Project Successes

Turning Vision into Reality: Celebrating Milestones and Success Stories!

Forging Success Through Unity: The Pluto LNG Project's Journey of Excellence

The Pluto LNG Project, initiated on September 1, 2023, and set to run until November 30, 2026, has made tremendous strides in 2024, showcasing the power of teamwork and collaboration between KBR’s Center of Excellence (Chennai Operating Center) and the Leatherhead Operating Center (LOC). Under the leadership of Ananthkrishna Somishetti, COC Project Manager, and Dustin Horlen, Project Director, the project has successfully navigated key milestones, driven by the efforts of dedicated project coordinators — Ashwin Radhakrishnan, Muthulakshmi Sivasubramaniam, and Govind Narasimhan.

A pivotal highlight of the year has been the numerous visits by the LOC team, including the Project Co-Sponsor, Project Director, Client Engineering Manager, KBR Engineering Manager, Project Engineers, and several Discipline Leads. These visits have been instrumental in energizing the COC team, fostering stronger connections, and enhancing the collaborative spirit of the project.

During one of these sessions, Project Head Padma Bangaru shared her thoughts on the journey so far and the road ahead.

“This team has shown incredible resilience and commitment to overcoming every challenge thrown at them. I am truly grateful for everyone’s hard work and dedication. Let’s continue this momentum and set even higher standards for what we can achieve together!”

One of the major accomplishments this year was the successful completion of the Client audit, which reinforced the client’s confidence in KBR’s execution strategy. Additionally, our Process team participated in vibrant HAZOP sessions at the LOC, ensuring that safety and quality remain at the forefront of our operations. Alongside these achievements, the team indulged in various recreational activities, including team lunches and dinners, further solidifying camaraderie and shared purpose.

Looking ahead, as we progress through this transformative project, we aim to build upon these successes and harness the power of innovation and disciplined teamwork to reach our goals. With 60% of the workshare split between the COC and LOC, this project truly exemplifies a unified effort towards delivering exceptional results and setting new benchmarks in project execution.

Powering the Future: Chennai's First 1,000 MW Hydrogen FEED Project

KBR embarked on a unique and challenging Hydrogen Production Plant FEED project in the UK, starting in August 2023. This endeavor marked a significant milestone as it became the first-ever FEED project to be executed entirely from the Chennai office, showcasing our strength and capability in handling complex projects on a global scale. With a capacity of 1,000 MW, the plant will be one of the largest hydrogen production units to be built in Europe, making it a crucial project for both KBR and the energy industry.

This pioneering effort was executed under the One KBR concept, reflecting a unified approach between the KBR Technology team and the Chennai FEED team. It required seamless collaboration between KBR COC and Leatherhead, KBR Technology, and the Vertex Team, who worked together under a stringent budget and a challenging timeline of seven months. The project faced numerous complexities, but the synergy and resilience displayed by the diverse teams enabled us to overcome every hurdle.

Despite delays in receiving technology inputs and constant changes from the client, the project progressed steadily.

"The dedication and patience shown by every member of the team were truly commendable," shared Project Head Padma Bangaru. "We could not have reached this milestone without your hard work and unwavering commitment. Thank you for making this project a success."

The team’s proactive communication and dynamic resource management played a pivotal role in keeping the momentum going. Full of enthusiasm, team members like Process Lead Prasath G, Piping Lead Selvam Maharaja, Civil Structural Lead Shivshankar Ramachandran, and others came together to lead their respective areas with precision and dedication. To foster stronger rapport and team spirit, a series of team-building exercises were organized, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose among the group.

The project also welcomed fresh graduates into the team, injecting new energy and enthusiasm into the project. Their eagerness to contribute, coupled with the experienced professionals’ guidance, created a balanced and collaborative environment. As a result, our Chennai office has set a new benchmark by delivering the first-ever fully executed FEED project, reflecting our readiness to tackle large-scale, innovative projects.

This successful completion of the Hydrogen Production Plant FEED project stands as a testament to our team’s capability, determination, and collaborative spirit, paving the way for future accomplishments in the global energy market.