Deficiency Management as Part of Asset Integrity - a Case Study

Abstract

Abstract As part of the company's strategic plans, Oxy has implemented an asset integrity program across its global business units to ensure that surface equipment provides safe and reliable operation over its life cycle. This program involves static, rotating, power, and control equipment, and encompasses four major elements: mechanical integrity, maintenance, quality assurance/quality control, and corrosion management. A case study involving a production water skim tank will be presented that highlights Oxy's deficiency management process, a key component within the mechanical integrity and maintenance elements. This tank, located in one of Oxy's production fields, suffered localized corrosion due to a design flaw that put the tank at risk of being removed from service after only 2 years of operation, with a significant impact to field production. The time line and sequence of events will be presented to show how Oxy's deficiency management process is used to support sound decision making regarding continued operation of assets with known anomalies or defects. Attendees can use the content from this presentation as a reference for their asset integrity program or deficiency management process. While this case study is from an atmospheric storage tank, the deficiency management process applies to all equipment types and is an integral part of successful mechanical integrity and maintenance programs. This topic is directly related to Operational Excellence and HSE and is of value to established integrity programs as well as programs yet to be implemented. It highlights the full life cycle of deficiency management, including deficiency identification, engineering assessment (fitness for service), temporary/on-stream repairs, ongoing monitoring, and decision making regarding continued operation of affected equipment and facilities. This case study shows how a successful outcome can be achieved through application of a robust deficiency management process, even with equipment that suffers premature damage due to design flaws (or unanticipated changes to operating conditions). Results from on-stream inspections and fitness for service evaluations will be shared as part of this presentation.