Charles Reith, vice president of consulting services for Solomon Associates, was featured in the Midland Reporter-Telegram on Sunday, April 18, to share ways that refineries can reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Here is an excerpt:

If refineries spent more time focusing on the “fundamental basics…that affect performance” instead of “fighting fires,” they could reduce overhead costs by tens of millions per year, for an average size refinery. So states Charles Reith, vice president of Solomon Associates, a Dallas-based consulting firm focusing on helping energy companies close gaps in operational performance.

Reith has identified three main areas in which close attention to detail could bring major savings to refineries: Improved energy efficiency, reduced hydrocarbon loss and better sharing of knowledge between management and personnel.

He explained how he and the company arrived at these conclusions. “These observations are based upon our intensive study of the refining industry made during our biennial Fuels Study as well as consulting assignments conducted at refineries around the world. Our consulting work, in particular, involves in-depth interviews of refinery management and staff personnel.”

Read the full article here.