Jernigan, LyondellBasell Industries

Speakers:
Brian Batts, Phillips 66
Keneth Marden, Valero Energy Corporation
David Nixon, LyondellBasell Industries
Brian Novicki, Valero Energy Corporation

This panel of reliability, inspection and operational excellence managers will discuss the scope of healthy MI programs.

Attendees will learn:

What a good MI program looks like

Metrics/KPIs

Audit/assessments

Barriers to a healthy program

Use of technology to improve your program

AFPM Lounge: Engage with EMPOWER

Sponsored by HASC

Facilitator:
Andy Woods, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Speakers:
Jim Griffin, San Jacinto College
Ferril Onyett, BrandSafway
Brian Novicki, Valero Energy Corporation

Will the energy industry have enough operating and design & construction personnel to operate and maintain existing assets and build and operate the infrastructure planned for the future? How can we address the changing needs of the generation about to enter the workforce? Are companies adopting and implementing advanced technologies to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency on each jobsite?

The panel, consisting of owners, EPCs, academia, and construction workforce training and development experts, will discuss how we can develop, engage, train and sustain enough personnel to meet the projected energy and infrastructure needs across the country.

Facilitators:
Sam Lordo, Becht
Jacob Young, Petroval S.A.

Panel:
Sylvain Fontaine, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Bob Graham, HF Sinclair Corporation
Beverly Long, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Royce Roemisch, Delek US

Facilitator:
Atique Malik, AIControl LLC

Speakers:
Darin Foote, CHS Inc.
Chuck Johnston, Marathon Petroleum Corporation LP
Vidyashankar Kuppuraj, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Johnny Serafin, Phillips 66
Nic Tognetti, CHS Inc.

Advanced process control (APC) has been employed in FCC applications for 40 years. Despite the similarities of FCC Technology and APC platforms the success of these applications varies widely. In this session we will discuss common threads that lead to poor outcomes and how to build a successful APC program on a modern FCC.

Speaker:
Gary Kemeny, PBF Energy Inc.
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Company

Facilitator:
Sergio Robledo, Unicat Catalyst Technologies

Speakers:
Adrian Azpilicueta, Nalco Water
Steve Mayo, Eurecat U.S. Incorporated
Montri Vichailak, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

This session will cover the sources, mechanisms, and mitigations of common inorganic poisons of hydroprocessing catalysts. First, we will cover the main types of poisons encountered in hydroprocessing units and their sources. Next the three main poisoning mechanisms will be reviewed along with the severity of poisoning and catalyst mitigations to extend cycle. After that we will consider mitigations upstream of the hydrotreater to extend cycle life. Finally, a refinery case study will be presented demonstrating a process of extending cycle length in a hydrotreater with feedstock poisons.

Facilitator:
Eric Legare, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Panelists:
William Bandy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Delbert Grotewold, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Nathan Jannasch, Chevron U.S.A, Inc.
Matthew Kawabe, Topsoe, Inc.
Kamyar Keyvanloo, Phillips 66

Many new facilities were commissioned recently to produce renewable diesel and SAF from renewable feedstocks to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels while taking advantage of state and federal credits. Operating experience in this technology has been gathered by operators and their suppliers. This session will capture some of that expertise and share it with the audience in a traditional Q&A format. An experienced panel of Renewables experts from Operating and Technology companies will answer member supplied questions on operations, technology, reliability and lessons learned. Those in attendance are sure to gain valuable knowledge on this important topic.

AFPM Lounge: Walk the Line Overview

Facilitator:
Andy Woods, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Speakers:
Jim Griffin, San Jacinto College
Ferril Onyett, BrandSafway
Brian Novicki, Valero Energy Corporation

Will the energy industry have enough operating and design & construction personnel to operate and maintain existing assets and build and operate the infrastructure planned for the future? How can we address the changing needs of the generation about to enter the workforce? Are companies adopting and implementing advanced technologies to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency on each jobsite?

The panel, consisting of owners, EPCs, academia, and construction workforce training and development experts, will discuss how we can develop, engage, train and sustain enough personnel to meet the projected energy and infrastructure needs across the country.

Facilitators:
Sam Lordo, Becht
Jacob Young, Petroval S.A.

Panel:
Sylvain Fontaine, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Bob Graham, HF Sinclair Corporation
Beverly Long, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Royce Roemisch, Delek US

Facilitator:
Atique Malik, AIControl LLC

Speakers:
Chris Harrison, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

This session will discuss the project development and workflow, implementation, and application maintenance of an Imubit DLPC that was used to reduce giveaway on drum cycles on a delayed coker unit. The DLPC was successful in reducing the number of cycles in which the target level was not achieved in the fixed cycle time period. This resulted in an overall reduction in the number of barrels given away in each cycle. The application has achieved great acceptance by Operations.

Participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the Imubit DLPC application to reduce giveway on Coker Drum cycles


• Gain an understanding of the workflow for an Imubit DLPC project


• Gain an understanding of unique challenges and lessons learned from the project

Facilitators:
Diane Dierking, Johnson Matthey
James Esteban, Unicat Catalyst Technologies

Speakers:
Ashley Brossette, Valero Energy Corporation
Ken Chlapik, Johnson Matthey
Kathy Picioccio, Unicat Catalyst Technologies

Facilitator:
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speaker:
Monica Plowman, Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions, LLC

Facilitator:
Eric Legare, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Panelists:
William Bandy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Delbert Grotewold, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Nathan Jannasch, Chevron U.S.A, Inc.
Matthew Kawabe, Topsoe, Inc.
Kamyar Keyvanloo, Phillips 66

Many new facilities were commissioned recently to produce renewable diesel and SAF from renewable feedstocks to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels while taking advantage of state and federal credits. Operating experience in this technology has been gathered by operators and their suppliers. This session will capture some of that expertise and share it with the audience in a traditional Q&A format. An experienced panel of Renewables experts from Operating and Technology companies will answer member supplied questions on operations, technology, reliability and lessons learned. Those in attendance are sure to gain valuable knowledge on this important topic.

AFPM Lounge: FCC Process Safety Regional Workshops

Facilitator:
Sam Lordo, Becht

Speaker:
Graylon Williams, Nalco Water

Refineries have increased focus on processing unfamiliar opportunity crude oils to improve profitability. However, the introduction of these new crude slates brings uncertainties that can impact refinery operations. One major challenge is crude incompatibility due to asphaltene instability, which affects desalters, emulsion stability, preheat trains and furnace fouling.

For decades, the industry has recognized the importance of tracking asphaltene stability. Suppliers and refineries employ diverse equipment to assess feeds stability including benchtop microscopy and titration equipment. Unfortunately, those methods can require time-consuming offsite laboratory testing.

Now, utilizing a portable, handheld near-infrared (NIR) analyzer, crude oil tanks and other refinery feeds can be assessed for stability and blending suitability with near instantaneous results. NIR spectra from crude oil samples are collected and compared against a database of crudes and crude unit feeds with known asphaltene stability parameters. Asphaltene stability parameters are modeled and reported with a stability assessment.

In the presentation, we will delve into the fundamentals of these available tools, showcasing real-world case studies where they have been successfully applied for crude blends and crude pretreatment to improve and optimize desalter operations and crude preheat train fouling.

Facilitator:
Oscar Brown, Valero Energy Corporation

1. Case Study: Boosting Hydrocracking Performance with Celestia™ Catalyst to Double Run Length and Enable Cold-Flow Improvement with MIDW
Presenters:
Christy Anderson, Ketjen Corporation
Mitchel Loescher , ExxonMobil Corporation

2. High throughput testing enables tailored, optimized, and confident catalyst selection for CITGO's Unicracker
Presenters:
Carmen Angelini, CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Ioan-Teodor Trotus, hte GmbH

Facilitator:
Atique Malik, AIControl LLC

Speaker:
Yangdong Pan, Delek US
Toni Adetayo, Imubit, Inc.

Multi-unit optimization has long been a complex issue in the oil and gas industry. Despite efforts using first-principle models or empirical approaches, challenges persist. However, the emergence of machine learning and AI technologies offers an alternative solution. In particular, AI-based process control technology has shown promise for multi-unit optimization. This session will delve into an example using a distillate system optimizer to understand how these AI models address large-scale optimization challenges and how parent and child models collaborate.

Participants will learn:

• The strength of the technology and its high flexibility of handling core issues


• How the technology deals with the availability of individual units, and cooperates with unit controllers from other advanced control technologies


• How to sustain the technology’s performance and benefits


• A site-wide AI adoption strategy

Facilitator:
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Company

Speakers:
Jatin Shah, BakerRisk

Facilitator:
Gerard Celestine, Motiva Enterprises, LLC

Speakers:
Tieraney Celestine, Motiva Enterprises, LLC
Andrew Martindale, Motiva Enterprises, LLC
David Midkiff, Motiva Enterprises, LLC

This session will discuss the evolution and ability of a successful materials management system that prepares for events at a time when rising material, labor costs and availability is due to inflation and supply chain interruptions.

Facilitators:
Cliff Avery, Ketjen Corpotation
CJ Farley, TPM Solutions

1. Commercial Results of 100% Vegetable Oil Processing in an FCCU
Speaker: Andrea de Rezende Pinho, Petróleo Brasileiro S/A - PETROBRAS

In 2023, Petrobras and the Riograndense Refinery (RPR) successfully processed 100% vegetable oil in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit. Petrobras' technology is based on three pillars: i) triglycerides, such as soybean oil used in the commercial test, ii) ReNewFCC line catalyst and iii) unique operating conditions compared to conventional FCCUs. Biogenic products such as renewable aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX - benzene, toluene and xylene), renewable LPG, and renewable propylene were produced during the commercial trial. Commercial yields, quality of the products, operational challenges and technical adaptations for the trial will be presented.

2. U.S. HEFA Co-processing – Past, Present, and Future Projects
Speaker: Eamon Cullinane, Turner, Mason & Company

HEFA co-processing at U.S. oil refineries has historically not seen the same success as standalone RD/SAF refinery conversions. So why has co-processing in the U.S. been limited in the past and why might we see more of it in the future? We will explore historical production levels of co-processing, economics vs standalone RD/SAF facilities, the regulatory landscape and credit incentives (RINs, BTC, CFPC/45Z, CA LCFS, etc.) driving these economics, and future prospects of co-processing in the U.S.

AFPM Lounge: Emerging Leaders Networking

Facilitator:
Alyssa Parks, PEMEX Deer Park

Panel:
John Durnin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Steve Gill, HF Sinclair
Yangdong Pan, Delek US
Patrick Robinson, PBF Energy Inc.

Operation of a complex refinery process involves keeping the process within varous types of limits. These include safe operating limits, integrity operating windows, machine protection or other reliability limits, and product quality limits. This diverse background panel session from process controls and process safety management explores how to effectively identify these parameters and keep the limits in front of operators using instrumented shutdowns, alarm systems, and other monitoring and alerting software.

Facilitator:
Kurt Detrick, Honeywell UOP

Speaker:
Jon Keuler, Honeywell UOP

This session will discuss some process hazards found in HF Alkylation units, and how shutdown systems are used to address these hazards.

Facilitator:
Steve Shimoda, Technip Energies

Speakers:
Dan Harbs, Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
Kevin Harkness, Monroe Energy, LLC

Case studies will be presented highlighting different fouling mechanisms, the impact of fouling on bottoms circuit equipment and MF operation, and methods to mitigate fouling and clean-up the circuit for improved operation.

Facilitators:
Lance Cox, Nalco Water
Dean Roberts, Ergon Refining, Inc

Speaker:
Raúl Romero, Nalco Water

In this session we will discuss different aspects related to the design, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of different wash water systems operating in different units of a refinery. Since it is a critical application from the reliability point of view, different practices and criteria are applied based on experience.

Facilitator:
Matt Goodman, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Valentina Di Mauro, Honeywell UOP
Juan Pereira de la Riera, Axens North America

Speakers:
Audra Higgins, Phillips 66
Kacey Lopez, Phillips 66
Russell Thompson, Phillips 66

Hear from front line Maintenance and Operations personnel from the Sweeny Refinery as they discuss Walk-the-Line, how supervisor engagement enhances the ability of front-line employees to perform hazard assessments and taking your safety into your own hands. They will highlight tools that have improved their Hazard Identification and Mitigation, leading to three consecutive AFPM DSA Awards.

Attendees will learn:

1. What walk the line actually means.


2. Importance of Supervision in influencing proper hazard assessments.


3. Protect Yourself, trust but verify.

AFPM Lounge: Q&A Transcript Database Demonstration

Facilitator:
Stephen Jewell, KBR

Speakers:
Samantha Boyle, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Nik Larsen, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Patrick McSorley, Ketjen Corporation
Grant Severyn, BASF Corporation

1. Maximizing Butylene Yields Through Catalyst Design

2. Evaluating Complex Operational Changes via Modeling and Testing

In this presentation, we will detail the close collaboration between Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) and BASF to introduce a new catalyst technology to meet the market demand for butylenes yield and selectivity and high-octane gasoline, from development, evaluation, commercialization, to deployment of the new technology. These commercial trial results are the next step forward for LPG olefins maximization and selectivity, demonstrating significant economic value across a wide range of unit configurations and constraints for a refiner continually striving to be at the forefront of FCC catalyst technology.

Speakers:
Vickie Bradford, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Timothy Chappell, ExxonMobil Corporation
Dr. Richard Hannah, Health and Safety Council
Jay Turner, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Tyler Veenstra, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Interactive, immersive, virtual simulations that allow learners the opportunity to fail in a safe environment, develop a more robust mental framework and provide deeper understanding around Winterization and the First 5 Minutes of an emergency situation.

Facilitator:
Gerard Celestine, Motiva Enterprises, LLC

Speakers:
Carlos Diaz, Motiva Enterprises, LLC
Sterling Gregg, Motiva Enterprises, LLC

Learn from an incident where a sand blast pot was opened under pressure. We will discuss how the site was effected by this incident and how Motiva partnered with onsite contractors to create an onboarding document and video to ensure this type of incident is not repeated.

Speakers:
Dr. Calvin Mukarakate, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Juan Sacoto, S&P Global

Facilitator:
Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions

Speakers:
Jerry Isch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Dave Lee, User Centered Design Services Inc.
Christi Mezzic, Emerson Automation Solutions
Johnny Serafin, Phillips 66

This is a panel session follow-on based on the recent AFPM webinar by Phillips 66 Bayway that discussed HMI and alarming enhancements during a control room modernization project. Key components discussed in the webinar were alarm rationalization and the development of HMI graphics based on human-centered design principles with the goal to improve safe reliable operation at the facility. Key design considerations come from industry standards and good shared practices, along with valuable input from key stakeholders across departments. This panel session will also discuss operator development to improve situation awareness as part of a control room modernization.

Come prepared with your questions by viewing the pre-session.

Speakers:
Thomas Porritt, Chevron USA Inc.
Russ Wiltse, Valero Energy Corporation
Wayne Woodard, Valero Energy Corporation

AFPM Lounge: Safety Portal Demonstration

Facilitators:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Mike Tremblay, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Speakers:
Nagappan Muthiah, Phillips 66

This presentation will show how Phillips 66 was able to define a strategy to benefit from the digitalization of their Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) information. After multiple attempts, it became evident that using a single tool or solution for the entire safety lifecycle was too challenging because of the established work processes and existing tools. Instead, we identified solutions that connected data between the tools and then leveraged the benefits of digital data to provide useful insights.

Facilitators:
Chris McDowell, Becht
Steve Williams, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

• Isolation of Hot Oil Circuits
  Speaker: Hector Gamboa-Arizpe, CITGO Petroleum Corporation


• Crude Feed Contaminants
  Speaker: Steve Williams, Marathon Petroleum Corporation


• Pyrophorics on Turnaround
  Speaker: Raúl Romero, Ecolab, Ecolab

Facilitators:
Todd Hochheiser, Johnson Matthey
Bill Wilson, TPM Solutions

Speakers:
Matt Berens, ECI
Peter Blaser, CPFD LLC
Tiffany Clark, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
CJ Farley, TPM Solutions
Robert Mongomery, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Proactively Managing FCC Reliability and Performance: Two Refinery Case Studies

1. Controlling Erosion in teh FCCU: Classification and Engineered Porperty Control of FCC Catalysts and Additives
Presenters: Tiffany Clark, Marathon Petroleum; CJ Farley TPM Solutions; Matt Berens, ECI

2. Chevron Pascagoula FCC Regenrator Optimization Modeling
Presenters: Peter Blaser, CPFD LLC; Robert Mongomery, Chevron USA

Two FCC case studies will be presented where fundamental modeling and the implementation of the model outputs were used to improve FCC reliability and performance. Marathon Galveston Bay utilized catalyst and additive classification and property control to reduce erosion and catalyst losses. Chevron Pascagoula applied computational particle fluid dynamics to propose and implement regenerator changes to improve catalyst retention and combustion kinetics. In this session, study details and the resulting FCC benefits are reviewed.

Speakers:
Rhett Finch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Matt Hutchinson, Axens North America
Heidi Fraser, Honeywell UOP
Thomas Porritt, Chevron USA Inc.
Alex Sabitov, Phillips 66
Russ Wiltse, Valero Energy Corporation

Panel of operating company SMEs and technology licensors will discuss several topics on safety and reliability of Reforming and Isom process units and will be ready to address additional questions from the audience.

Facilitators:
Liz Manning, Cheniere Energy
Daniel McGraw, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Breanna Busker, Refined Technologies/ReNu Technologies
Alisha Deshpande, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Matt Holub, LyondellBasell Industries


Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring three accomplished leaders with unique career trajectories. In the first session, we’ll explore strategies to maximize your impact in your current role. The second session will delve into the art of career decision-making, emphasizing that there’s no one-size-fits-all path. Our panelists will share their personal stories and experiences, and we invite attendees to contribute their own insights.

Facilitator:
Karen Green, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Omar Ahmed, P.E. DEPCOM Power
Stan Carp, CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Jake Reint, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

AFPM Lounge: Engage with Women in Industry

Facilitator:
Russell Wiltse, Valero Energy Corporation

Speakers:
James Kleiss, Becht
Chris Watson, Chevron USA Inc.

Facilitator:
Mike Federspiel, Valero Energy Corporation

Speakers:
Bryan Dinkel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Afton Ferry, Phillips 66
Ziad Jawad, Phillips 66
Rob Montgomery, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Industry subject matter experts will host a panel discussion centered on Reactor Isolation Valves. The panel will focus on justification and design concerns, operational headaches and optimized use of RIV’s; a Q&A session will follow, so bring your questions. FCC operators, technical support and safety personnel would benefit from this Panel discussion, as would anyone who is interested in pursuing a reactor isolation valve installation.

Facilitator:
Dean Roberts, Ergon Refining, Inc.

Speaker:
Andrew Craig, Great Southern Technologies

In this session, GST’s will show how they worked with Ergon in order to avoid some of the pitfalls encountered while designing or troubleshooting new or existing fired heaters. The session will provide means to increase operability and reliability of fired heater systems. GST will also present their patented innovative technology that creates flameless combustion at radiant flux rates and flue gas temperatures common to refinery process heaters. GST’s new technology also meets the industry's stringent requirements for environmental, safety, reliability, operability, and maintainability. This session will also present the benefits of having cooler and more controlled combustion and offer technological solutions, thus providing a peak into GST’s most recent advancements in heater technology. Their latest advancements affords a much improved controllability for units that require a large range of operation.

Facilitators:
Paul Zimmerman, Honeywell UOP
Joe Slaughter, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Speakers:
Joe Slaughter, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Doug Weerts, Honeywell UOP

This will be an interactive discussion to help prepare for a Process Hazard Analysis in a hydroprocessing unit.

• What are the requirements and experience levels for PHA participants.


• Why you should use the Incident database and how to use it.


• Why the same scenarios can be ranked differently during PHAs.


• Why the Risk Matrix is important and how it effects the PHA.

Facilitators:
Liz Manning, Cheniere Energy
Daniel McGraw, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Breanna Busker, Refined Technologies/ReNu Technologies
Alisha Deshpande, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Matt Holub, LyondellBasell Industries

Facilitator:
Dan Harbs, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions

Speakers:
Benoit Guerin, Veolia North America
Jamal Y. Shamas, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Our expert panelists Jamal Shamas of Marathon Petroleum and Benoit Guerin of Veolia North America are going to give technical presentations on issues experienced with the management of the wastewater generated by renewable fuels pretreatment units. This will include recent experiences, and successful solutions implemented to address these challenges. We want to encourage attendees to please come with questions as we will have an audience Question and Answer session at the end.

Sponsored by Ketjen Corporation

All Welcome

Facilitator:
Bruce Taylor, FurtherTec

Speaker:
Moiz Sultan, Parkland Refining (B.C.) Ltd.

A case study of Parkland Refining’s transformation of their crude supply, scheduling and refinery demands across their supply system involving Edmonton tanks, transmountain pipeline, transmountain outlets and the refinery. This digitalization initiative allowed Parkland to have improved visibility on the full supply chain with different teams contributing to each aspect where Traders manage supply, schedulers manage pipeline movements, and the Refinery owns the demands.

Facilitator:
Joe Famolaro, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company

Speaker:
Clint Cooper, W. R. Grace & Co.
Richard Grove, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Chuck Novak, Ketjen Corporation

Facilitator:
Matt Correnti, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Speakers:
Matt Correnti, Chevron USA Inc.
Matt Jones, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Jordan Palka, Chevron USA Inc.

Using Risk Based Inspection (RBI) as part of the unit asset strategy allows for optimized intervals for fixed equipment inspection and turnaround cycles. This opportunity must be balanced against both compliance and economic drivers to ensure the full financial benefits are realized. This session summarizes Hydroprocessing-specific damage mechanisms, lessons learned, and key equipment evaluations that should be considered when extending inspection and maintenance intervals.

Facilitator:
Wayne Woodard, Valero Energy Corporation

Speakers:
Sidra Roman, Axens North America
Wayne Woodard, Valero Energy Corporation

Review of good practices for NHT pressure drop control, reactor hemispherical head opportunities and issues, silicon control and NHT record run case studies.

Facilitator:
Andrew Jakubowski, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

Panel:
Mike Dehart, Valero Energy Corporation
Eric Lindholm, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Casey Long, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Jimmy Mendler, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

The panel will discuss how to develop a quality turnaround worklist to optimize turnaround and maintenance work.

Attendees will learn:

1. How to use the RBWS to screen individual items.


2. The use of data driven decision making.


3. Utilization of the right software.

Facilitator:
Katie Marshall, Refined Technologies, Inc.

Speakers:
Shannon McAvoy, ReNu Technologies
William Radenberg, HF Sinclair Corporation

Facilitator:
Bruce Taylor, FurtherTec

Panel:
Aishwariy Baheti, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Leandro Martins, Petrobras
Christian McDermott, Voovio Technologies
Wade Smith, Emerson Automation Solutions

A set of case studies are presented by operating companies that discuss Connected Worker initiatives as a vital component of the factory of the future, enabling their organizations to address the challenges of modern manufacturing while reaping the benefits of improved productivity, safety, and efficiency. The Connected Worker, also known as the augmented worker, is seamlessly immersed in their surroundings in an operating facility by the use of a suite of highly advanced digital tool to assist in performing their daily tasks more effectively. Panelists will present their approaches to enabling the Connected Worker in their environment along with what was learned, and benefits achieved.

Facilitator:
Tiffany Clark, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Derek Froehle, Honeywell UOP
David Hunt, W. R. Grace & Co.

This session will review FCC process safety and catalyst level monitoring fundamentals through case study discussions. The first will describe how adverse weather conditions can result in abnormal FCC operation, potential safety incidents, and how utilizing available resources is key in incident prevention. The second will cover fluidization fundamentals including how to calculate the physical bed level and conclude with a troubleshooting case study with inconsistent reactor levels and disappearing regenerator level.

Facilitator:
Andrew Jakubowski, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

Speaker:
Jimmy Mendler, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Panel will discuss key practices crucial to any successful project.

Facilitator: Sam Lordo, Becht

Speakers:
Belal Hassoun, Becht
Frank Liu, Becht

Crude, Vacuum and Coker heaters can be considered the hearts of their respective process units. Monitoring the accumulation of internal tube fouling is important and challenging. This discussion will cover good practices applied to monitor fouling prone heaters with the intent to safely and reliably maximize equipment value generation and efficiency. Topics will include tube skin thermocouples, infrared thermography, Goldcup contact pyrometry and how these measurement tools can be utilized for pulse checks of the system. Key turnaround checklist items for heaters will also be discussed.

Facilitators:
Christy Anderson, Ketjen Corporation
Montri Vichailak, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Panel:
Andy Chen, PBF Energy Inc.
Jake Coleman, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Travis Kirk, Topsoe, Inc.
Scott McArthur, Phillips 66

Facilitator:
Matt Hutchinson, Axens North America

Moderator:
Joong Yang, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Panel:
Amit Gupta, Heurtey Petrochem Solutions
Bill McLaughlin, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company
Ethan Spielvogel, Marathon Petroleum Corp.
Randy Stier, Valero Energy Corporation
Vivek Sundaram, LyondellBassel Industries

We are producing petroleum products in the current environment in which emissions reduction is demanded amidst rising consumer demand. The panel discussion will focus on safe operation and optimization of process fired heaters, including limitations with existing technologies to reduce emissions, and challenges with emerging technologies, e.g., hydrogen firing and electrification.

Facilitators:
Andrew Jakubowski, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Michael Menosky, Monroe Energy LLC

Speakers:
Kevin Harkness, Monroe Energy, LLC
Piotr Majcher, Monroe Energy, LLC
Drake Wilson, Monroe Energy, LLC

This session will highlight Monroe Energy, a small northeast refinery, and their journey toward replacing one of their oldest and most prolific processing assets: the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Reactor. The presenters will provide an overview of the project conception, engineering, fabrication, logistics, installation, and post start-up operation. A key focus will be the discussion of challenges and successes from the construction phase of the project, as well as lessons learned for future events.

Facilitator:
Sylvain Fontaine, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions

Speakers:
Javier Gonzalez, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Scott Lienemann, CHS Inc.

Facilitator:
Matt Hutchinson, Axens North America

Moderator:
Joong Yang, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Panel:
Amit Gupta, Heurtey Petrochem Solutions
Bill McLaughlin, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company
Ethan Spielvogel, Marathon Petroleum Corp.
Randy Stier, Valero Energy Corporation
Vivek Sundaram, LyondellBassel Industries

We are producing petroleum products in the current environment in which emissions reduction is demanded amidst rising consumer demand. The panel discussion will focus on safe operation and optimization of process fired heaters, including limitations with existing technologies to reduce emissions, and challenges with emerging technologies, e.g., hydrogen firing and electrification.

Facilitator:
Andrew Mezera, Valero Energy Corporation

Panelists:
Ann Benoit, W. R. Grace & Co.
Richard Grove, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Nik Larsen, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Steve Shimoda, Technip Energies
Bill Wilson, FCC Process Consultant

Facilitators:
Christy Anderson, Ketjen Corporation
Montri Vichailak, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Panel:
Andy Chen, PBF Energy Inc.,
Jake Coleman, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Travis Kirk, Topsoe, Inc.
Scott McArthur, Phillips 66

Facilitator:
Atique Malik, AIControl LLC

Speakers:
Brian McClure, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Emily Stewart, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Discussion of the basics of good data collection, appropriate methods for filtering data, database requirements and the supporting infrastructure for possible Machine Learning applications.

Come prepared with your questions by viewing the pre-session webinar recording.