Coker Units in Refinery
Coker units are oil refinery processing units that convert residual oil and process residues leftover after the initial crude distillationinto higher value products and petroleum coke, a coal-like material used as a fuel input or a manufacturing raw material in a variety of industries. During the coking process, residual oil from the vacuum distillation unit is transferred into large, vertical reactors known as coke drums. There, it is placed under high heat and pressure in a process called thermal cracking to separate the lighter vapors, including hydrocarbon gases, naphtha, and light and heavy gas oils (which exit at the top of the coke drum for further refining) from the solidified petroleum coke. This coke will build up in the drum, and once full, the drum must be taken offline and the coke removed using high pressure water cutters for either reclamation or storage.
OIL & GAS Course Description:
This comprehensive course provides a foundational overview of the oil and gas industry, covering the full hydrocarbon value chain from exploration and production (E&P) to refining, transportation, and marketing. Participants will gain essential knowledge of upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, as well as insight into key industry concepts such as reservoir engineering, drilling technologies, offshore and onshore operations, and energy economics.
The course also explores current trends in sustainability, carbon management, and the energy transition, preparing participants to understand both traditional and emerging aspects of the industry.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the structure of the global oil & gas supply chain
- Learn the fundamentals of exploration, drilling, and production
- Identify components of refining processes and petroleum products
- Analyze oil markets, pricing, and regulatory frameworks
- Discuss health, safety, and environmental (HSE) best practices
- Explore impacts of renewable energy, climate change policies, and decarbonisation
This industry placement offers hands-on experience in the dynamic and technically advanced oil & gas sector. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals in real-world projects across upstream, midstream, or downstream operations. The placement is designed to provide exposure to critical field operations, project management, data analysis, and technical systems used in the energy industry.
Participants may be assigned roles in drilling and completions, production operations, health, safety, and environment (HSE), refinery operations, or logistics and supply chain management, depending on the host company’s needs and intern’s area of study.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support field engineers or operations teams in daily activities
- Assist in monitoring and reporting on production data
- Conduct research on reservoir performance, drilling efficiency, or environmental compliance
- Participate in safety drills and HSE audits
- Use software tools for data logging, simulation, and asset management
- Prepare technical reports and present findings to supervisors
Key Skills Gained:
- Practical understanding of oilfield operations
- Exposure to industry software (e.g., Petrel, Eclipse, SAP, PI System)
- Technical documentation and reporting
- Understanding of health, safety & environmental standards
- Communication and teamwork in a high-risk, high-reliability environment
- Awareness of energy economics, market trends, and regulatory issues
Ideal For:
- Engineering students (Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical)
- Geoscience, Environmental Science, and Business students with energy focus
- Candidates pursuing a career in energy, oilfield services, or sustainability in energy