Refineries manage shutdowns to perform maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, and to bring the plant back online safely and efficiently. The shutdown process involves several phases, including planning, risk assessment, execution, and monitoring:
- Planning
This is the most critical phase and involves defining the scope of work, allocating resources and personnel, and setting timelines and milestones. - Risk assessment
This involves identifying potential hazards, developing mitigation strategies, and implementing safety protocols and emergency response plans. - Execution
This is when the actual shutdown activities take place, including isolating and de-energizing equipment, performing maintenance, inspections, and upgrades, and monitoring progress. - Monitoring
This involves addressing issues promptly and making catch-up plans if there are delays.