Ras Tanura Refinery (RTR) recently celebrated the successful completion of a major turnaround and inspection (T&I), with proper planning and a collaborative effort from everyone involved credited for the success.
Responsible for a significant portion of fuel production in the Kingdom, production up-time of the RTR Gas Condensate Fractionation and the Platformer/Naptha Hydrotreater (NHT) units is of the essence at RTR. The T&Is on both units were completed in a new best-in-class duration for the respective units when compared to their global peers as per globally accepted Solomon Study refinery benchmarks. The Fractionation Unit T&I was completed in 27 days, and the Platformer Unit T&I was completed in 32 days, against their benchmarks of 28 days and 35 days, respectively.
“Planning and successfully executing the scope required a team effort,” RTR general manager Yahya A. Abushal said during the celebration event. “The management team appreciates the efforts of the RTR team and the support extended by all of the departments within Saudi Aramco that went to extra lengths to support the RTR T&I, including Support Services and Central Engineering, along with all of our RTR contractor partners.”
Refinery Maintenance manager Sami Burushaid said “beating Solomon top performers, increasing RTR’s 2017 cash margin significantly, and the additional value created are only glimpses of the success story of this exemplary T&I.”
Raed AlSaadoun, Refinery Maintenance superintendent and T&I chairman, said: “The success of this major T&I was measured by zero safety incidents, worldwide best-in-class duration, significant cost avoidance, early startup, and most importantly, knowledge transfer to the major company asset — our young workforce.”
The RTR Gas Condensate Fractionation unit, and the Platformer/NHT units were shut down for the T&I to carry out inspections and maintenance as per the Equipment Inspection Schedule (EIS), and to execute other maintenance and projects that require plant downtime. The plants are on a five-year T&I cycle.
Image Source: Saudi Arabian Oil Co.