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The article focuses on the issues discussed by Don Bartusiak, chief engineer for process control at ExxonMobil (Downstream) Research & Engineering, during a keynote presentation on ExxonMobil's vision for an open, standards-based process automation platform. It include the replacement of the firm's process control system with distributed control system (DCS), the reason behind the firm's decision to work with Lockheed Martin for the initiative, and its plan to build a lab prototype in 2016.

The article reports on the need for hydrocarbon processing plant operators to collaborate effectively with other operators and operations supervisors within their own plants. Multiple converging trends like loss of expertise in industrial plants and the transition to a new workforce make operator effectiveness even more important. Operators should also collaborate with engineering and information technology (IT) groups, business planners and supply-chain professionals.

The article reports on developing the best practices for operator effectiveness in the hydrocarbon processing industry for collaboration of plant operations. Topics discussed include the most important data for field and control room operations staff, and the factors that create the most effective work environment for operators.

The article discusses the procedural automation of Stillwater, Oklahoma-based nonprofit research consortium Fractionation Research Inc. (FRI). It states that the organization has decided to implement procedural automation to lower fuel consumption, improve knowledge transfer at its distillation plant in Stillwater, and maintain safe operating conditions. It notes that FRI was able to successfully reduced the time to gather a data point.

The article presents an outlook for the U.S. biodiesel industry. The industry produced more than one billion gallons (B gal) of biodiesel fuel in 2011, according to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) trade organization. The increased production surpassed the 800 million gallon target set for the year under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Renewal Fuel Standard (RFS).

The article looks at the Vision 2050 Project of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which explores the ways in which the public are projected to be living in 2050. According to the project, an acceptable standard of living may be sustained with the available natural resources with no further damage to biodiversity, climate, and other ecosystems. The insufficiency of global energy supply for future demands is discussed.

The article looks at the significance of standard-based interoperability for terminal automation systems. It cites several factors that are needed for terminal automation systems to be efficient, which includes information technology (IT)-enable application, information processing, and enterprise-level business systems. The combination of sub-systems, applications, and functionalities that are encompassed by terminal-automation system is highlighted.

The article discusses the treatment of hydraulic fracturing (HF) flowback produced water. Several leading water-technologies companies have introduced mobile water treatment solutions to help address some of the water-related issues. Water technology companies are also building permanent treatment facilities designed to lower the percentage of total dissolved solids from the HF flowback produced water.

The article focuses on the presentation of senior vice president Geir Ramleth of Bechtel Group Inc. during the 15th Annual World Industry Forum of ARC Advisory Group Inc. in Orlando, Florida from February 7-10, 2010. It states that the presentation of Ramleth showed the need of suppliers, engineering procurement and construction (EPC) companies to develop standards for asset information management. Meanwhile, it adds that Ramleth states that the collaboration of the companies is needed.

The article focuses on the importance of terminal automation to smaller petroleum-product terminals, which continue to operate at a low level of automation. The terminal management systems (TMS) help optimize the supply chain and provide effective tools for real-time decision support. A chart depicting the terminal-automation solution providers is presented. It notes that the major and minor sub-systems makes it easier to integrate with a larger terminal automation system (TAS) solution.