Advances in sensors, automation, and information technology have significantly changed the way refineries operate. High performance computing in physically small devices and high speed communication technology developments has been the foundation for many of these advances. Advanced analytical and optimization methods based on this infrastructure can simultaneously lower costs, increase profitability and improve customer service across the supply chain. The collective changes are sometimes characterized as constituting “smart refining." They allow the refinery staff to better analyze the past, assess the current state, and predict future behavior under alternative scenarios. In this paper, we survey the recent history of these developments and look at likely future trends. Economic benefits achieved through implementation of this technology are explained and a framework for understanding them presented. The issues that have slowed adoption and implementation are also discussed.

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