800 skilled workers at INEOS & INOVYN turnarounds
04/08/2022
There’s reason to be impressed at the number of workers now commencing the eight week long mission at INEOS’ & INOVYN’s production facilities. The mission entails a full maintenance overhaul for three different plants located close to each other at Rafnes and Rønningen in Bamble. The turnaround was scheduled for autumn 2021, but was postponed due to covid until now, in the spring of 2022. When these large petrochemical plants are stopped, it is of great importance that all work are planned and prepared in detail to optimize cost and reduce downtime to a minimum. Bilfinger Nordics has also been part of the planning team, starting more than 12 months ago. The plan consists of several underlying activities where areas such as HSEQ, coordination and teamwork are important success factors, within a limited period of eight weeks. After the turnaround, production shall commence in a new cycle of 3, 5 or 8 years, that is why it is so important to deliver according to plan and with high quality.
To the question, “are you an expert on coordination?” Lars Ivar gives a slightly modest “Yes”. Because of this, everything is in order for the turnaround to hopefully be completed to everyone’s satisfaction.
- I do like a bit of action. Seeing how much it means to the customer, that we’re really creating value, gives me a great deal of inspiration. This project absolutely fits these criteria, he says.
Delivers on 16 different areas of expertise
The areas in which Bilfinger deliver their services are varied and versatile. The following is covered within 16 different categories;
- Mechanics
- Refractory
- Pipe fitters
- Welders
- Sheet metal workers
- Valve mechanics
- Electricians
- Automaticians
- Plastic/GRP mechanics
- Civil/concrete workers
- Mechanical riggers
- Inspectors
- Fire and entrance guards
- Laboratory personnel
- Insulators
- Scaffolders
Out of the 800 workers, around 150 are employees at Bilfinger Nordics. The rest are coming from Bilfinger Nordics’ resource networks in Norway and Europe.
- A major challenge with such large turnarounds is to get skilled people with the right qualifications. This includes prequalification of all personnel and verification of competence and necessary certificates. Another large assignment is making sure everyone is trained in HSEQ, gets proper onboarding and has the required access card. Many are also required to deliver Site-tests to demonstrate specific expertise. All in all, it is a substantial job, and it’s been going on for about a year and a half, says Jeanine Winter. She is responsible for the resource center, made to deal with projects that require a large number of skilled workers.
Bøe is full of praise for the job the resource center has done. They’re all doing an excellent job ensuring quality and coordinating the onboarding of resources.
Regardless of where our personnel comes from, we will give everyone a warm welcome.
- The most important thing is for everyone to get home safe and sound, and that our customer is satisfied, Bøe says. He looks forward to eight intense weeks with INEOS & INOVYN.
