Yara Pilbara plant enters major turnaround

More than 500 contractors will descend on the Yara Pilbara liquid ammonia plant from this week as the facility goes into its largest turnaround since construction began.

The contractors will join Yara’s normal workforce on the Dampier plant over the next month to undertake the large-scale process of replacing equipment, conducting maintenance and modifications and carrying out inspections throughout the site.

The ammonia plant will go into shutdown from this Friday, with works expected to be completed on August 6.

Yara Pilbara general manager Chris Rijksen said the company conducted plant turnarounds on a four-year cycle but this one was particularly large because it involved some major equipment replacements.

“The scope of this turnaround is bigger than usual because we are replacing a number of pieces of equipment to ensure the whole plant meets Yara standards for long-term reliable operation,” he said.

“This includes equipment approaching its end of life, with a planned replacement schedule.”

Yara has advised there will be an increase in traffic near the plant at about 6am and 6pm when shifts change, but the company would be providing a bus service to reduce disruptions.

There will also be an increase in equipment being moved to and from the plant during the shutdown period.

The ammonia plant shutdown and restart is not expected to have any visual impact such as large flaring.