Plant and asset owners are being given the ability to justify safely delaying maintenance and inspection work that would usually be completed during a shutdown or turnaround (TAR), following a new partnership agreement between Add Energy’s Asset and Integrity Management division and inspection and technology firm, LifeTech Engineering Ltd.

The two companies have partnered to develop an approach that analyses the associated risks of inspection or maintenance delay, and offers the justifications required for postponing TAR activities when it is safe to do so. This solution will allow operators to concentrate on only essential maintenance and inspection activity, to minimise asset downtime and reduce costs.

The coronavirus pandemic coupled with low oil price has resulted in companies needing to identify significant cost savings across the board. The collaboration will bring together LifeTech Engineering’s proprietary integrity and inspection solutions and Add Energy extensive maintenance management expertise to deliver a Turnaround Delay Feasibility Assessment. This assessment identifies essential maintenance work and activity that can be safely delayed as well as providing a non-intrusive inspection solution. Using a data-focused approach, a maintenance management programme will be created to achieve operational uptime and cost efficiencies.

Damon Bowler, VP of Add Energy Asset and Integrity Management said:
“We are not only delighted to be part of this exciting alliance which draws upon the technologies and expertise of both our businesses, but also proud to be offering this much needed support to the industry through these challenging times.”

“Budgets are under increasing strain and with summer traditionally being the time to run extensive maintenance programmes, many within the sector will struggle to keep up with their scheduled maintenance work. By using our tried and tested data driven approach, owners and operators can gain a clear and uncluttered perspective on what activities can be safely delayed.”

The innovative approach to Turnaround Maintenance Schedules has already been used to identify potential savings of £7 million in inspection outlay over three years at a refinery in Europe by identifying which intrusive inspections and maintenance activity could be deferred, or eliminated, by using their non-intrusive inspection solution and specialist risk-based inspection software. In addition to the cost savings, the solution also improved overall visibility of the condition of the vessels in the plant and improved uptime. More than 80% of vessels were identified as being suitable for inspection by non-intrusive means, reducing the inspection time, risk and costs.

Reza Shahrivar, Managing Director at LifeTech Engineering, said:
“The partnership with Add Energy is a major milestone for us and it’s fantastic to be working with a company that shares both our belief in the value of digitalisation and in-depth experience, to deliver savings and drive-up performance. We are confident this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful business relationship.”

Find out more about the turnaround delay feasibility assessment   l   KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Add Energy