James W. Ahrens

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

James is an economics and planning professional with over 30 years experience in optimizing petroleum refinery operations and associated supply/distribution logistics. During the last several years, he has been engaged in developing clean fuels production strategies associated with the changing global fuel specifications. James’ unique blend of refinery technical and economics expertise, along with a practical knowledge of refinery operations, gives him a keen focus on supply chain optimization. He is highly skilled in the use of linear programs and brings a detailed and sophisticated understanding to refinery analysis.

James started his career at Mobil Oil Corporation’s Beaumont, Texas refinery where he served for 12 years in various process engineering, environmental, and planning functions. From 1989 to 1996, James served as the Production Coordinator for Mobil’s Torrance, California refinery where he supervised all aspects of short-term planning that included operating economics, inventory management, product blending, and logistics. He participated on the team responsible for developing facility design modifications and operating strategies to meet California reformulated fuels specifications.

During the last four years of his tenure at Mobil, James served in the Crude Supply division where he optimized the selection, purchase, and transportation of crude oil for Mobil’s Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast refineries.

Prior to joining Stancil & Co., he spent three years with Hart Downstream Energy Services where he was engaged by numerous clients to develop economic assessments for various gasoline blending components comprehending ongoing changes in global fuel specifications.

James joined Stancil & Co. in February 2006.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

• Refinery Operations Planning - Directed the development and implementation of operating strategies for Mobil’s Torrance, California refinery. Supervised the team of engineers and schedulers responsible for all aspects of refinery economics, inventory management, product blending, and rail/truck traffic. Use of linear programs to optimize automated blending facilities and refinery planning resulted in a $7 million improvement in annual profitability at the plant. Validated the design of facility changes to meet California reformulated fuels specifications and instituted the operating strategies for the new equipment.
• Crude Supply Optimization - Facilitated the selection, purchase, transport, and risk management of crude oil supply for Mobil’s Gulf Coast refineries. Reduced crude transportation costs for ongoing savings of $1.5 million per year. Crude inventory minimization strategies and new tank leasing agreements resulted in cost savings of $1.3 million per year.