How to Boost Your Storage Tank Throughput Right Now
After years of hovering around $60/bbl, oil prices are once again soaring above $100 per barrel. For terminal facility managers across the U.S., that means every barrel of storage tank throughput is critical right now. Some are responding with major capital projects, but there are opportunities to maximize revenue from existing storage infrastructure, too. But time is of the essence: The current oil supply shock has created a market environment where each barrel of additional throughput translates directly into immediate profit potential. With assistance from the seasoned team at Aura Engineering, you can optimize your current throughput capacity to meet [...]
Designing Control Panels for Storage and Loading Terminals
The old days of manual processes at storage terminals and loading terminals are fading fast. Modern facilities across North America are integrating more and more automation into their processes, and older control systems are being strained to the limit trying to keep up. Modern storage and loading facilities demand control systems that ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. For facility managers and petrochemical executives planning new installations or upgrades, understand that designing control panels represents a critical investment that directly impacts operational safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term facility performance. Let’s talk about why that is: The Critical Role of Control [...]
What is Vapor Recovery?
Back when we got started in the 1990s, it was all about vapor control. Well, in the last 30 years, our clients’ needs have evolved considerably. Now, we engineer solutions that go beyond vapor control to actual vapor recovery! It’s no mystery why, either: In the chemical and petrochemical industries, vapor recovery represents one of the most significant opportunities to both boost profitability and ensure regulatory compliance. For facility managers overseeing storage terminals and loading operations, understanding vapor recovery isn't just about environmental responsibility or ever-shifting regulation enforcement. It's about capturing real value that would otherwise evaporate into thin air. [...]
Get a Fast, Easy Operational Review in 2026
If your marine vapor control system is due for its mandatory five-year operational review in 2026, the clock is already ticking. With only a handful of certifying entities authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to conduct these critical assessments, scheduling your operational review early isn't just recommended—it's essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding costly facility shutdowns. Why Your 2026 Operational Review Can't Wait The USCG requires every marine vapor control system to undergo a comprehensive operational review every five years under 33 CFR 154 Subpart P. This isn't a simple inspection you can postpone or handle internally. Your facility [...]
What is a “Turnkey” Transfer System?
When facility and operations managers in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries evaluate infrastructure solutions, the term "turnkey" frequently appears in vendor proposals and industry discussions. But what exactly does a turnkey transfer system entail, and why should this comprehensive approach matter to your organization's operational efficiency and safety standards?With decades of experience in designing turnkey product transfer solutions, handling ongoing maintenance for these systems, and training personnel to operate them, Aura Engineering is well-positioned to answer any transfer system question you have! Let’s dig into what a turnkey transfer system actually includes—and the operational and financial benefits to [...]
Designing Control Systems for Storage Terminals and Transfer Facilities
Efficient, reliable control systems are essential for maintaining smooth operations and ensuring safety compliance at storage terminals and transfer facilities. At the heart of these facilities are electrical control systems that manage the interaction between product movement, safety protocols, and regulatory adherence. For facility managers and operations groups seeking fast, high-quality transfer facility control systems, understanding design and implementation is key to making informed decisions. At Aura Engineering, our seasoned team brings decades of experience in control systems engineering to the table when we work with transfer facility personnel. Let’s take a peek at some of the processes we use [...]