Adduco CASE STUDY: Improving Turnaround Performance Through Strategic Planning and Shared Ownership

A Western Canadian midstream company engaged Adduco to improve turnaround competitiveness at an older sour gas facility. Strategic analysis, integrated planning, and stronger operational ownership helped deliver a turnaround approximately one-quarter shorter, with reported costs approximately one-third lower than the previous event.

The Challenge

Lengthy, costly turnarounds had prompted customer concerns about competitiveness. The company needed experienced leadership to evaluate past performance, identify practical improvements, and build confidence in a different approach. Adduco was engaged based on trust established through an earlier plant startup assignment.

The challenge extended beyond scheduling. Leaders needed to align customer priorities, operational requirements, contractor relationships, and investment decisions within a coherent turnaround strategy.

Our Approach

Adduco led the strategic review, provided corporate project direction, and chaired a newly established steering committee. The committee enabled timely executive decisions and helped resolve barriers, while the field-based turnaround manager led on-site management and execution.

Working with company teams, Adduco established phase gates, milestone tracking, clear accountabilities, and integrated planning across operations, maintenance, inspection, and project work. Involving plant personnel directly in planning strengthened ownership and commitment.

Scope reviews and critical-path analysis identified opportunities to reduce outage work and address bottlenecks. One review justified investment in temporary boiler feedwater storage and larger temporary steam piping to accelerate equipment preparation. Competitive contracting, town halls, and ongoing coaching aligned participants around common goals and delivery expectations.

Results Delivered

The turnaround was approximately one-quarter shorter, with reported costs approximately one-third lower than the previous event, despite unplanned pandemic-related costs. These improvements reflected scope optimization alongside stronger planning and execution.

Adduco observed greater shared accountability and reported increased management confidence in discussing results with customers. A detailed post-turnaround review captured successes, lessons learned, and improvement opportunities for future events.

Why It Worked

Adduco connected strategic priorities with the practical knowledge of plant teams. Upfront investments were evaluated against their potential to reduce outage time and cost. Clear roles, timely executive decisions, and coaching helped people take ownership of delivery. Collaboration among company leaders, plant personnel, and contractors translated the strategy into results.