OR – How Supply Chain Ecosystems Can Meet New Renewable Growth Demands With contributing author John Koo Reliability of energy delivery saves lives. Fires in California and Australia, rolling blackouts in UK and grid failure in the dead of winter in Texas are examples of events that impact people in a very real and tangible […]
Becht made an interesting observation on maintenance processes after consulting in several facilities — Some of the best results come from organizations with poor maintenance work processes and some organizations with a great work process have poor results. Why is this? The reason is that maintenance results or maintenance value is dependent on more than […]
Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) are an important component of a world class mechanical integrity program. IOWs are not a new concept, as they have been around in different forms for many years. However, due to some recent high-profile industry indictments and with the publication of the first edition of API RP 584 Integrity Operating Windows […]
Equipment health is integral in an operating facility to obtain the highest performance; not just for a unit but across the whole plant. Equipment and system reliability is perhaps the most critical element of profitability. History shows that differences in operating expenses between best-in-class refineries and poor performers can be as much as $20-30MM/year it’s […]
Introduction Operational reliability is a priority for any process unit facility. A definition of Reliability is: “The ability of an apparatus, machine, or system to consistently perform its intended or required function or mission, on demand and without degradation or failure.” Reliability is something that owners and operators consider a priority, but achieving stable reliable […]
Good training is something that we know is necessary. In light of Industry’s aging demographics and retiring experience, we need good training to carry us successfully into the future. As technology evolves more quickly and changes almost daily, we need good training to help us to wring the last dollar out of our constant upgrades […]
or “Kidnapped By My Own Business Team” A number of years ago I worked closely with an Operating Company Business Team and Mergers and Acquisitions group performing due diligence assessments. I often led these assessments and my input on reliability, maintenance, mechanical integrity and inspection was incorporated into a multi discipline team of legal, environmental, […]
This blog outlines ways to think about reliability to help drive a culture of continuous improvement. It is the fourth in a series of Blogs on improving plant reliability performance through changes in culture, programs, equipment design, maintenance and operation. The principles we applied in implementing successful reliability programs in a number of operating plants […]
This is the third in a series of Blogs on improving plant reliability performance through changes in culture, programs, equipment design, maintenance and operation. [Click link to review Making Bad Actor Elimination Programs Work; or the second blog, Reliability Beliefs – Driving Organizational Accountability] This blog compares experiences in successful high-altitude expedition climbing and the effort to […]
From a process standpoint, your Fired Equipment items are not only some of the most critical but some of the most risky items in day-to-day operations. Add in the presence of open flames and failures can be dramatic. In today’s refining climate, fired equipment is required to run 4, 5, 6 or even 7 years […]
