Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Failure causes huge loss to oil and gas industries in context of operations stoppage, human injury, equipment and assets damage. RCFA process is commonly used to control these failures. Nevertheless, RCFA goes ineffective and unsuccessful due to various reasons. Objective of this study is to highlight existing shortcomings and identify critical factors of RCFA crucial for effective failure investigation. Methods/Statistical Analysis: To achieve the objectives of this study, various literatures will be reviewed related to RCFA to identify existing weaknesses and flaws in the process. Recognise important elements of RCFA and analyse them to find critical factors of RCFA necessary to be considered to perform effective and successful failure investigation. Findings: After extensive literature review, study highlighted various shortcomings of existing process and identified multiple factors crucial to be considered while carrying out RCFA. These factors have been categorized under resources, management support, data and information, technical factors and failure data management system/database. Each identified factor is significant and has key importance for successful implementation of RCFA. Application/Improvements: Study will support failure investigation team to understand and consider critical factors necessary for conducting effective RCFA. Study will also enhance accuracy of investigation in controlling future failure recurrences.

Keywords: Critical, Equipment, Factors, Oil and Gas, RCFA, Root Cause Failure Analysis