Kieran Boyd, Avestec, Canada, discusses the use of a non-destructive testing inspection method to monitor equipment at a refinery.
O
ne of the significant onshore refineries in North America processes crude oil from the Pacific Northwest into mainly gasoline, diesel or jet fuel. The refinery, covering 3300 acres, can process approximately 250 000 bpd of crude oil.1 In recent years, the multinational oil and gas company that owns the refinery has prioritised reducing its carbon footprint. It completed a 22-month modernisation project to help reduce source emissions. After completion, the oil producer planned a multi-hundred-million-dollar investment to improve the refinery’s efficiency, reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and increase its renewable diesel production capability.2 During the company’s pursuit to reduce its carbon footprint, Avestec inspected the condition of the equipment that was being used. Non-destructive testing inspection, using a flying robot, was an efficient means to do so. The team inspected three assets at the refinery in August 2021, and the testing successfully provided accurate readings and improvements when compared to conventional methods.
Customer needs Oil refinery inspections monitor the condition of assets to avoid unscheduled shutdowns for restoration or replacement. The industrial process plants are responsible for predictive maintenance of their equipment every three to five years. Owning companies require a third-party inspection team to ensure that their equipment meets mandatory operating conditions.
HYDROCARBON 35
ENGINEERING
June 2022
