What’s That – Refinery Turnarounds
Refineries run 24/7/365—have you ever wondered how they keep up with the non-stop operations? Refinery turnarounds, often referred to as planned shutdowns, are necessary maintenance events to keep operations streamlined and reliable. These scheduled periods of downtime allow for comprehensive inspections, equipment upgrades, and safety checks to ensure optimal performance. Despite being resource-intensive, turnarounds play a huge role in maintaining operational efficiency, safety compliance, and industry sustainability. In today’s “What’s That Wednesday,” we will discover what refinery turnarounds look like and how they help streamline operations at the refinery.
What’s a Refinery Turnaround?
The oil and gas industry operates around the clock—from the field and refinery, then to the consumer. Turnarounds have evolved over the years as refineries have adapted to meet the demands of an ever-growing industry. Just like any other machine, refineries need maintenance, which is why turnarounds are necessary. A turnaround typically follows a systematic approach that allows plenty of time for preparation, but emergency situations of forced shutdowns can happen. While shutdowns are a short-term cessation, turnarounds are comprehensive and extended, often spanning a few weeks to months. During a turnaround, normal refinery operations are temporarily put to a pause, to allow for in-depth maintenance, repairs, and replacements of critical components and moving parts. A refinery may shut down specific units for several weeks to replace aging equipment, inspect critical systems, and upgrade technology to meet safety regulations. The planning process and turnaround itself often looks like this:
Pre-Turnaround Planning – Months or years in advance, operators define the scope, budget, and schedule while securing contractors, permits, and equipment.
Shutdown Phase – Specific units or the entire facility are taken offline, depressurized, and cleaned to prepare for maintenance.
Maintenance and Upgrades – Crews conduct inspections, repairs, equipment replacements, deep cleaning, and system upgrades to improve safety and efficiency.
Testing and Safety Checks – All systems undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards before restarting.
Restart and Monitoring – The facility is gradually brought back online, with close monitoring to detect and resolve any issues.
Why are Turnarounds Necessary?
Turnarounds are a cornerstone of the oil and gas industry, ensuring reliability, compliance, and environmental responsibility. While they require a large investment, their long-term benefits in efficiency, safety, and industry circularity make them indispensable. These periods are used for ensuring that all equipment and processes meet local, national, and international regulatory standards.
Additionally, turnarounds enhance energy efficiency by upgrading processing units to reduce emissions and optimize fuel production. In cases where equipment does not need to be fully replaced, turnaround crews will salvage the reusable components, treat wastewater, and responsibly manage hazardous byproducts. Turnarounds help extend equipment lifespan through regular maintenance, which prevents premature equipment failure and reduces the need for excessive replacements. Furthermore, it’s an important practice to comply with the regulations and standards that govern the oil and gas sector. By adhering to regulations and turnaround protocol, refineries can avoid potential fines and legal issues, while also preserving safety and operational licenses.
At Mansfield Service Partners, we have over 93 years of experience and operate in multiple locations across Texas, Ohio, Colorado, and Minnesota, supporting your fuel and lubricant needs. With extensive experience in the petrochemical and refining markets, our team provides support services for expansion projects, shutdowns, turnarounds, and more. Our product and service offerings include safe and efficient direct fueling services, dedicated bobtails, SMARTruck technology for route optimization, expertly installed tank farms or tank placement, and wireless monitoring system telemetry to ensure you never run out. Contact an expert at MSP today and discover how we can help supply your refinery’s turnaround.
