October 2
Kimberly Kay
Sr. Training Manager Valero Energy Corporation
We each have a responsibility to act with integrity and uphold the highest standards in all that we do. In this interactive session we will provide you with a tool to use when faced with an ethical decision as well as provide real world scenarios to practice making ethical decisions.
Bryce Hansard
Process Engineering Lead Flint Hills Resources, LLCNevin Whalley
Senior Technology Engineer Axens North AmericaEmerging Leaders
Sponsored by W.R. Grace & Co
Hosted by Bryce Hansard, Flint Hills Resources, LLC and
Nevin Whalley, Axens North America
Meet and network with other Emerging Leaders and industry leadership at the upper level of the Glass Cactus. We will kick the reception off with an ice breaker then hear from industry leadership and AFPM’s Committee members.
Sponsored by Crystaphase
October 3
Chet Thompson
President and CEO AFPM
Vivek Wadhwa
Futurist, Author, Emerging Technologies Expert; Carnegie Mellon University Distinguished Fellow and Professor
Jeffery Downs
Managing Director FranklinCoveyTim Olsen
Solution Consultant Emerson Automation SolutionsFritz Kin
Director, Safety, Security, Emergency Response, & PSM Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Welcome
Chet Thompson, President and CEO, AFPM
Presentation of the Lifetime Service Award
Recognizing two leaders for the outstanding
contributions they’ve made to AFPM and the
industries they represent.
Recipients: Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions and Fritz Kin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Keynotes:
Harnessing the Power of AI for Exponential Business Growth
Vivek Wadhwa
DEI Leadership Motivational Speaker
Jeffery Downs
Explore the Hub
Chet Thompson, President and CEO, AFPM
Presentation of the Lifetime Service Award
Recognizing two leaders for the outstanding
contributions they’ve made to AFPM and the
industries they represent.
Recipients: Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions and Fritz Kin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Keynotes:
Harnessing the Power of AI for Exponential Business Growth
Vivek Wadhwa
DEI Leadership Motivational Speaker
Jeffery Downs
Explore the Hub
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Fire Heater VR Demonstration
Jaap Bergwerff
Business Development Director Renewables Ketjen CorporationSponsored Content
Sponsored by Ketjen Corporation
Speaker:
Jaap Bergwerff, Ketjen Corporation
Bill Clark
Director, Reliability Phillips 66Srinivasan Vanchinathan
Director, Refining Digital Operations Phillips 66Jonah Ballow
Founder/CEO Innovative Plant ConsultingJustin Hill
Vice President of Operations Innovative Plant ConsultingMaintenance Technology Showcase, Maintenance
Drones are a more technologically efficient way to do certain kinds of inspections (electrical, tanks, piperacks, etc.). It is also safer because the technology is increasingly better able to keep people from being exposed to inspection related dangers. This session will highlight:
- What it takes to start a drone program at your facility: the people, process and technology
- Drone program considerations
- What a hybrid approach looks like
Facilitator: Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Speakers:
Srinivasan 'Cheenu' Vanchinathan, Phillips 66
Technology Providers
Jonah Ballow, Innovative Plant Consulting
Justin Hill, Innovative Plant Consulting
John R. Auers
Managing Director RBN EnergyAlan Gelder
Vice President Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets Wood MackenzieDebnil Chowdhury
Vice President, Head of Americas Refining S&P Global
Susan Grissom
Chief Industry Analyst AFPMSustainability
The Energy Transition to a lower carbon future will play a significant role in the Refining Industry. How our industry – in the US and around the world - will adapt to changing market conditions going forward is evolving. However, the US will be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities. This session will highlight challenges and concerns that will impact our Refining outlook.
Facilitator: Susan Grissom, AFPM
Speakers:
John Auers, RBN energy
Alan Gelder, Wood Mackenzie
Debnil Chowdhury, S&P Global
Athicha Dhanormchitphong
Digital Realities Architect ExxonMobil Global Services CompanyKyle Daughtry
Digital Realities Product Manager ExxonMobil Global Services CompanyAdinarayana Punuru
Autonomous Operations Commercialization Lead ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyDigitalization
The industrial sector is going through digital transformation. ExxonMobil's Digital Reality Ecosystem, aka the Industrial Metaverse holds huge benefits with its ability to visualize their sites and offer seamless immersive and connected experiences across their fleet of assets. As this is an emerging technology space, there are diverse sets technologies that will need to be curated as the Industrial Metaverse is still in infancy stage. This session will explore existing and potential industrial use cases of the metaverse, augmented/mixed reality to illustrate the various functions, applications, and benefits of the technology. Participants will:
- Gain an understanding of how ExxonMobil is moving to a visual way of working utilizing innovations and new technologies
- Learn about the components of the ecosystem
- Appreciate the value of data interoperability
Facilitator:
Adi Punuru, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Speakers:
Athicha 'M' Dhanormchitphong, ExxonMobil Global Services Company
Kyle Daughtry, ExxonMobil Global Services Company
Hi Chen
Refinery Process Chemist Pemex Deer ParkAhram Yoon
Operations Support Engineer Pemex Deer Park
Raymond Chafin
VP of Technology Pemex Deer ParkLearning From Incidents
This session will share an incident from the summer of 2022 where an RV lifted on a spent acid rail car. Key topics will include the conditions that led to the relief, the response to mitigate the release, and the causal understanding of why the relief occurred. Finally, the discussion will focus on considerations for preventing future similar releases.
Facilitator: Ray Chafin, Pemex Deer Park
Speakers:
Hi Chen, Pemex Deer Park
Ahram Yoon, Pemex Deer Park
First Time Attendee Lounge, the HUB: Who is AFPM? Join us!
Mark Geisenhoff
Fixed Equipment Leader Flint Hills Resources, LLCLearnings from Incidents, HF Alkylation
In 2021, hydrofluoric acid vapors were detected by the safety instrumented subsystem (SIS) line of sight laser detection system, which activated both the rapid acid dump system and the fire suppression/unit deluge system. The source of the leak was determined to be the bypass line around the isobutane recycle cooler. Topics discussed: Residual Elements, CMLs for high RE, PMI for high RE, low flow and process deadleg identification.
Speaker:
Mark Geisenhoff, Flint Hills Resource
Bill H. Keesom
Managing Consultant GreenStar BCSSoheil Razjouyan
Chief Carbon Technologies Officer GreenStar BCSJeffrey Sexton
Refining Technology Director Marathon Petroleum CorporationSustainability
Several new technologies have been developed to produce renewable fuels and petrochemical products. However, monetization of these new renewable streams is important to justify commercialization and utilization. This session will highlight IRA and ISCC+ incentives for monetization.
Facilitator: Jeff Sexton, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Speakers:
Bill Kessom, GreenStar BCS
Soheil Razjouyan, GreenStar BCS
Gerard Celestine
Maintenance Support Mgr. Motiva Enterprises, LLCAnn Benoit
Director, Global Customer Technology, FCC W. R. Grace & Co.Kimberly Gilbreath
Analyzer/Instrumentation Technician Motiva Enterprises LLCJoseph Gilbreath
Analyzer/Instrument/Electrical Technician and STEAM Mentor Motiva Enterprises LLCMichael Arcediano
Vice President, Operations EcoroboticsKeith Thomas
ARIX TechnologiesMaintenance Technology Showcase, Maintenance
Dominic DeBonis
Technology Engineer Axens North AmericaMukund Yallambalse
Business Development Director Axens North AmericaSponsored Content
Sponsored by Axens North America
Speakers:
Dominic Debonis, Axens North America
Mukund Yallambalse, Axens North America

Ye Hu
Senior Engineer ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyAdinarayana Punuru
Autonomous Operations Commercialization Lead ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyDigitalization, Sustainability
A significant component in winning the energy transition challenge comes down to managing and reducing the emissions from manufacturing activities of the energy-intensive industries. In most of the facilities in oil & gas production, refining and petrochemical industries, flare is used to burn off waste gases, and typically a manual work process is adopted to ensure complete and smokeless combustion. The work process requires the facility operators to monitor camera feed that shows real-time status of flare operations and make control changes on the DCS to optimize combustion ensuring smokeless flaring.
To automate this manual work process and further enhance operator efficiency and environmental performance in flare operations, we present in this work an end-to-end flare smoke detection, alerting and DCS control solution that leverages existing flare CCTV cameras used at many facilities. The core of this solution is a deep-learning computer vision model that we have developed leveraging an extensive and diverse data set and the model has shown fit-for-use performance in wide-ranging conditions.
We will present results of this application implemented in the plant to further demonstrate the end-to-end solution and its positive impact on sustainable operations.
Facilitator: Adi Punuru, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Speaker:
Ye Hu, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
First Time Attendee Lounge, the HUB: Get involved!
Committee Structure & Participation
Committee Structure & Participation
Ziad Jawad
Director FCC Technology Phillips 66Richard Grove
FCC Process Expert/FCC Enthusiast Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Melike Yersiz
Chemical Incident Investigator U.S. Chemical Safety BoardLearnings from Incidents, FCC
The Chemical Safety Board will present its findings and recommendations from its April 2018 FCC Unit Explosion and Asphalt Fire at Husky Superior Refinery investigation, published in December 2022. Two FCC experts will then discuss industry's response and the integration of lessons learned into FCC training.
Speakers:
Ziad Jawad, Phillips 66
Richard Grove, Chevron USA
Melike Yersiz, US Chemical Safety Board
Bruce Taylor
Digital Transformation SME FurtherTecAdam Williams
Manager of SmartPlant and Document Control Motiva Enterprises LLCDigitalization
In the context of a refinery, petrochemical or chemical facility, Digital Twins can be used to model and simulate the structure and behavior of equipment, systems, and processes. This session will decompose and demystify the ‘Asset’ and ‘Visual’ virtual representations and their association with one another as Digital Twins. Supported by key use cases that are commonly faced by every operating facility along with actual achieved benefits.
Participants will:
- Gain a basic practical understanding Digital Twins in their primary forms,
- Secure guidance as to the accepted prerequisites, methods, and required level of effort to craft and deploy Digital Twins,
- Learn about Digital Twin sustainment challenges and mitigation strategies, and
- The achievable benefits to be realized from Digital Twin initiatives supported by actual use case experiences.
Facilitator: Bruce Taylor, Digital Transformation SME, FurtherTec
Speakers:
Bruce Taylor, Digital Transformation SME, FurtherTec
Adam Williams, Motiva Enterprises LLC
Steven Anderson Ph.D., MBA
Leadership Consultant Integrated Leadership SystemsLawrence Moreaux
Director, Digital Technology Integration; AFPM WTL Chair LyondellBasell IndustriesLeadership, Emerging Leaders
Attracting and keeping talented employees is a critical activity of any organization. Steve Anderson, PhD., will share research and his experience of over twenty years in helping health care organizations hire and keep the best employees. During this interactive session you will learn the critical components of creating a culture that empowers employees and attracts the best talent. He will also share how to create hiring processes that weeds out the pretenders and get the best candidates. Dr. Anderson will talk about the necessity of holding accountable, and possibly terminating, problem employees that harm your culture of excellence.
As a result of attending this speech participants will:
- Gain insight into five functions of management.
- Learn how to design a hiring system to locate and hire the best talent.
- Understand how to develop those employees.
- Understand how to create a review system that rewards good behavior and holds accountable “bad” behavior.
Facilitator: Lawrence Moreaux, LyondellBasell Industries
Speaker:
Steve Anderson, PhD., Integrated Leadership Systems
Chris Lee
President The Hand Safety Tool Company
Willis Jernigan
Director, Safety & Health Koch Companies Public Sector, LLCRussell Thompson
Boilermaker Phillips 66Jarvis Barnes
Boilermaker Phillips 66Maintenance Technology Showcase
This session will discuss Phillips 66's employee-initiated journey to hands-free safety tools.
Facilitator:
Willis Jernigan, Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC
Speakers:
Russell Thompson, Phillips 66
Jarvis Barnes, Phillips 66
Technology Provider:
Chris Lee, The Hand Safety Tool Company
Chad Carroll
Director of Transformation Koch Engineered Solutions, LLC.Sponsored Content
Sponsored by Koch Engineered Solutions
Speaker: Chad Carroll, Director of Transformation, Koch Engineered Solutions
First Time Attendee Lounge, the HUB: Engage with EMPOWER
Dr. Rajan Puri
Corporate Medical Director PBF EnergyKeith Hoffman
TPM Turnarounds and Maintenance ExxonMobil CorporationTim Chappell
VR Training Portfolio Lead ExxonMobil CorporationDigitalization
Facilitator: Tim Chappell, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Speakers:
Rajan Puri, PBF Energy
Keith Hoffman, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Joseph Famolaro
Principal FCC Engineer ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyVirgil Guzman
Regional Sales Manager TapcoEnpro, LLC.
Brandon Seltzer
Area Sales Manager BLAC INCLearnings from Incidents, FCC
Facilitator: Joe Famolaro, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Speaker:
Virgil Guzman, TapcoEnpro
Brandon Seltzer, Blac Inc
Andy Woods
Plant Manager Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
Byron Kieser
Chief Scientific Officer Clean As New LLCMaintenance Technology Showcase, Maintenance
Facilitators:
Andy Woods, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Technology Provider:
Byron Kieser, Clean As New
Fritz Kin
Director, Safety, Security, Emergency Response, & PSM Marathon Petroleum CorporationThomas Myers
VP, Health, Safety and Environmental Cheniere EnergyLeadership, Emerging Leaders
Speakers:
Fritz Kin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Tom Myers, Cheniere Energy
Sponsored Content
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Walk the Line and Winterization Demonstration
October 4
Brian Probert
Maintenance Manager, Channelview Complex LyondellBasell Industries
Willis Jernigan
Director, Safety & Health Koch Companies Public Sector, LLCMark Mitchell
Maintenance & Reliability Manager, Channelview Complex LyondellBasell IndustriesCasey Long
Director of Asset Management Flint Hills Resources, LLCMaintenance
Facilitator: Willis Jernigan, Koch Companies Public Sector LLC
Speakers
Mark Mitchell, LyondellBasell Industries
Brian Probert, LyondellBasell Industries
Casey Long, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Atique Malik
Founder AIControl LLCAdinarayana Punuru
Autonomous Operations Commercialization Lead ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyRajan Rathinasabapathy
Process Optimization Engineer Phillips 66 - Los Angeles Refinery
Vikram Gokhale
Sr APC Engineer Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Stephen Dzuik
Aspen TechAaron Durke
Product Manager Imubit, Inc.Yangdong Pan
Director of Process Controls Delek USAlex Kalafatis
Vice President, Product Management Aspen TechDigitalization
This session explores the issue of making data driven open loop models for a complete plant. This involves many independent and dependent variables and the task is to find meaningful and reproducible relationships between them. This webinar will help anyone involved in the task in the refinery, petrochemicals, or any continuous processing unit.
Facilitator: Atique Malik, AIControl LLC
Speakers:
Adi Punuru, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co.
Rajan Rathinasabapathy, Phillips 66
Vikram Gokhale, Chevron U.S.A.
Stephen Dzuik, Aspen Tech
Aaron Durke, Imubit
Yangdong Pan, Delek US
Alex Kalafatis, Aspen Tech
Samuel A. Lordo
Advisor BechtWesley Teasdale
Regional Technical Specialist Halliburton Multi-Chem
Bob Falkiner
Chemist and Process Chemical Engineer BechtCrude
Many refiners are processing larger volumes of attractively priced unconventional crudes produced from fracking operations. Contain polymers and other additives that upstream processors are often used to enhance oil recovery or address hydraulic limitations in their operations. These additives can disrupt refining unit operations such as Crude Desalters or restrict the ability of the refiner to meet key product specifications such as JFTOT or NACE Spindle Corrosion test.
Facilitator: Sam Lordo, Becht
Speakers:
Bob Falkiner, Becht
Wesley Teasdale, Halliburton Multi-Chem
Steven Philoon
Sr Platforming Technology Specialist Honeywell UOP
Matthew Hutchinson
Technology Manager Gasoline and Petrochemical Technologies Axens North AmericaChristian Arnoux
Senior Technology Engineer Axens North AmericaRobert T. Auers
Senior Consultant RBN EnergySustainability, Gasoline Processing
Facilitators:
Steve Philoon, Honeywell UOP
Matt Hutchinson, Axens
Speakers:
Christian Arnoux, Axens North America
Robert Auers, RBN Energy
Lauren Grimm
US Chemical Safety BoardSheila Bottjen
Director Technology – Operational Risk Management Valero Energy CorporationHF Alkylation, Learning From Incidents
Derek Blackwell
SME/Consulting Engineer - Hydroprocessing Chevron Products CompanyGregory Mullek
Hydroprocessing BIN Leader (SME) ChevronCaroline Lauro
Senior Engineer – Hydroprocessing Chevron Products Company, Richmond, CaliforniaTommy Wagener
Process Engineering Team Lead Chevron Products Company, Richmond, CaliforniaHydroprocessing, Safety
Facilitators:
Derek Blackwell, Chevron Products Company
Greg Mullek, Chevron Refining
Speakers:
Caroline Lauro, Chevron Products Company
Tommy Wagener, Chevron Products Company
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: FCC Process Safety Roadshow
Michael Alford
Refining Piping and Valve Specialist Marathon Petroleum CorporationHF Alkylation
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in through body leaks on cast HF Alkylation valves. This presentation will review several real life examples of casting failures on valves in HF Alkylation service including cross sections of the failure location. These failures have occurred on both low RE carbon steel and Alloy 400 (M35-1) castings. Some common causes of casting failures will be reviewed including sand inclusions, porosity and varying levels of shrinkage. Common locations of casting quality issues with HF Alkylation valves will be discussed including the bottom bowl area and the body to end flange transition on Alloy 400 plug valves. The presentation will also cover some of the methods that are being implemented in the industry to improve the casting quality of HF Alkylation valves along with efforts to standardize and consolidate requirements for these valves.
Speaker: Michael Alford, Marathon Petroleum
Brian Probert
Maintenance Manager, Channelview Complex LyondellBasell Industries
Willis Jernigan
Director, Safety & Health Koch Companies Public Sector, LLCMark Mitchell
Maintenance & Reliability Manager, Channelview Complex LyondellBasell IndustriesCasey Long
Director of Asset Management Flint Hills Resources, LLCMaintenance
Facilitator: Willis Jernigan, Koch Companies Public Sector LLC
Speakers
Mark Mitchell, LyondellBasell Industries
Brian Probert, LyondellBasell Industries
Casey Long, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

Rhett Finch
Naphtha Technologist Marathon Petroleum CompanySujoy Ganguly
Project Development Manager Honeywell UOPTyler Krupp
Reforming Technology Engineer Axens North AmericaYaz Seif
Marathon Petroleum CorporationSustainability, Gasoline Processing
The carbon intensity of Reforming Units is inherently one of the higher processes in the refinery due to its energy requirements. This presentation will explore ways to improve carbon intensity with various equipment upgrades, as well as showing the positive impact that optimal catalyst performance can have on reducing Carbon Intensity.
Speakers:
Rhett Finch, Marathon Petroleum
Sujoy Ganguly, UOP
Tyler Krupp, Axens North America
Yaz Seif, Marathon Petroleum Company
Brian Green
Refining Engineer Marathon Petroleum CorporationDavid W Sacks
Process Technology SME Hydroprocessing Delek USHydroprocessing, Safety
Speakers:
Brian Green, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
David Sacks, Delek US
Scott Sayles
Manager of Renewable Fuels and Alternative Feeds BechtSamuel A. Lordo
Advisor BechtCrude
Processing crudes from different sources leaves the possibility of blending incompatible mixtures. Compatibility models uses correlations to estimate the potential to create incompatible mixtures. Understanding the potential for compatibility effects without physically testing the crude provides the ability to choose the crude mix and purchase it while the market factors are favorable and the ability to safely purchase distressed cargos. The paper will discuss the basis of model correlations and the application to actual blends.
Facilitator: Sam Lordo, Becht
Speaker: Scott Sayles, Becht
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Emerging Leaders Networking
Sylvain Fontaine
Sr. Product Application Crude Unit Veolia Water Technologies & SolutionsGregory A Cantley
Refining Process Design Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationJeffrey Zurlo
Strategic Marketing & Commercialization Manager Veolia Water Technologies & SolutionsCrude, Coking
Successfully processing a changing crude diet can be a challenge from the tank farm through distillation. Upsets and performance reductions lead to processing cost penalties downstream, loss of production, and environmental impacts through greater emissions and brine water quality issues. Optimizing the design, operational parameters and chemical injection schema from crude receipts through the hot train can minimize these cost penalties and ensure performance is maintained.
Facilitators:
Greg Cantley, Marathon
Jeff Zurlo, Veolia
Speaker: Sylvain Fontaine, Veolia
Oscar M. Brown
Principle Process Engineer Valero Energy Corporation
Sravan Pappu
Commercial Director CrystaphaseMo Abueida
Principal Process Engineer – Benicia Refinery Valero Energy CorporationAustin Schneider
Director of Technology CrystaphaseHydroprocessing, Safety
Facilitators:
Oscar Brown, Valero Energy Corporation
Sravan Pappu, Crystaphase
Speakers:
Mo Abueida, Valero Energy Corporation
Austin Schneider, Crystaphase
Vasileios Komvokis
Global Innovation & Evaluation Manager - BASF Refining Catalysts BASF CorporationJason Goodson
Regional Sales Manager Johnson MattheyHongbo Ma
Senior Technical Service Engineer Johnson MattheyMichael Federspiel
Director, FCC Technology Valero Energy CorporationChristian Carnahan
Area Engineer CITGO Petroleum CorporationFCC
Improvements in catalyst and additive technology continue to boost refinery profitability. This session will highlight how next generation FCC catalyst and additives are being used to allow refiners to process increasingly challenging feedstocks and cost effectively manage stack emissions. Case studies will be presented that demonstrate increased profitability where these advancements have been deployed.
Facilitator: Mike Federspiel, Valero Energy Corporation
Speakers:
Vasileios Komvokis, BASF
Jason Goodson and Hongbo Ma, Johnson Matthey
Christian Carnahan, CITGO
Gerard Celestine
Maintenance Support Mgr. Motiva Enterprises, LLC
Dana Hanning
Maintenance Excellence Manager Motiva Enterprises LLC
Rickey Hicks
Turnaround Support Team Lead Motiva Enterprises LLCMaintenance
In the last few years, we have recognized improvement opportunities for recruiting local trades. The identified opportunities can be summarized as experience and exposure. Most instrumentation applicants have the proper certifications but lack field experience. Motiva has recently addressed this issue by building a training program that assesses the development needs of a new hire. This allows us to develop individual training plans and test for comprehension. The training program will have its first trainee beginning in September.
Facilitator: Gerard Celestine, Motiva Enterprises LLC
Speakers:
Dana Hannin, Motiva Enterprises LLC
Rickey Hicks, Motiva Enterprises LLC
Paul J Dofton
Principal Engineer - Renewables Marathon Petroleum CorporationKamyar Keyvanloo
Senior Hydroprocessing Engineer Phillips 66Tanner Lawrence
Sr. Process Engineer Diamond Green DieselRich Smith
Senior Manager, Hydroprocessing Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Eric M Legare
Design Manager, Chevron Lummus Global Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Sustainability, Gasoline Processing
Sponsored by Nalco Water
Renewable diesel production units have been online for several years as operators shift their attention to renewable fuels to support their ESG commitments. This technology is similar to traditional hydroprocessing with some of the major differences being in feedstocks, operating conditions, product intermediates, metallurgy and others. A panel of experts from these operating companies will be on hand to answer audience led questions on RD operations while providing operational feedback, lessons learned and best practices.
Facilitator: Eric Legare, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Panel:
Paul Dofton, Marathon Petroleum Company
Kamyar Keyvanloo, Phillips 66
Tanner Lawrence, Diamond Green Diesel
Rich Smith, Chevron Products Company
Bruce Taylor
Digital Transformation SME FurtherTecRudy Alexander
President BreadwareDigitalization
This presentation will focus on industrial pump monitoring and machine optimization and showcasing IoT’s revolutionary impact on our industry. We will explore solving real problems through digitalization and the seamless connectivity of objects, illustrating how data-driven insights and automation are transforming the way we manage our facilities and improve our daily experiences. Speaker will also talk about the benefits, and challenges, and inspire you with the potential of a connected world.
Facilitator: Bruce Taylor, Furthertec
Speaker: Rudy Alexander, Breadware
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Engage with EMPOWER
John Acord
Corrosion & Metallurgical Engineer Marathon Petroleum CorporationAmit Patel
Chief Engineer Phillips 66
Harold J Eggert
Chief Global Technical Advisor Halliburton Multi-ChemCrude, Mechanical Integrity
Corrosion types, mechanisms, and areas impacted will be examined. Additionally, corrosion related to triazines in the crude oil and potential mitigation practices will be discussed.
Facilitator: Harold Eggert, Haliburton
Speakers:
John Acord, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Amit Patel, Phillips 66
Michael Allegro II
Technical Service Specialist BASF CorporationAustin Troxler
Process Engineer Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Andrew Mezera
FCC Subject Matter Expert Valero Energy CorporationFCC
This session will review the role of a mass balance in understanding FCC Unit operations, including the influence data quality can have on interpretation. It will also touch on various unit monitoring strategies, including the use of KBC modeling, to aid in unit optimization for maximum profitability. Real-world case studies will be presented to show the direct impact these topics can have in an operating unit.
Facilitator: Andrew Mezera, Valero Energy Corporation
Speakers:
Michael Allegro, BASF
Austin Troxler, Marathon Petroleum
Sponsored Content
Lawrence Moreaux
Director, Digital Technology Integration; AFPM WTL Chair LyondellBasell Industries
Raymond Chafin
VP of Technology Pemex Deer ParkMaintenance
Walk the Line is a conduct of operations driven, practice sharing program focused on engaging the front line to help reduce process safety events and help make sites safer. This fireside chat will discuss Walk the Line, Culture and Technology from a company leader perspective. Case studies on how Walk the Line and a strong Operating Discipline Culture have helped will be provided.
Facilitator: Lawrence Moreaux, LyondellBasell Industries
Speaker: Raymond Chafin, Pemex Deer Park
Alan Gelder
Vice President Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets Wood Mackenzie
Keith Couch
Senior Director - Business Development Honeywell UOPRainer Bass
Senior Manager Commercial Analysis HF Sinclair CorporationGasoline Processing
The composition of the US passenger car fleet is changing rapidly with the growing adoption of electric vehicles. US gasoline demand will peak at levels lower than pre-pandemic and then decline. The ship that has often kept global refining afloat will start to sink! Not all is lost, as life rafts are available, as gasoline demand in Latin America and Africa will continue to grow, with US refiners being more competitive than Europeans. Global petrochemical demand growth will provide some support to naphtha, but that will likely be in emerging economies. These export opportunities are unlikely to fully counter the decline in US gasoline demand, so how much US capacity is at risk of rationalization if they “do nothing”? What are the technology options that refiners should consider to align with shifting local demand patterns, that add value. What refinery scale is necessary to deliver a sustainable source of competitive advantage?
Facilitator: Rainer Bass, HF Sinclair Corporation
Speakers:
Alan Gelder, Wood Mackenzie
Keith Couch, Honeywell UOP
Chloe Petrich
Director Project & Export Finance Standard Chartered BankCharlotte Lollar
Director of Sustainability, SAF Delta Air Lines, Inc
Alan K. Bedell
Sr. Business Development, Integrated Project Solutions Honeywell UOPSustainability
In October 2021, many of the world’s airlines committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It is generally accepted that this will require the broad use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In early September 2021, the Biden Administration announced a new goal to increase the domestic production of SAF to at least 3 billion gallons per year by 2030. This equates to just under 200 kBPD. For the purpose of this panel, the many incentives being put in place to help support the build-out of SAF production is treated as a given. This panel will focus on both the demand side, with the airline industries perspectives on SAF, and the financing industry’s supply side perspective on what makes a bankable SAF project. Please join this session to hear the views of TBA Speaker, Role at Untied Airlines and Chloe Petrich – Director, Project and Export Finance at Standard Chartered Bank as they talk about what their firms are doing to help drive a more sustainable future.
Facilitator: Alan Bedell, Honeywell UOP
Speakers:
Chloe Petrich, Standard Chartered Bank
Charlotte Lollar, Delta Air Lines
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Q&A Transcript Database Demonstration

Kevin M. O'Neil
Senior Business Leader UOP - A Honeywell CompanyDavid Schwalje
Director of Emerging Market Dev. Axens North AmericaJim Andersen
GM and Head of Business Development LanzaJet
Brian Boeger
Senior Technology Manager – Hydroprocessing/Renewables Axens North AmericaMonica M. Normark
Director Biofuels Technology KBRSustainability
A2J is a pathway to produce SAF. The technology uses an alcohol as a feedstock to produce a low CI jet fuel. A panel of experts from major licensors will provide an overview of their technology and answer questions regarding application.
Facilitator: Brian Boeger, Axens North America
Speakers:
Kevin O’Neil, Honeywell UOP
David Schwalje, Axens
Jim Andersen, Lanzajet
Monica Normark, KBR
Lance Packard
Gulf Coast Regional FCC - Project/Sales Manager DeBusk Services GroupSteve Matza
Chief Scientist ZymeFlowSteven Shimoda
Refining Technology Manager Technip EnergiesFCC, Turnaround
This presentation will present in two parts starting with USA DeBusk. ZymeFlow will follow with their general decon process and an overview of our chemistries. We will also be detailing best practices for a full FCC decontamination project.
Facilitator: Steve Shimoda, Technip Energies
Speakers:
Lance Packard, USA DeBusk
Steve Matza, ZymeFlow
Antonio Seijas
Phillips 66David Dewees
Division Manager, Mechanical BechtBill Clark
Director, Reliability Phillips 66Coking, Mechanical Integrity
In this session key aspects of coke drum life-cycle management will be discussed, covering the useful life of these vessels from “cradle” to “grave”; important aspects such as supplemental requirements for design and fabrication, specialized in-service inspection, monitoring and assessment tools, pro-active and reactive repairs, will be briefly covered
Facilitator: Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Speakers:
Antonio Seijas, Phillips 66
Dave Dewees, Becht
Andy Woods
Plant Manager Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPJoanna McClellan
Director of Operations – Rope Access BrandSafwayMaintenance
In this session we will discuss in how a better understanding of rope access safety and capabilities can lead to more effective access selection. We will cover basic rope access safety and mitigation techniques, equipment selection, project planning, and how to deploy rope access to site. We will also cover common uses of rope access. Participants will:
- Gain an understanding of rope access capabilities and potential use
- Recognize the potential for reduced at height exposure hours as well as cost savings benefits
- Learn how to identify rope access work
Facilitator: Andy Woods, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Speaker: Joanna McClellan, BrandSafway

Rhett Finch
Naphtha Technologist Marathon Petroleum Company
Russell Wiltse
Director Technology Valero Energy CorporationAlexander V Sabitov
Director, Reforming, Isomerization, Aromatics Phillips 66
Matthew Hutchinson
Technology Manager Gasoline and Petrochemical Technologies Axens North AmericaAlex Kniuksta
Principle Gasoline Technology Specialist Honeywell UOPTaylor Fama
Regional Technology Manager Daily ThermetricsGasoline Processing
The panel of reforming SMEs representing operating companies and technology licensors will discuss number of safety and reliability topics including reforming emergency shut down interlocks and actions, philosophy on imposing operating limits by reformer heater skin thermocouples and experience with handling spent Semi-regen reforming catalyst
Panel:
Taylor Fama, Daily Thermetrics
Rhett Finch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Matt Hutchinson, Axens North America
Alex Kniuksta, Honeywell UOP
Alex Sabitov, Phillips 66
Russ Wiltse, Valero Energy Corporation
Stephen Gill
Director, Process Safety HF Sinclair CorporationKaren Kuhn
Manager, Process Controls Cenovus Energy Inc.Patrick Robinson
Technical Manager, Bayway Refinery Phillips 66John Durnin
Process Control Supervisor Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Alyssa Parks
Process Engineering and Technical Safety Manager Pemex Deer ParkDigitalization
Alarm rationalization practices per ISA 18.2 and Safety PHA teams tend to have different approaches to justify alarms. As a result of these differences, alarms taken as safeguards in PHAs can be downgraded or in some cases removed during alarm rationalization. On the other side, PHA teams have a tendency to add more alarms than needed as safeguards which is counter to alarm rationalization principles. This session will highlight examples of these differences and approaches to agree through collaboration by understanding the needs of each team. Participants will:
- See examples of PHA risk ranking contrasted with alarm prioritization matrix that illustrates one difference
- See why it is ok to challenge safety alarms if redundant or counter to alarm rationalization principles
- See why the alarm rationalization team may recommend PHA team swap or change safeguards
- See why it is important to have the alarm management database aligned with PHA documentation
- Understand the difference between a rated independent protection layer (IPL) and a non-rated safeguard as it pertains to alarm rationalization
Facilitator: Alyssa Parks, Pemex Deer Park
Panel:
Steve Gill, HF Sinclair
Karen Kuhn, Cenovus Energy Inc.
Patrick Robinson, Phillips 66
John Durnin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Safety Portal Demonstration
Monica Plowman
Corporate Mechanical Integrity Leader Ethos Mechanical Integrity Solutions, LLCHerb Haught
Manager Maintenance & Reliability CVR Energy, Inc.HF Alkylation, Mechanical Integrity
Join this session to hear the latest on API's 5th edition of Recommended Practice (RP) 751, Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Unit. In this session, we're discussing maintenance from the operator perspective, integrity management and other safety programs for hydrofluoric (HF) acid alkylation units.
Facilitator: Herb Haught, CVR Energy
Speaker: Monica Plowman, Ethos Mechanical Integrity
Benjamin Mossman
OpEx Functional Excellence Principal CHS Inc.Richard Hanson
General Manager Petroval S.A.Jacob Young
North American Area Sales Manager Petroval S.A.Hydroprocessing, Turnaround
Speakers:
Ben Mossman, CHS
Richard Hanson, Petroval
Jacob Young, Petroval
Alfredo D. Villa
Technical Service Engineer Topsoe, Inc.Andrew Rigaud
Rotating Equipment Supervisor Ergon, Inc.Brent Gregory
Operations Team Leader Marathon Petroleum CorporationCarol Dwaik
Technical Specialist Veolia Water Technologies & SolutionsElizabeth Ann Manning
Process Safety & Operational Excellence Manager LyondellBasell IndustriesDaniel P McGraw
Technical Services Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationEmerging Leaders
There’s something to be learned from everyone whether you are just starting out in your career or years in. Participate in a peer-to-peer conversation and knowledge sharing on relatable and important topics, such as leadership and technology.
Facilitators:
Elizabeth Manning, LyondellBasell Industries
Daniel McGraw, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Panelists:
Carol Dwaik, Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
Brent Gregory, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Andrew Rigaud, Ergon, Inc.
Alfredo Villa, Topsoe, Inc.
Bruce Taylor
Digital Transformation SME FurtherTecDavid Horn
Principle Consultant GembaSysAndy Gramann
Vice President of Professional Services Macedon TechnologiesSarah Mahmoud
Process Engineer Parkland Refining (B.C.) Ltd.Digitalization
This session will present and discuss how the implementation of common business processes, complex scientific and business analytics and related performance dashboards utilizing low code technologies have rapidly maximized levels of organizational performance. Low/No Code platforms now enable experienced knowledge workers in front line organizations to add significant levels of incremental value as ‘Citizen Developers’ and ‘Citizen Data Scientist’. Without incurring the traditional levels of cost and external development overhead. In an environment where compliance with defined work practices and procedures, and performance transparency are so critical, it is amazing that critical workflows continued to be consigned to manual tasks and office tools like email to actuate.
Participants will:
- Gain an understanding of the current and future state of Low/No Code technology,
- Appreciate the achievable benefits to be realized from Low/No Code platforms,
- Learn how to maximize and secure the best results from your human talent, and
- Secure insights on how to begin a Low/No Code business process automation initiative.
Facilitator: Bruce Taylor, FurtherTec
Speakers:
David Horn, GembaSys
Andy Gramann, Macedon Consulting
Sarah Mahmoud, Parkland Refining (B.C.) Ltd.

Mike Annon
Technology Expert BechtNathan Barkley
Technology Expert Becht
Darren York
BechtRobert Ohmes
Division Manager, Strategic Business Planning BechtSustainability
The hydrogen economy has become a central point of discussion as the energy industry evolves towards carbon reduction and “net zero” targets. Central to efficient production and utilization of lower carbon footprint hydrogen is the development of hydrogen hubs, which are defined as the network and supply chain of producers, consumers, and infrastructure for decarbonized hydrogen. This session will highlight delineation of the colors of hydrogen, potential end uses of hydrogen and summarize H2 hubs and early learnings.
Speakers:
Mike Annon, Becht
Nathan Barkley, Becht
Darren York, Becht
Robert Ohmes, Becht
Steve Forry
Vice President of Sales CECO Emtrol BuellVirgil Guzman
Regional Sales Manager TapcoEnpro, LLC.Dan Sack
BechtTiffany Clark
FCC Technologist Marathon Petroleum CorporationFCC
Reliability of critical FCC equipment often drives turnaround planning and cycle length. Cyclones, slide valves, refractory and major rotating equipment repair planning can make or break a FCC cycle. This session will review critical components of reliable FCC operation and what a turnaround inspection and repair plan should encompass to improve long term FCC reliability.
Facilitator: Tiffany Clark, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Speakers:
Stephen Forry, CECO Emtrol-Buell
Virgil Guzman, TapcoEnpro
Dan Sack, Becht
AFPM Lounge, Dallas 1: Engage with Women in Industry
Alfredo D. Villa
Technical Service Engineer Topsoe, Inc.Andrew Rigaud
Rotating Equipment Supervisor Ergon, Inc.Brent Gregory
Operations Team Leader Marathon Petroleum CorporationCarol Dwaik
Technical Specialist Veolia Water Technologies & SolutionsElizabeth Ann Manning
Process Safety & Operational Excellence Manager LyondellBasell IndustriesDaniel P McGraw
Technical Services Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationEmerging Leaders
There’s something to be learned from everyone whether you are just starting out in your career or years in. Participate in a peer-to-peer conversation and knowledge sharing on relatable and important topics, such as leadership and technology.
Facilitators:
Elizabeth Manning, LyondellBasell Industries
Daniel McGraw, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Panelists:
Carol Dwaik, Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
Brent Gregory, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Andrew Rigaud, Ergon, Inc.
Alfredo Villa, Topsoe, Inc.
Dean Roberts
EWV Business Coordinator Ergon Refining, Inc.Cory Bird
Project Engineer Ergon-West Virginia Inc.Mechanical Integrity
In this session we will show the results of a failure in a Mechanical Integrity Program. This track will also discuss event investigation results, along with, lessons learned and path forward, in hopes to enlighten all in the industry.
Facilitator: Dean Roberts, Ergon-West Virginia Refining Inc.
Speaker: Cory Bird, Ergon, Inc.
Sergio Robledo
Senior Account Manager - Clean Fuels, North America Topsoe, Inc.
Michael Mitzner
Senior Account Manager - Global Solutions Axens North AmericaDavid de Gruyl
Digital Solutions Manager Axens North AmericaLon Schuckman
Process Engineering Supervisor CHS Inc.Ryan Jesina
Sr. Technical Service Engineer Topsoe, Inc.Hydroprocessing, Digitalization
Facilitators:
Sergio Robledo, Topsoe Inc.
Mike Mitzner, Axens North America
Speakers:
David de Gruyl, Axens North America
Lon Schuckman, CHS Inc.
Ryan Jesina, Topsoe, Inc.
Ido Biger
EVP, Chief Technology and Digital Officer Delek US
Michael J. Reed
Refinery Manager Delek USBill Clark
Director, Reliability Phillips 66Digitalization
After looking into the oil and gas future challenges and opportunities, Delek US adopted the ambitious vision to become a key player in the energy market and initiated its comprehensive journey involving people, processes, technology, and culture. Learn more of the fascinating story of how Delek operates Drones by Autonomous Inspection Flights using BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight).
Facilitator: Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Speaker:
Mike Reed, Delek US
Ido Biger, Delek US