Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) has successfully completed a major maintenance project for the turnaround and inspection of 10 operating units in the refinery - called Hub 2 T&I.

Bapco has been scheduling multi-unit shutdowns to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations. Hub 2 was the largest and the most complex turnaround and inspection work executed in Bapco's history, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

During various periods in March and April 2014, the Hub 2 units comprising the No 4A Crude Distillation Unit, No 5 Vacuum Distillation Unit, Kero Merox Unit, No 2 Salt Water Main, the Vis Breaker Unit and all units of the Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Complex were shut down to complete major planned maintenance work.

Maintenance and inspection work was carried out on 300 pieces of major equipment, 2,700 pieces of smaller equipment, replacement of catalyst in reactors and a significant number of electrical and instrument assets.

At its inception, Hub 2 turnaround and inspection was identified as a unique challenge due to the magnitude of work involved, the large amount of resources required and the fact that the available core expertise will be distributed amongst different units, which are geographically located apart, it added.

Planning and execution of this major undertaking was headed by Bapco's shutdowns and major maintenance department, a highly skilled and experienced team of engineers, well supported by a multi-disciplinary team from other departments.

The team worked for around 18 months to plan and prepare for the Hub 2 T&I.

During this time, a very detailed execution plan with the required budget was developed.

Such detailed planning is the key to successful completion of this shutdown.

At its peak, more than 3,000 men per day were engaged in this shutdown and worked more than one million man hours.

The shutdowns commenced on March 14, 2014 and all units were back in operation by April 22.

Bapco's management was closely involved throughout this turnaround and inspection work and was extremely satisfied with the result of achieving a safe and efficient outcome.-TradeArabia News Service