Maintenance and Logistic
Maintenance and Logistic
Maintenance and Logistic
Maintenance and
Logistics
RATIONALISATION OF SPARES
2
The weight and space limitations of an offshore installation impose restraints on
electrical equipment installed. The restraints on the stocking of consumable spares
and spare parts are even more severe, however, and this must be always kept in mind
at the detail design stage, particularly during the procurement of the smaller drive
packages such as small pumps and compressors, distribution boards and cable acces-
sories. Sometimes a spares rationalisation can be made by using the same model of
prime mover for main generators and gas lift or export compressors, or for standby
diesel generation and diesel fire pumps.
The benefits may be listed as follows:
1. Common spare parts for different equipment, hence fewer need be stocked and
weight of spares stored is reduced.
2. The reduced number of different types of equipment that operators have to deal
with should reduce familiarisation time and hence improve safety.
3. The total weight of equipment operation and maintenance manuals and design
drawings on the average offshore installation is in excess of 10 tons, even when
the majority is on microfiche; therefore, some weight and space saving can also
be accrued by reducing their total number.
4. The cost saving associated with items (1)–(3). The offshore spares inventory
must be optimised for items most critical to
a. safety
b. the comfort of personnel (which may also affect safety)
c. oil and gas production
Small light items may be flown out quickly when required, but it should be
remembered that if an unscheduled helicopter call out is required, it could cost
£2000/h or more depending on the size of the helicopter (in 2015).
When estimating travel time for such an offshore visit, some time should be
allowed for weather delays. This is often worse in the summer months when fog is
more likely.
Telephone communications are by line-of-sight and/or satellite links, and access
is usually available when major platform construction work is not in progress. On
some of the nearer platforms, cell net telephones have been put to good use to supple-
ment normal communications.
5. A
bseiling may be used instead of scaffolding where maintenance intervals are
infrequent and the maintenance required is within the capabilities of abseiling
personnel. Poor access location jobs such as painting, testing or replacing small
devices (e.g., gas detectors) are often carried out by abseiling, and the cost-
saving can be very substantial.