Honeywell and TotalEnergies have launched a groundbreaking pilot at the Port Arthur Refinery in Texas, testing Honeywell's AI-driven Experion Operations Assistant to revolutionize refinery operations. The collaboration is aimed at enhancing operator decision-making, increasing operational autonomy, and driving efficiencies across critical processes. 

Built on Honeywell’s advanced distributed control system, the Experion Operations Assistant uses AI to merge operational analytics with real-time predictive insights, giving operators the tools to foresee potential issues before they disrupt operations. The system helps prevent unscheduled downtime, minimizes production losses, and boosts safety by identifying risks early. 

"This partnership is a key milestone in TotalEnergies' ongoing drive for operational excellence at Port Arthur," said Raphael Duflos, VP and General Manager of TotalEnergies' Port Arthur Platform. “We’re confident that this technology will lead to safer operations, reduced downtime, and better control over product losses.” 

The pilot program kicked off with the Delayed Coking Unit (DCU), a critical part of the refinery’s operations. Initial results have been promising: the AI assistant predicted five potential issues ahead of time, allowing operators to act on them an average of 12 minutes before alarms were triggered. This has already led to significant reductions in downtime and emissions from flaring. 

The pilot is a joint effort between Honeywell, TotalEnergies' Port Arthur team, and its technology division, OneTech, reinforcing the ongoing push for smarter, AI-enabled solutions in the energy sector. 

“Honeywell’s deep expertise in industrial solutions is powering real-world innovations like the Experion Operations Assistant,” said Jim Masso, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Solutions. “This pilot marks a significant step toward integrating autonomous technology with the expertise of operators, ensuring safer and more efficient operations every day.”