StatoilHydro's Mongstad plant will undergo a two-month extreme makeover. (Photo: Øyvind Hagen)
"As far as we know this is the most extensive service ever performed onshore in Norway. The goal is to make improvements which ensure stable and safe operations of the plant until the next scheduled shutdown in 2013, and prepare for the connection to the new combined power and heating plant," says Mongstad manager Kjell Petter Aanes.
Mongstad manager Petter Aanes. (Photo: Øyvind Hagen)
400,000 man-hours
The scheduled shutdown includes all parts of the refinery and quay facilities. 340,000 man-hours are planned.
The efforts related to Mongstad Energy Project (EVM) and StatoilHydro Mongstad environmental investments (SMIL) will continue parallel with this. A total of some 400,000 man-hours will be performed during the 60-day scheduled shutdown period.
The plant will be prudently shut down. The B area, where the cracker is located, is first in line. More than 170,000 man-hours will be spent on this.
The next jobs will be performed in rapid succession. The plant will be fully shut down for about 16 days. Contractors and SH personnel will:
- perform inspections of equipment
- clean equipment for deposits, mud and coke
- perform condition monitoring of equipment and pipes
- replace defective equipment
- overhaul and repair equipment
- perform modifications, improvements to existing equipment or install new equipment
- install pipe branching for projects (plant expansions).
Focus on HSE
"We will focus heavily on health, safety and the environment. The goal is zero incidents that involve personnel, equipment or the environment," emphasises Jan Åge Låstad, who heads the turnaround work.
Jan Åge Låstad, head of the scheduled shutdown. (Photo: Siw S. Hauge)
The organisation has developed an extensive course package for use during the turnaround. The package contains an HSE introduction course, a full-day HSE course, work permit and safe job analysis course, confined space entry and safety guard course, and a breathing air course.
Large workforce
"Individual wellbeing is also important. More than 2000 people will be involved in the scheduled shutdown and the ongoing construction of the Mongstad Energy Project, and we are working intensively to solve all logistic challenges," Låstad says.
The contractors represent contractor companies such as Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, Promecon, Fabricom and Aker Solutions. They will live in the permanent construction camp, which will be extended to accommodate 1500 people, and in a new camp with beds for 500 workers.
"We have now reached the same activity level and number of contractors as during the hectic development period between 1986 and 1988," says Jan Åge Låstad.
