A planned shutdown is the best opportunity you get all year to protect the reliability of a gas compressor package — but only if the planning starts long before the unit comes down. For operators in Pakistan running Ariel compressors and FW Murphy controls, a structured turnaround plan is the difference between a smooth restart and weeks of unplanned downtime.
This checklist walks through what an effective compressor shutdown plan should cover, from early scoping to a safe, verified restart.
1. Define the shutdown scope early
The single biggest cause of overrun is a scope that is finalised too late. Six to eight weeks before the planned date, confirm exactly what the turnaround will cover:
- Top-end overhaul (valves, packing, piston rings) versus a major overhaul (bearings, crosshead, crankshaft inspection)
- Cylinder and running-gear measurements against OEM wear limits
- FW Murphy panel, shutdown and annunciation checks
- Driver/engine scope, if it is being done in the same window
- Any rerate or performance review tied to changing field conditions
A clear scope drives everything downstream — parts, manpower and schedule.
2. Order genuine parts against lead times
Once the scope is set, build the parts list and order against realistic lead times. This is where many shutdowns slip: a single back-ordered valve or packing set can hold up an entire restart.
- Use genuine Ariel parts — aftermarket copies may fit, but they can shorten the life of the overhaul and void OEM support.
- Kit consumables (gaskets, o-rings, oil, filters) as complete sets, not individual line items.
- Confirm FW Murphy instruments, sensors and shutdown devices are in spec and available.
- Stage parts on site and check them against the kit list before the unit comes down.
As the authorized distributor of Ariel and FW Murphy in Pakistan, GenCom can verify your parts list against the compressor data and supply genuine OEM kits with documentation.
3. Plan manpower and tooling
Match the crew and tooling to the scope. Make sure you have OEM-trained technicians for the overhaul, calibrated measuring tools, correct torque equipment, and a clear hand-over plan between shifts. Pre-shutdown briefings reduce mistakes when the clock is running.
4. Prepare for safe isolation and entry
Confirm depressurisation, purging, lock-out/tag-out and gas testing procedures in advance. Compression equipment carries real hazards — high pressure, hydrocarbons and stored energy — so the safety plan should be approved and understood by everyone on the crew before work begins.
5. Execute, measure and record
During the overhaul, record every key measurement — clearances, ring gaps, packing condition, bolt torques. These records are not paperwork for its own sake; they are the baseline you will compare against at the next turnaround to spot wear trends early.
6. Recommission and verify before hand-over
A unit is not "back" until it is running safely within its operating envelope. Before hand-over, verify:
- FW Murphy shutdowns and set-points function correctly
- Vibration and temperatures are within limits on load
- No leaks, abnormal noise or unstable parameters
- All documentation and as-left readings are complete
Plan it with people who do this in the field
A turnaround runs best when planning, genuine parts and skilled execution come from one team. GenCom supports operators across Pakistan — and internationally — through every stage, from pre-shutdown scoping to a verified restart.
Planning a shutdown or turnaround?
Tell us your dates, scope and equipment and we will prepare a parts and support plan so your turnaround stays on schedule.
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