Client Need:
Neptune Bulk Terminals (NBTL) had just completed expansion projects that upgraded the terminal’s capacity from 12.5 MTPA in 2017 to 22 MTPA in 2021. The terminal’s previous capacity had been 12.5 MTPA up until 2021. NBTL recognized that this increase in terminal throughput will result in less time available for planned maintenance activities, while making the resolution of unplanned maintenance activities even more critical. In response, NBTL have embarked on establishing a more comprehensive reliability based Preventative Maintenance Program.
Challenges:
The level of structure and comprehensiveness envisioned for the Preventative Maintenance Program represented an evolution to how the terminal conventionally operated. As well, a substantial amount of new infrastructure had been integrated into the operating systems, and terminal staff were learning the capabilities of this new equipment.
Solutions:
CWA worked closely with NBTL personnel on site to establish objectives and procedures, and to incorporate feedback into the Preventative Maintenance Program. CWA categorized the equipment and components of the Preventative Maintenance Program into physical zones that were to be inspected and assessed, set out the activities that would be performed in each of these zones as part of the program, categorized these activities in accordance with the “mode” of operation that was being undertaken, assigned standardized tag numbers to these components for tracking purposes, and prepared drawings as visual aids to identify the components. The information prepared was reviewed in conjunction with NBTL operations personnel and walked through on site to get feedback directly from the people responsible for executing the program.
Project Highlights:
- Developed a reliability based Preventative Maintenance Program for infrastructure and equipment.
- Delineated equipment into components and sub-components that were subject to inspections, assessments, and maintenance activities dependent on the mode of operation to be engaged.
- Close communication with and buy-in from terminal personnel directly responsible for executing the program. Feedback incorporated into the program to streamline the work of the end users.
- Compressed deadlines for the infrastructure which was already placed into service.