Equipment maintenance is a regular, everyday aspect of operations in many companies, but it might be even more important when it comes to the oil and gas industry. From pipelines and rigs to various types of machinery, nearly all equipment used in this field is constantly exposed to harsh natural elements. This makes regular maintenance truly essential for businesses in this industry, not only in terms of functioning and efficient equipment, but also when it comes to reducing costs and staying competitive in the field. With that in mind, here are just some of the main reasons why proper equipment maintenance is quite so crucial in the oil and gas industry:
Increased efficiency
When your equipment runs smoothly, your projects will be completed on or ahead of time. Adhering to a regular maintenance schedule is crucial for achieving that smooth, efficient, and top-level equipment performance. If maintenance suffers, however, so will your efficacy, and your bottom line as a result. Poor upkeep habits could potentially reduce a business’s production capacity by up to 20 percent, a loss many companies simply can’t afford. But by using more modern and updated maintenance solutions, you will be able to digitize equipment details, review asset history, and assign work orders, thus increasing efficiency as well.
Cost-effectiveness
While it might seem counterintuitive to many to spend time and money inspecting and repairing their equipment, the truth is that overlooking issues can only come with bigger expenses. The larger and more complex the repair, the more it will ultimately cost. For this reason, reactive maintenance significantly contributes to expensive repairs, as using your equipment up to the point of failure can come with a price tag that’s ten times higher compared with regular maintenance. Whether the checkups are performed by knowledgeable in-house staff or outsourced professionals, periodic maintenance can save your company a notable sum on unnecessary and costly repairs and replacements in the future.
Preventive measures
Preventive maintenance will ensure all of your equipment and machinery operates according to recommended guidelines. As any poorly performing or broken parts are replaced, your equipment will maintain steadier levels of efficiency over the years, reducing the frequency and the need for investments in new hardware. But if you opt for the best oilfield equipment available on the market, your expenses might be lowered even further. Such high-quality and high-performing products are made to last, effectively reducing your need for frequent upgrades, replacements, and investments in new equipment.
Improved safety
The oil and gas industry is one of the most dangerous and accident-prone fields, and contact with faulty equipment is among the leading causes of injury. If your equipment isn’t serviced regularly, not only can it put your employees in danger, but it could also hurt your company, both financially due to lawsuits and in terms of reputation. Regardless of their experience and the safety training they’ve gone through, your workers have no real control over equipment failure. Maintenance is your responsibility as a business owner. Fortunately, the more equipment is checked, the lower the chances of unexpected breakdowns, hazards, and other risks will be, allowing you to improve safety in the workplace.
Maximized warranty
In most cases, equipment warranties will require detailed maintenance and service records when offering coverage. This doesn’t only mean performing frequent and up-to-date checkups, but also keeping track of dates, receipts, and detailed records of the service history. This documentation will help to prove repairs were needed despite routine maintenance. Keeping these records will allow you to maximize the warranty coverage that comes with your tools and machinery, thus being the most practical and most cost-effective option overall.
Proper maintenance
When it comes to maintaining oil and gas equipment properly, the guidelines can vary depending on specific tools and machines, but there are some basic maintenance tips you should always follow. Apart from adhering to manufacturer guidelines, it’s recommended to prepare your equipment for storage properly, shelter it safely, and regularly clean out filters, nozzles, pumps, reservoirs, and other buildups. Inspecting the equipment frequently and in great detail is always advised, and creating a maintenance checklist and assigning maintenance operators can be of great help in this regard.
Evidently, proper equipment maintenance is essential in the oil and gas industry, and can have a number of benefits for your company. Apart from helping to extend the life of your equipment, maintenance could also increase safety and reduce overall costs, thus providing your business with more opportunities for growth and success.
