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Professional training course · OG-033
Crude Oil Refining Processes and Operations
Refineries convert crude oil into fuels, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks through a complex series of separation, conversion and treating processes. Understanding…
- 5 daysClassroom
- 13Upcoming dates
- 8Cities
- £2,840Fees from
Course overview
Why Attend
Refineries convert crude oil into fuels, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks through a complex series of separation, conversion and treating processes. Understanding how these units work and interact is essential for engineers, operators and commercial staff alike.
This LLMI course explains crude oil characteristics, refinery configurations and the main processing units, including distillation, catalytic reforming, fluid catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, hydrotreating, alkylation and blending. Participants also examine refinery economics, product specifications, utilities, safety and the energy transition challenges facing refiners.
Practical exercises on crude assays, unit operations and product blending help participants connect process knowledge with business performance.
Course Objectives
Describe crude oil properties and assays
Explain refinery configurations and process flows
Understand the main separation and conversion units
Describe treating and blending to meet product specifications
Understand refinery economics and margins
Recognise operational, safety and environmental challenges
Target Audience
Refinery engineers and operators
Process and planning engineers
Commercial, trading and supply staff
Technical sales professionals
HSE professionals in refineries
New engineers joining downstream operations
Course Methodology
Process explanation with refinery flow diagrams
Crude assay and blending exercises
Case studies on unit operations
Refinery economics workshop
Group discussions
Course outline
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1Day 1: Crude Oil and Refinery Basics
- Crude oil composition and classification
- Crude assays and quality
- Refined products and specifications
- Refinery configurations
- Refinery margins and economics
- Exercise: Interpreting a crude assay
-
2Day 2: Separation Processes
- Desalting
- Atmospheric distillation
- Vacuum distillation
- Gas plant and LPG recovery
- Operating variables
- Case study: Distillation unit troubleshooting
-
3Day 3: Conversion Processes
- Fluid catalytic cracking
- Hydrocracking
- Catalytic reforming
- Coking and residue upgrading
- Alkylation and isomerisation
- Exercise: Comparing conversion options
-
4Day 4: Treating, Blending and Utilities
- Hydrotreating and sulphur removal
- Product blending
- Hydrogen and sulphur plants
- Utilities and energy systems
- Product quality control
- Workshop: Gasoline blending exercise
-
5Day 5: Operations, Safety and the Future
- Refinery planning and optimisation
- Process safety in refineries
- Environmental performance and emissions
- Biofuels and co-processing
- Energy transition strategies for refiners
- Capstone: Refinery improvement proposal
Dates and fees
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Crude Oil Refining Processes and Operations course?
The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.
When is the next Crude Oil Refining Processes and Operations course?
The next public date is 21 - 25 Dec 2026 in Frankfurt. There are 13 upcoming dates in total.
Where is this course held?
Upcoming sessions run in Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Barcelona, Cape Town.
How much does the course cost?
Fees start from £2,840 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.
Do participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.
Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?
Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.
Course information last updated 14 November 2026.
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