The Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex (NMC) recognized Deep South Crane and Rigging for its lifting support during the 2019 Who Dat Crackin’ Turnaround, one of the largest and most complex turnarounds in site history. The turnaround's purpose was to inspect, repair, and clean Norco’s Cat Cracker and Ethylene Units.

During the event, Deep South provided all lifting services including equipment and manpower for Shell’s maintenance and project groups. Specifically, multiple heavy, complex lifts were made for the Reactor Cyclone/Riser Replacement Project, which included an unprecedented scope of work. In total, Deep South performed more than 74,000 safe hours executing all lifts without incident.

“At peak turnaround activity, we had over 140 employees on site, 45 cranes, and three 12-line SPMTs working around the clock,” says Chad Wright, Deep South’s senior project manager. “Our team’s constant commitment to quality and safety made this level of success possible.”

In recognition of management excellence during the planning and execution phases of this project, the team was honored with 8 “Crackin’ It” awards as well as a “1 Coopertition” award for outstanding cooperation with other turnaround contractors and consultants.

Special recognition to Skeeter Dupuy, superintendent; Steven Gouner, project manager; Jarett Guidry, superintendent; Jessie Hayes, superintendent; Todd Marchand, project manager; Eli Martin, project manager; Brian Raffray; superintendent; Shea Allen, timekeeper; and many crane operators, oilers, and support staff for their contributions to the success of this effort.

“We thank Shell for the opportunity to perform this work and for this special recognition,” says Mitch Landry, president of Deep South. “We would like to say a special thank you to Chad Wright and the rest of the team their diligence to perform safe, efficient, and complex work.”

With over two years of planning and 1.1 million work hours performed during the turnaround, the NMC is now positioned for safe and competitive production for years according to Shell’s management team.

About Deep South

Deep South Crane & Rigging is a leading provider of heavy lift and transport solutions in the refining, chemical, and energy sectors and strives to provide its customers the best tools to complete the task at hand and is home of the VersaCrane fleet. The firm offers a complete range of services, from bare crane rental to turn-key heavy lift and transport solutions to clients in North and South America. It operates out of 8 locations including Baton Rouge, LA; Sulphur, LA; New Orleans, LA; Dequincy, LA; Beaumont, TX; Houston, TX; Westville, IN; and Catlettsburg, KY. Sister company DS Americas operates out of Bogota, Colombia. Recent recognition includes 2018 Houston Business Roundtable (HBR) Best of the Best Safety Excellence Award and 2019 Mentor Award; 2018 Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC) Safety Achievement Award; 2018 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Contractor Safety Excellence Award, Crane & Rigging; 2018 and 2019 Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SCRA) Safety Award; and 2018 and 2019 Louisiana Worker's Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Safest 70.