On September 5th, our CNRG team visited Valero Energy Corporation in Houston, Texas for an in-depth look at refinery operations and company culture.
We began with an overview of the refinery systems and learned about the history of this specific site before touring with Jace Raney, Director of Technical Services. Seeing the systems on different scales gave us perspective on just how intricate and interconnected refinery operations are. Later, Tom Nysetvold, Manager of Reliability, walked us through CAD layouts, system blueprints, and the structured reliability practices in place. We came to appreciate how each engineer is tasked with managing a specific system, and how the age and scale of the refinery present both challenges and opportunities.
The visit concluded with lunch and open conversations with Valero engineers and staff. These discussions shed light not only on technical work but also on the collaborative culture that sustains it. They shared their career paths, gave thoughtful advice on seeking internships, and emphasized the importance of aligning personal values with those of a company.
Our team left with a deeper understanding of the complexity of refinery systems, the importance of reliability, and the value of strong communication and shared purpose within engineering teams. A sincere thank you to Valero Energy Corporation for hosting us and sharing their time, expertise, and guidance.