From a process standpoint, your Fired Equipment items are not only some of the most critical but some of the most risky items in day-to-day operations. Add in the presence of open flames and failures can be dramatic. In today’s refining climate, fired equipment is required to run 4, 5, 6 or even 7 years […]
Turnarounds (TA) in refining units are executed periodically, on a planned basis, to meet multiple objectives, such as regulatory compliance, process reliability improvement, and equipment inspection and/or repairs. In a competitive business environment, managing TA events in a cost effective manner is a well-recognized challenge. Key Step – Planning Development of a comprehensive Work Scope for […]
Equipment Operators face hundreds of work list items while planning for scheduled maintenance events. For each item the owner must make a decision on whether to repair or replace the equipment to resolve the deficiency. In some circumstances, owners are unable to come up with a cost effective repair solution so they default to the […]
by Scott McLaurin, Becht Safety Solutions Manager and contracted member of Owner’s Team of onsite Safety Professionals during Summer 2014 turnaround on Alaska’s North Slope. “If it’s important, it gets measured” is an oft-heard adage, but especially true when it comes to Safety Performance. The truth is while we attach certain values to both desirable […]
Providing “Best in Class” risk based fixed equipment turnaround inspection planning entails a four phase workflow process to scope, plan, execute and evergreen inspection plans to cost effectively mitigate a client’s regulatory and business risk. Becht Engineering has successfully completed piloting the, “Inspection Planners Position” to bridge gaps inherent in developing and executing inspection plans […]
Valero’s Three Rivers Refinery is a 400-acre site with a total throughput capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels per day. It is located midway between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, in the heart of the southeast Texas shale oil counties, most notably the Eagle Ford Shale formation. When the first members of the Becht Engineering team […]
Rich Basile joined Becht Engineering in June 2012, after his retirement from ExxonMobil Research and Engineering. During his career at EMRE, Mr. Basile was the Commercial Technology Owner for Pressure Vessels, Fluid Solids and Advanced Analysis/FFS, responsible for the mechanical design, analysis and technology development for ExxonMobil pressure vessels and other equipment in units such […]
Coke drums used in the delayed coking process have historically been subjected to severe operating conditions which result in numerous mechanical problems. The Coke Drum is far from your typical pressure vessel. However, the industry standard foundation, shimming, grouting and anchor bolt design continue to be identical to a typical pressure vessel. There is a […]
Operations and Maintenance Practices in refineries focus on maximizing safety, reliability and profitability, in a highly competitive industry, with tight margins. A key consideration is to effectively manage annual maintenance costs which can be as high as 40-50 MM$/year for a medium size refinery. These costs can escalate to several hundred million dollars, if unplanned […]
Apples to Oranges? Over the years, one thing that continuously strikes fear into many hearts of Safety professionals and management alike, is the Safety challenge that comes with a turnaround. A turnaround of any scale will introduce a totally different dynamic into the workplace. Assuming the status-quo in Safety will suffice during a turnaround is […]
