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Introduction

Asset Performance Management (APM)

Background

As the custodian of Malaysia’s national oil and gas resources, Petronas finds itself at the crossroads of changing market pressures, and the critical role it plays in powering the region.

Challenge

Balancing Safety and Efficiency in a Changing Market

The oil and gas industry is going through significant change. Prices are prone to boom and bust cycles and at times are erratic. The low-carbon sustainability movement has disrupted the regulatory environment and is putting pressure on consumers to seek alternative energy sources. At the same time, process safety incidents at other companies put a spotlight on the risky industry Petronas operates within.

Although a sophisticated business, there were significant constraints on the day-to-day downstream processing operation. Manual, non-standardized work processes, disconnected systems and a reactive approach to maintenance were no longer viable operating conditions and needed to be addressed.

With advancing, proven new digital technologies, Petronas was confident it could become measurably more efficient while still operating with high safety standards.

Solution

Operational Excellence Initiative Standardizes Processes and Empowers Teams

From need and opportunity, Petronas launched an operational excellence initiative.

The team is working with GE Digital to:

Standardize work processes across functions
Document and retain management system knowledge
Empower decision making close to where the action happens

The solution is comprised of three products from GE Digital:

Asset Performance Management offers real-time health insights on critical assets
Asset Answers provides online performance benchmarks
Proficy Historian collects and normalizes data across the operation

Results

New Insights Turn Uncertainty Into Efficiency

Real-time asset health is turning uncertainty into efficiency at Petronas. In just a few months, the team has already identified thousands of risks and recommended actions that move the operation from time-based to preventive maintenance. This new insight increases availability, reduces costs, and provides greater confidence in the operation as a whole.