Performance evaluation of the processing system depends on the reliability of the system and its degree of maintenance. These are necessary to ensure loss in production time and cost. As Return on Investment (RoI) is influenced by the unexpected failure of both the production and process units in oil and gas industries, Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) studies are useful tools to handle this complexity.RAM analysis also helps carry out design modifications and minimize operational failures. Under unavoidable circumstances, they can at least increase the mean time between failures. The proposed study examines a successful application of RAM analyses on the Effluent Treatment and Injection plant (ETIP) of an oil field. The essential system/equipment of the plant is identified, which upon failure could result in downtime of the facility. Reliability data, including their probable failure rates and repair hours participating in the process/production line are obtained arrived along with their probable modes of failure. Subsequently, RAM model is developed using BLOCKSIM™ tool to analyze the performance of the plant through Monte Carlo simulation. The performance of each sub-system is analyzed to identify main contributors to the production loss of the complete plant, resulting from non-availability of either the system or its components. It is seen that the criticality of analysis depends on the estimates of failure rate and repair time of essential equipment. Based on the analysis, mean availability of the plant is estimated to be about 98%. It is also observed that the utilities cause maximum relative unavailability in comparison to that of the production equipment of the plant. RAM approach assists in developing a periodic maintenance and inspection schedule, which can minimize the production loss effectively.
Volume 11 | Issue 10
Pages: 167-179