What is a shutdown in a refinery?

An oil refinery shutdown is when refining activities stop due to resources being scarce, or prices being too high. Shutdowns can also occur when there are accidents, terror threats, natural disasters, or political actions arise.

Why do refineries shut down?

The industrial landscape for oil refineries has been challenging of late, with the Covid-19 pandemic triggering a massive slump in demand for oil which resulted in many refineries across the world having to temporarily shut down.

What is meant by shutdown project?

Turnarounds and Shutdowns are major projects that require that require sound planning, execution and control. They directly affect the bottom line of the company. Shutdown projects are usually short in duration, from 1 month up to 6 months, and require significant deployment of experienced personnel.

What is turnaround work?

A turnaround is a scheduled period of non-production within the plant. That means that day-to-day operations cease completely during the duration of a turnaround and instead the focus shifts to maintenance related activities, cleaning, inspection, and repair.

What do shutdown workers do?

When shutdowns take place, normal labor and equipment operations are suspended for up to weeks at a time. Maintenance activities may also need to be planned and undertaken during the shutdown period. A shutdown coordinator ensures this whole process runs efficiently, safely and smoothly.

What does plant shutdown mean?

A plant shutdown, or turnaround, is a temporary closure of a building to perform maintenance. The main activities should be preventative in nature with the focus on equipment inspections. This is the best time to replace worn-out or broken process materials and equipment at their useful end-of-life.

What is difference between shutdown and turnaround?

A shutdown is simply a disruption in the refining process. A turnaround is a planned break in production so that maintenance may be performed. The effects of a shutdown or a turnaround can make a difference in the supply available to retail fuel outlets.

How long does it take to restart a refinery?

Refineries go through a turnaround every three to five years, and the typical period of advance planning for a turnaround is one or two years or more, depending on whether major processing or equipment changes are needed.

What is plant shutdown procedure?

A plant shutdown, or turnaround, is a temporary closure of a building to perform maintenance. The main activities should be preventative in nature with the focus on equipment inspections. This is the opportune time to replace worn-out or broken process materials and equipment at their useful end-of-life.

What are the shutdown activities?

Mechanical shutdown activities on columns, heat exchangers, air coolers, furnaces, tanks, and fittings. Disassembly of equipment and pipelines. Equipment installations, such as heat exchangers and tanks. Prefabrication and installation of pipelines.

What are shutdowns and turnarounds?

Sometimes referred to as a TAR – shutdowns and turnarounds a highly-expensive planned period of regeneration in a plant or refinery. During this time, an entire part of the operation is offlined whilst plants are inspected and revamped.

What is the difference between a refinery shutdown and a turnaround?

Unlike turnarounds, shutdowns are not always planned. Often, if supplies of natural gas or other reagents needed for the manufacture of gasoline are lacking, refineries will simply grind to a halt. These supplies can be found wanting if the natural resources are scarce, or prices are simply too high – often, one as a result of the other.

What will happen when the ExxonMobil refinery shuts down?

In April, the chemical maker said it would cease operating the 263,776-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery by the end of 2023, exiting motor fuels production, citing the cost of needed overhauls. A premature shutdown – due to a major equipment failure – could heighten the risk of fuel shortages in the United States.

How do you prepare for a refinery shutdown?

Equipment in need of maintenance, repair, or replacement should all be identified in advance, and the necessary resources, equipment, and personnel prepared on the back of this. A base analysis of a refinery will give an overview of the scope and duration of any shutdowns and turnaround needed.

Could a premature shutdown cause a fuel shortage?

A premature shutdown-due to a major equipment failure-could heighten the risk of fuel shortages in the United States. The economy’s recovery from pandemic and changing global flows from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed motor fuel prices to record levels.