This fall, Irving Oil will invest $200 million in a turnaround project at its Saint John refinery, the company announced on Thursday. 

The project, called Operation Falcon, will be the largest turnaround in the company's history, with a focus on improving safety, reliability and long-term competitiveness. 

This will also be one of largest private sector investments to take place in Atlantic Canada this year, the company says.

The turnaround begins September 16 and will last a total of 60 days, employing almost 3,000 tradespeople in addition to the full-time employees already working at the refinery. 

Together, pipefitters, electricians, boilermakers, and other skilled workers will work the equivalent of 800 annualized jobs, as they make substantial upgrades to numerous areas of the refinery's operations.

The majority of these additional workers will come from communities throughout New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. This influx into the local economy has the potential to create $27 million in direct spinoff benefits for Saint John, the company said.

"Operation Falcon is an incredible feat of organization, planning and hard work, and it's truly fueled by the people of Atlantic Canada," said Ian Whitcomb, president of Irving Oil. "This is more than an investment in the refinery, it is an investment in our people and our region, and it signals Irving Oil's long-term commitment to the economic future of Saint John, New Brunswick, and the rest of Atlantic Canada." 

Turnaround crew members will participate in extensive safety training orientation sessions prior to beginning work, ensuring the refinery's strong safety culture is maintained throughout the project, Irving said. As well, daily safety audits will be conducted and additional safety specialists will be onsite for the duration of the turnaround.