As featured in BIC Magazine, “Heavy lift and rigging project overcomes turnaround delays and space constraints.”

In the Southwest, a recent turnaround project presented a difficult set of challenges. Crews needed to replace several large pieces of equipment — including a 600,000-pound quench drum, a 365,000-pound heat exchanger and a 30,000-pound flare tip — all within a limited work area. At the same time, multiple contractors were operating in close quarters, putting pressure on an already tight schedule.

The original plan called for 800-ton gantries to complete the lifts. But when those became unavailable due to delays, the project faced the risk of falling behind. With turnaround timelines, even a short delay can quickly turn into weeks of lost time and added cost.

Deep South Crane and Rigging reworked the plan to keep the job moving.

The team developed a new lifting approach using a combination of cranes from its fleet, led by the 1,000-ton VersaCrane™ CC-12000 in configuration 5. Additional support came from a 440-ton Terex-Demag CC-2400-1, a 1,320-ton Terex AC-1000, a 550-ton Liebherr LTM-1450-8.1, a 275-ton Liebherr LTM-1230-5.1 and a 100-ton Tadano GR-1000XL-2.

Projects like this reflect the kind of work Deep South routinely performs across the O&G and petrochemical sectors. The company has built a reputation for handling complex heavy lift and specialty rigging jobs, particularly in turnaround and maintenance settings where space is limited and schedules are tight. With a large, diverse fleet and in-house engineering support, its teams are often called on to solve problems that require both planning and flexibility in the field.

The revised setup allowed crews to work within the site’s limited space while other contractors continued their work nearby. The compact footprint of the CC-12000 in configuration 5 played a key role, making it possible to complete the lifts without shutting down surrounding operations.

By adjusting the plan, Deep South helped the client avoid what could have been a three-week delay. The project stayed on schedule, and critical equipment was installed safely and efficiently.

For operators in the O&G industry, projects rarely go exactly as planned. Having a partner that can adapt quickly and keep work moving is often the difference between staying on schedule and falling behind. In this case, a flexible lifting plan and experienced execution kept the turnaround on track.

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About Deep South: Deep South Crane & Rigging is a leading provider of heavy lift and transport solutions in the refining, chemical, and energy sectors. The company strives to equip its customers with the best tools to complete the task at hand and is home to the VersaCrane fleet.

The firm offers a complete range of services, from bare crane rental to turnkey heavy lift and transport solutions, serving clients across North and South America. It operates out of seven locations, including Baton Rouge, LA; Lake Charles, LA; New Orleans, LA; DeQuincy, LA; Beaumont, TX; Houston, TX; and Catlettsburg, KY. Sister company DS Americas operates out of Bogotá, Colombia.

Recent recognition includes: 2024 Industry Business Roundtable (IBR) Safety Excellence Award in Crane and Rigging, and 2023 IBR Mentor Award; 2023 and 2024 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Safety Excellence Award; 2023, 2024, and 2025 Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) Crane & Rigging Group Safety Award; 13 consecutive years included in Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Safest 70; 2023 and 2025 Texas Mutual Platinum Safety Partner Award; Marathon's 2024 Exceptional Partner Award; and the 2025 Specialized Carriers & Riggers Foundation's Workforce Ambassador Award