Preparing for Turnaround Season: How Cokebusters USA is Gearing Up to Deliver Critical Heater Services

There are 130 operable oil refineries across the United States processing around 18 million barrels of crude oil per day and the majority will schedule in maintenance works this Fall, including mechanical decoking and tube inspection services.  Ahead of this busy shutdown season, the Operations and Logistics team at Cokebusters USA are already planning ahead to ensure the company is prepared and appropriately resourced to meet the needs of its clients.

The team met this week to discuss a large multi-heater project scheduled for October.  This particular job will require three specialist Double Pumping Units and two Water Filtration machines along with several skilled operators.  Such an undertaking requires careful consideration and the Houston team is well versed in calendar and resource planning ahead of time.  Scheduling in advance is essential to ensure we can allocate resources efficiently to serve as many clients as possible during the turnaround season.

Refinery Maintenance teams understand that regular decoking and tube inspection services on heaters, especially in a hub like Houston, bring critical operational, safety and economic benefits.

Why Refineries Trust Cokebusters for Heater Maintenance
Routine decoking and inspection aren’t just maintenance tasks — they’re vital to safe, efficient refinery performance. Our clients consistently report:

• 🔧 Up to 15% improvement in fuel efficiency post-cleaning

• 📉 Reduction in unplanned shutdowns by 20–30% due to early defect detection

• 🌱 Fewer air quality incidents, aiding EPA/TCEQ compliance

Investing in planned maintenance now saves millions later and keeps your operation running at full steam when margins are tightest.

Why Regular Decoking and Tube Inspection Are Vital for Refinery Performance:

Cokebusters Unites Teams Across UK and USA for Operational and Financial Alignment

Whilst the Operations team plans ahead, the Accounts team in Houston are looking back on the previous financial year.  Director and Head of Accounts at  Cokebusters Ltd. Janet Mottrom is visiting the USA team to work alongside them as they reflect on the year’s accounts to April 25 and plan ahead for growth in across the next three quarters.  This close collaboration has been invaluable in ensuring the two entities are aligned in their accounting approach and processes.

“I really enjoy working more closely with Whittney and the whole team in Houston now.  Over the past 12 months or so we’ve been able to align our accounting strategies across the two companies in Chester and Houston and it’s given us the ability to take a transparent overview.  This means we’re better placed to look at the big picture and plan for growth across the board.”

Managing Director of Cokebusters Ltd. James Phipps is also visiting the Cokebusters USA office this week to spend time with CEO Kevin Fordham as both look ahead to the next 2 quarters in their respective entities.  James and Kevin have both been instrumental in leading the charge to strengthen inter-company relations and encourage closer collaboration between departments in the UK and the USA.

James says: “By learning from each other’s experiences, we become smarter.  By working more closely together we’re better placed to plan ahead for global success in the short and long-term.”

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

As the Founding Father of the United States said far more articulately than we ever could, preparation is everything.  On both sides of the Atlantic we’re making the most of the quieter Summer season to ensure we are ready to meet the challenge of serving energy industry clients across the globe from our hubs in North Wales and Texas.

Let’s prepare together
Whether you’re scheduling a full turnaround or routine inspection, our expert teams in Houston and Chester are ready to deliver precision and peace of mind.
Reach out today to discuss availability for Fall/Autumn 2025.