COURSE PURPOSE This course presents an introduction to petroleum refining economics.  The focus is on transportation fuels refineries, however petrochemical production is also presented.  The first part of the program includes an overview of crude oil and petroleum products.  This is followed with a description of refinery process technology.  Key refining technologies are described such as crude oil distillation, heavy oil conversion options, hydrotreating, and catalytic reforming.  A case study for a new refinery project is presented, and includes capital costs, operating costs and project economics.

Photo courtesy of Phillips Petroleum

The course will conclude with a discussion of how refiners increase profitability through strategic initiatives and operation excellence. 

COURSE OUTLINE

• Crude oil
  Crude oil reserves, production trends and key crude oil qualities for refiners
• Petroleum products
  Product consumption trends and key specifications
• Refinery process technology
  Overview of process technology, with a focus on crude oil distillation and heavy oil conversion options.  Other refinery processes are also covered
• Refinery project economics
  Typical steps in new refinery projects are discussed.  This includes a case study including capital cost, operating costs, and project economics
• Refinery types, complexity and margins
  The major categories of refinery complexity are described along with their impact on refinery product slate and profitability. 
• Economic decision making for operating refineries
  Crude oil evaluation, production planning, product blending
• Biofuels
  Discussion of first and second-generation ethanol and biodiesel production
• Strategic considerations for refiners
  How refiners gain competitive advantage via strategic positioning and operational excellence.  This includes integration with petrochemical production such as aromatics and olefins.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Dave Geddes is an economics and planning consultant for the refining and petrochemical industry. His previous experience includes 20 years at Bechtel Corporation. He has worked on feasibility studies and economic evaluations of oil refineries and petrochemical plants in the United States, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. While at Bechtel he also managed the group that developed, marketed, and supported the PIMS linear programming system that is now widely used for refinery and petrochemical economic studies and other planning applications. Mr. Geddes received a B.S. in Petroleum Refining from the Colorado School of Mines, and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado.

FOR WHOM INTENDED
In addition to oil refining personnel, other individuals who interact with the industry will benefit from this course. This includes petrochemical producers, oil refinery suppliers, insurance, finance and engineers who have limited refinery experience. A technical background is not required for course participants.

COURSE SCHEDULE
Class hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. each day; with half-hour breaks in the morning and afternoon, and a one-hour break for lunch. Check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. the first day.

LOCATION
The class will be taught on the CSM campus. The campus is in Golden, Colorado, at the foot of Lookout Mountain, 13 miles west of downtown Denver on the Front Range of the Rockies.

REGISTRATION FEE
The registration fee is $995.00 (U.S.), which includes tuition and text materials. It does not include meals or lodging. Enrollment is limited and applications will be accepted in the order received.

You may register electronically or by sending to the address below for a brochure with registration form. The sponsor reserves the right to cancel the course and return registration fees if enrollment is insufficient. Payment and/or purchase order or training order must be mailed in additionally to complete electronic registration.

Register

Cancellations or transferring of registration fee will be charged a $150.00 fee. No refunds will be made to registrants who fail to cancel 5 working days prior to course delivery. Personnel substitutions may be made at any time without cost penalty.

COURSE CREDIT
CSM will award 1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for participation in this course.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Registrants are responsible for making their own lodging and travel arrangements. For accommodations and travel information, visit our home page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information concerning the technical program, contact Dave Geddes at davegeddes@comcast.net. For registration information contact: