According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures. | 86% |
| Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled. | 85% |
| Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. | 85% |
| Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks. | 84% |
| Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules. | 84% |
| Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly. | 84% |
| Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations. | 82% |
| Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities. | 82% |
| Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery. | 81% |
| Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment. | 81% |
| Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples. | 81% |
| Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks. | 79% |
| Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products. | 79% |
| Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products. | 79% |
| Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses. | 79% |
| Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers. | 79% |
| Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties. | 77% |
| Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary. | 72% |
| Calculate test result values, using standard formulas. | 70% |
| Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units. | 70% |
| Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks. | 67% |
| Coordinate shutdowns and major projects. | 65% |
| Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products. | 65% |
| Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings. | 56% |
