Physical Operator – US West Coast Pipeline Operations

The Physical Operator is responsible for coordinating the physical movement of oil products through US pipeline and terminal networks, ensuring that receipts, transfers, and deliveries are completed on time and in accordance with contractual quantity and quality requirements. The role manages end-to-end pipeline scheduling, nominations, terminal coordination, and inventory reconciliation for the assigned trading portfolio. Working closely with traders, pipeline companies, terminal operators, refineries, and counterparties, the Physical Operator maintains reliable supply, identifies operational optimization opportunities, and controls logistics costs. The Physical Operator executes activities within delegated authority and applicable risk limits, escalating commercial decisions to traders and coordinating with relevant internal teams. Main Activities Physical Position and Supply Planning • Manage the physical supply and delivery position for the assigned trading portfolio. • Maintain an accurate operational position covering purchases, sales, pipeline movements, terminal inventories, and outstanding delivery commitments. • Reconcile counterparty, pipeline, and terminal updates against records in VISTA and other relevant operational systems. • Develop short- and medium-term movement plans that align supply availability, pipeline schedules, storage capacity, and customer requirements. • Work closely with traders to identify opportunities arising from routing flexibility, delivery timing, available capacity, and inventory positioning. • Prepare logistics cost estimates for proposed transactions, including pipeline tariffs, terminal fees, storage charges, and other applicable costs. • Communicate scheduling constraints, changes in costs, supply disruptions, and upcoming operational decisions promptly to traders. Pipeline Scheduling and Nominations • Prepare, submit, and manage pipeline nominations in accordance with nomination deadlines, operating calendars, and applicable tariff requirements. • Coordinate origin receipts, batch schedules, transfers, and destination deliveries with pipeline companies, refineries, terminals, and counterparties. • Monitor nomination acceptance, allocated capacity, shipment progress, and changes to expected receipt and delivery dates. • Manage nomination amendments and scheduling changes while minimizing disruption to supply commitments and downstream operations. • Coordinate capacity requirements and administer transportation arrangements within delegated authority. • Monitor pipeline allocations, outages, maintenance, and operating restrictions; develop alternative movement plans with traders and logistics partners. • Manage operational implications of minimum batch sizes, sequencing requirements, product interfaces, and transmix, where applicable. • Maintain clear scheduling records and communicate changes to all affected parties. Terminal and Inventory Operations • Coordinate tank availability, terminal receipts, pipeline injections, transfers, and withdrawals. • Monitor inventory by product, location, and ownership to maintain sufficient supply and avoid overfills, stockouts, and unnecessary storage costs. • Reconcile terminal statements, pipeline movement records, meter tickets, and inventory reports. • Investigate quantity differences, measurement discrepancies, gains and losses, and outstanding inventory adjustments. • Coordinate onward deliveries, including truck-rack movements or other transport modes where these form part of the supply chain. • Maintain contingency plans for delayed receipts, terminal restrictions, and changes in customer demand. Product Quality and Documentation • Confirm that nominated products meet applicable pipeline acceptance criteria, terminal re