Petroleum Facility Instrumentation, Automation and Control Training Course

Course Introduction

The Petroleum Facility Instrumentation, Automation and Control Training Course is a comprehensive professional development program designed to equip engineers, technicians, supervisors, and operations professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills in instrumentation, industrial automation, process control, and digital technologies used across petroleum production, refining, gas processing, petrochemical, and storage facilities. The course provides a balanced combination of engineering theory, practical applications, international standards, and industry best practices to improve operational reliability, process efficiency, plant safety, and asset performance throughout the petroleum value chain.

As petroleum facilities become increasingly automated and digitally connected, the demand for highly skilled professionals capable of designing, operating, maintaining, and optimizing modern control systems continues to grow. This course explores the latest advancements in instrumentation, distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), safety instrumented systems (SIS), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and intelligent field devices. Participants will gain practical knowledge that enables them to improve process stability, reduce downtime, and support operational excellence.

Participants will develop an in-depth understanding of process measurements, sensors, transmitters, analyzers, control valves, final control elements, communication protocols, process control strategies, and automation architectures used in petroleum installations. Through practical engineering examples, simulation exercises, and industry case studies, learners will strengthen their ability to troubleshoot instrumentation problems, optimize control loops, improve measurement accuracy, and enhance plant performance under varying operating conditions.

The course also examines emerging technologies transforming petroleum facility automation, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, digital twins, cloud-based monitoring platforms, industrial cybersecurity, wireless instrumentation, edge computing, and advanced process optimization solutions. Participants will understand how digital transformation enables predictive maintenance, real-time operational visibility, intelligent decision-making, and enhanced reliability while supporting sustainable and cost-effective petroleum operations.

Health, safety, environmental protection, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and operational integrity are integrated throughout the training. Participants will explore the application of international standards governing instrumentation, functional safety, hazardous area installations, alarm management, and automation system lifecycle management. Emphasis is placed on developing engineering solutions that improve safety, minimize operational risks, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure reliable plant operation under normal and emergency conditions.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will possess the technical expertise required to design, implement, operate, maintain, and optimize instrumentation and automation systems within petroleum facilities. They will be equipped to apply modern control technologies, improve production efficiency, strengthen process safety, enhance equipment reliability, support digital transformation initiatives, and contribute to continuous operational improvement across upstream, midstream, downstream, and petrochemical operations.

Duration

10 days

Who Should Attend

• Instrumentation Engineers

• Automation Engineers

• Control Systems Engineers

• Process Engineers

• Petroleum Engineers

• Electrical Engineers

• Mechanical Engineers

• Maintenance Engineers

• Reliability Engineers

• Operations Engineers

• Process Control Engineers

• SCADA Engineers

• PLC Programmers

• DCS Operators

• Instrument Technicians

• Plant Supervisors

• HSE Professionals

• Project Engineers

• Asset Integrity Engineers

• Technical Professionals working in petroleum and petrochemical facilities

Course Objectives

• Develop comprehensive knowledge of petroleum facility instrumentation, automation systems, process control engineering principles, and international standards supporting safe and efficient industrial operations.

• Understand the selection, installation, calibration, testing, and maintenance of sensors, transmitters, analyzers, control valves, and intelligent field devices used throughout petroleum processing facilities.

• Gain practical expertise in designing and configuring distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, SCADA platforms, and integrated automation architectures for complex petroleum installations.

• Learn advanced process control strategies including PID tuning, cascade control, feedforward control, ratio control, model-based control, and optimization techniques that improve operational efficiency.

• Build competency in functional safety engineering, safety instrumented systems, emergency shutdown systems, and alarm management practices that reduce operational risks and support major accident prevention.

• Strengthen capabilities in industrial communication protocols, fieldbus technologies, industrial Ethernet networks, wireless instrumentation, and secure data exchange supporting connected plant operations.

• Master troubleshooting methodologies for instrumentation faults, control loop instability, signal transmission issues, equipment failures, and automation system performance degradation using systematic engineering approaches.

• Develop practical understanding of predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, reliability-centered maintenance, and asset lifecycle management strategies that improve instrumentation reliability and plant availability.

• Apply digital transformation technologies including Industrial Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, edge computing, and predictive analytics to optimize petroleum facility operations.

• Improve engineering decision-making through process data analysis, performance monitoring, control system auditing, operational diagnostics, and continuous improvement methodologies supporting production excellence.

• Enhance knowledge of hazardous area classification, electrical safety, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection requirements governing instrumentation and automation systems in petroleum facilities.

• Equip participants with practical skills to design, commission, operate, maintain, and optimize integrated instrumentation and automation systems that improve safety, productivity, reliability, and long-term operational performance.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Instrumentation and Automation

• Principles of industrial instrumentation and automation within petroleum facilities

• Process measurement fundamentals supporting accurate operational control

• Overview of automation architectures used across petroleum processing plants

• International standards governing instrumentation and control engineering

Module 2: Process Measurement and Field Instrumentation

• Pressure, temperature, flow, and level measurement technologies and applications

• Analytical instrumentation for monitoring petroleum process quality parameters

• Instrument selection based on process conditions and operational requirements

• Measurement uncertainty analysis improving process control accuracy

Module 3: Sensors, Transmitters and Smart Instruments

• Intelligent sensor technologies supporting real-time process measurements

• Smart transmitter configuration, diagnostics, and calibration methodologies

• Wireless instrumentation applications improving operational flexibility and safety

• Emerging digital field devices enabling predictive maintenance capabilities

Module 4: Control Valves and Final Control Elements

• Control valve selection based on process dynamics and operational conditions

• Valve sizing methodologies supporting precise process flow regulation

• Actuator technologies, positioners, and valve performance diagnostics

• Maintenance strategies improving reliability of final control elements

Module 5: Process Control Fundamentals

• Process dynamics influencing stability and overall control system performance

• PID controller configuration, tuning techniques, and optimization methodologies

• Advanced control loop analysis improving process efficiency and product quality

• Practical control strategies for petroleum production and refining operations

Module 6: Advanced Process Control

• Cascade, ratio, feedforward, and split-range control implementation techniques

• Model predictive control applications enhancing complex process optimization

• Multivariable process control supporting integrated plant performance improvement

• Advanced control strategies reducing variability and operational costs

Module 7: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

• PLC architecture, programming principles, and industrial applications

• Logic development supporting safe and reliable equipment automation

• PLC troubleshooting techniques improving operational continuity and reliability

• Integration of PLC systems with supervisory control platforms

Module 8: Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and SCADA

• Distributed control system architecture supporting large petroleum facilities

• SCADA applications for remote monitoring and operational supervision

• Human-machine interface design improving operator awareness and efficiency

• System redundancy and availability strategies for critical operations

Module 9: Safety Instrumented Systems

• Functional safety lifecycle supporting process hazard risk reduction

• Safety Integrity Level determination and verification methodologies

• Emergency shutdown system design and operational testing procedures

• Integration of safety systems with process control architectures

Module 10: Industrial Communication Networks

• Industrial Ethernet and fieldbus communication technologies for automation

• Modbus, Foundation Fieldbus, HART, and Profibus protocol implementation

• Network architecture supporting reliable industrial data communications

• Secure communication strategies protecting automation system availability

Module 11: Maintenance, Calibration and Reliability

• Calibration planning ensuring measurement accuracy and regulatory compliance

• Predictive maintenance strategies for instrumentation and automation equipment

• Reliability engineering methodologies improving plant operational performance

• Asset lifecycle management supporting long-term equipment sustainability

Module 12: Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies

• Industrial Internet of Things applications for intelligent plant automation

• Artificial intelligence supporting predictive process optimization and diagnostics

• Digital twins enabling virtual simulation and operational performance analysis

• Edge computing technologies supporting real-time industrial decision-making

Module 13: Industrial Cybersecurity and Compliance

• Cybersecurity principles protecting petroleum automation and control systems

• Threat detection and mitigation strategies for operational technology networks

• International cybersecurity standards supporting industrial infrastructure resilience

• Regulatory compliance requirements governing automated petroleum facilities

Module 14: Alarm Management and Operational Excellence

• Alarm rationalization improving operator response and process safety outcomes

• Performance monitoring using advanced automation performance indicators

• Operational diagnostics supporting continuous process improvement initiatives

• Human factors engineering improving operator effectiveness and reliability

Module 15: Sustainable Automation and Future Technologies

• Energy-efficient automation solutions supporting sustainable petroleum operations

• Autonomous plant technologies utilizing intelligent automation systems

• Robotics integration improving inspection and maintenance activities

• Future trends in digital petroleum facilities and smart manufacturing

Module 16: Practical Applications and Industry Case Studies

• Comprehensive case studies involving petroleum facility automation projects

• Practical troubleshooting exercises addressing instrumentation system failures

• Integrated control system optimization using real industrial scenarios

• Best practices supporting world-class instrumentation and automation performance

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.