Petroleum Refineries: The Backbone of the Global Economy
Petroleum refineries are complex facilities that require a sophisticated network infrastructure to function effectively. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, refineries need to have reliable and secure network connectivity across their operations. This is where network extenders come in, enabling refineries to extend their Ethernet networks to remote locations.
Petroleum refineries are the backbone of the global economy, providing the fuel and energy necessary to power everything from transportation to manufacturing. These facilities refine crude oil into various products, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, that are used around the world.
The refining process is complex, involving multiple stages that require precise control and monitoring. This is where network connectivity comes in, enabling refineries to collect and analyze data from various sources to optimize their operations and reduce downtime.
In this article, we’ll explore how global petroleum refineries are leveraging Enable-IT network extenders to achieve seamless network connectivity across their operations.
Petroleum Refineries – Making the Move to More Efficient Energy Suppliers
Enable-IT Ethernet Extender and PoE Extender Technology Solutions can transform your operations by delivering on the promise of:
- Better operational visibility of your assembly infrastructure.
- Creative custom solutions to meet extreme challenges.
- Huge cost saving over traditional copper and Fiber solutions.
- Installs in minutes – Have your remote LAN up in minutes.
Enable-IT integrated Ethernet Extender or PoE Extender Solutions meet manufacturing workflow challenges by extending your existing end-to-end, connected, and secure network infrastructure.
- Major reduction in workplace danger/accidents.
- Lowers operating costs and assists with the shortage of labor in this marketplace.
- Provides real-time measurement of product inventories for management analytics.
- Increase of profit margins through more efficient production control.
Meeting the Challenge of Managing the Refining of Sour Crude Oil
A growing challenge for all Oil Refineries is the shift in the quality of crude oil that refiners have to process. On average, crude oil production is becoming heavier and more sour (containing more sulfur). Heavy, sour crudes are more difficult to process and yield more heavy products, which need additional processing. Tighter product specifications require refiners to either use better quality crude oil or invest in new units to upgrade product streams.
All of these requirements result in the need for better production control visibility and manageability. Some refineries are beginning to expand and invest in their physical infrastructures and replace the method of manual inspection or valve control to more automated refining plant controls enabled by the use of Enable-IT Ethernet Extension equipment. Smart LAN driven monitors, IP cameras and valve control mechanisms leverage shielded category rated cabling over extreme and harsh environmental conditions all thanks to Enable-IT Ethernet Extenders.
Energy companies such as Chevron and Shell Oil Company have both leveraged the technology of Enable-IT Ethernet Extenders to supplement the shortage in labor to provide new visibility and control over refinery production operations.
Extender kits were ruggedized and encased in NEMA/IP rated enclosures in the key production control areas and category rated cabling was able reach the necessary LAN based monitoring and control interfaces. Prior to using the Enable-IT Ethernet Extension equipment, this was not possible and required individuals to regularly venture out to each location to manually operate controls and valves. Now it is enabled and automated to keep workers safe, better monitor the live production line and grow the operations to meet business demand without a major increase in labor costs.
Creating New Value with a High-Performance Extended LAN Solution
The Ethernet Extension Equipment has provided the company with a new perspective on how to leverage digital technology to control, manage and profit from this petroleum refinery business.
Benefits of Enable-IT Network Extenders for Petroleum Refineries
There are several benefits of using Enable-IT network extenders for petroleum refineries, including:
- Increased Efficiency: With seamless network connectivity across their operations, refineries can collect and analyze data in real-time, optimizing their operations and reducing downtime.
- Enhanced Safety: Network extenders enable refineries to monitor remote assets in real-time, identifying potential safety hazards and responding quickly to emergencies.
- Reduced Costs: By extending their Ethernet networks to remote locations, refineries can reduce the costs associated with manual data collection and monitoring.
- Scalability: Enable-IT network extenders are designed to be scalable, enabling refineries to expand their networks as needed to meet growing demands.
Just in Time Inventory Management to Meet Market Demands
With all the latest demands on the oil market regarding supply and demand, the old method of manual inventory has become to slow to keep up with the daily swings in production and supply.
With the use of LAN based digital control equipment, more precise handling of live production operations can be monitored, controlled and augmented more quickly to meet market swings and the delivery of correct product to markets.
Previously, this level of production control was not available without manual operators at each of the controls which require more time to make adjustments. Not to mention the hazards of a petroleum refinery environment. The Enable-IT Ethernet Extension Equipment has allowed this to be automated in such a fashion so that workers safety is not compromised and the LAN equipment making the adjustments never grows tired of the repetition or makes mistakes. Overall production has been able to triple and plant growth flexes easier to meet output demands.
Increasing Production Profit Margins
Equipment maintenance on a foundry production floor is critical to overall uptime of production operations. Foundry production has thousands of moving parts, cranes and other heavy-duty mechanical equipment that requires constant monitoring and maintenance. The monitoring chores were performed by visual inspection and manual re-tooling adjustments. Downtime for unforeseen repairs costs the business dearly. So, the implementation of new LAN based smart monitoring sensors and re-tooling adjustments are able to more rapidly alert control staff as to potential issues, fix minor problems before they grow into larger more costly breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
Petroleum refineries depend on a robust and secure network infrastructure to operate effectively. As digital technologies play an increasingly important role, network extenders are essential for seamless connectivity throughout refinery operations. Enable-IT network extenders offer numerous advantages to refineries, including improved efficiency, enhanced safety, cost reduction, and scalability. By utilizing these devices, refineries can optimize their operations and stay competitive in the global market.
In conclusion, these refineries are essential to the global economy, providing crucial fuels and energy sources. With the increasing complexity of refining processes and the shift towards heavier, sour crude oils, refineries face significant challenges in maintaining efficiency and safety. The adoption of digital technologies, including Enable-IT network extenders, has proven to be a game-changer for these facilities, offering benefits such as:
- Improved operational visibility and control of assembly infrastructure.
- Cost savings over traditional copper and fiber solutions.
- Quick installation, with remote LANs up in minutes.
- Enhanced workplace safety and accident reduction.
- Real-time measurement of product inventories for better management analytics.
- Increased profit margins through more efficient production control.
By leveraging Ethernet extension equipment, refineries can address these challenges effectively, automate processes, and enhance overall operational efficiency. This not only improves the bottom line but also contributes to a safer and more sustainable industry.
