IRATA Rope access tradesmen decommissioning a derrick on a offshore production platform.

Shutdown & Turnaround Package (V-TAR)

Vertech’s V-TAR Specialist Package provides comprehensive integrity, inspection, and access services tailored to specialist shutdown (SD) or turnaround (TAR) projects.

In the oil and gas, power generation, and mining industries, turnarounds (TARs) are critical to a facility’s ongoing operation. These peak and intense activity periods make it imperative to have the correct planning, the right equipment, and, most importantly, the best people.

A well-planned shutdown can positively impact the plant, have it running at capacity, and significantly extend the facility’s operating life.

Vertech believes we are industry leaders in achieving these outcomes.

SD & TAR, inspection, upgrade or repair projects, can often be critical to production recommencing so that delays can cost asset owners millions in lost revenue. Over the last decade, Vertech has refined our pre-planning, pre-mobilisation and work scope assessment processes to ensure every small detail is accounted for and the chance of delay is as small as possible. By providing well-organised logistics, our teams arrive on-site armed with everything necessary to deliver the job effectively.

Vertech has completed major shutdown and turnaround projects across Australia and New Zealand.

We provide world-class services including:

Integrated Activity Planning
Work Pack Generation
Pre-Mob Scope Specific Training
Inspection & Integrity Engineering
Remote Digital Visual Inspection (RDVI)
Advanced Tube inspection
AICIP & API Inspection of Pressure Systems (ISI)
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Specialist Access & IRATA Rope Access
Specialist Maintenance & Trade Services
IRATA Emergency Response Teams
IRATA Confined Space Rescue Teams
Flare Replacement Package (V-FLARE)

Shutdown & Turnaround Planning

Successful shutdown (SD) or turnaround (TAR) projects require thorough planning and early engagement with the inspection teams, the client’s teams, and other technical specialists needed for the planned activities. Establishing preliminary communication channels ensures a comprehensive and shared understanding of the shutdown’s specifics, such as the prioritised tasks and critical path items.

Regardless of the asset’s condition, our plant inspection and integrity management experience is invaluable to the planning phase, removing assumptions while reducing on-site variables’ risk.

Vertech’s V-TAR Package has been refined over many major and minor, planned and unplanned projects across Australia and New Zealand. Our V-TAR project planning capabilities include a comprehensive array of project management services to complement the operator’s personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality implementation.

Our pre-planning and planning capabilities include:

Inspection Engineering
Engineering Secondment
Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) Generation
Safe Work Methodology Development
Work Scope Optimisation
Work Pack Generation
Integrated Activity Planning
Rescue Planning
Rigging & Lift Planning
Procurement and Logistics
Competency Management
Pre-job Mock-up Trials & Training

Turnaround Inspection Services

The Vertech V-TAR Shutdown and Turnaround Package provides our customers with a comprehensive range of high-value high-quality people and inspection technologies to add maximum value to inspections. Key service lines we have invested in include:

Storage Tank Inspection (MFL & API 653)

Vertech’s Tank Testing Division specialises in inspecting and testing above-ground storage tanks. Shutdowns and turnarounds can be the ideal opportunity to complete these inspections. As such, we have the latest generation of Magnetic-Flux Leakage (MFL) floor tank scanners and multi-disciplined API 653 inspectors to conduct the statutory inspections. Vertech’s weld and materials engineers support this division to enable quick solutions, resulting in a significant value added during these critical activities.

AICIP Pressure Equipment Inspection

Since its inception, Vertech has been conducting intrusive inspections on pressure equipment for asset shutdowns and turnarounds across Australia and NZ. Our inspectors are well trained and highly competent and hold complementary qualifications in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Confined Space Entry (CSE), and IRATA rope access to provide maximum flexibility and value during dynamic shutdown requirements.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Inspection

Vertech is fully accredited with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and numerous Marine Class accrediting bodies (BV, LR, and ABS) to deploy UAVs to inspect confined spaces such as pressure vessels and marine tanks. We have a fleet of drones, which, when combined with Vertech’s AICIP/ inspectors or Marine Class inspectors, can complete high-quality and efficient statutory inspections that eliminate working at height and rope access.

Remote Digital Visual Inspection (RDVI)

Vertech has heavily invested in the latest generation of Remote Digital Visual Inspection (RDVI) cameras and robotic crawler platforms. We’ve proven across large- and small-scale shutdowns that we can significantly reduce confined space entry (CSE), improve data quality and still meet or exceed all statutory inspection requirements. We have one of the largest teams of skilled, dedicated RDVI technicians in the APAC region, armed with an extensive fleet of the latest-generation cameras and crawler systems.

Rope Access NDT Inspection

Vertech is certified to ISO 17025 as an NDT inspection body and can provide our clients with one of the largest teams of IRATA Rope access and ground-based Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technicians in the country. Our NDT teams are multi-disciplined, being able to perform UT, MPI, DPI, ECI and Radiography while also holding value qualifications such as CASA, NACE, LEEA lifting, CSE, STOPAQ, first aid and long line BA.

Structural & Coatings

Vertech provides a comprehensive array of in-service inspection, NACE, NDT, and rope access personnel to complete inspections and high-mobility remediation on structures not accessible during production. This is often required for loading jetties, flare tips, flare structures, and cryogenic lines (which can reach -180 °C while in operation). Due to such low temperatures, cryogenic pipes face unique corrosion and deterioration challenges.

Turnaround Advanced NDT Inspection

Sonomatic has a proud reputation for providing cutting-edge advanced inspection services to support shutdowns and turnarounds’ safety and integrity requirements worldwide.

In Australia, the Sonomatic team forms the advanced inspection arm of Vertech Group, which means our clients benefit from both companies’ specialist skill sets and services under one cohesive shutdown team.

Advanced NDT

Sonomatic focuses on executing as much advanced NDT before a shutdown as possible, having developed techniques and guidelines for online inspection of pressure vessels and piping. Due to temperature, insulation, access or other requirements, sometimes advanced inspection must be done during the shutdown. For this, Sonomatic has a dedicated team led by subject matter experts that can support planning, execution and shutdown decisions for TOFD, Phased Array, Corrosion Mapping or other specialist techniques.

Tube Inspection

Sonomatic has a dedicated tube inspection team led by experts who can support planning, execution, and shutdown decision-making. Technology quickly evolves in the tube inspection space, and expertise is needed to ensure the most efficient equipment and inspection techniques are utilised. We have one of the largest teams of skilled, dedicated tube inspectors in the APAC region, armed with an extensive fleet of the latest-generation equipment and techniques.

Turnaround – Emergency Response & CSE Management

Vertech has provided high-mobility, experienced teams to support and deliver a complete emergency response and confined space entry (CSE) management service for shutdowns and turnarounds across Australia. Our people hold qualifications such as IRATA rope access, confined space entry (CSE), gas test atmosphere, long-line breathing apparatus (BA), and advanced first aid certification, leaving our clients’ site implementation teams to deliver their shutdown activities with the confidence that they have the best in the industry available to respond in any situation.

Confined Space Rescue & Management

Confined spaces can be deadly without the proper training, processes, procedures and emergency response provisions. Vertech has delivered high-risk projects within confined spaces such as marine tanks, storage tanks, pressure vessels and storage bins for over a decade. Industrial rope access techniques combined with the correct planning, supervision, training, and equipment are critical to ensure the safe management of CSE and effective rescues in emergency situations.

At Height Rescue and Recovery

Vertech has been delivering complex projects from its inception, providing IRATA Industrial rope access services and rescue services on thousands of projects across numerous market sectors. Industrial rope access techniques are one of the most efficient means of conducting rescues at height with unparalleled speed and efficiency. As an IRATA rope access operator and trainer with one of Australia’s largest purpose-built training facilities, we can select, upskill, and refresh people on an ongoing basis.

Rescue Equipment Supply

Shutdowns and turnarounds require a lot of front-end planning and engagement across the supply chain. Vertech’s rescue, management, procurement, and logistics teams take on the burden of providing a comprehensive suite of emergency response, working at height and confined space entry equipment. Vertech ensures effective and efficient rescues using this approach, while the client saves on capital costs and complex reviews and certifications.