In the current global landscape of energy transition and economic volatility, mastering the interplay between technical operations and financial strategy is becoming increasingly essential. The Economics and Planning for Process Plants training program by Pideya Learning Academy is designed to address this growing demand by equipping participants with the analytical and strategic skills required to understand, plan, and optimize the economics of process industries. This course aims to build foundational knowledge for professionals across engineering, operations, business development, finance, and planning domains, offering a unified understanding of how economic forces shape operational decisions in refineries and process plants.
With the global refining capacity projected to grow by 4.5 million barrels per day by 2027 (International Energy Agency, 2023), and with rising investments in complex conversion units and energy efficiency projects, the pressure on organizations to balance cost control with performance improvement has never been more intense. Additionally, operational disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, shifts in feedstock availability, and evolving environmental regulations are prompting the industry to revisit long-standing economic models and investment assumptions. It is within this context that the course gains significance—offering both a strategic lens and a data-backed approach to understand refining and petrochemical plant economics.
Participants will explore key economic principles that govern the design, expansion, and operation of process plants. Core concepts such as margin analysis, capacity planning, feedstock cost sensitivity, configuration trade-offs, and regional pricing disparities will be demystified. By grounding discussions in real-time scenarios and performance benchmarks, the course helps participants draw tangible connections between everyday plant decisions and broader economic outcomes.
One of the key strengths of this training lies in its ability to make economic and financial principles accessible to professionals from non-financial backgrounds. Participants will learn how to interpret refinery performance indicators, optimize product slates based on market behavior, and evaluate capital expenditures using return-on-investment models. Furthermore, the course underscores the role of effective planning in driving profitability—linking cost structures, throughput maximization, product value realization, and logistics management into a cohesive financial planning framework.
Blended into the curriculum are several high-impact learning themes that distinguish this course:
Evaluating economic trade-offs in refinery configurations and feedstock choices
Integrating financial forecasting into operational planning and performance monitoring
Understanding global refining economics and applying regional benchmarks
Applying net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period models to investment decisions
Building financial justifications for process improvements and capacity expansions
Strengthening strategic alignment between plant economics and long-term business goals
The course also emphasizes the growing importance of digital transformation in refinery economics. Tools such as real-time analytics, scenario modeling, and AI-powered forecasting are explored in the context of modernizing economic planning for process facilities. By bridging traditional financial concepts with new-age tools, the training ensures relevance for both current and future industry demands.
By the end of the training, participants will have a robust framework for economic analysis, cost planning, and investment evaluation tailored to the unique dynamics of process industries. More importantly, they will leave with the confidence to apply economic thinking in their daily roles, making decisions that are not only technically sound but financially viable.
With its inclusive approach, updated curriculum, and real-world orientation, Pideya Learning Academy’s Economics and Planning for Process Plants course is an indispensable learning opportunity for professionals aiming to thrive at the intersection of engineering excellence and financial strategy.