Statoil hired DNV in 2005 to benchmark the operation and maintenance of its Norwegian offshore installations. The analysis revealed a number of critical issues: reduced production availability, a need for better prioritisation of safety- and production-critical failures, inefficient operation and maintenance management practices across 19 operating assets, and poor utilisation of availability and maintenance opportunities.

Based on these findings, the R&V-T project (Availability and Maintenance Initiative) was established in the spring of 2006, with a joint Statoil and DNV team. Tasked with implementing new management principles, the team initially analysed maintenance and unplanned production losses on all 19 platforms. Next it developed and implemented a customised coaching programme for each operational unit.

Alongside the implementation of the coaching programme, an improved operation and maintenance management system was developed. The revised system for Statoil has also been developed based on regulatory requirements governing maintenance management, as well as general industry best practices. The training of operation and maintenance personnel in the improved system started in mid-November 2006, with approximately 4,000 Statoil employees taking part in e-learning, classroom sessions and workshops.

The implementation of the system is expected to result in: continuous improvement, enhanced production availability, improved management of safety and production-critical equipment, a contribution towards Statoil’s objective of world-class performance in the fields of operation and maintenance.