SAP Asset Performance Management is a critical tool for enhancing operational efficiency and reliability in industries that depend heavily on complex infrastructure. Equinor, a global energy company and the largest in Norway, has taken significant steps to incorporate this technology into their asset management strategies, transforming their approach to maintenance.
In the past, Equinor’s asset management relied heavily on manual processes, which, while effective at the time, became increasingly unsustainable as the company expanded. To address the growing complexity of its operations, Equinor began to embrace data-driven processes, utilizing automated dashboards to monitor and manage its assets. However, the leadership at Equinor recognized that these measures, though an improvement, were still insufficient for achieving the level of efficiency and reliability required for their vast operations.
To further enhance their asset management capabilities, Equinor decided to transition to condition-based maintenance (CBM). This approach enables the company to move away from traditional, time-based maintenance schedules and instead base maintenance decisions on real-time data about the actual condition of equipment. This shift not only optimizes resource allocation but also significantly reduces the risk of unplanned downtime, ensuring that maintenance efforts are focused on areas where they are most needed.
Tom Naastad Svennevig, lead engineer at Equinor, emphasized the need for this transformation. He noted that although Equinor had operated a monitoring center for nearly a decade, where select equipment was tracked using a combination of in-house dashboards and third-party systems, the increasing number of plants added to the system required more resources than originally anticipated. By implementing CBM, Equinor aims to automate the detection of equipment degradation and enable timely, autonomous responses to maintenance needs, thus easing the workload on their monitoring center.
Implementing SAP Asset Performance Management
SAP Asset Performance Management emerged as the preferred solution for Equinor due to its seamless integration with the company’s existing SAP systems, according to Svennevig. He added that, unlike third-party solutions that often require complex data migration, SAP’s platform ensures that all relevant data remains consistent and accurate across the organization. This integration further eliminates redundant data entry, streamlines operations, and reduces the likelihood of errors.
Equinor identified several key benefits of adopting SAP Asset Performance Management:
- Efficient Data Management: The platform allows for the automatic updating of asset information across various components, ensuring that all teams have access to the latest data.
- Enhanced Maintenance Planning: By importing equipment condition status from third-party systems and storing evidence for safe operation, SAP Asset Performance Management enables precise maintenance planning.
- Real-Time Monitoring: The solution provides seamless integration of sensor data from field systems, allowing for continuous monitoring of equipment condition.
- Proactive Maintenance: Maintenance tasks can be pre-assigned based on asset strategies and failure modes, enabling teams to respond quickly to potential issues and reduce downtime.
- Scalability: As Equinor continues to grow, the platform’s ability to accommodate additional equipment and assets will be crucial in maintaining operational efficiency.
Optimizing Asset Visualization and Proactive Maintenance
One of the standout features of SAP Asset Performance Management is its advanced dashboarding capabilities, which are powered by embedded SAP Analytics Cloud. These dashboards provide Equinor with a comprehensive view of their assets, allowing for quick identification of potential issues and facilitating timely maintenance interventions.
The dashboard’s design is user-friendly, with clear labels indicating the health status of assets. Critical alerts are prominently displayed, drawing immediate attention to any issues that require prompt action. This visualization tool not only supports real-time decision-making but also integrates seamlessly with Equinor’s broader SAP ecosystem, ensuring that maintenance processes are informed by the most current data available.
Equinor’s adoption of CBM represents a significant shift in its maintenance strategy, one that requires careful change management to be successful. The company has already begun rolling out CBM in production and is focused on ensuring a smooth transition across its operations. This involves a combination of clear leadership commitment, comprehensive communication, and the use of pilot projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approach.
Svennevig highlighted the importance of involving employees in the transition process. By redefining roles, establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for continuous improvement, and empowering teams through engagement, Equinor aims to achieve a proactive maintenance approach for a substantial portion of its equipment. The anticipated result is a notable reduction in maintenance costs and asset downtime, further enhancing the company’s operational efficiency.
