Case Study: Equinor futureproofs Mongstad refinery fired heaters with Wood

Futureproofing fired heaters at the Mongstad Refinery

Equinor engaged Wood to upgrade a fired heater at its Mongstad Refinery in Norway. The challenge was to improve the heater's performance, reliability, and operational flexibility to handle various crude feedstocks. The goal was to future-proof the aging infrastructure and extend the life of the refinery's operations in a capital-efficient manner.

Wood implemented a two-phase upgrade. The first phase involved replacing the burner management system, redesigning ducting for better heat distribution, and replacing tubes in the convection and radiant section. This meticulous work, completed during a planned shutdown with no safety incidents, resulted in greatly improved heat distribution. Tube temperatures were reduced well below 450°C, significantly enhancing the fired heater's operating life. Wood has now commenced work on the second phase to automate valves for smarter maintenance.

Equinor