CR3 Middle East site team holding certificates in front of a refinery unit in the UAE after an emergency CCR reactor repair.
CR3 Middle East receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the client following an emergency CCR reactor repair.

The team completed the full scope three days ahead of schedule, after unplanned repairs to a failed catalyst basket.

CR3 Middle East has received a Certificate of Appreciation from a client for its support during an emergency CCR reactor repair at a refinery in the UAE in September 2026. Suresh Arulanandam, Operations Manager, CR3 Middle East, received the certificate on behalf of the team.

An unplanned shutdown

The shutdown followed a failure of the catalyst basket in a Continuous Catalytic Reformer (CCR) reactor. CCR units convert naphtha into high-octane reformate for petrol blending and are designed to run for several years between shutdowns, so an unplanned stop puts the refinery under pressure to restore production quickly.

The full extent of the damage became clear only after the team opened the reactor, and major repair work was required.

The scope

CR3 worked closely with the OEM to carry out the weld repairs on the outer screen. Alongside the repairs, the team carried out the full mechanical and catalyst handling scope:

  • Access: bolt de-tensioning, blinding, and elbow and cover plate removal
  • Catalyst: unloading and screening
  • Internals: centre pipe removal, outer screen inspection and weld repair, and centre pipe installation
  • Reinstatement: cover plate installation, catalyst loading, elbow installation, de-blinding and bolt tensioning

The team completed the full scope three days ahead of schedule. The work was completed incident-free, and the unit returned to operation early.

A CCR reactor component with catalyst transfer pipes being lifted by crane above the refinery structure.
Top-down view inside a CCR reactor, showing the numbered segments and catalyst transfer pipes arranged around the centre.
A reactor internal component being lowered into position through the refinery steelwork using chain blocks.

More than 100 CCR reactor projects

CR3 has completed more than 100 CCR reactor projects worldwide and has built a reputation among operators as a CCR specialist. That experience shaped how the team planned and carried out this job.

Growing in the Middle East

Since opening in October 2023, CR3 Middle East has continued to expand its client base across the GCC and the wider region, supporting shutdowns and turnarounds, including catalyst handling. Over that time, clients have recognised the team’s work with several certificates and messages of appreciation.

CR3 thanks the client’s management team for this latest recognition, and its site teams for the work behind it.