The planning for this project began in 2024 with a clear objective: address refractory lining issues in Baioneta and Cyclones FV3 and FV4, particularly in the inlet ‘trumpet’ and sweep zones. From the start, the team anticipated that the scope might expand, and it did. What began as a 4-day job evolved into a much larger-scope project, expanding in response to the customer's evolving requirements.
This project was executed by a two‑person team: one Rapid Arc Welding (RAW) Operating Supervisor and one RAW Operator.
“My experience with similar projects allowed me to work efficiently and anticipate potential challenges in this project. By combining local know‑how with our approach, we delivered a result I’m proud of. Romania is a beautiful place to work, and it was a pleasure to support the PETROTEL‑LUKOIL Turnaround team.”
- Kai van Steijn, SILICON RAW Operator
The full scope could only be confirmed once the units were opened, requiring rapid decision-making and flexibility. SpeedHex® 3, SpeedHex® Mini, and SpeedTab® were chosen for the repair. These refractory anchor installation was supported by two RAW D‑20 machines.
As the project scope grew during the discovery phase, our customer required a rush order. SILICON stepped in to support with refractory anchor quantity assessments and ensured expedited delivery. In addition to the original scope, our team took on extra responsibilities such as cleaning and grinding, showcasing both adaptability and technical expertise.
“The RAW team is trained to handle emergencies and adapt quickly when unexpected repairs expand the scope, ensuring projects stay on track despite sudden challenges.”
- Liza Lazutina, SILICON Project Coordinator
PETROTEL-LUKOIL faced recurring challenges with traditional hex metal, both in reliability and installation complexity. The solution, SpeedHex® 3, enabled our team to resolve these concerns effectively.
SpeedHex® 3 stands out with its single-shot capability and robust honeycomb pattern fit, offering the first in the industry dual-component anchor.
Proven benefits:
Provides the strongest hold and most reliable performance.
Designed for extended use, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Made for ultra-intense environments.
Having a single provider for anchor supply, machines, and technical support simplified coordination, reduced delays, and ensured that every aspect of the solution worked seamlessly together, critical for a project with evolving scope and tight timelines.
“PETROTEL-LUKOIL has an outstandingly professional Turnaround and Technical team of highly skilled specialists, so it was most valuable to receive their positive feedback on SILICON technology, delivering up to eight times faster welding results compared to hex mesh, and on their interaction with our service team, which duly met their very high-level expectations.”
- Sergei Posokhin, SILICON Business Development, Eastern Europe
