Will AI Replace Gas Plant Operators?

Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Start and shut down plant equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Contact maintenance crews when necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Change charts in recording meters.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.