Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-8093.00
Will AI Replace Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
86out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
86/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- ▸Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- ▸Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- ▸Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- ▸Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- ▸Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (10)
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
⚡AI-Assisted (5)
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 86/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research