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Management

ADNOC deploys pioneering AI-enabled process optimization technology

Following successful initial operations, ADNOC announced the deployment of an industry leading artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled process optimization technology--Neuron 5--across all ADNOC facilities across thousands of critical pieces of equipment essential for production, including compressors, valves and generators.

Best practices for proper alarm management

JEM Advisors: Straker, B.  |  Hanson, T.  |  Kenyon, R.  |  McLeod, G.  |  Ladnier, G.  |  Sauvain, T.

Process alarms are critical safeguards put into place on operating units to enable operators to avoid incidents that impact a company’s safety, reliability and bottom line. It is absolutely essential to any safe facility operation that alarms are properly managed and utilized to address real and consequential operational issues before they become incidents. 

Refinery/petrochemical makeup water treatment: A general guide for technical personnel—Part 1

Buecker & Associates: Buecker, B.

New personnel are often confronted with challenges that require knowledgeable and quick action, which they may have difficulty providing without thorough training. A very important—and sometimes overlooked—unit operation within these facilities is makeup water treatment for steam generators and other processes. Many cases have been documented in which makeup system upsets have led to boiler tube failures that partially or completely shut down unit processes. Parts 1 and 2 (September 2024) of this article serve as a guide for those employees who may be on a steep learning curve when it comes to makeup system understanding. 

Olin Corporation lifts systemwide force majeure for chlor-alkali products

Olin Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of chemical products and ammunition, announced that it has lifted its systemwide force majeure on chlor-alkali products declared on July 10, 2024.

Digital Feature: Truly effective reliability requires predictive maintenance

To navigate this new world, organizations must find ways to bring in new technologies to support the limited personnel they have, but without increasing the complexity of those people’s jobs or overwhelming them with raw data they are not trained to use. The solution is to implement a predictive maintenance technology plan founded on a boundless automation vision of seamlessly moving contextualized data wherever it is needed.

New research reveals increasing strategic importance of maintenance in oil and gas industry operations

Jotun has published a new report, derived from a survey of over 1,000 senior professionals, showing that 88% of respondents anticipate an increase in maintenance budgets over the next five years and 75% say that the requirement to report on environmental performance has led to increased investment in maintenance.

Process technology: SICK and Endress+Hauser sign strategic partnership

German sensor company SICK and the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist Endress+Hauser have agreed on a strategic partnership. Endress+Hauser will take over worldwide sales and service of SICK’s process analyzers and gas flowmeters, with a JV to be established for their production and further development.

Aramco to buy stake in JV Petro Rabigh from Sumitomo Chem

Saudi Aramco will buy from Japan's Sumitomo Chemical a 22.5% stake in their petrochemical JV Petro Rabigh for $702 MM, as part of a turnaround plan for the loss-making venture. Under the deal, Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical will each provide $702 MM in funding to Petro Rabigh and waive loans worth a total $1.5 B.

Digital Feature: U.S. EPA’s new Chemical Accident Prevention rule takes effect: What to know

On March 11, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule amending its Risk Management Program regulations. Here is what facility owners need to know about this new regulation.

Digital Feature: Minimizing the cost of corrosion: Budgeting for industrial asset preservation

Advanced budgeting for corrosion protection is critical to industrial facility management. Since the urgency of the matter is often not realized until a failure or accident occurs, the article provides several tips to help maintenance, purchasing or corporate teams start budgeting for preservation before an emergency happens.