Case Study: How a UK Operator Optimises Turnarounds with Technology

21-10-2020
case study UK operator

An Oil & Gas Operator with production of ~35 kboe/d asked TechnologyCatalogue.com to build a Technology Plan to optimise Turnarounds, whereby the Plan specifically focussed on a UK Asset for which a Turnaround had just been completed. The outcome was that the turnaround could have been shortened in duration by ~40%, supported by evidence of successful technology deployments in similar assets in the UK. The identified technologies have been added to a ‘Turnarounds Toolkit’ for the Operator.

Problem

When an oil/gas or petrochemical facility is in its operating phase it will require periodic maintenance activities throughout its lifetime. One of the most impactful recurring activities are the planned shutdowns (‘turnarounds’) that are typically conducted at intervals varying from 1-6 years. For many years these intervals have hardly changed across the industry and improvements have usually been marginal at sub-scope level. However, in recent years, driven by the low oil prices, breakthroughs have been reached in terms of interval, duration, cost and HSE exposure to workers. Technology has played a key role in achieving this breakthrough. A challenge that many Operators face is that they don’t have the overview of which technologies are available, and don’t have the time and/or the specific expertise to assess the available solutions. This is where we come in.

Solution

The founders of TechnologyCatalogue.com led technology deployment activities in support of assets across Shell. Over 600 deployments were successfully delivered, resulting in a very significant impact on safety, production and cost.  Since March 2018, TechnologyCatalogue.com has supported tens of Operators in Upstream and Downstream with technology deployment. 

We understand what it takes to get technology deployed, including all change management aspects related to it.  Our support to Operators includes the Optimisation of Turnarounds. For example, Interval extensions from 2 to 4 years have been seen in the portfolio of some major International Oil Companies with a typical duration reduction of 10% - 40%.  We’ve seen a few cases whereby a complete planned turnaround could be skipped.

TechnologyCatalogue.com supported this Oil & Gas Operator with building a Technology Plan for Turnarounds, whereby the process was to identify quick technology wins and focus on technologies successfully used by others in the same region. To read more about the Technology Plan process, click the following link: https://www.technologycatalogue.com/How_to_build_a_Technology_Plan

Results

Technology Plan for Turnaround optimisation - The review of the completed Turnaround identified opportunities to shorten the duration by ~40%, with the impact jointly assessed with the customer. Specific actions were defined such that the technologies can be applied in the next Turnaround.

Turnaround toolkit - A Turnaround Toolkit was created. Not only containing the technologies that can optimise the Turnaround of the specific UK asset, but also other technologies that were used as input for building the Technology Plan.

Technology & Innovation Mindset - The work helped to improve the Technology & Innovation mindset at different levels in the organisation. It opened the eyes of management that technology can deliver short-term cash. It encouraged people at all levels to continuously lookout for solutions that can improve their activities.

About us

The founders of TechnologyCatalogue.com led technology deployment activities in support of assets and projects across Shell. Over 600 deployments were successfully delivered, resulting in a very significant impact on safety, production and cost. We understand what it takes to get technology deployed, including all change management aspects related to it. Since starting TechnologyCatalogue.com in March 2018, we have supported multiple operators in Upstream and Downstream with technology deployment. 

Our platform TechnologyCatalogue.com was developed based on the first-hand experience that it is often difficult for decision-makers to stay up to date on available technology-driven improvement opportunities for their business. It was launched in Q3 2018 and is steadily growing in terms of content & functionality. Since the launch, >30,000 unique users have accessed the platform. We’re also developing customised versions of the platform. For example, jointly with National Energy Resources Australia, we have delivered a customised version of the portal for Australia (Nera.TechnologyCatalogue.com)

In addition to TechnologyCatalogue.com,  we also support suppliers and end-users with getting technology deployment done, through consultancy & workshops.