Petrochemical engineering: advancements in the oil and gas industry
At FESS Group we have experience in the food and drink, pharmaceutical, pet food and petrochemical industries to allow us to offer specialist consultancy support across a range of services.
In this blog we’ll look specifically at petrochemical engineering, defining what it is, the latest advancements, and what the future looks like for the industry according to our experts.
Definition of petrochemicals
Petrochemicals are any chemicals which have been derived from petroleum or natural gas. These chemicals are then used for numerous purposes in many different products, including those for hygiene, health and food.
Derived from gas and petrol, petrochemicals are even used in the processes which create renewable energies, like solar and wind farms. This means finding solutions to make the petrochemical industry more sustainable and efficient is even more vital than looking for alternatives to it.
What is petrochemical engineering?
Quite simply it is a form of chemical engineering related to oil and gas. Petrochemical engineers deal with the processes that turn petroleum and natural gas into other products. They have expertise in the exploitation, processing and handling of these raw materials and their chemical products, as well as regulatory considerations.
At FESS Group our team of petrochemical engineering consultants can support with a range of specialist services across the industry.
Advancements in the oil and gas industry
Petrochemical engineering is under increased scrutiny to become more sustainable, and as such the industry is constantly looking for new ways to not just increase efficiency, but also be more environmentally focused.
In recent years that has seen emissions from petrochemical engineering fall. But that’s only a part of the story. Advancements in the oil and gas industry have also supported safety, efficiency and value for money.
Here are some of the ways we are seeing progress being made:
AI – there are few industries left untouched by Artificial Intelligence, and it is certainly supporting operations in oil and gas by harnessing data, predicting trends and automating processes.
Automation – introducing automatic and semi-automatic equipment has and will have a huge impact on a business’s ability to share data (even remotely), and remove the need for operatives in high-risk environments; which is better for safety, cost and reducing human error.
Robotics – like AI, robotics is replacing the need for humans at key stages. This has been of particular value for safety in the oil and gas industry, allowing robots to replace people in dangerous spaces.
Connectivity – as technologies which make advanced connectivity more reliable and affordable enter the oil and gas industry, so too will come all the many benefits of that: improved output, reduced costs and decreased emission levels.
Sustainable technologies – to take its place in a greener world, the oil and gas industry is introducing sustainable technologies which reduce its impact on the environment. These are as simple as data systems which reduce wastage, to waste oil micro-refinery units which replace the need for oil disposal.
Recycling – industry-wide efforts have for a while now looked to new and better ways to recycle waste, particularly of water which is an essential part of production processes.
The future of the petrochemical industry
As we wrote on our blog on this topic recently, being able to adapt and look for ways to be more sustainable will be key drivers for the success of petrochemical firms in the coming years.
The world’s focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not change, and it will be up to businesses to prove how they are modifying their operations to do their bit and become a part of the solution.
The technology now available is certain to enhance the output of the industry; with automation, in particular, having transformative effects on the way it operates.
How can FESS Group support with petrochemical engineering consultancy?
Our petrochemical engineering consultants at FESS Group can offer a range of specialist services, supporting the industry with exceptional petrochemical plant design and petrochemical plant construction.
FESS Group’s mission is threefold:
- To maintain unfaltering levels of health and safety
- Surpass our clients’ expectations
- Keep costs for our clients as low as possible.
Our team of petrochemical consultants offer services that include, but are not limited to:
- Process Design
- Process Engineering
- Engineering Studies
- Process Simulation
- General Automation
- Process Programming
- Electrical Design
- Physical System Design
- Equipment & Instrumentation Selection
- Fabrication & Assembly
- Quality Assurance Programme
- Field Construction Services
Book a discovery call with our petrochemical consultants to see how FESS Group can increase your business’s performance, make savings, improve efficiency and ensure compliance. You can also request a free site survey here.