Shell Products
Canada Inc.

Project Services

Demolition

Decommissioning and Demolition of the Shell Montreal East Refinery Process Area

Project Overview
In 2012, Delsan-A.I.M. entered into an Asset Sales Agreement with Shell Products Canada Inc. to carry out the complete decommissioning and demolition of aboveground equipment within the process area of the former Shell Montreal East Refinery (MER) in Montreal, Quebec.

The refinery, which had a peak operating capacity of 161,000 barrels per day, ceased operations in 2010. Shell continued operating a terminal on the same property, located directly east of the former process area.

Site Challenges and Constraints
The project involved active ground-level and underground pipelines and live high-tension power lines, requiring careful planning to avoid damage and maintain safety regulations.

Decommissioning Activities
Delsan-A.I.M. began by removing hazardous materials, including asbestos, and disconnecting all utilities to the equipment and structures scheduled for demolition.

Demolition Operations
Demolition was carried out using various methods:

Equipment Salvage: Cranes were used to salvage valuable equipment.
Mechanical Demolition: Excavators with specialized attachments were used to demolish structures.
Control-Drop: Taller structures were safely lowered using engineered control-drop methods. Scrap materials were transported to the AIM Montreal Recycling Facility, minimizing on-site sorting.

Efficient Scrap Processing
At the recycling facility, scrap metals were sorted, categorized, and processed using advanced shredding technology, reducing the need for torch-cutting.

Salvage of Diesel Hydro-Treating Unit
A complete diesel hydro-treating unit was dismantled and packaged for overseas shipment. Components were transported using Self-Propelled Mobile Trailers (SPMTs), involving 3,500 man-hours of crane operations.

Project Success
The project highlights Delsan-A.I.M.'s expertise in managing complex demolition projects with efficiency and safety, ensuring minimal disruption and achieving sustainable results.