The management team at Global Mechanical Turnaround Services (GMTS) has been trusted for decades when it comes to critical-path project work for FCC, coker, crude, hydro cracker and power plant units. GMTS, a Bartlett Group company, was recently called on by a West Coast refinery to remove four existing coke drum cones and replace them with new ones fabricated offsite. After the new cones were installed, GMTS installed new delta valves as well. However, the new cones arrived on-site behind schedule from the fabricator and were incomplete. The site team responded instantly, working 12 hours a day, seven days a week for two months before the scheduled turnaround. GMTS made the necessary repairs and completed the four new cone sections. GMTS did not have to redo any of its welds on the repair work,and the cones were hydro-tested on-site. The team completed all cones before the turnaround was scheduled to start.
In order to install the new cones, GMTS' engineering and construction teams designed and fabricated a track system on the cutting deck beneath each drum that cantilevered over the coke pit. This allowed GMTS to roll the old cones from beneath the structure and roll in the new cones without disrupting other turnaround activities.
"Many of the refinery's personnel likened the process to a 'quick lube' car repair shop for its efficiency and ease of use," said Keenan Sain, mechanical division vice president, GMTS. "All new cone seams were welded and had zero repairs."
The delta valve installation had to be highly engineered due to the fact there was only 1 inch of clearance for the valve to clear the bottom flange of the drum. All four valves went in without a problem, and the installation was a success.
"GMTS is always striving to combine the experience of the past with the innovation of today and tomorrow to create the best solution when it comes to mechanical needs," said Mark Estep, vice president, Bartlett Group. "Our critical-path management and execution team's No. 1 goal is for your project to be done safely and correctly the first time. Our core values of integrity and attention to detail set us apart. We realize that a turnaround by nature is a sprint, but we treat it as a relay race with all parties involved. That mentality helps us bring projects in on time and on budget. We apply these core values and strengths to all service lines."
GMTS makes its mark on the industry through successful budgeting and scheduling, as well as safe critical-path turnaround and shutdown work.
"Our team is especially competent in all aspects of mechanical critical-path execution of unit or plant upgrades, revamps and maintenance," said Phillip Sain, mechanical division senior feasibility consultant, GMTS. "Our experience, innovation and constructability capabilities are what set us apart when it comes time to execute a successful turnaround or shutdown."
For capital improvements, GMTS can be utilized in the conceptual phase of a plan to aid in the development of preliminary budgets and schedules. Clients can rely on GMTS' vast mechanical experience in addition to its youth to provide sound execution advice and out-of-the-box thinking for safe and economical capital projects.
"Our engineering and constructability capabilities can also save on capital budgets before costly unforeseen complications arise," said Nathan Dagley, mechanical division engineering manager, GMTS. "We have in-house engineering, drafting and 3-D modeling capabilities to thoroughly investigate the quickest, safest and most economical methods for completing both mechanical critical-path project scope work as well as discovery work during the execution phase."
GMTS' direct workforce includes boilermakers, welders, pipefitters and ironworkers. The company provides the appropriate amount of staff needed to support direct labor according to a client's preference. GMTS' management team also strives to provide cost-efficient, professional, quality and, above all, safely executed projects from the preliminary budget estimate through completion.
"Our front-end constructability evaluation of plans and schedules -- for both existing planning and GMTS planning -- dedicates itself to finding the so-called 'snakes in the grass' before they become a direct cost or downtime complication," Keenan Sain said. "Our QA/QC systems and programs have been developed using the latest technological advances in NDT techniques, as well as tried and true industry best practices. We carry ASME 'U,' 'S' and NBIC 'R' stamps."
GMTS' core values include:
- Safety. GMTS is committed to safety from the management level down to the field-execution level.
- Integrity. GMTS believes in honesty and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
- Attention to detail. From constructability to cost control, GMTS' expertise in project execution helps the company identify issues before they become problems.
- Management. Turnarounds and shutdowns are fast-moving, living and growing, and GMTS' managers are ready to make those crucial decisions.
For more information, visit www. gmts-global.com or call (832) 429-0780.