In this section of the site contributing authors submit interesting articles relating
to the various services, industries and research & development efforts of Becht.
In oil and gas production, every hour a unit is offline incurs significant costs. There is a substantial financial impact associated not only with the lost revenue from halted production, but also with the manpower expenses associated with restarting the unit. Minimizing delays is crucial to reducing these costs. Plant managers can employ meticulous planning, […]
In the fast-moving world of petroleum refining, Linear Programming (LP) models are the backbone of decision-making. These models guide production planning, crude selection, and optimization strategies to maximize profitability. However, an LP model is only as good as its accuracy and alignment with real-world operations. Over time, market conditions, operational constraints, and process efficiencies evolve—leading […]
By Grant Jacobson and Jan Zander This is the second article in a series about PEAK (Practical Energy Assessment Kit), Becht’s new energy efficiency assessment toolkit designed to help refineries unlock their full potential. In Part 1 of this blog series, we explored how energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about improving reliability, […]
In engineering assessments, accurate and reliable data is the foundation for sound decision-making. Yet, uncertainty in data—whether due to limitations in measurement techniques, variable loading conditions, or incomplete records—is an ever-present challenge. This article explores common sources of data uncertainty, guidance from API-579 and API-580 on managing it, and how to leverage risk matrices and […]
The oil and gas industry (O&G) is no stranger to challenges, given its volatile and high-stakes environment. One persistent and costly issue it faces is employee turnover. In recent years, this sector has witnessed a revolving door of employees leaving in less than five years, perpetuating a continuous cycle of hiring, rehiring, training, and retraining. […]
Welcome to the first article in a multi-part series about PEAK (Practical Energy Assessment Kit), Becht’s new energy efficiency assessment tool designed to help refineries unlock their full potential. Operating a refinery has always been a complex balancing act. These days, with rising energy costs, ever-changing regulations, and stiff global competition, it’s an even trickier […]
One of the most frustrating situations to endure is the slow cooldown of a reactor (or series of reactors) when shutting down a hydrocracker, hydrotreater, or renewable feed unit. It often seems that the entire refinery is watching the reactor cool, especially as reactor temperatures drop below 200⁰F. This blog article will cover ways to […]
Despite the critical importance of adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for ensuring safety, efficiency, and consistency in daily operations, oil and gas operators occasionally deviate from them. Deviations from SOPs can stem from various factors, including but not limited to inadequate training, lack of motivation, and the prevailing organizational culture. What steps can operators […]
Introduction Risk-based inspection (RBI) programs are integral to ensuring the robustness of industrial operations. However, implementing an effective RBI program requires careful planning, consideration of key factors, and adherence to best practices. Semi-quantitative RBI is the most common approach in industry today. It requires less data and technical expertise than fully quantitative analysis (such as […]
Here at Becht, we pride ourselves on working collaboratively, partnering with our clients to develop and implement efficient, sustainable, and fit-for-purpose solutions. As with most sectors, employee retention has become a big issue in the oil and gas industry following the pandemic’s Great Retirement and Great Resignation. As exiting employees take their experience and knowledge […]
