Performance Improvement Gains Through People
In the oil business, advances in technology are of high value and can lead to significant savings. The following case is proof of this, but it also demonstrates something much more important… In the course of setting a cement plug for abandonment in a well, an oil industry client made use of an innovative tool which connects a “sacrificial stinger” to the drill pipe. Once cement is placed, the tool is disengaged and the operator trips the drill pipe out of the hole, leaving the cement plug and tubing undisturbed. This enables much longer cement plugs to be set in a single run and reduces the risk of disturbing and contaminating the cement.
The estimated value of this approach is an operational saving of approximately 36 hours over the traditional approach with two to three balanced cement plugs. The system also incurs less operational risk than attempting the traditional method, particularly considering the challenging hole conditions.
In the course of an After Action Review, further operational improvements of approximately 7 hours were suggested for when this operation is next repeated. As always, these learning points were transferred to the Lessons Learned Database and incorporated into the next drilling program in order to ensure implementation at the next opportunity.
This outstanding implementation is an example of Continuous Improvement in action.
Working with the vast knowledge and experience residing within the core crew members and the various service company hands, Exceed coaches develop a forum for Continuous Improvement. This provides the team with a means to channel their ideas and influence the output with real results, raising knowledge and pride within the team in the process.
Whilst the old adage that ‘a bad workman blames his tools’ may be true, it is equally true that the tools are only as good as the man using them—it is people who make or break an operation in the way they innovate, introduce new technology and process to ensure their ideas deliver great results.
Of course this opportunity is not a unique once-off activity and can be scaled in value by repeating on future operations, and by other teams.