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11th Chem Petrochem & Refinery Shutdowns and Turnarounds 

Refining Plans, Execution, & Performance for Optimal Productivity

30 Jul-1 Aug 2019
JW Marriott | Austin, TX, United States of America


marcus evans Noth America

What our delegates think of us:

I enjoyed the material and topics covered. It offered many
different perspectives to solving problems and issues we
experience

Torrance Refining

Very useful for anyone that wants their turnaround to get
better. Listening to speakers and meeting peers results in new
ideas that are transferable and all add value.

Mosaic

Excellent range of topics and presentations and great opportunity for networking.

PCS Nitrogen

An interview with Steve Walden, Lead Rotating Equipment Engineer at OGE Energy Corp

Ahead of the 11th Chem Petrochem & Refinery Shutdowns and Turnarounds, we spoke with Steve Walden, Lead Rotating Equipment Engineer at OGE Energy Corp about the lessons learned in rotating equipment during turnarounds.

 Is a Turnaround the best time to upgrade pump/compressor systems for improved reliability?

The short answer is YES! However, the design for the upgrade should take place long before the turnaround. Obviously, the Turnaround is a very good time for upgrades because it is an opportunity to get into equipment that normally is running.  To bring equipment down would cause loss of production and income. So beforehand, you have to plan and work through your engineering cycle to design the process and the equipment around the process, while also looking for alternatives and come up with the best available technology. Then, install as much as possible before the turnaround and test before the turnaround is over to get it ready to run and make sure it runs well before the commissioning/end of the turnaround.

Why does a complex rotating project require a lot of company resources?

For a large compressor system upgrade, you need not only the mechanical engineering to design the upgrade, the mechanical seals and support systems for the seals. But there’s also instrumentation, electrical power, controls and let’s not forget the crafts that install the hardware.

Mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, as well as process/chemical engineers, get involved in design and procurement. The TAR manager determines what the project entails and marshals the resources appropriately.  Chemical engineers will probably come up with the basis for the design with the necessary temperature, pressure, and flow. The mechanical engineer along with the electrical engineer size the equipment and get involved in the procurement process. Finally, of course, the controls and instrumentation are a critical part of the project.  

There are a lot of people and components working together to complete a complex TAR equipment upgrade project successfully. 

What is one piece of advice that you would suggest to turnaround managers to ensure a smooth start-up?

Well, the first word that pops to my mind is PLAN. A good turnaround manager will look at each project individually and the resources he needs to complete that project in the time available during the turnaround. If additional resources are needed, the manager must go up the chain to find the funds and the people, but it all starts with planning.

What is one interesting item about your professional career or current role that one might not know from looking at your bio or LinkedIn profile? 

I was born in Beirut, Lebanon to U.S. citizen parents.  My dad was a mechanical engineer who helped build the first 42-inch pipeline in the world from Saudi to the Mediterranean back in the early 50s.  

What are you most looking forward to at the 11th Chem/Petrochem & Refinery Shutdowns and Turnarounds Conference this July 30 through August 1st at the JW Marriot in Austin, TX?

I’m looking forward to meeting people in different fields and as I am nearing the end of my career, I like to share the knowledge I have but also learn from others.

Steve Walden is one of our keynote speakers

Why you should attend this marcus evans conference?

More than 14 hours of focused end-user driven case studies

  • Optimize Materials Management Program Planning to Develop Process, Resource, and Technology Deployment

  • Automate and Digitize Turnaround Processes to Reduce Time and Cost

  • Dive into the Importance of Bolted Joint Connections and Tagging System to Accomplish the Goal of
    Zero Leaks

  • Balance Priorities of TAR and Capital Projects Teams to Mend Gaps with Early Integration

  • Examine Best Practices for Integrating Procurement, Sourcing and Contracting Personnel to Shave Down Speed Bumps

  • Explore Critical Outcomes and Lessons Learned from Digital STO Projects to Drive Decision
    Making Capabilities

Practical insights from active practitioners in your sector

  • Chris Engel, Turnaround Manager,
    Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) 

  • Robin Harris, Refining Business Improvement: Turnaround Estimating & Cost Control Lead,
    Phillips 66 

  • Raymond Pennie, Mechanical Supervisor,
    Nutrien 

  • Joe Jackson , Project Process Assurance,
    LyondellBasell 

  • James Ruckdaschel, IMPACT Team Lead,
    Chevron Products Company 

  • Rafael Cordero, Reliability Manager,
    Stepan Company 

  • Steve Walden, Lead Rotating Equipment Engineer,
    OGE Energy Corp

Case study: Reviewing Lessons Learned in Rotating Equipment during Turnarounds (1st of August,  8:30am)

• Using TAR to upgrade pump / compressor systems and improve reliability, performance and safety
• Collecting company resources-reliability & process engineers, operators, machinists, electricians, instrument techs for the complex project
• Procuring long lead items and upgrading seals, pump internals, compressor components, control systems, auxiliary systems
• Pre-positioning spare / new / upgraded parts to clear pitfalls – before / during / after – the TAR and plan to avoid overlapping projects
• Initiating lubrication, alignment, leak and rotation motor checks to ensure smooth start-up 

For registration pricing and multiple attendee discounts, please contact:

Melini Hadjitheori 
melinih@marcusevanscy.com