Reliability of quantitative risk analysis through an industrial case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Attia ◽  
Jyoti K. Sinha

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the reliability of the quantitative risk model used for planning inspection and maintenance activities. The objective is to critically discuss the factors that contribute to the probability and consequence of failure calculations.Design/methodology/approachThe case study conducted using one of the most widely deployed risk models in the oil and gas industry where a full assessment was performed on an offshore gas producing platform.FindingsThe generic failure frequencies used as the basis for calculating the probability of failure are set at a value representative of the refining and petrochemical industry's failure data. This failure database does not cover offshore. The critical discussion indicated the lack of basis of the coefficient of variances, prior probabilities and conditional probabilities. Moreover, the risk model does not address the distribution of thickness measurements, corrosion rates and inspection effectiveness, whereas only overall deterministic values are used; this requires judgment to determine these values. Probabilities of ignition, probabilities of delayed ignition and other probabilities in Level 1 event tree are found selected based on expert judgment for each of the reference fluids and release types (i.e. continuous or instantaneous). These probabilities are constant and independent of the release rate or mass and lack of constructed model. Defining the release type is critical in the consequence of the failure methodology, whereas the calculated consequences differ greatly depending on the type of release, i.e. continuous or instantaneous. The assessment results show that both criteria of defining the type of release, i.e. continuous or instantaneous, do not affect the calculations of flammable consequences when the auto-ignition likely is zero at the storage temperature. While, the difference in the resulted toxic consequence was more than 31 times between the two criteria of defining the type of release.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to revamp this quantitative risk model to minimize the subjectivity in the risk calculation and to address the unique design features of offshore platforms.Originality/valueThis case study critically discuss the risk model being widely applied in the O&G industry and demonstrates to the end-users the subjectivity in the risk results. Hence, be vigilant when establishing the risk tolerance/target for the purpose of inspection and maintenance planning.

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Al-Hitmi ◽  
Karma Sherif

Purpose This paper aims to explore Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring in a multi-national petrochemical organization in Qatar and finds that the technology does not negatively influence employee perceptions of fairness, challenging current propositions on monitoring and highlighting the emerging role of culture, competition and paradoxical leadership in moderating the relationship between IoT-enabled monitoring and perceptions of fairness. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted qualitative research as the methodological premise to explore the relationship between IoT-enabled monitoring and perceptions of fairness. They collected data from an oil and gas organization in Qatar to test the validity of the proposed hypotheses. Findings While I0T-enabled monitoring was perceived as pervasive, tracking every move and recording conversations, the diffusion of the technology throughout Qatar desensitized employees who felt it was the new reality around workspaces. The following three important factors reshaped employees’ perceptions toward IoT-enabled monitoring: a culture that is driven by productivity and strongly adheres by policies and standards to reach set goals; a highly competitive job market; and a paradoxical leadership who balances between the competition and lucrative rewards. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this research is that the authors conducted a case study in similar organizations within the oil and gas industry in the State of Qatar to refute the theory that electronic monitoring of employees in the workspace elicits perceptions of unfairness. Future research can conduct quantitative surveys of employee perceptions in different industries within different cultures to be able to generalize and evolve a universal theory. Practical implications The research findings shed light on the escalating pressure global competition exerts on employees that nervousness about pervasive monitoring systems is replaced with fear of job loss and analytics on monitoring data is welcomed as a means of readjusting behavior to meet performance expectations. Originality/value The case study is the first to highlight the desensitization of employees to monitoring and the increasing pressure competition plays in motivating them to exceed expectations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 852-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria De Sanctis ◽  
Claudia Paciarotti ◽  
Oreste Di Giovine

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical method of performing maintenance in the offshore industry where engineers have to manage problems such as the high cost of operations, assuring an high availability of the plant, safety on board and environmental protection. Indeed an efficient maintenance method it is necessary in order to offer methods and criteria to select the rights maintenance strategies keeping in to account the environmental, safety and production constrains. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview of reliability centered maintenance (RCM) and reliability, availability, maintainability methodologies and an integration of the two methodologies in a particular case study in the oil and gas sector. Findings – This paper suggests an improvement of the well-established RCM methodology applicable to industries with high priority level. It is proposed an integration between a reliability analysis and an availability analysis and an application on the offshore oil and gas industry. Practical implications – The methodology provides an excellent tool that can be utilized in industries, where safety, regulations and the availability of the plant play a fundamental role. Originality/value – The proposed methodology provides a practical method for selecting the best maintenance strategy considering the equipment redundancy and sparing, the asset’s performance over long time scales, and the system uptime, downtime and slowdowns.


Author(s):  
Steven P. MacGregor ◽  
Avril I. Thomson ◽  
Neal P. Juster

Abstract A current research project at the University of Strathclyde is introduced which aims to better understand the role of distributed engineering design in industry and address present problems. The first major industrial case study of the project, completed within a multinational in the oil and gas industry, is then described together with the main research questions. This multinational will be described in the text as company A. The findings are split into three areas depending on the data collection method employed. The main case study issues are investigated through interviews while a profile of current activities and perceptions comes from completed questionnaires. Sampling and analysis of distributed activity over time is served by the completion of daily diaries and direct observation. These combine to increase the understanding of information sharing and collaborative design in a distributed organization. Interviews show the importance of design reuse within the organization contrasting with the pressures of formalizing all parts of a design project. The preponderance of variant design activity is also highlighted along with concerns of continued practice. The questionnaires show that 34% of engineers’ time is spent sourcing relevant information and knowledge and that the most popular sources are company systems followed by personal contact. 18% of work is found to be distributed while colleagues from another location and another floor/department know more 51% and 57% of the time respectively. The detail design phase of a distributed design project is analysed over time which finds that most collaborative work consists of simple information exchange supplementary to the main design activity. Furthermore, concentrated periods of collaborative design are found to follow these information exchange cycles’. Distributed problems are also discussed in the paper, ranging from difficulties with unfamiliar terminology to a lack of visibility at worldwide sites.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Braglia ◽  
Leonardo Marrazzini ◽  
Luca Padellini ◽  
Rinaldo Rinaldi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a structured framework whose objectives are to identify, analyse and eliminate fashion-luxury supply chains inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachA Lean Manufacturing tool, the 5-Whys Analysis, has been used to find out the root causes associated with the problem identified from a data analysis of production orders of a fashion-luxury company. A case study, which explains the methodology and illustrates the capability of the tool, is provided.FindingsThis tool can be considered a suitable instrument to identify the causal factors of inefficiencies within luxury supply chains, suggesting potential countermeasures able to eliminate the problems previously highlighted. In addition, enabling technologies that deal with Industry 4.0 are associated with the root causes to enable further improvement of the supply chain.Practical implicationsThe effectiveness and practicality of the tool are illustrated using an industrial case study concerning an international Italian signature in the world of fashion-luxury footwear sector.Originality/valueThis framework provides practitioners with an operative tool useful to highlight where the major inefficiencies of fashion-luxury supply chains take place and, at the same time, individuates both the root causes of inefficiencies and the corresponding corrective actions, even considering Industry 4.0 enabling technologies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ruin ◽  
Eric Levrat ◽  
Benoît Iung ◽  
Antoine Despujols

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology for supporting complex maintenance programs quantification (CMPQ) for industrial systems. The methodology is based on a generic formalization of static and behavioral expert knowledge both on the target system and on the maintenance one. The formalization is carried out first by means of system modelling language (SysML) diagrams to model knowledge concepts and second by the transformation of these concepts into Altarica data flow (ADF) language for developing stochastic simulation. Design/methodology/approach – An industrial case study (ARE system) proposed by the electricite de France (EDF) company is used initially to show a real problem statement on CMPQ. It allows highlighting key scientific issues considered as the basis for methodology development. Main issues are related to static and dynamic knowledge formalization justifying the choice of SysML and ADF languages. The added value of this methodology is finally shown on the same case study serving as benchmark. Findings – This paper demonstrates the suitability of using of SysML language for modelling the CMPQ knowledge and then of ADF language in building executable model implementing simulation as needed for assessing key performance indicators of CMPQ. ADF is based on formal mode automaton. Mapping rules are developed to ensure correspondence between the concepts of these two languages. Research limitations/implications – Additional industrial validations of the methodology should be performed to really evaluate its benefits. Practical implications – This work was made possible thanks to a partnership with the EDF Company (French energy supplier). The results are therefore directly usable at practical industrial levels. Originality/value – The CMPQ methodology proposed is fully generic leading to offering a library of atomic ADF components (COTS) which can be instantiated to develop executable model with regards to each specific application. It allows to favor reusability and makes easier the model development above all for a user who knows nothing about the language.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 821-834
Author(s):  
Vasudev Das

Purpose The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore strategies for the de-escalation of kleptocracy in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Design/methodology/approach The author used a qualitative case study to facilitate the generation of data from eight research participants in semi-structured open-ended interviews. Findings The themes that emerged from analysis of interview transcriptions were high self-control, traditional African oath of office, whistleblowing, stiffer penalties for corrupt officials, education and training, self-regulation and sonic therapeutic intervention. Research limitations/implications Interviewees might withhold information regarding their insights on strategies for de-escalating kleptocracy. That was beyond my control. Practical implications The study results provided leaders with insightful comprehension of anti-kleptocracy policy in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, leaders would benefit and advance their decision-making process on the development and implementation of an anti-kleptocracy strategy to revamp the financial value of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Social implications The results of the study have the potential to contribute to positive social change by enlightening government leaders and anti-corruption agencies on strategies to de-escalate kleptocracy in the oil and gas industry. Originality/value The study’s uniqueness enabled filling the gap in financial crime literature as well as an added value to the applied management and decision sciences domain.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.T. Matt

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine relevant parts of the case of an Italian steel construction company's green field plant design process to identify best practice guidelines for the adaptation and use of value stream mapping (VSM) in the design of lean engineer-to-order (ETO) production systems. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the most relevant literature in the field of VSM and discusses its limitations regarding the application in an ETO environment. Based on the analysis of an industrial case, the original VSM methodology is adapted with a special focus on ETO. Information was collected through multiple site visits and semi-structured interviews with the company's key staff of the project, as well as examination of relevant company documentations. Findings – A set of guidelines was developed on the basis of an industrial case research. In this context, major attention was given to two aspects: the introduction of synchronization points in front of merge-activities in the value stream, and the splitting of customer orders into suitable production orders and equal time increments of work. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this research are limited due to the focused nature of a case study-based research. However, the obtained results encourage assuming its transferability to similar problems. Originality/value – This paper provides an original industrial case study with valuable insights for the adaptation of the VSM methodology to batch-of-one ETO environment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Schmidt ◽  
Kanika Gandhi ◽  
Lihui Wang ◽  
Diego Galar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to exemplify and discuss the context aspect for predictive analytics where in parallel condition monitoring (CM) measurements data and information related to the context are gathered and analysed. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on an industrial case study, conducted in a manufacturing company. The linear axis of a machine tool has been selected as an object of interest. Available data from different sources have been gathered and a new CM function has been implemented. Details about performed steps of data acquisition and selection are provided. Among the obtained data, health indicators and context-related information have been identified. Findings Multiple sources of relevant contextual information have been identified. Performed analysis discovered the deviations in operational conditions when the same machining operation is repeatedly performed. Originality/value This paper shows the outcomes from a case study in real word industrial setup. A new visualisation method of gathered data is proposed to support decision-making process.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-151
Author(s):  
El Mehdi Semma ◽  
Ahmed Mousrij ◽  
Hassan Gziri

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop the different phases of the implementation of vibration-based maintenance (VBM). Then, the focus will be on the first two stages, namely, the inventory and feasibility study where each step will be translated into a very detailed implementation process through an industrial case study. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a state of art on the implementation of the VBM; a survey of national and international experts in the field of VBM and finally an analysis of 30 years of VBM practice in a large Moroccan company in the field of chemical processing, via a collective approach called Diagnostic Court Autonome. Findings The study showed that improving productivity by reducing downtimes due to vibration defects through effective vibration monitoring is possible and investment in equipment and vibration monitoring personnel is largely justified in the company studied. Originality/value This paper presents in detail the two preliminary phases with all procedures describing in a practical way the operating rules to apply and organize the roles of different actors. The work will be useful both to researchers and maintenance managers interested in structuring their vibration monitoring cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiluf Reda ◽  
Akshay Dvivedi

PurposeThis research aims to improve the performance and productivity of low-level technology organizations using lean tools – value stream mapping (VSM). In order to investigate the application of VSM in low-level technology organizations, this study takes footwear manufacturing organizations as a case study.Design/methodology/approachIdentifying a suitable organization was the first step for conducting the case study, followed by product family identification. Time and motion studies are used to determine the cycle time and identify the value-adding and non-value-adding activities, respectively. After making necessary observations and calculations, the current state map was developed. Different improvement proposals were identified, and the future state map was constructed.FindingsAs a result, 56.3% cycle time reduction and 69.7% reduction in lead time were obtained, confirming its application in low-level technology organizations to improve their performance and productivity. This promising result indicates that a significant improvement can be achieved if VSM is applied in low-level organizations other than footwear industries, such as the clothing and furniture industries. Speed is investigated to be one of the parameters in motion study.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on low-level technology organizations, specifically leather shoe manufacturing industries. But experiences gained from implementing this study are realistic and applicable in similar organizations.Practical implicationsPerformance and productivity improvement are critical issues to be addressed in low-level technology organizations, especially in the leather footwear manufacturing sector. This can be achieved through VSM by identifying and removing the wastes. VSM can be applied to low-level organizations as well. VSM is a powerful tool that helps managers and practitioners in identifying wastes and opportunities for improvement.Originality/valueThe paper addresses applicability of VSM in the production process of low-level technology organizations with an original industrial case study in Ethiopia.


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