Honeywell has announced a collaboration with TotalEnergies for the ongoing pilot of its AI-assisted Experion Operations Assistant at TotalEnergies' Port Arthur Refinery in Texas. The pilot, currently underway, aims to support and empower operators by enabling timely, informed decision-making and enhancing operational autonomy. The collaboration brings together Honeywell and TotalEnergies to demonstrate how AI-driven control-room technology can optimise refinery performance.

Built on Honeywell's flagship distributed control system, Experion Operations Assistant is an advanced AI-powered solution designed to transform how operators monitor plant operations from the control room. By combining operational analytics with real-time predictive insights, the solution supports a more efficient workflow within critical refinery operations. With this integration, operators can forecast potential maintenance events before they occur and minimise risks associated with unsafe operations and production losses.

"Partnering with Honeywell at our Port Arthur Refinery represents an important step in our journey toward operational excellence across our facility," said Raphael Duflos, VP and General Manager of TotalEnergies' Port Arthur Platform. "We believe this solution could contribute to safer operations, reduced downtime, and minimised product losses."

TotalEnergies has already implemented an initial pilot of Experion Operations Assistant at the Port Arthur site's Delayed Coking Unit (DCU). Preliminary results show the AI-assisted solution has successfully forecasted five potential events, helping to minimise downtime and reduce emissions from flaring. The predictions were made an average of 12 minutes ahead of an alarm incident, enabling operators to implement corrective actions before an event.

"Honeywell's decades of domain expertise and industry knowledge are helping to solve our customers' toughest challenges with tangible solutions like Experion Operations Assistant," said Jim Masso, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Solutions. "This pilot with TotalEnergies will mark a meaningful milestone for bridging the gap between autonomous technology and the operators that keep these facilities running safely and efficiently every day."

Located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf Coast, TotalEnergies' Port Arthur Platform refines crude oil into transportation fuels and produces petrochemicals used in a wide range of products, including plastics, rubber, and pharmaceuticals. The pilot is a successful collaboration between Honeywell, TotalEnergies' Port Arthur platform and its technology headquarters branch, OneTech.