Honeywell and Chevron Partner on AI-Powered Solutions for Refining Processes

On October 1, 2024, Honeywell announced a strategic partnership with Chevron to develop advanced AI-assisted solutions aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and reliability of refining processes within the industrial automation sector. This collaboration focuses on enhancing operator decision-making and overall performance, a crucial step as industries move toward autonomous operations. The AI-powered solutions launched by Honeywell are designed to optimize productivity, boost operator effectiveness, and increase the reliability of industrial assets.

The partnership brings together the deep industry expertise and technical knowledge of both Honeywell and Chevron. A key innovation from this collaboration is the development of AI-assisted alarm management systems. These systems provide operators with guided, specific actions to respond to alarms and operational events effectively, thereby reducing lost profit opportunities and enhancing process safety. The Alarm Guidance application, one of the new tools, will leverage AI to analyze historical data, identifying patterns in past operator actions that successfully returned processes to normal operations. This AI-driven approach aims to minimize human errors and improve overall plant performance.

Lucian Boldea, President and CEO of Honeywell Industrial Automation, highlighted the transformative impact of AI in industrial settings. “AI-assisted automation is key to improving plant performance and addressing workforce shortages by capturing institutional knowledge, digitalizing workflows, and accelerating the learning curve for the next generation of operators,” Boldea stated. The integration of AI within Honeywell's Experion® distributed control system (DCS) will also empower Chevron's operators with enhanced control room capabilities, making them more prepared for future challenges.

The collaboration aligns with Honeywell's focus on three major megatrends, including automation, as part of its broader portfolio strategy. By co-developing AI-enabled solutions, Chevron and Honeywell are setting new standards for operational efficiency and safety in refining processes. This partnership is not only poised to address current industry challenges, such as improving efficiency and upskilling the workforce, but also to drive future advancements in AI-assisted industrial operations. Together, Chevron and Honeywell are paving the way for innovative solutions that will keep both companies at the forefront of technological progress in the industrial automation and refining sectors.

Honeywell is a global, integrated company serving a wide range of industries and regions. Its business strategy is driven by three key megatrends: automation, the future of aviation, and the energy transition. These efforts are supported by the Honeywell Accelerator operating system and the Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, Honeywell helps organizations address some of the world’s most difficult and complex challenges, delivering innovative, actionable solutions. Through its business segments—Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation, and Energy and Sustainability Solutions—the company is committed to making the world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.