How Refineries Update Their Technology

When a refinery needs an update, it’s not like installing Windows overnight at an office building. Downtime can be significantly long, and can involve many people losing work hours while repairs or renovations are made. Construction & turnaround services are planned years in advance to get around this challenge, but projects can still present complications. Here s a glimpse into how these turnarounds finally come together.

What Makes a Turnaround Necessary

Turnarounds are planned downtime, and usually not for very long. They accomplish a variety of tasks essential to a plant’s function. For one, turnarounds can be used as inspection periods. This is extremely important for internal equipment, which might not otherwise be available for inspection while machinery is running.

Shutdowns are considered necessary because they almost always impact efficiency at the plant in some way. Upgrading terminals or replacing piping wouldn’t be possible if the plant was processing at optimal levels, so shutdowns are necessary to ensure everything is working in top shape.

Who Performs a Turnaround

Turnarounds are typically performed by a small crew of highly trained people, who specialize in that particular kind of machinery. A turnaround can be much larger, though, depending on the size of the plant. Sometimes, construction consulting services are used to manage the project, but the manager is the key person in this process.

Sometimes this role shifts, which is especially true in companies that feature refineries in other states. What is most important in planning a turnaround is making sure all important roles are filled, which includes health and quality assurance people too.

Bio: For 45 years, Lyle Charles has helped manage construction projects and act as a certified state witness. Lyle Charles Consulting specializes in mediation, coaching and management best practices.