Tight windows, high stakes
Security of supply leaves little room. An overrun shutdown here is not just a cost issue but a matter for regulators and the public.
Industries · Energy & infrastructure
Oil & Gas
We manage shutdowns and conversion projects at production, processing and transport facilities – with inspection deadlines and security of supply built into the plan.
- Supply-critical
- windows are tight and must not be overrun
- Integrity
- inspections of pressure equipment, tanks and pipelines set the schedule
- Repurposing
- Existing assets assessed for hydrogen
- 8 clients
- from this industry on our reference list
Market
Security of supply meets conversion
Despite the energy transition, oil and gas will remain central pillars of supply for years – but their role is changing fundamentally. Since the reorganisation of European gas supply, the focus has been on diversifying sources and on the reliability of midstream infrastructure: LNG terminals, pipelines, compressor stations, gas processing.
At the same time, the investment focus is shifting: existing infrastructure is being assessed for hydrogen readiness and converted, and requirements for leak detection are rising. Pure production and distribution is turning into a conversion programme – and both come together in shutdowns with tight windows.
Integrity, availability and conversion belong in one picture here – or they get in each other's way.
Challenges
What is different here
Integrity management
Recurring inspections of pressure equipment, tanks and pipelines determine schedule and scope – they are the framework, not an item within it.
Large, complex equipment
Compressor and turbine overhauls need specialist trades that have to be booked early, and they are usually on the critical path.
Repurposing
Converting infrastructure for hydrogen combines shutdown and project logic – including material compatibility and safety proofs.
Distributed sites
Staff, logistics and control have to work across several, sometimes remote sites – the coordination is a service in itself.
Typical tasks
Your task – and what we offer for it
On the left: what operators in this industry come to us with. On the right: the service that covers it.
A shutdown is coming up
Leadership from the definition phase to closeout and lessons learned – as the operator’s extended arm.
Inspection deadlines and scope have to match
Capture, assess and freeze the scope – around dates that cannot be moved.
The date has to hold
Logic-linked, dynamic detailed schedules, critical path and progress measurement every shift.
Several sites are running in parallel
Site Management & Construction Management
Presence on site at every location – progress, quality and documentation where construction takes place.
Project controls should come from a single source
Schedule, cost and documents under one control – across the entire project and at the right scale.
We are converting existing assets
Control of engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning from a single source – across all interfaces.
Is this schedule technically sound?
Measurable schedule quality – for your own plan as well as for those of your contractors and partners.
We are short of people for the peak
Schedulers, supervisors, site managers and QA/QC staff – vetted and for exactly the months you need them.
Clients
Clients from this industry
- BP
- ExxonMobil
- Gunvor
- OMV
- OMV Petrom
- OQ
- Shell
- TotalEnergies
A selection of our clients in this industry. View all clients
Related services
Shutdown or project?
In this industry we support you in both worlds. From here you can go on to the services that belong to it.
Turnarounds
From the TAR-Check through scope and scheduling to leading the entire shutdown.
Go to servicesCapital projects
From feasibility through estimating and project controls to site management and overall responsibility.
Go to servicesFrequently asked questions
Questions answered
Do you also work at remote or dispersed sites?
Yes. We have managed projects across several sites, including internationally. What matters is consistent control: one schedule, one progress report, one system – even when the plants are far apart.
How do you account for recurring inspections?
As a fixed framework. Inspection intervals for pressure equipment, tanks and pipelines are set; we build the plan around these dates and freeze the remaining scope so that it fits. The other way round rarely works.
Do you support conversion to hydrogen?
Yes. We control repurposing projects with the same proven project controls methods as any other capital project. The technical assessment – such as material compatibility – lies with engineering and the operator; we make sure the necessary steps, proofs and dates are in the plan.
How do you handle compressor and turbine overhauls?
As pace-setting packages. They are usually on the critical path, need scarce specialist trades and fixed lead times. We secure this capacity early and plan the remaining scope around it, instead of fitting it into an existing sequence.
Do you work on the operator's side and independently?
Yes. We report to the operator, not to an executing trade – ep-cm is owner-managed and does not belong to any group with executing companies. In oil & gas, most things run through one interface: the large, complex equipment. Compressor and turbine overhauls are carried out by specialist trades and are usually on the critical path. We manage this interface for you, within your inspection intervals.
Terms such as upstream, midstream, downstream are explained in our glossary – along with 58 more terms from the turnaround and project business.
Let’s talk about
your plant.
Get in touch – we will respond within one working day, with people who know this industry. The initial call is free of charge.
Book an initial callPrefer to talk directly? +49 (0)211 5667 7754