Processing's Weekly Mixer: Predictive AI in oil & gas, flowmeter patents and more

How predictive AI can transform refinery operations

Automation World editor in chief David Greenfield recently published an article that examines how TotalEnergies' deployment of machine learning at its Port Arthur, Texas, refinery demonstrates how predictive AI can transform operations by preventing equipment failures, reducing unplanned shutdowns and empowering operators with actionable intelligence.

Greenfield writes: TotalEnergies worked with Honeywell to deploy Honeywell’s HALO (Highly Augmented Lookahead Operations) Operator Advisor, a machine learning platform that analyzes data from distributed control systems and delivers predictive insights through operator dashboards.

According to the article, the implementation focused on three critical prediction scenarios that translate well to manufacturing contexts:

• Equipment failure prevention
• Cycle management optimization 
• Process event prediction

Find out more about the project and learn more AI insights by visiting Automation World.

How patents power the flowmeter market

Control recently published a piece from Flow Research founder and president Jesse Yoder that looks at the importance of patents in the flowmeter market and how companies such as Emerson, Endress+Hauser and others owe part of their dominance to strategic patent portfolios.

Yoder writes:

In looking at the dominant flowmeter companies today, it is natural to wonder how they achieved their leadership roles. Examples of leading flowmeter technology companies include Emerson, Endress+Hauser, Yokogawa, ABB and Krohne. All these companies are leaders in one or more new technology flowmeters. While there are multiple reasons why these companies lead in different technologies, one major contributing factor is patents and the role they played in the development of these companies and their technologies.

Pharma industry news: Reshoring, tariffs top 2025 topics

In his most recent Editors' (Re)view column, Pharma Manufacturing chief editor Greg Slabodkin takes a closer look at the impact of reshoring and tariffs on the pharmaceutical industry. Slabodkin writes:

2025 has been a year of unprecedented pledges by Big Pharma to reshore pharmaceutical manufacturing to the United States, fueled by President Donald Trump’s ongoing threats to impose industry-specific tariffs and push for Most-Favored-Nation drug pricing deals.

“A wave of transformative U.S. drug-pricing agreements and record manufacturing investments from leading biopharmaceutical companies is poised to reshape the global landscape for pharmaceutical access, production, and industrial policy,” data and analytics firm GlobalData declared in a report this week.

Trump has effectively pressured Big Pharma to commit to large-scale U.S. investments. According to trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the biopharma industry is investing $500 billion in new U.S.-based manufacturing and infrastructure. However, most estimates peg the amount at more than $370 billion over the next five years. Regardless, it’s a historic level of investment.

Here is a recap of the content that appeared on Processing over the past week.

Articles

Critical monitoring parameters for optimal dust collection system performance

Avoid costly, crisis-based dust collection system repairs by monitoring eight critical process parameters.

Podcast

The next era of industrial water reuse: IDE Water Solutions' Rosemary Niechcial predicts market shifts for 2026

IDE Water Solutions North America's CEO joins managing editor Daniel Gaddy to discuss how new modular treatment technologies are cutting ZLD and MLD costs while accelerating industrial reuse adoption across water-stressed regions.