How efficient are the maintenance processes in your business? Within the oil and gas industry, this is an important question. In most industries, careless maintenance results in lost time and profits. However, in the oil and gas industry, many consumers rely on products produced, from the energy that runs manufacturing plans to the oil used in several industries. The oil and gas industry serve as a pillar for many sectors.
What is a CMMS, and what does it do?
A CMMS is a computerized maintenance management system. The system provides a centralized database that stores maintenance and asset-related data. CMMS also includes functions to make work order and resource management simpler and streamline maintenance processes.
With a better understanding of a CMMS, we can understand why it is vital. Here are a few of the reasons why a CMMS is necessary for oil and gas companies.
Schedule maintenance easily
A CMMS can be used for scheduling a variety of maintenance tasks. From annual preventative maintenance to routine repairs and unseen breakdowns that require attention.
Assign work orders to the relevant employees
CMMS can simplify the administrative functions associated with maintenance. This means that when maintenance is required a CMMS can ensure that the more appropriate employee is assigned the task.
Within the oil and gas sector, many employees receive training or specialize in types of equipment. Due to the specialization of each employee, a company must have the ability to assign tasks efficiently. After all, a mud logger will not be able to perform the tasks of a drilling engineer, and vice versa.
By making the CMMS accessible to all employees, employers can also monitor the work order. The employer can be sure that the correct employee attended to the request and, be able to review the information from the task. From the hours spent on maintenance to the equipment used and the resource required. A full maintenance history can be uploaded and reviewed through a CMMS system.
Reduces unforeseen downtime
Unforeseen breakdowns can be a huge problem for an oil and gas refinery. Even the most minor issue can have a lasting impact on the production and profits of a refinery. A loss in productivity is not the only problem that stems from a breakdown. On an oil and gas refinery, a breakdown can become a health and safety hazard for employees. Poorly maintained equipment can lead to gas leaks or possible fire hazards.
CMMS can reduce the possibility of any of these hazards occurring through information and maintenance management. Preventative maintenance carried out routinely lessens the likelihood of a breakdown occurring. By ensuring assets operate at optimum potential and allowing employees to understand how the equipment is running.
With the data collected through maintenance, companies gain another benefit, the ability to undertake predictive maintenance. A CMMS gathers data assets and machinery. This data can be developed into reports and oil and gas companies to gain an understanding of how their equipment operates and the general output. If a machine starts to slow down, an employer can review it further. If the employer feels the equipment is becoming sluggish compared to past performances. Then the company can conduct maintenance on the asset. Predictive maintenance allows oil and gas refineries to stay ahead of their assets and always perform at their best.
CMMS ensures safety
Unfortunately, there are many hazards an employee can encounter while working in an oil and gas refinery. Attempting to reduce the number of safety hazards that occur is an ongoing process. CMMS can contribute to ensuring employee safety.
As previously stated, a CMMS can assign tasks to employees who specialize and have past training in specific machinery. By assigning employees who have experience with certain equipment the work environment will become safer as these employees have greater control over the equipment, which leads to fewer accidents.
Another problem that asset-intensive businesses, such as oil and gas refineries, may face is poorly maintained equipment. This can pose a hazard for the employee operating the equipment as well as those on the worksite. CMMS ensures that equipment is safe and that the right resources for the machine are used too. Ensuring it runs smoothly. This will be extremely beneficial from a compliance perspective as well. Various occupational health and safety governing bodies require maintenance to be undertaken on machinery under stringent guidelines.
CMMS systems can assist companies to meet the standards set by health and safety bodies. As a CMMS will schedule maintenance and record the data received from the process. Enabling oil and gas companies to be sure that they are doing everything they can so that their employees are safe and free from hazards.
Reduces waste
The oil and gas sector is often closely inspected by environmental governing bodies. This due to the processes and production methods. Therefore, oil and gas companies must ensure that they implement less wasteful practices. A CMMS will help ensure this.
Poorly maintained machinery is ineffective and wasteful, as they require more energy and resources to operate. Correct handling, regular maintenance, and careful recording of equipment data can correct this issue. For example, a drill requires water as a cooling fluid for specific drill bits. If the drill is working inefficiently, it will run hotter than usual and need more water to cool the bit. This is both wasteful and expensive. A CMMS will pick up the increase in resource use and allow employers to correct this problem, leading to more efficient use of the resources available.
The oil and gas industry is extremely competitive. By implementing a CMMS, a company can ensure that they are working responsibly, leading to a positive reputation, effective work practices, and efficient work culture. These are vital for a successful business.
