A midstream energy infrastructure company with a global network of pipelines and terminals, engaged Trindent Consulting to create and develop an industry leading butane blending optimization program to minimize gasoline quality giveaway.
How we Made it Happen™
Optimized Planning and Tank Management
- Redesigned the butane ordering process to pre-order butane supply up to 5 days early based on upstream information and/or head-line sample based on timing.
- Implemented tank and inventory management processes during phase up and phase down transition periods at key terminals to maximize blending, which resulted in over 3,500,000 gallons of additional butane blended between September and November.
- Developed and established weekly tracking dashboards to monitor KPIs and review forecast vs actual performance.
Updated Butane Calculation with Revised Model
- Developed and installed universal models to account for the non-linear RVP behavior to achieve a 78% improvement in forecast accuracy, equating to an RVP giveaway improvement of 0.11 psi.
- Implemented a backcasting process to review and update the blend models on quarterly basis to ensure it accurately reflects actual blend properties.
Improved Sampling and Testing
- Enhanced the existing sampling and testing process to comply with ASTM and API.
- Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to minimize light hydrocarbon evaporation, improve the accuracy of lab volatility measurement and reduce volatility giveaway.
- Developed and delivered onsite training to over 80 operators across 20 terminals on sampling, gauging and testing to ASTM standards focused on D5191, D4057, D5842 and API 3.1A.
“The Trindent team brought focus to process consistency, management operation systems and active management. Working in close collaboration with all stakeholders, the team was able to identify opportunities that improved butane blending.”