Irving Oil performs $135 MM turnaround at Saint John refinery
Irving Oil began its 2016 fall turnaround project at its Saint John Refinery in late September. ‘Operation Red Fox’ represents an investment of $135 MM over a six-week time frame and will have 2,400 workers working on the project. The additional workforce will be comprised mainly of tradespeople, including boilermakers, electricians, laborers, scaffolders, pipefitters and many other skilled workers. Throughout the project, Operation Red Fox personnel will work in shifts around the clock to accomplish various maintenance and infrastructure projects to increase the overall efficiency and performance of the Saint John refinery.
“Turnarounds are often months, if not years, in the planning and we appreciate the work of our people and our partners to make a project of this scope successful,” says Mark Sherman, Chief Operating Officer at Irving Oil. “We’re looking forward to getting started on Operation Red Fox, which is a symbol of our commitment to investing in our facilities and the community we call home.”
“We look forward to welcoming skilled workers and tradespeople back for this year’s turnaround,” says Dale Cooper, General Manager of Refining and Feedstocks. “Many of the workers – most of whom come from across New Brunswick - look forward to returning for this annual project; we appreciate the warm welcome our team and community extends while they’re here.”
The $135 MM private investment in the refinery is expected to result in more than $15 MM in benefits for the local Saint John economy. These benefits will include boosts to short-term accommodation rentals, recreation services, retail and other local spending. In addition, the total workforce hours on the project represent the equivalent of 417 annualized jobs.
Safety is a core value at Irving Oil, and all turnaround crew members will be participating in extensive safety training orientation sessions prior to beginning work. Daily safety audits and additional onsite safety specialists will also ensure the refinery’s strong safety culture is maintained throughout the project.
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