MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE PLANT SHUTDOWN AT DRAGON LNG

The planned maintenance shutdown of the Milford Haven site of Dragon LNG (Wales, UK) was completed safely in June, after a period of approximately one month. This 24/7 shutdown, the first since 2011, enabled Dragon LNG to carry out periodic maintenance and inspection successfully, whilst carrying out some small improvement projects in a safe and controlled manner.

Dragon LNG signed, more than a year ago, a Master service agreement with AMPO SERVICE for this important project, involving several ad-hoc services to guarantee an optimum performance during the planned shutdown: spare parts management, training services and field engineering services.

Dragon LNG demonstrated that accurate planning was key for a successful plant shutdown. An example of this being Dragon LNG’s request of an individualised follow-up of the existing spare parts several months before the shutdown.  In order to optimize spare parts management, AMPO SERVICE technicians completed and prepared several spare part kits for the customer, making easier and faster valve maintenance tasks at site during the shutdown.

In tandem, AMPO also developed a tailored training plan for the Dragon LNG maintenance staff. Due to the covid-19 pandemic the training sessions were held online by several technical webinars, where we showed in detail the technical aspects to be considered during the maintenance of each valve type to guarantee an optimum valve performance together with minimum maintenance costs.

After months of preparation and hard work, the official shutdown day arrived at Milford Haven. A team of six AMPO SERVICE field engineers and a site supervisor landed at Dragon LNG after stringent covid controls, which remained during their 15 day stay at site. AMPO SERVICE technicians actively participated in the maintenance tasks of more than 70 cryogenic ball, gate and check valves up to 30”.

An AMPO SERVICE spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the Dragon LNG team for the trust placed on us, as well as the accurate planning and their stringent covid site controls. We have felt very comfortable and safe during our stay at Milford Haven. Teamwork was really easy with them.”

On the other hand, a Dragon LNG spokesperson said: “AMPO SERVICE has been first class throughout the preparation and execution of the Terminal planned maintenance. The AMPO SERVICE team bought in to the project from the outset and delivered the service in a professional and competent manner. We have seen clear benefit from engaging with the OEM at an early stage, and we look forward to a continued good working relationship with AMPO into the future” – Mechanical Engineer for Dragon LNG.

Dragon LNG is an import LNG terminal at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire (Wales, UK) and receives, stores and regasifies Liquefied Natural Gas. Receiving its first LNG cargo on July 2009, Dragon’s terminal consists of a jetty, storage tanks and regasification facilities, combined with gas export capabilities for continuous operation and a maximum gas send out rate to the UK’s National Transmission System (NTS) of 7.6 billion cubic metres of gas per annum (bcma).