Impact of Operational Configuration Onboard a Drillship on Main Generator Engine Subcomponents Interval and Maintenance Strategies

Abstract

Maintenance intervals and approaches for marine equipment have been the subject of numerous studies, focusing on previous failure patterns and associated risks. However, in vessels like drillships, operating under high reliability requirements and possessing significant redundancy, maintenance strategies have a critical impact on overall performance. This study investigates the influence of operational configurations on maintenance intervals and approaches for generator engine subcomponents onboard a drillship. Using data on injector failures onboard drillships, we employ the maintenance concept adjustment and design (MA-CAD) method to analyse and determine maintenance intervals across various operational configurations. Initially, we analyse the failure pattern of fuel injectors and propose a reduction in maintenance intervals through Weibull probability distribution fitting. Additionally, a risk analysis is conducted to assess the impact of operational configurations on risk indices related to fuel injector reliability and safety consequences. Our findings reveal that different operational configurations of the power generation plant can lead to changes in risk indices, shifting injector reliability status from unacceptable to undesirable limits. Consequently, maintenance intervals need to be adjusted as well to ensure optimal performance and safety. Furthermore, considering various engine subcomponents and their reliability under different operational configurations suggests the need for tailored maintenance approaches. This research provides insights into optimising maintenance strategies for drillship, ensuring reliability and safety across diverse operational scenarios.