Contextual Failure Analysis Improves Reliability While Pushing the Envelope of Extended Reach Wells in a Giant Brown Field, UAE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Cantarelli ◽  
Khoa Le Pham Dang ◽  
Hernan Melgares Escalera
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Risk Matrix ◽  
Priority List ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The current combination of increasingly complex wellbores and tightening budgets forces operators to do more with less and find new ways to expand the drilling envelop. Often this pushes the parameters to the limit in order to achieve faster penetration rates. Operating at the limit or beyond impacts equipment reliability and project cost. A thorough failure analysis of the root cause(s) of every incident can help identify and address areas that need improvement. Identifying a cause fosters improvement while it simultaneously pushes the boundaries so the profitability of mature assets can be maximized. Typical failure analysis attempts to determine the cause of a failure and establish corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence. In a large extended reach drilling project targeting a mature field, the approach to a single failure was expanded and projected in a proactive manner to anticipate the impact of current failure modes in future more challenging scenarios. This innovative method combines the classic failure analysis approach with a comparative approach designed to identify and classify each factor that contributed to the failure. This information is then compiled into a dynamic predictive risk matrix to improve the planning. This method, thanks to the contextualization of individual failures and the multi-facet comparative analysis, revealed a pattern between reliability trends and environmental challenges. The pattern was correlated with the increased drilling difficulty over the lifetime of the project, and suggested that the long-established practices had to be revised to overcome the new scenario. The analysis contributed to the delineation of a strong action plan that immediately revealed a consistent service quality improvement quarter on quarter and nearly a 50% decrease in failure rate. The enhanced reliability had a direct impact on the performance that registered a significant reduction of the drilling time, thus lowering the overall well construction cost. In today's economics where cost reduction, resource optimization and sustainability are at the top of the operator's priority list, failure analysis has become paramount to ensure continuous improvement. Effective analytic methods to identify and eliminate showstoppers are needed to minimize unplanned events and deliver within budget. By digging deep into the root cause of incidents, this new approach to failure analysis enabled an enhanced, broader and more effective quality improvement plan that tackled service quality from multiple angles. From refining bottomhole assembly (BHA) design and risk matrix to drafting field guidelines and roadmaps, this approach also provided extra guidance and risk awareness for future well planning improvement. This particularly applies to mature fields where wellbore complexity increases at the same time budgets decrease and it's necessary to improve operational excellence to assure profitability.

Failures in Soldering

2021 ◽  
pp. 326-337
Author(s):  
Qiming Zhang ◽  
Babak Kondori ◽  
Xing Qiu ◽  
Jeffry C.C. Lo ◽  
S.W. Ricky Lee
Keyword(s):  
Solder Joint ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Failure Detection ◽  
Cause Analysis ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Integration Density ◽  
Root Cause Failure Analysis

Abstract Due to the recent requirement of higher integration density, solder joints are getting smaller in electronic product assemblies, which makes the joints more vulnerable to failure. Thus, the root-cause failure analysis for the solder joints becomes important to prevent failure at the assembly level. This article covers the properties of solder alloys and the corresponding intermetallic compounds. It includes the dominant failure modes introduced during the solder joint manufacturing process and in field-use applications. The corresponding failure mechanism and root-cause analysis are also presented. The article introduces several frequently used methods for solder joint failure detection, prevention, and isolation (identification for the failed location).

scholarly journals MON-118 Reducing Unnecessary Repeat HbA1c Testing in a Tertiary Academic Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamana Rajeswaran ◽  
Lisa Alexander ◽  
Raad Alwithenani ◽  
Diana Jaskolka ◽  
Shirine Usmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Repeat Testing ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Important Target ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a surrogate marker of glycemia over the preceding three months, where the last 30 days contributes to 50% of the value (1). Therefore guidelines often recommend repeating HbA1c only after 3 months in most situations (2), but repeat testing of HbA1c is often conducted earlier when not warranted (3). We aimed to conduct a Quality Improvement (QI) initiative to reduce unnecessary repeat testing of HbA1c at a large tertiary care academic hospital in Toronto, Ontario by 50% by May 2020. Methods: The Model for Improvement Quality Improvement (QI) framework was used in the design of the QI project to reduce repeat HbA1c. Problem characterization was conducted to understand root causes and iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used to develop a change intervention. Unnecessary HbA1c tests were the primary outcome and defined as repeat HbA1c testing within 60 days; the top three specialities that ordered unnecessary HbA1c tests were targeted for education prior to implementation of the change intervention. Results: Baseline data on all HbA1c tests in 2018 revealed repeat testing in approximately 10% of 15,290 HbA1c tests, with estimated potential savings of more than $11,000 based on the provincial reimbursement rate. The top 3 ordering specialities targeted for education included Nephrology (n=410 repeat HbA1c tests), Cardiology (n=246 repeat HbA1c tests), and Endocrinology (n=136 repeat HbA1C tests). Root cause analysis revealed that providers often ordered repeat HbA1c tests due to being unaware of prior results and a knowledge gap of testing recommendations. A laboratory forced function will be implemented on December 1, 2019 to cancel any repeat HbA1c tests within 60 days and calls to the lab to add HbA1c testing will be tracked. Conclusions: Repeat HbA1c testing is frequent in hospital settings and can be an important target for QI efforts. A forced function to cancel processing of repeat HbA1c may be an appropriate QI intervention to reduce repeat testing to promote high-value care. Ongoing data analysis will be conducted to assess the impact of this intervention. References (1) Goldstein DE, Little RR, Lorenz RA, Malone JI, Nathan D, Peterson CM, Sacks DB. Tests of Glycemia in Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004;27(7): 1761-1773. (2) Berard LD, Siemens R, Woo V. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Monitoring Glycemic Control. Can J Diabetes 2018;42(Suppl 1):S47-S53. (3) Chami N, Simons JE, Sweetman A, Don-Wauchope AC. Rates of inappropriate laboratory test utilization in Ontario. Clinical Biochemistry 2017;50: 822-827.

Role of internal and external organizational factors in TQM implementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanwal Nasim
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for the development of total quality management (TQM) model for service organizations considering both internal and external environmental factors. Design/methodology/approach Through an extensive literature search, it is found that despite a large body of knowledge on TQM, there is hardly any research undertaken on the model of service quality including all external and internal factors that can affect the impact of soft and hard TQM factors on organizations performance. So, a systematic literature review has been conducted to extract the relevant journal articles for the study purpose. Findings The conceptual model fills this yawning gap and presents a framework of integrated relationships based on several constituent models. These are soft TQM factors, hard TQM factors and organizational performance. Moreover, quality improvement, market benefits, R&D performance and quality performance are used as mediators while industry rivalry and entry barriers are used as moderators between soft and hard TQM and organizational performance. The seven propositions, derived from these elements, highlight the dynamic relationship between above mentioned constructs. Research limitations/implications One major limitation is the testing of this model. It has not been tested in any environment or organization to assess its validity. Future research can be done to test the developed hypotheses. Besides three journals, other journals can also be focused in future to get detailed insight into different factors. Impact of IT on organizational processes toward TQM can also be studied in future. More rigorous statistical tests can also be applied to generate more findings with an extension of review time period and selection of more journals. Practical implications The model developed in this study can be applied in any service organization with slight modifications to enhance the service quality of organizations by integrating both internal and external aspects for quality improvement. By adopting this framework, organizations can increase their production quality. Originality/value This proposed framework will help organizations to effectively implement TQM in their organizations considering internal and external organizational factors.

Engineering Design Process Investigation in a Failure Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 20-29
Author(s):  
Steven Kushnick
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Process Information ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Engineering Design Process ◽  
Mode Of Failure ◽  
Cause Of Failure

Abstract The intent of this article is to assist the failure analyst in understanding the underlying engineering design process embodied in a failed component or system. It begins with a description of the mode of failure. This is followed by a section providing information on the root cause of failure. Next, the article discusses the steps involved in the engineering design process and explains the importance of considering the engineering design process. Information on failure modes and effects analysis is also provided. The article ends with a discussion on the consequence of management actions on failures.

scholarly journals LO78: A qualitative evaluation of a mandatory provincial program auditing emergency department return visits

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S36
Author(s):  
H. Jalali ◽  
O. Ostrow ◽  
K. Dainty ◽  
B. Seaton ◽  
H. Ovens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Return Visits ◽  
Quality Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sampling Approach

Introduction: The Ontario emergency department (ED) Return Visit Quality Program (RVQP) launched in 2016 and aims to promote continuous quality improvement (QI) in the province's largest EDs. The program mandates routine audits of cases involving patients who had ED return visits within 72hrs that led to admission to hospital, in order to identify quality issues that can be tackled through QI initiatives. Our objective was to formally evaluate how well the RVQP achieved its aim of promoting continuous QI at participating sites using the constructivist grounded theory. Methods: Using a semi-structured interview guide, we employed a maximum variation sampling approach to ensure diverse representation across several geographical and institutional experiences (e.g., urban vs. rural, academic vs. community). Selected RVQP program leads were invited to participate in a phone interview to yield maximal insight, additionally using a snowball sampling approach to reach non-lead physicians to capture the penetration of the program. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached and no new insights were gleaned. Interviews were initially cross-performed by two members of the research team, recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Data analysis was conducted using a constant comparative approach through the development of a coding framework and triangulation with the respondents’ ED setting. We then grouped, compared and refined our analytic categories through an inductive, iterative approach. Results: Between June and August 2018, we interviewed 32 participants, including 21 RVQP program leads and 11 non-lead physicians, from a total of 23 diverse sites (out of 84). Our analysis suggests that the RVQP provides a structured method for EDs to frame the continuous collection of data in order to channel activities towards quality improvement projects based on identified needs. Success factors included: greater involvement with QI processes prior to the RVQP leading to more openness to improvement, a more collaborative approach to RVQP implementation which led to greater front-line workers’ understanding and engagement, and more resources dedicated to implementing the RVQP as well as tackling the quality issues it identified. Conclusion: This study evaluated the impact of an innovative and large-scale program aimed at improving the culture of quality in Ontario EDs. While the program is still relatively new, early results show that there are key elements of EDs that support building a culture of QI.

STRESS FACTOR AND FAILURE ANALYSIS OF CONSTANT FRACTION DISCRIMINATOR USING DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 1340003 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADITHYA THADURI ◽  
A. K. VERMA ◽  
V. GOPIKA ◽  
RAJESH GOPINATH ◽  
UDAY KUMAR
Keyword(s):  
Design Of Experiments ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Time To Failure ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Physics Of Failure ◽  
Failure Characteristics ◽  
Constant Fraction Discriminator ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stress Parameters

Reliability prediction using traditional approaches were implemented at earlier stages of electronics. But due to advancements in science and technology, the above models are outdated. The alternative approach, physics of failure provides exhaustive information on basic failure phenomenon with failure mechanisms, failure modes and failure analysis becomes prominent because this method depends on factors like materials, processes, technology, etc., of the component. Constant fraction discriminators which is important component in NFMS needs to study failure characteristics and this paper provides this information on failure characteristics using physics of failure approach. Apart from that, the combined physics of failure approach with the statistical methods such as design of experiments, accelerated testing and failure distribution models to quantify time to failure of this electronic component by radiation and temperature as stress parameters. The SEM analysis of the component is carried out by decapsulating the samples and studied the impact of stress parameters on the device layout.

Reliability Scorecards for Operating Pipelines

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Jones ◽  
André-Michel Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Failure Mode ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Reliability Growth ◽  
Comprehensive Management ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Organizational Focus ◽  
Reliability Performance ◽  
Growth Indicator

Scorecards are generally used to track operational performance in various fields of work and direct the management team toward correcting the observed deviations. Generally, a Scorecard is made up of specific metrics which have been carefully identified against defined operating objectives. In this paper, the Scorecard examined uses a reliability growth indicator in combination with other traditional factors to measure speed of progress to a target level. As a leading liquid pipeline operator, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (hereafter “Enbridge”) holds established and comprehensive management systems governing all aspects of its operations. In essence the Reliability Scorecard adds enhanced capabilities to the existing systems. In September 2010, using current throughput performance and failure historical data, the Reliability Team in Enbridge developed a quarterly Reliability Scorecard for its pipeline network. Metrics for each pipeline consisted of utilization, adherence to shipping schedules and a unique reliability growth indicator of the overall line as well as the top ten failure modes. This enabled not only the tracking of performance levels but also the direction and speed of improvement or decline in those metrics. The analysis was conducted using the Crow-AMSAA Analytical Process. Using the throughput impact (e.g. barrels not shipped), level of reliability performance and magnitude of reliability improvement for each failure mode on all pipelines, it became easy to select targets for improvement. Unacceptable deviations were those having more than a 10% share of throughput volume impact per failure mode combined with a Crow AMSAA growth factor (Beta) of 1.2 or greater. The advent of this Reliability Scorecard has improved the organizational focus on areas with greatest impact on pipeline performance and revenue generation. Having a solid indication of the issues affecting each pipeline system, the Reliability Team was able to target its efforts accordingly. For example, for a specific high impact failure mode, a formal Root Cause Analysis would be conducted to identify the causes and implement a corrective action plan. Additionally, systematic lack of improvement for one failure mode over multiple quarters would be shared with relevant teams as awareness of specific threats to performance in their area. In essence, if well-defined and accepted, an effective Scorecard can be a powerful driver for improvement in an organization. It can assist in channeling the efforts of individuals, departments or the overall organization in addressing real threats to performance specific fields. Management can also use this tool to justify where appropriate resources need to be allocated. Finally, as demonstrated in this case, in addition to traditional operational targets, an improvement or regression factor can also be used to measure the progress or decline of specific scorecard metrics.

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