A Case Study on Procedure Standardization of Heat Exchanger Retubing in KSA Oil and Gas Industries

摘要

Plant shutdown also known as "turnarounds", is one of the most critical period in the oil gas refineries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Shutdowns have the ability to effect the plant's financial future and commitments either in positive or negative way. A heat exchanger is a crucial and important equipment in the oil gas refineries used for various processes and heat transfers. It also impacts the duration of plant turnaround. When the operation of the plant starts the after turnaround, a failed heat exchanger within short duration of normal plant operation even though warranty of contractor exists, can create major loss in terms of money due to reduced downtime or production loss. Heat exchangers are subjected to different repairs including partial or full retubing by various methods or by simple plugging. Heat exchanger repair during the turnaround helps to reduce the down time loss (repair) of heat exchanger and will ensure the integrity for smooth running of plant. After studying the retubing of more than 75 heat exchangers, standardized procedure was incorporated to satisfy all the standard codes like ASME, TEMA, SAES, SES, NBIC and all the end users like Aramco, Sabic and its affiliates.