Whether you own a gas and oil company or are simply the person who is in charge of keeping the oil rigs running efficiently, you know just how important it is to identify and fix any problems that come up along the way. Since oil rigs usually operate 24/7, many different issues may arise if you don’t stay on top of things.
That’s why many corporations work with oil and gas service companies and ensure smooth operations. These service providers often have in-depth knowledge about the industry operations as well as the right equipment to streamline the work. This reduces the corporation’s work pressure significantly. Nevertheless, to ensure your oil rigs are the most efficient in the industry, here are five tips to always keep in mind.
Proper and Regular Maintenance
Above all else, performing proper and regular maintenance on your oil rigs will keep them running efficiently for many years, no matter what conditions they are being used in at any time. While components large and small need to be checked and tended to regularly, you should concentrate particularly on generators and heating systems. Should these fail, your oil rig and its production may come to a halt.
Monitor Drilling Operations
Maximum efficiency on your oil rig also demands that you and your crew constantly monitor drilling operations for signs of equipment fatigue. On many rigs, equipment such as blowout preventers is tested weekly for signs of fatigue. Should you notice anything unusual, have this or other equipment closely inspected and either repaired or replaced.
Standardization of Parts
A common need is upgrades or replacements for your equipment. Ensuring that you standardize your parts to complete the jobs will make it easier to make repairs or upgrades on them in the future. Custom winch truck building, for example, is a common process but the customization doesn’t need to mean rigging random parts together. Instead, ensure that you are using standard bolt sizes or standard parts so that anyone on your team will be prepared with the right tools to get the job done. Standardization of parts as a top priority will result in increased efficiency. By doing so, it will be much easier for you to always have replacement parts on hand. If you purchase much of your rig’s equipment from the same manufacturer, this becomes a much easier task.
Crew Operations
Though a typical oil rig has about 100 crew members, there may be only about 10-20 who are actually working at any one time during a shift. Because of this, you’ll need a rotational schedule for your crew to keep your rig operating well 24/7. Also, don’t forget to support crew members as well as caterers who provide food and workers who are responsible for waste removal.
Monitor Loads
Finally, always monitor the loads on your rigs to ensure they are not exceeding their weight. If they do, this will significantly increase the chances of equipment breakdowns and other problems that will delay production. This could also trigger fines and other penalties, especially if you are found to be out of compliance with various state and federal regulations.
If you remember these five important tips, you should have oil rigs that continue to operate at maximum efficiency day and night.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
