Case Study: Valero Energy’s Port Arthur Refinery eliminates data errors and shipment delays with Datacor’s BLISS LIMS

Valero Energy, Port Arthur Refinery cuts lab data errors from 5 per day to 5 per year with Datacor

Valero Energy's Port Arthur Refinery faced two primary challenges: costly data errors in its laboratory and shipment delays. Before working with Datacor and implementing its BLISS LIMS, the lab's outdated system caused irretrievable sample data errors about five times a day, requiring weekend manual reconciliation. Furthermore, delayed lab results risked expensive demurrage fees for idling ocean vessels waiting for product release.

Datacor's solution involved implementing BLISS LIMS for laboratory automation and data integrity, alongside a custom sample-tracking script developed by their Professional Services team. This script provided automated alerts for delayed samples, preventing shipment bottlenecks. As a result, data errors plummeted from five per day to just five per year, eliminating weekend correction work. Datacor's custom approach also saved the facility hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential demurrage fees.

Valero Energy, Port Arthur Refinery