DNV GL has established a joint industry project (JIP) to develop a risk-based maintenance methodology with the aim to deliver more effective and cost-efficient blowout preventer (BOP) maintenance
According to Norway-based company, several BOP manufacturers, operators, rig owners and shelf state regulators have already joined the JIP.
BOPs have traditionally been subject to time-based maintenance, which can create critical challenges, such as unstructured maintenance management, reduced reliability and equipment overhauls, which consequently may lead to increased operational downtime.
Rui Quadrado, project manager at DNV GL — Oil & Gas, said, “A risk-based maintenance approach aims to mitigate these issues.
“Benefits include increased safety and operability by improving BOP performance, the introduction of lifecycle design input and increased maintainability. Ultimately, this should deliver optimal maintenance planning, thereby reducing costs.”
The Petroleum Safety Authority of Norway has been currently focussing on the drilling operators’ maintenance functions, and this has increased industry understanding of risk-based maintenance.
“This JIP is looking to put this knowledge into action and provide a recommended practice or international standard in which effective maintenance tasks will be identified and a cost-benefit analysis of these tasks will be evaluated,” added Quadrado.
