The ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Refinery Operations is designed for learners aiming to specialize in the petroleum refining industry. This advanced qualification provides an in-depth understanding of refining technologies, chemical processes, process safety, energy management, and sustainable practices in the oil & gas sector.
Structured over three years with 36 mandatory units, the course equips learners with both technical and managerial skills to operate and optimize refinery processes. From crude oil analysis to catalytic cracking, energy transition, and strategic refinery management, learners gain hands-on knowledge that prepares them for global careers in refinery operations and management.
This program emphasizes safety, efficiency, and sustainability while preparing graduates for leadership roles in one of the world’s most critical energy industries.
Course Overview
This qualification, the ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Refinery Operations, consists of 36 mandatory units.
Year 1 – Foundation in Refinery Operations
- Principles of Chemical Engineering
- Introduction to Petroleum Refining
- Crude Oil Properties and Analysis
- Refinery Process Units Overview
- Distillation Principles and Applications
- Heat and Mass Transfer in Refining
- Introduction to Catalysts and Chemical Reactions
- Process Instrumentation and Control Basics
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Awareness
- Industrial Laboratory Techniques
- Technical Report Writing
- Introduction to Process Simulation Software
Year 2 – Intermediate Refinery Operations
- Advanced Distillation and Separation Techniques
- Hydrocracking and Hydrotreating Processes
- Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Operations
- Process Control and Automation in Refineries
- Energy Management and Efficiency in Refining
- Reactor Design and Optimisation
- Process Safety Management
- Refinery Production Planning
- Quality Control and Assurance in Refining
- Environmental Management and Sustainability
- Petroleum Product Blending Techniques
- Data Analysis and Technical Communication
Year 3 – Advanced Refinery Operations
- Advanced Process Optimisation and Troubleshooting
- Refinery Project Management
- Catalysts and Reaction Kinetics in Depth
- Advanced Process Simulation and Modelling
- Corrosion and Maintenance in Refineries
- Energy Transition and Cleaner Refining Technologies
- Risk Assessment and Hazard Analysis
- Advanced Laboratory Techniques and Process Testing
- Supply Chain and Logistics in Refining
- Capstone Project in Refinery Operations
- Professional Development and Leadership in Energy
- Strategic Decision-Making in Refinery Management
Learning Outcomes – ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Refinery Operations
Year 1 – Foundation in Refinery Operations
- Principles of Chemical Engineering
- Understand the basics of chemical engineering principles.
- Apply mass and energy balance in simple systems.
- Recognize the role of chemical engineering in refineries.
- Introduction to Petroleum Refining
- Identify stages of petroleum refining.
- Understand refining value chains.
- Recognize refinery products and applications.
- Crude Oil Properties and Analysis
- Analyze physical and chemical properties of crude oil.
- Understand crude assay methods.
- Apply crude classification for refining.
- Refinery Process Units Overview
- Identify key refinery process units.
- Understand their role in refining operations.
- Explain process integration.
- Distillation Principles and Applications
- Understand distillation fundamentals.
- Apply distillation methods for separation.
- Recognize role of distillation in refining.
- Heat and Mass Transfer in Refining
- Apply principles of heat transfer.
- Understand mass transfer in separation units.
- Analyze efficiency in transfer processes.
- Introduction to Catalysts and Chemical Reactions
- Understand catalyst functions.
- Recognize refinery catalytic processes.
- Apply basic reaction engineering principles.
- Process Instrumentation and Control Basics
- Identify key refinery instruments.
- Understand process control fundamentals.
- Apply control strategies for stable operations.
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Awareness
- Apply safety regulations in refinery operations.
- Recognize hazards and prevention methods.
- Promote sustainable refinery practices.
- Industrial Laboratory Techniques
- Apply laboratory testing methods.
- Analyze petroleum products.
- Maintain accuracy and safety in labs.
- Technical Report Writing
- Prepare professional technical reports.
- Present refinery data effectively.
- Apply reporting standards.
- Introduction to Process Simulation Software
- Understand basics of process simulation.
- Apply simple models to refining processes.
- Use digital tools for analysis.
Year 2 – Intermediate Refinery Operations
- Advanced Distillation and Separation Techniques
- Apply advanced separation methods.
- Optimize distillation columns.
- Troubleshoot separation inefficiencies.
- Hydrocracking and Hydrotreating Processes
- Understand hydrocracking processes.
- Apply hydrotreating for product quality.
- Recognize importance of clean fuels.
- Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Operations
- Understand FCC process steps.
- Monitor catalyst performance.
- Optimize FCC operations.
- Process Control and Automation in Refineries
- Apply modern control strategies.
- Use automation systems effectively.
- Monitor refinery performance digitally.
- Energy Management and Efficiency in Refining
- Evaluate refinery energy needs.
- Apply energy-saving techniques.
- Promote sustainable energy use.
- Reactor Design and Optimisation
- Understand refinery reactor designs.
- Optimize reactor performance.
- Apply safety and efficiency principles.
- Process Safety Management
- Apply safety management systems.
- Recognize hazard prevention strategies.
- Maintain compliance with safety standards.
- Refinery Production Planning
- Plan refinery throughput effectively.
- Optimize crude blending.
- Meet production targets.
- Quality Control and Assurance in Refining
- Apply QA/QC standards.
- Monitor petroleum product quality.
- Ensure compliance with industry norms.
- Environmental Management and Sustainability
- Apply waste minimization practices.
- Promote cleaner production methods.
- Assess environmental impacts.
- Petroleum Product Blending Techniques
- Apply blending strategies for fuels.
- Recognize blending economics.
- Ensure quality product outcomes.
- Data Analysis and Technical Communication
- Apply statistical tools in refining data.
- Interpret results effectively.
- Communicate findings professionally.
Year 3 – Advanced Refinery Operations
- Advanced Process Optimisation and Troubleshooting
- Apply advanced optimization techniques.
- Diagnose refinery problems.
- Propose corrective measures.
- Refinery Project Management
- Apply project management principles.
- Manage refinery upgrades and turnarounds.
- Monitor budgets and schedules.
- Catalysts and Reaction Kinetics in Depth
- Study catalyst behaviors.
- Apply advanced kinetic models.
- Optimize catalytic reactions.
- Advanced Process Simulation and Modelling
- Apply advanced simulation software.
- Model refinery processes.
- Optimize plant performance.
- Corrosion and Maintenance in Refineries
- Recognize corrosion mechanisms.
- Apply preventive maintenance.
- Extend refinery asset life.
- Energy Transition and Cleaner Refining Technologies
- Explore low-carbon refining practices.
- Apply renewable integration methods.
- Promote cleaner fuel technologies.
- Risk Assessment and Hazard Analysis
- Apply risk assessment tools.
- Conduct hazard studies (HAZOP, FMEA).
- Develop mitigation strategies.
- Advanced Laboratory Techniques and Process Testing
- Apply advanced lab testing methods.
- Ensure accuracy in process testing.
- Develop technical expertise.
- Supply Chain and Logistics in Refining
- Manage refinery logistics.
- Optimize petroleum supply chains.
- Ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Capstone Project in Refinery Operations
- Integrate knowledge into a comprehensive project.
- Apply solutions to real refinery challenges.
- Demonstrate professional expertise.
- Professional Development and Leadership in Energy
- Develop leadership skills.
- Plan professional growth.
- Strengthen teamwork in energy projects.
- Strategic Decision-Making in Refinery Management
- Apply strategic frameworks in refining.
- Evaluate long-term business impacts.
- Lead global refining initiatives.
Course Benefits of ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Refinery Operations
- Provides in-depth knowledge of refining technologies and processes.
- Develops advanced technical, analytical, and operational skills.
- Equips learners with process safety and risk management expertise.
- Enhances knowledge of sustainability and cleaner energy practices.
- Offers practical training in simulation software and laboratory techniques.
- Builds strong leadership and project management skills.
- Improves employability in refineries, petrochemical plants, and energy firms.
- Strengthens expertise in energy transition and low-carbon technologies.
- Prepares learners to troubleshoot and optimize complex refinery operations.
- Offers international recognition for careers in oil & gas refining.
After completing this course, learners can progress in the following ways:
- Progress to a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Refining, or Energy Management.
- Pursue professional certifications such as NEBOSH Process Safety, API certifications, or IChemE chartership.
- Advance into careers as Refinery Engineers, Process Engineers, Safety Engineers, Production Planners, or Operations Managers.
- Work with global oil companies, petrochemical firms, and government regulatory agencies.
- Move into strategic leadership roles in refinery management, energy transition, and sustainable technologies.
- Transition into research and innovation in clean fuels and advanced refining technologies.
