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Work is underway to clear a suite of redundant assets in the North East of England, in one of the UK’s largest projects of its kind.

World-leading petrochemical firm SABIC has appointed specialist consultancy RVA Group to oversee the decommissioning, demolition and dismantling of 10 plants at its North Tees and Wilton sites.

With work having already commenced in the two locations, the multi-million pound programme is expected to be completed in 2020.

The more immediate programme involves the demolition of a Jetty, which will begin at the end of July and be cleared in eight weeks. Continued decommissioning support is being provided for a tank farm complex and RVA is also finalising the contractor selection process for the demolition of two Aromatics plants, with a proposed mobilisation date of January 2018.

Elsewhere in Wilton, the 48-week demolition of SABIC’s Olefins 5 Furnaces and neighbouring Butadiene 2 facility is already in progress and expected to be completed by the spring of 2018 and the close of 2017 respectively.

Home to some of the most iconic industrial structures in Teesside, these two sites have transformed raw oil refinery materials into an array of chemical products, for almost half a century. But this is not the end of the SABIC story in the North East, as the organisation’s Site Director (acting) Daren Smith explains: “With the two-year upgrade of our cracker plant now complete, this current multi-million pound clean-up signals the latest chapter in the creation of safe, efficient and state-of-the-art facilities that are fit for the future.”

Whilst RVA is no stranger to projects of this scale – having overseen the three largest decommissioning and dismantling projects ever executed on Jurong Island, Singapore, for instance – this is the biggest assignment the team has seen undertaken in the UK.

“The portfolio of assets being cleared as part of this extensive programme is vast,” elaborates RVA’s managing director Richard Vann. “We’re talking a range of world-scale chemical plants made up of complex structures, surrounded by live plant, in a multi-user operational site. This is an inherently demanding project but unparalleled planning has been invested to prepare for this phase of works.”

With more than 25 years’ experience in this field and having worked for six other firms on Teesside, RVA was first appointed by SABIC in 2011 to review all redundant assets on the two sites. Drones were deployed for selected areas to meticulously inspect the condition of the various structures, before a rigorous, scheduled decommissioning strategy was developed to meet the operational, isolation and budgetary needs of the client.

RVA was appointed via competitive tender to act as the decommissioning consultant, project management resource and CDM Principal Designer, for this latest phase of the project.

“Some of the elements we’re working with here, have not been in use for some time. By cleansing the site of assets that are no longer adding value – we’re paving the way for SABIC’s future operations in this industrial heartland of the UK.”

Six RVA personnel have a full-time presence on the two sites, with visiting roles from three additional senior managers. The collaborative assignment is also being carried out in conjunction with SABIC’s own project management team, plus surveyors, dismantling and demolition contractors who are being independently appointed via tender for each individual phase of work.

A specialist decommissioning consultancy has strengthened its leadership team as the company prepares for further growth.

London-headquartered RVA Group has appointed Nick Clark as Operations Manager. With a wealth of experience working in high hazard environments, he joins this organisation following 15 years’ management in the offshore and onshore oil sector.

Proficiently skilled in the running, maintenance, and decommissioning of multifaceted plants, Nick will play a key role in the increasingly complex projects that RVA is consistently securing. He is a chartered member of IOSH, with a vast portfolio of EHS, CDM, asbestos management and quality assurance training, and has helped to form and develop a number of multi-skilled teams in his previous roles.

Nick’s appointment coincides with RVA’s 25th year in business. During this time, the company has completed over 700 complex, high-hazard and large-scale decommissioning, dismantling and demolition projects in the petrochemical, chemical, power generation, oil, gas and pharmaceutical sectors. In addition to providing support for the physical removal of process plants, RVA is also being increasingly called upon to develop detailed strategic medium and long-term redundant asset management plans.

But the company does not rest on its laurels, comments founder and Managing Director Richard Vann: “We have an enviable – yet justifiable – reputation in this niche field, and to mark 25 successful years in business is a testament to the hard work of everyone within our 15-strong team.

“However, we’re here to build an RVA fit for the future too. So, as we prepare for the next 25 years in business, we need to continuously bring in fresh, dynamic talent that will enable us to push new boundaries as industry challenges evolve. Nick is one of five members of a new leadership structure, which will take us confidently into the next decade and beyond.”

RVA is not just investing in new team members. The company is also continuing to sponsor targeted personnel development plans, and has recently implemented a £30,000 cloud infrastructure to improve the efficiency, flexibility and security of the team’s work.

Elaborating on ‘life at RVA’, Richard continues: “Due to the inherently hazardous nature of the sites we’re brought in to manage, it’s never a case of simply appointing a contractor to pull a plant down. There are an array of front-end engineering works to be carried out including structural surveys, feasibility studies, isolation design and decommissioning strategies, before anyone else even comes on to site.

“Then the appropriate decommissioning, dismantling and demolition works ensue, with – in some cases – a proportion of assets suitable for relocation or resale. For us, the more complex the site the better. We have some of the industry’s most skilled professionals in our team who can add significant value to such projects. But they need a robust environment in which to thrive hence the continued investment in the company.”

RVA now has a truly global presence having recently completed projects in Canada, the US, France and the Netherlands, to name just a few. Over the last four years the company’s Singapore branch has also been fully engaged in the management of the three largest decommissioning and dismantling projects ever carried out on Jurong Island, the country’s vast industrial heartland.

RVA has a reputation in the demolition and decommissioning sector of being the ‘voice of authority’ in supporting a range of high-profile clients in the gas, oil, chemical and power generation industries. Whilst RVA has provided its clients with dedicated and specialist support for a quarter of century, it is not standing still. A new Corporate Leadership Team has been created to ensure the company remains current, proactive and energetic for the next 25 years.

The Corporate Leadership Team, with a mandate to develop the company’s strategic, medium and long-term objectives is already having a positive impact on the business by the introduction of a revised operations organisational structure and adding new members to the project delivery team.

The Corporate Leadership Team currently comprises Nick Clark (Operations Manager), Lilia Russell (Business Manager), Mark Taylor (Decommissioning Specialist), Richard Vann (Managing Director), Matthew Waller (Engineering & Compliance Manager) and Ian Wharton (Director of EHS, Engineering & Operational Strategy).

As a part of the Group’s continuity and growth strategy, RVA is delighted to welcome new recruits Nick Clark (Operations Manager), Matthew Hedges (Project Manager) and Jonathan Tann (Project Manager.

These additions, to an already proven operations team, will enable the company to support its clients with an enhanced robust and secure service, as well as providing the resources to tackle new markets over the longer-term.

Following a successful event in December, RVA has been asked to present at the 2nd Annual Decommissioning of Fossil Fuel Fired Power Plants for Utilities Forum in Berlin 2 and 3 June 2016. The full agenda is yet to be announced but it promises to be another one not to be missed.

RVA Group Managing Director has been selected to present at and chairing the secondary of this forum to address some of the key issues surrounding end of life options for fossil fuelled power plants.

The event is expected to be attended by plant owners, operators and contractors.

The Institute of Explosives Engineers recently celebrated its 40^th Anniversary with a lunch at the Special Forces Club in London. It was a fantastic occasion and great to catch up with so many old friends and colleagues. Having served as President of the Institute in 2006 I fully appreciate the importance of gathering as many of the membership together as possible on a regular basis to reflect on the work the Institute has achieved but also to share and enjoy each other’s experiences.

By effectively harnessing the expertise of a diverse range of explosives related disciplines, the Institute has contributed much to the development and use of explosives since it was founded in 1974. Today’s Explosives Institute fraternity consists of engineers, scientists, logisticians, academics and legislators – many of them from the Forces. Overall the members are drawn from 25 different disciplines covering 20 industry sectors.

During my time as a member I have seen many new developments take shape within the industry that have been guided by the Institute in particular with regard to raising education and competency standards. Long may its good work continue.