nartc 2025 Women in Refining 2025
Celia Ruiz Hernandez, Cepsa
Samiya Parvez, Process Engineer, Fluor Can you introduce yourself and share your current role? I have nine years of experience in process and equipment design, technology evaluation, feasibility studies, and (pre-)FEEDs for a wide range of projects/ technologies in the engineering, procurement, and con- struction industry. My current role as a process engineer at Fluor includes working on conceptual process stud- ies, technology review and selection, and techno-eco- nomic evaluation for feasibility studies and (pre-)FEED projects. I work in several areas of the energy transition. Can you introduce yourself and share your current role? Hi! I’m Samiya Parvez, and was born and raised in Mumbai, India. I earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Mumbai and moved to the Netherlands in 2013 to pursue a master’s degree in chemical process engineering from Delft University of Technology. I have 9 years of experience in process and equipment design, technology evaluation, feasibility studies, and (pre-)FEEDs for a wide range of projects/technologies in the engineering, procurement, and construction industry. The first half of my career was heavily refining industry today, and what solutions do you propose? The biggest challenge is adapting to the energy transition while remaining a profita- ble business without constant subsidies. The solutions are not easy, and the hardest part is that no single solution is applicable to all, given how different each refinery is. The easiest solution would be to improve the energy efficiency of existing processes. If legislation is clear, product off-takers are identified, and long-term contracts are signed, implementation of these projects across the board should speed up. Are there any emerging technologies that excite you, related to work or beyond? Oh, several! It is exciting to see start-ups and seasoned technology developers coming up with novel ideas to develop the fuels and chemicals our society needs. Emerging technologies, for example, ammonia cracking to produce hydrogen, elec- trolysers to produce syngas or chemicals, chemical recycling of waste plastics, CO₂ capture and utilisation, certainly have my attention. Getting excited by looking at a ‘cool technology’ on paper is the easy part. Evaluating and developing it further to operate profitably at commercial scales is the challenge and equally exciting for me! What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received? One of my mentors at Fluor told me to do as much as I can or want to as long as I rec- ognise my limits and do not get burnt out or bogged down. What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to future talent? There are a few based on my own experiences: 1. If you love what you do for work, it does not seem like work! 2. You are not a tree. If you are unhappy, move – a project, a department, a company, a city, or a country. 3. Work with/talk to people who are smarter than you. 4. You are in charge of your career path and progression. Know what you want and politely ask for it. 5. Ask as many questions as you need to without hesitation. 6. Whatever you do, do it well. Women in Refining 2024 Samiya Parvez Process Engineer Fluor ERTC Women in Refining 2024 focused on refining technologies, refinery revamp studies/FEEDs, configuration studies etc. I loved learning about the various process units that fit together like pieces of a puzzle. It brought me immense joy, and needless to say, armed me with invaluable tools for what was to lie ahead: the energy transition. My current role as a process engineer at Fluor, includes working on conceptual process studies, technology review & selection, techno-economic evaluation for feasibility studies and (pre-) FEED projects. A lot of the energy transition technologies emerge from traditional process technologies, and I enjoy applying my skillset and navigating through new challenges to help our clients define and develop projects in early phases. At Fluor, I get the opportunity to work in several areas of the energy transition including clean hydrogen, electrification, plastic recycling, renewable fuels, CO2 capture, compression, liquefaction & CO2 utilisation, energy efficiency What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the improvement etc. Learning about various pillars of the energy transition has helped me gain tremendous insight into what it means (in terms of cost, effort, land, feedstock, energy requirement, technical feasibility etc.) to make a
Can you introduce yourself and share your current role? I am responsible for Digital in Cepsa’s Energy Parks. ‘Digital as an engine of business growth and accelerator of the energy transition’ is a good summary of what we do. We seek to empower employees to cre- ate value through digitalisation and offer them digital solutions that drive the company’s goals of sustainabil- ity and decarbonisation. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the refining industry today, and what solutions do you propose?
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What do you see as the bigges facing the refining industry tod solutions do you propose? The single biggest challenge is energy transition while remainin business without constant subs solutions are not easy, and the is that no single solution is app given how different each refine of configuration, location, exist units, access to feedstock, CO2 electricity, water(ways), produc The easiest solution would be t efficiency of existing processes is essential to know where mate i.e. an accurate water balance, s energy balance goes a long wa what parts of the process can b improved. Once the low hangin grabbed (and eaten?!), capital i can be looked at, along with th payback times. Detailed feasibility studies of va reduction options will help dete for a given refinery. Traditional involve stepwise project execut to make a big and fast dent in o numbers, more ‘parallel’ execut need to be developed along wi of process units and schemes. M decisions may need to be taken parameters are still unknown, w difficult situation to be in. If leg product off-takers are identified contracts signed, implementati projects across the board shou
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The speed of the energy transition depends on multiple factors such as regulation, global economy, market demand, infrastructure for electrification, and access to raw materials. On the other hand, refineries have to be sustainable until there are new ways to produce cleaner energy. How do we deal with this? How do we be sustain- able and competitive and maintain market speed in the energy transition? Flexibility in the speed of the transition is key to sustainability and competitiveness. We must be flexible and adapt to market conditions, as well as transform and decarbonise to meet market demand. ERTC Women in Refining 2024 Are there any emerging technologies that excite you, whether related to work or beyond? At Cepsa, within our Positive Motion strategy, a lot of focus is placed on biofuels and green hydrogen. Hydrogen plays an important role as an opportunity to decarbonise mobility in the most efficient way. We will be able to produce enough H₂ for the decar- bonisation of our industry and heavy transport in Spain and export to the rest of Europe, contributing to Europe’s energy supply and independence. Hydrogen will be crucial for the manufacturing of byproducts, such as green ammonia and methanol, which are of extraordinary relevance for the decarbonisation of maritime transport. 3 Celia Ruiz Hernandez cepsa
What’s the best piece of career advice you have ever received? Be curious, investigate, never accept “That’s how it’s always been done”.
What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to future talent? We are facing a new era in energy production. The refineries of 2050 will be com- pletely different from those of 2024. The best technology that has been available for years is no longer valid. We must reinvent the future of energy production. Be the pro- tagonist of change, be open to new ways of doing things, explore, have an open mind, and get involved in decision making.
Berta Cabello, Renewable Fuels Director, Repsol
ent stakeholders have of us. We are seen not as an ally to transform energy use but as a stopper. This is a pity, as we have the capabilities and willingness to create alternatives for more sustainable products. Are there any emerging technologies that excite you, whether related to work or beyond? We are experiencing a fantastic time in our industry. It is amazing to compare the ERTC agenda from six years ago to now...it has changed a lot! I am really passionate about the new technologies that are emerging to convert waste into fuels and chemicals, as well as to convert CO₂. Most of them may not be completely new, but the applications to real indus- trial operations are a technological challenge that still needs to be addressed. Besides that, digitalisation, AI, and genetic engineering are completely transforming society. What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received? I have to say that more than specific career advice, what has impacted my career more are the role models I have had. I am lucky because I had role models and mentors who helped me realise what I want to be, both as a person and as a leader. This is important because all of us could be role models for other people, so we need to set an example, be consistent, and be aware of what we say and do. What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to future talent? All of us make a difference, so be mindful of what you say and do. Be proactive because you can change more things than you may think. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our colleagues, and the future generation to leave a better working environment, a better company, a better neighbourhood, and a better world!
Can you introduce yourself and share your current role? I am 46 years old, live in Madrid, Spain, and have a 12-year- old son. I like hiking, yoga, music, and movies. I am currently Renewable Fuels Director at Repsol and have previously worked in several positions at Repsol and its affiliate com- panies. I am very fortunate because I have had the opportu- nity to explore very different positions in the company and have grown both professionally and personally. I started working in our technology centre as a simulation engineer and then joined the refining business development team. After that, I moved to Cartagena to participate in the start- up of a new Group III base oils plant. I then returned to Can you introduce yourself and share your current role? I am 46 years old; I live in Madrid, Spain, and I have a 12-year-old son. I like hiking, yoga, music, and movies. I am currently Renewable Fuels Director at Repsol, and I have previously worked in several positions at Repsol and Repsol’s affiliate companies. I am very fortunate because I have had the opportunity to explore very different positions in the company, being able to grow both, professionally and personally. I started working in our technology center as a simulation engineer and then joined the refining business development team. After that, I moved to Cartagena to participate in the start-up of a new Group III base oils plant. I then moved back to Madrid to work in strategic planning and decarbonization technologies.
This is a pity, as we have the capabilities and willingness to create alternatives for more sustainable products.
Are there any emerging technologies that excite you, whether related to work or beyond?
We are experiencing an amazing time for our industry. It is amazing to compare the ERTC agenda from 6 years ago to now... it has changed a lot! I am really passionate about the new technologies that are emerging to convert waste into fuels and chemicals, as well as to convert CO2. Most of them may not be completely new, but the applications to real industrial operations are a technological challenge that still needs to be addressed. Apart from that, digitalization, AI and genetic engineering are completely transforming society.
Madrid to work in strategic planning and decarbonisation technologies. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the refining industry today, and what solutions do you propose?
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
ERTC Women in Refining 2024
I have to say, more than specific career advice, what has impacted my career more are the role models I had. I am lucky because I had role models and mentors, that have helped me realize what I want to be, both as a person and as a leader. This is important because all of us could be role models for other people, so we need to set an example, be consistent and aware of what we say and do.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the refining industry today, and what solutions do you propose? We are faced with several challenges, the first being the fierce competition in a global industry. Despite there being a single market, there are different regulatory condi- tions depending on the region of the world. I am really proud of the achievements we have made in Europe in terms of safety, sustainability, and the environment. However, we are still suffering from the lack of industry support. We still face competition from other regions where costs are lower, and the rules are not as strict. Also, we are facing a changing market, especially in Europe, where demand is declining due to increased effi- ciency and electrification, as well as an increase in gasoline demand and a decrease in diesel demand. Finally, and the most important challenge for me, is the perception differ- Berta Cabello Renewable Fuels Director Repsol We are faced with several challenges, the first being the fierce competition in a global industry. Despite there being a single market, there are different regulatory conditions depending on the region of the world. I am really proud of the achievements we have made in Europe in terms of safety, sustainability and the environment, however we are still suffering from the lack of industry support. We still face competition from other regions where costs are lower, and the rules aren’t as strict. Also, we are facing a changing market, especially in Europe, where demand is declining due to increased efficiency and electrification, but also due to an increase in gasoline demand and a decrease in diesel demand. Finally, and the most important challenge for me, is the perception different stakeholders have of us. We are seen not as an ally to transform energy use, but as a stopper.
What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to future talent?
That all of us make a difference, so be mindful of what you say and do. Be proactive because you can change more things than you may think and we have a responsibility with ourselves, our colleagues, and the future generation to leave a better working environment, a better company, a better neighbourhood, and a better world!
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Women in Refining 2024
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