Planning a Successful Refinery Turnaround

Turnarounds are the yearly shutdown of an oil or gas refinery in order to make way for inspection and repairs. A properly planned and executed turnaround will ensure that production for the rest of the year will go on smoothly and efficiently. However, a poorly planned one can be catastrophic not only for the oil company but the overall market as well.

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Tips for a Safe Refinery Turnaround

Refinery turnaround is a must for every oil refinery’s operation. Equipment and materials are updated or subjected to maintenance to enhance operational efficiency. This maintenance activity requires shutting down and even disassembling complex machinery, which can be dangerous for refinery workers and contractors. Follow these turnaround safety tips to reduce the chances of accidents:

Re-educate the people involved

Plant turnaround is done once a year only so don’t expect adequate retention regarding the safety measures. Re-educate employees for a refresher. Since this activity involves special tasks like piping installation, compressor overhaul and instrument calibration, it’s important to inform contractors, like fuel services, about your plant’s safety procedures, potential hazards, communication systems and chain of command.

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