Translating plant capability into a commercial tool, (simulation, scheduling system or LP), requires understanding of the business problem, the work process AND the software system.  The tools are to support the work process, and this is key in developing an integrated, technical solution to a business objective.

Optimising under uncertainty - of economics, plant availability, process yields, crude quality - is the other key challenge for refiners.  Building a work process that is robust to variability in the business inputs reduces the risk of margin loss when circumstances change.

A range of consulting and advisory services are available.  These include:

​

• Review of business processes used for refinery planning, performance management, optimisation

• Identification of best practices and areas for improvement in existing business processes in these areas

• LP project management - migrating from one LP system or building a new LP model is a significant project, and technical consulting, and/or project management for this activity can be provided

• Technical support for refinery simulation and process unit representations in planning systems - for existing plants, or investment options, (e.g. Biofuel co-processing representations)

• Workshop facilitation - For example, when investigating and reviewing options for changes in optimisation processes

• Development of "Plan vs Actual" work processes and tools - allowing quantifiable data to be used to evaluate when and how optimisation tools need updating.

The commercial business process defines the framework into which work practices and optimisation tools need to seamlessly fit into.  An appropriately designed LP and scheduling system will support the workflow efficiently.  Managing risk through uncertainty in the inputs is a key factor in capturing the value in short term refinery optimisation.