Essential support for Essar’s Stanlow oil refinery shutdown
Through our award-winning facilities management experts, 14forty, we recently played a crucial role in ensuring the success of Essar's Stanlow oil refinery shutdown. This vital project was conducted in compliance with statutory requirements and occurs once every four years to ensure the safety and continuous operation of the plant.
Supporting the UK's energy infrastructure
Essar's Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, spanning an area equivalent to 300 football pitches, plays a crucial role in producing 16% of the UK's road transport fuel. To ensure the facility's continued operation, a comprehensive shutdown was necessary for critical inspections, equipment overhauls, component installations and safety improvements.
Thanks to a complex operation of skilled support working around the clock, the shutdown project was executed as planned - enabling Essar to maintain its critical role in the UK's energy infrastructure.
Meeting increased demands
The shutdown brought a significant influx of 2,000 workers, prompting us to enlist the support of over 100 additional personnel in our day-to-day cleaning and catering teams. This effort ensured that essential facilities, such as offices and bathrooms, remained in top condition, and on-site restaurants could cater to the sudden surge in customers.
To meet the increased demand, 14forty set up a large temporary Food Village on-site, equipped with multiple service points for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This allowed customers to access a wide range of meal options, from traditional dishes to healthy, plant-based alternatives, ensuring a well-fed, content and productive workforce.
Words of resounding success
In relation to the efforts of the 14forty team, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Essar Oil (UK), Jane Jones, said:
"The hard work and efforts from all of the 14forty team and its sub-contractors has been outstanding. The continuous and relentless demands from me and the Essar team were constantly met with high energy, solution-driven responses and determination, no matter how big or small.
We have received feedback from the contractor workforce, which is to say that this was the best facilities and catering provision they have ever had. I am exceptionally proud to say that 14forty forms part of the wider Stanlow team and cannot thank its people enough for everything that they have done."