Development Training Course on
Crude Oil Distillation & Desalting Operations
Optimising Crude Preparation, Atmospheric Distillation, Process Control and Refinery Performance
Course Schedule
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Why Choose Crude Oil Distillation & Desalting Operations Training Course?
Crude oil desalting and atmospheric distillation form the front end of almost every petroleum refinery. Their reliability and operating efficiency directly influence downstream unit performance, product yields, energy consumption, corrosion rates and overall refinery profitability.
Effective desalting removes salts, water, sediments and other contaminants that can cause corrosion, fouling, catalyst poisoning and equipment damage. The atmospheric distillation unit must then separate the prepared crude into valuable fractions while maintaining product quality, maximising recovery and operating safely within equipment and process constraints.
This Crude Oil Distillation & Desalting Operations Training Course provides a comprehensive understanding of crude oil characteristics, desalting principles and crude distillation operations. It examines process equipment, operating variables, heat integration, fractionation control, troubleshooting and performance optimisation. Participants will learn how to identify operational problems, interpret process data and implement improvements that enhance reliability, energy efficiency and product recovery.
What are the Goals?
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the composition and key properties of different crude oils
- Describe the complete crude oil processing and distillation sequence
- Evaluate the effects of crude contaminants on refinery operations
- Optimise desalter temperature, pressure, wash water and electrical conditions
- Improve salt, water and solids removal from crude oil
- Explain atmospheric distillation tower separation principles
- Control product quality, cut points and fractionation performance
- Identify and troubleshoot common desalting and distillation problems
- Reduce corrosion, fouling, energy losses and operating instability
- Improve crude unit reliability, safety and profitability
The Course Content
- Composition, classification and origins of crude oil
- Crude oil assays and key physical and chemical properties
- API gravity, viscosity, sulphur, acidity and pour point
- Light, medium, heavy, sweet and sour crude oils
- Crude contaminants: salts, water, sediments and metals
- Impact of crude quality on refinery selection and profitability
- Crude blending, compatibility and stability considerations
- Overview of refinery crude processing and product streams
- Purpose and importance of crude oil desalting
- Sources and types of salts in crude oil
- Formation, stability and breaking of crude oil emulsions
- Single-stage and two-stage electrostatic desalting systems
- Desalter equipment, internals and electrical systems
- Wash-water quality, quantity and injection practices
- Effects of temperature, pressure, mixing and residence time
- Measuring desalter efficiency and salt-removal performance
- Optimising mixing-valve differential pressure
- Controlling the crude-water interface and emulsion layer
- Selection and application of demulsifier chemicals
- Causes of high salt and basic sediment and water content
- Troubleshooting unstable interfaces and poor water separation
- Resolving desalter carryover, oil undercarry and rag-layer formation
- Preventing corrosion, fouling and wastewater-system upsets
- Practical desalter performance improvement workshop
- Fundamentals of vapour-liquid equilibrium and fractionation
- Crude preheat train, heat exchangers and heat integration
- Fired-heater design, operation and combustion control
- Atmospheric distillation column equipment and internals
- Flash zone, stripping sections, side draws and pump-around circuits
- Overhead system, reflux control and heat removal
- Production of naphtha, kerosene, diesel and atmospheric gas oil
- Controlling product cut points, yields and specifications
- Key operating variables affecting tower performance
- Temperature, pressure, reflux and steam control
- Recognising flooding, weeping, entrainment and foaming
- Troubleshooting off-specification distillate products
- Crude preheat-train fouling and exchanger performance
- Heater efficiency, tube coking and high-stack-temperature problems
- Overhead corrosion, salt deposition and water-dew-point control
- Optimising energy consumption, product recovery and unit throughput
Certificate
- AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
How Saudi Aztech Can Enhance Your Professional Career
At Aztech Saudi, we believe that professional development is the foundation of long-term career success. This training course is expertly designed to equip individuals with practical skills, forward-thinking strategies, and the confidence to navigate today’s dynamic work environments. Each course is delivered by subject matter specialists with extensive industry experience, ensuring that every learning experience is relevant, impactful, and aligned with real-world challenges. Whether you're looking to strengthen your technical expertise, enhance leadership abilities, or stay ahead of industry trends, Aztech Saudi provides the tools you need to elevate your performance and deliver measurable value to your organization.
Our training is more than just knowledge transfer—it’s a catalyst for career transformation. By participating in our courses, professionals gain a competitive advantage in their fields, improve their decision-making capabilities, and position themselves for new opportunities and leadership roles. We take pride in supporting individuals across various sectors and career stages, helping them unlock their full potential through high-quality, globally benchmarked learning experiences. With Aztech Saudi as your development partner, you’re not only investing in education—you're investing in a stronger, more successful future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our training courses
Saudi AZTech offers a wide range of internationally benchmarked training courses across various disciplines including leadership, finance, engineering, project management, HR, and more. All courses are designed to meet the professional development needs of individuals and organizations in Saudi Arabia.
Yes, Saudi AZTech collaborates with globally recognized professional bodies to offer accredited training courses. Participants receive certificates that reflect international standards and support their career growth and industry credibility.
You can easily register through our website (aztech.sa) by selecting your preferred course and completing the online registration form. Our support team is also available to assist you with registration, invoicing, and any additional information you may require.
Our training courses are conducted in major cities across the Kingdom, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Al Khobar. We partner with top-tier venues to provide an optimal learning environment that combines comfort, convenience, and professionalism.
Absolutely. We work closely with Saudi-based organizations to develop tailored in-house training solutions that address specific business needs, departmental goals, and workforce development strategies—delivered onsite or at a preferred location
