Operations Analysis
Optimisation Systems Development
Management Systems Analysis
- Site surveys, IT systems, integration and infrastructure reviews
- Functional design, software implementation, performance and acceptance tests
- Use of mathematical tools for refinery yield balancing and accounting applications
- Interfaces to LP systems, simulation models and 3rd party scheduling systems
- Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) projects and integration of production planning, automation, scheduling and management accounting systems
Decision-Support Applications
- Integrated production planning systems and plant operations scheduling
- Product valuations, market opportunity analysis tools
- Live trading data and information interfaces (Energy futures, NYMEX)
- Strategic marketing, hedging and trading applications
- Crude oil evaluations and netback calculation monitoring
Refinery, Petrochemical & Process Plant Modelling
- Linear programming (LP) systems development - including regional models
- System upgrades, development and new system installations
- Flowsheet modelling, on-screen optimisation models, easy-to-use interface developments
- Kinetic simulation models / integration with LP
- Refinery / petrochemical derivatives integration modelling
Supply Chain Optimisation
- Project Management services offered for decision-support & optimisation systems development across the entire manufacturing and supply chain, from trading systems through to production planning & scheduling tools and plant APC applications
- Supply chain management, supply chain planning and scheduling systems analysis, including IT infrastructure review, rationalisation of existing planning tools, and development of advanced planning & scheduling solutions
- Audits offered to establish current business economic drivers used for optimisation strategies
- Analysis provided of actual implementation of "optimum" plan highlighting supply, logistical and scheduling issues which inhibit optimisation efforts
- Expertise and skills for Business Process Studies across different departments and groups in the supply chain to ensure procedures and workflows align with new technology
- Change Management services for processes and methods to successfully introduce new technology
Strategic Studies / Audits
Services offered
- Business process studies, organisational re-structuring, change operations and transformation studies
- Strategic planning for new investment options, acquisitions
- Site audits and due diligence services
- Impact of new product requirements, potential plant bottlenecks, processing and emission restrictions
- Evaluation of opportunities for upgraded and new processing facilities, imports and development of custom products for niche markets
Blending modelling services
- New product grades analysed and evaluated using client-specific blending value correlations or standard industry methodologies (eg interaction coefficients, blending numbers, etc)
- Laboratory studies prepared for determining blending values, correlations, blending synergies for new components, including co-ordination with laboratory personnel
- Models developed for estimates of product quality differentials, manufacturing and logistical costs
- Market requirement and strategic planning studies offered using Protos regional blending models
Deliverables
Executive summary reports prepared for study results, including solutions and options available.
Economic evaluations utilise published market pricing information and differentials, and include freight, shipping & operating costs, as well as estimates of storage costs, and other holding costs involved in product terminaling and distribution.
Protos Revenue Improvement Survey
Protos Consulting has developed a Revenue Improvement Survey methodology which offers clients an independent review of business operations. The goal of the Survey is to uncover synergies and opportunities to increase Gross Margin.
The Revenue Improvement Survey is carried out for processing plants, including oil refineries, petrochemical plants, shipping terminals and product blending facilities. The Survey approach is also applicable to gas processing plants, LNG, NGL recovery and mineral processing facilities. The Revenue Improvement methodology can also be used to improve the performance of biomass, bio-refinery and renewable energy generation facilities.
The Survey Focus is on 4 key operational areas where change can bring significant improvements to Gross Margin :
- Plant fuel and feedstock selection and scheduling (logistics)
- Plant operating modes / product rundown routings & storage strategy
- Product formulation / product blending optimisation
- Scheduling / distribution and shipping, including depot, terminalling & secondary distribution.
The Survey Methodology
- Considers special circumstances facing the organisation
- Evaluates business environment / market opportunities
- Identifies supply & distribution constraints / restrictions
- Assesses current planning systems / interactions with the marketplace
- Evaluates new legislation and taxation impacts
The Survey Analysis includes a review of IT infrastructure and the decision-support systems and software currently in use for selecting plant fuels, feedstocks, operating modes, product routings, product formulations and delivery schedules.
In-house modelling tools used for analysis:
- Plant fuel and feedstock valuation / product blending optimisation
- Hidden product quality giveaway / blend synergies
- Alternative operating modes / processing options
- Alternative scheduling opportunities
Project execution
A survey typically requires a two week on-site visit to gather information and conduct brief interviews with key decision-makers in operations, planning, trading, supply, marketing, and sales & distribution.
A further 15 days are required for analysis, modelling and preparation of a summary report highlighting opportunities for revenue improvement. In addition the survey provides an action plan to improve supply chain management and facilitate supply chain optimisation initiatives.
The Revenue Improvement Survey also includes a quantification of improvements to Gross Margin and a global perspective ensures the survey provides comparisons for trends and insights on future developments.
Deliverables:
The Survey Summary Report is normally delivered within 6 weeks of the on-site visits. Improvement items are identified with examples given of more profitable operations.
For more information, contact Protos Consulting International.
