eMASCO

Refinery Process Technician operates, monitors, and maintains equipment and processes in a petroleum or natural gas refinery or petrochemical plant. They ensure the continuous and efficient production of refined products by controlling parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rates, and chemical blends, performing routine inspections, troubleshooting process or equipment issues, and coordinating with engineers and maintenance teams, maintaining product quality, operational safety, and compliance with environmental and industry regulations across distillation, treatment, blending, and pumping operations.

Tasks

Operate and monitor refinery equipment, including pumps, compressors, distillation columns, and blending or treatment units, to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Adjust valves, process controls, and chemical dosing to maintain optimal operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, and product quality.

Conduct routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment to minimise downtime and ensure reliability.

Monitor control panels and instrumentation systems, and record operational data accurately for process analysis, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Coordinate with maintenance, engineering, and laboratory teams to resolve technical issues, support repairs, and optimise plant performance.

Operate and monitor process units handling distillates, non-condensable gases, and petroleum products, including oxygen and nitrogen production systems for industrial use.

Follow start-up, shutdown, and emergency operating procedures to ensure safe process transitions and effective response to operational incidents.

Adhere strictly to safety, environmental, and quality standards in all operations.

Assist in process optimisation and product quality control initiatives, including blending, desulphurisation, and other refinery processes.

Skills

Basic

Basic computer literacy and numeracy for operating control systems, logging data, and maintaining process documentation.

Effective communication skills to coordinate with team members, report operational status, and collaborate across teams.

Physical stamina, time management, and the ability to work under pressure while adhering to safety procedures.

Problem-solving and analytical skills to respond promptly to equipment malfunctions, process deviations, and operational issues.

Strong attention to detail for monitoring complex processes, detecting anomalies, and ensuring operational accuracy.

Specific

Ability to read and interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), technical manuals, and control schematics.

Competency in mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, and minor repairs of refinery equipment, pumps, valves, and compressors.

Competency in quality control checks, sample collection, and instrumental analysis for product specification compliance.

Competency in risk assessment to identify, evaluate, and mitigate operational hazards.

Knowledge in chemical dosing, blending techniques, and refinery chemistry for process optimisation.

Knowledge in emergency response procedures and preventive maintenance practices in refinery operations.

Knowledge in refinery processes, including distillation, blending, hydrocarbon treatment, and desulphurisation operations.

Knowledge in safety regulations, environmental compliance requirements, hazardous material handling, and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards in refinery operations.

Knowledge in work safety practices and commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant operating environment.

Proficiency in operating and monitoring process control systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control System (DCS), and automated instrumentation.

Additional Info

QUALIFICATION

Diploma or equivalent

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