PetroChem

Advanced technologies lead the way

When it comes to ensuring plants and facilities comply with the safety regulations, PetroChem Inspection Services has got it covered.

PetroChem is a full-stop inspections service provider for some of the major petrochemical refineries in North America. The previous owner merged four companies—PetroChem International, The Inspection Group, Inspection Specialists and SGS Industrial Services—all of which were acquired in the 1990s to form PetroChem Inspection Services. With over 14,000 employees globally, its parent company, the TÜV SÜD Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, later acquired PetroChem in 2006. Currently, PetroChem is owned by TÜV SÜD America Inc., a subsidiary of TÜV SÜD AG.

Heaquartered in Houston, Texas, PetroChem has a significant presence in Texas, as well as in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chicago, Illinois and Toledo, Ohio. The PetroChem name has been synonymous with quality inspection services in the refining and petrochemical industries for over 30 years. As a leading provider of visual inspection, both on-stream and turnaround, PetroChem is one of the largest employers of API inspectors in the United States with over 400 people in-house.

Overall services

PetroChem Inspection Services provides a complete array of Non-Destructive Testing services. Their technicians are fully trained and certified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A and have advanced certifications for many of the inspection techniques. All technicians are certified professionals with both the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Society of Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT). ”We strive for our employees to be not only certified, but also qualified to do the job they are assigned,” states Gerhard Abel, President of PetroChem Inspection Services.

In addition to inspection capabilities, PetroChem provides comprehensive traditional non-destructive testing, such as ultrasonic, magnetic particle, radiographic and eddy current. A specialist in advanced technology, PetroChem was the first U.S.-based service provider for guided wave ultrasonics, and is a leading provider of advanced NDT services such as computerized radiography, phased array ultrasonics and ACFM (alternating current field measurement).

Area of specialty gives competitive advantage

PetroChem’s specialty in the oil and gas industry is dealings with petrochemical refineries, storage facilities, as well as chemical processing plants. “I believe the reason that we stand out from our competitors is because our focus is on the inspection market in the petrochemical industry, whereas our competitors are focused on different, multiple segments,” says Richard Cook, VP of Operations at PetroChem.

One of major drivers for PetroChem’s business is handling their clientele—being plants, refineries and facilities—all of whom must comply with regulatory safety standards to prevent harm to the environment and their personnel. “As a strategic approach, our customers have an extremely high interest in the reliability, availability and safety of their plants; our activities help support customers’ business objectives in that we perform services that identify potentially hazardous equipment conditions that would jeopardize reliability, availability and safety,” adds Gerhard Abel, President of PetroChem. “When it comes to having a global presence and name recognition, PetroChem’s reputable inspection services are well-known and being expanded through the global network of the TÜV companies.

Advanced technology puts company ahead

On the cutting edge of technology, PetroChem has made significant investments into the development and testing of new advanced inspection technologies. PetroChem has dedicated staff that work on developing specialized techniques which are then applied in the field and used commercially. “The role of technology is ever-changing; it’s kind of the way it is.

That’s why they’ve invested in research, equipment, hired experts and developed its advanced inspection capabilities and launched this new division.

“Being able to identify and develop new techniques is now part of PetroChem’s strategic approach in advancing and leveraging its own inspection services into the market,” explains Cook.

Challenges turn into success story

Despite the troubling economy over the past year and half, PetroChem has managed to retain its customer base. “All of which I think speaks to our level of customer service and the technical value we provide to our activities,” tells PetroChem’s Abel. Our activities are not self-serving, but are part of a bigger whole for our customers efforts in the safe and reliable operation of their plants he adds. In fact, most of its business is repeat customers.

Part of the solution to the challenge of keeping up with technological advances and, ultimately, PetroChem’s success in being a market leader is the talented pool of professionals who identify and develop its new and advanced techniques. “We’re not selling a product, we sell a service that is provided by people,” emphasizes Abel, adding the parent company plans training opportunities for its staff at all levels.

Looking into the future

Because PetroChem is now part of a global corporation, the company’s focus does include international project opportunities. “As an example, significant assets have been built throughout Asia in both the chemical and petrochemical industries that now need services that we provide here in North America,” explains Abel, adding the company is a high-band provider in the industry.

Looking into the future, PetroChem plans to expand its operations and projects on the international forefront, to keep on the technological cusp and provide certified and qualified personnel.

The mechanical integrity program is a recognized standard in the petrochemical industry and ability to rapidly mobilize large groups of certified inspection personnel has made a leader in turnaround services.

www.petrochemintl.com

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