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 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2026

FOCUS
 

  • IMPROVING PLANT RELIABILITY, THROUGHPUT & PROFITABILITY THROUGH ADVANCED PROCESS CHEMICALS, INDUSTRIAL WATER MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

  • OPTIMIZING COOLING WATER, BOILER & STEAM SYSTEMS, CORROSION CONTROL & FOULING PREVENTION TO REDUCE DOWNTIME, LOWER OPERATING COSTS, AND EXTEND ASSET LIFE

  • DEMONSTRATING THE BUSINESS VALUE & ROI OF CHEMICAL PROGRAMS THROUGH IMPROVED RELIABILITY, ASSET PERFORMANCE, PROCESS EFFICIENCY, AND REDUCED MAINTENANCE COSTS

  • LEVERAGING AI, DIGITALIZATION, AUTOMATION & REAL-TIME MONITORING TO OPTIMIZE CHEMICAL TREATMENT, ENABLE PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVE OPERATIONAL DECISION-MAKING

  • ADVANCING WATER REUSE, PFAS MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE WHILE REDUCING WATER, ENERGY, CHEMICAL CONSUMPTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • PREPARING DOWNSTREAM FACILITIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THROUGH STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN ASSET RELIABILITY, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

8:00AM - 8:50AM REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS

8:50AM - 9:00AM GSN WELCOME & CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS

9:00AM - 09:40AM THE FUTURE OF DOWNSTREAM OPERATIONS: BALANCING RELIABILITY, WATER STEWARDSHIP & PROFITABILITY IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX OPERATING ENVIRONMENT 
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North American refiners and heavy industrial operators continue to face increasing pressure  to improve plant reliability, maximise throughput and reduce operating costs whilst  simultaneously addressing sustainability targets, workforce shortages and tightening  environmental regulations. This keynote will explore how leading organisations are adapting  their operational strategies and where process chemicals, industrial water management and  operational excellence fit within future investment priorities.
 

  • Balancing plant reliability and profitability while maximizing throughput and controlling operating costs.

  • Advancing water stewardship and sustainability while responding to tightening environmental requirements.

  • Addressing workforce shortages and operational complexity through smarter operating strategies.

  • Positioning process chemicals and industrial water management within future investment and operational priorities.

09:40AM – 10:20AM PANEL: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES FACING NORTH AMERICAN REFINERS & HEAVY INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES TODAY? 

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• Where are operators focusing resources and investment to improve operational performance and efficiency?

• How can facilities balance reliability and profitability while managing rising costs and tighter margins?

• Addressing workforce and skills challenges, including an ageing workforce and loss of operational knowledge.

• Managing ageing infrastructure while reducing equipment failures, corrosion and unplanned downtime.

• Meeting sustainability and environmental expectations without compromising operational performance.

• Identifying future investment priorities, including digital technologies, automation and process improvements.

10:20AM – 10:50AM  NETWORKING BREAK

10:50AM – 11:20AM MAXIMIZING COOLING WATER PERFORMANCE WHILST REDUCING CHEMICAL CONSUMPTION 
 

  • Improving cooling tower optimisation and fouling prevention to maximiZe efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements.

  • Strengthening scale and corrosion control to protect equipment, maintain performance and extend asset life.

  • Increasing water conservation while reducing chemical consumption and operating costs.

  • Using online monitoring technologies to optimise treatment programmes, chemical dosing and system performance.

11:20AM – 11:50PM BOILER WATER CHEMISTRY & STEAM SYSTEM RELIABILITY: REDUCING DOWNTIME THROUGH SMARTER WATER TREATMENT ​
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  • Optimizing boiler water treatment and condensate management to improve overall steam system performance.

  • Strengthening corrosion prevention to protect critical equipment and reduce unplanned downtime.

  • Improving steam reliability and chemical optimization while reducing treatment and maintenance costs.

  • Supporting asset life extension through smarter water chemistry and proactive system management.

​11:50PM – 12:20PM OPERATOR CASE STUDY: DELIVERING MEASURABLE BUSINESS VALUE THROUGH INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT

 

​Implementing site-wide integrated water management to improve operational efficiency and reliability.

  • Reducing unplanned downtime and operational risk through improved water treatment strategies.

  • Optimizing water and chemical consumption to lower operating and maintenance costs.

  • Delivering measurable financial value through improved asset performance and resource efficiency.

12:20PM – 1:20PM NETWORKING LUNCH BREAK 

1:20PM - 1:50PM PROTECTING CRITICAL ASSETS: MODERN CORROSION MANAGEMENT ACROSS REFINING & HEAVY INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES 

 

Managing internal, under-deposit, and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) across critical process equipment.

  • Applying corrosion monitoring technologies to identify threats earlier and optimize chemical treatment.

  • Strengthening inspection and predictive maintenance strategies to reduce equipment failures and unplanned downtime.

  • Improving asset integrity management to extend equipment life and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

1:50PM - 2:20PM IMPROVING UNIT RELIABILITY THROUGH ADVANCED PROCESS CHEMICAL PROGRAMMES

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  • Applying antifoulants and deposit control programs to maintain throughput and reduce fouling.

  • Optimizing corrosion inhibitors and neutralizing amines to protect critical process equipment.

  • Improving process optimization to enhance efficiency and reduce shutdown frequency.

  • Strengthening unit reliability to improve equipment performance and reduce unplanned downtime.

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2:20PM – 2:50PM PANEL DISCUSSION: DEMONSTRATING THE VALUE OF CHEMICAL PROGRAMMES BEYOND COST PER GALLON 
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  • Establishing KPIs and reliability metrics that demonstrate the operational impact of chemical programs.

  • Measuring ROI through reduced downtime, maintenance costs, and improved production efficiency.

  • Using performance benchmarking to evaluate and continuously improve chemical program effectiveness.

  • Balancing procurement cost vs. operational value when selecting and evaluating chemical programs.

2:50PM – 3:20PM NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK

3:20PM – 3:50PM WATER REUSE, PFAS & EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPLIANCE ​​​​​

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  • Expanding water reuse and wastewater management to reduce consumption and environmental impact.

  • Addressing PFAS and emerging contaminants through improved treatment and monitoring strategies.

  • Strengthening regulatory compliance while supporting more sustainable facility operations.

  • Preparing for future environmental legislation and evolving regulatory requirements across North America.

3:50PM – 4:10PM DIGITAL WATER MANAGEMENT: USING AI, AUTOMATION & REAL-TIME MONITORING TO IMPROVE PLANT PERFORMANCE ​

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  • Applying AI and digital twins to optimize water systems and chemical treatment programs.

  • Using predictive maintenance and online monitoring to identify issues before they impact operations.

  • Implementing automated dosing to improve treatment accuracy and reduce chemical consumption.

  • Leveraging data-driven optimization to improve decision-making, efficiency, and overall plant performance.

4:20PM – 5:00PM EXECUTIVE PANEL: WHERE WILL DOWNSTREAM FACILITIES INVEST OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? 

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  • Prioritizing investment in asset reliability and water infrastructure to strengthen long-term operational performance.

  • Advancing process optimization and digital transformation to improve efficiency, reliability, and profitability.

  • Investing in workforce development to address skills gaps and support increasingly complex operations.

  • Developing long-term operational strategies that balance reliability, sustainability, and future growth.

​5:00PM – 5:20PM FROM NECESSARY EXPENSE TO STRATEGIC INVESTMENT: UNLOCKING THE BUSINESS VALUE OF PROCESS CHEMICALS & INDUSTRIAL WATER MANAGEMENT 
 

  • Repositioning process chemicals and water management from operational expenses to strategic investments.

  • Improving plant reliability and asset life through optimized chemical and water programs.

  • Reducing downtime and operating costs through better treatment and performance management.

  • Demonstrating measurable business value and ROI across downstream operations.

5:20PM CLOSING REMARKS

5:30PM – 6:30PM NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION 

Global Strategic Networks Limited
Address: 11 Braeburn Way, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3TU
US Telephone: +1 832 775 8761 / UK Telephone: +44 7841 998 070
Company Number: 11384323
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