The BLADE Project
ExxonMobil built a $750 million expansion to its refinery facilities in Beaumont, Texas, and TechnipFMC is the project’s EPC firm. The BLADE Project (Beaumont Light Atmospheric Distillation Expansion) used a mod yard in Thailand, and TechnipFMC deployed Octave’s Loop Material Readiness) solution to assist with supply chain visibility.
Digital warehousing/Track and trace
TechnipFMC identified the opportunity to reduce risk and improve performance by replacing manual, paper-based processes with an RFID material identification system. By automating material workflow processes, Loop Material Readiness (formerly Jovix) provides actionable, real-time information about the location and status of all materials needed for construction, which ensures visibility and traceability of materials in transport and on-site. Roughly 30,000 pieces of material were tracked, including 3,500 pipe spools and 3,500 steel members.
Upstream tagging
For this project, two different types of auto-ID were chosen to implement upstream: passive RFID tags and barcode labels. Fabricators and suppliers were responsible for attaching a passive RFID tag or barcode label to each fabricated material or assembly. The unique auto-ID label would then be associated to the asset in Loop Material Readiness prior to its shipment to the project.
Three steel fabricators and two piping fabricators provided automated statusing through the fabrication process and beyond
Twenty suppliers used smartphones and the Loop Material Readiness app, including critical mechanical and fired heater suppliers
In what ways did the project benefit from upstream tagging?
Visibility into material status and arrival date
Accurate material location data, on-site and off-site
Seamless receiving at the container level
Validation and verification upstream
Common language among planning, logistics and purchasing teams
Octave Loop Materials Integration
Loop Material Readiness and Loop Core (formerly HxGN SupplyChain Core) worked together to provide The BLADE Project with real-time material information. Loop Core fed procurement and engineering information to Loop Material Readiness, including construction work packages and purchase orders. Loop Core returned real-time information regarding material availability, location and forecasts. This allowed procurement to close out purchase orders and deal with overages, shortages and damages (OS&Ds) more quickly.