About the client
Altus Midstream Company is a pure-play, Permian-to-Gulf Coast midstream C-corporation. Through its consolidated
subsidiaries, Altus owns all of the gas gathering, processing and transmission assets that services production from the
Apache Corporation (“Apache”) (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) in the Alpine High play in the Delaware Basin and has equity
interests in four Permian-to-Gulf Coast pipelines.
Client challenge
Altus commissioned Vysus Group to help them develop and implement their Process Safety Management Mechanical
Integrity (PSM MI) programme for their Diamond Gas facility in Reeves County, Texas, U.S.A.
Operators are often faced with the challenge of optimising annual inspection and maintenance tasks, while maintaining
safety and preventing the loss of containment. Poor execution of an integrated solution and lack of adaptation of advanced
integrity technologies, can result in an increase in inspection and related maintenance costs
How we helped
During a four month period, we implemented the PSM MI program collaborating with Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) utilising
their asset performance and risk management platform, LR AllAssetsTM for all Fixed Equipment, Piping Circuits, and PSVs
for their Diamond Cryogenic facility.
An initial MI implementation was conducted on a ‘pilot’ unit as this helped define the workflow, identify potential issues, and
finalise client specific project deliverables. Following the pilot implementation, the remainder of the program was carried out
by applying our standard workflow process for implementing software enabled MI programs for Altus’ facility.
With data collected, a corrosion study was executed and validated with Altus to identify key damage mechanisms and
susceptibilities that pose threats to Altus’ assets - primary drivers for an effective PSM MI program. Data validation was
performed after successful load into the database to ensure the dataset was accurate and provided the most effective MI
program. Upon successful QA/QC of the data within the new database, criticality was assessed, and all associated
inspection mitigation plans generated and implemented to help optimise inspections and build a sustainable integrity
system.
We helped to modernise our clients MI program, capitalise on substantial OPEX savings and further enhance operational
efficiencies through:
• Improvement of workflow process: centralisation of
managerial decision making and integrated solution set.
• Management of personnel turnover: Implementation of
competency assurance and knowledge management.
• Data Integration: Modernisation of data driven and real-time
performance technologies.
An area of increased importance was the modernisation of current inspection and maintenance techniques and workflow
processes, such as implementing software solutions that enable engineering-based decisions to optimise scopes.
Modernisation of these techniques and concepts alone are not enough to effectively provide insight and visibility to
emerging trends.
We used our Asset Performance and Risk Management system to help make better decisions faster which resulted in
reduced unscheduled downtime, increased production levels and an understanding on the business risk exposure. When
data is used effectively and managed wisely, it can enable organisations to achieve optimal operating costs, production
rates, and safety performance in areas such as:
Time to value:
*Proven approach with preconfigured models,
although customers can develop their own.
*Focus limited resources on the most important items
*Predictive models
*Optimal life performance of the asset
*Integrated processes that generate maximum ROI:
*Leverage existing EAM investments
*Reduce cost of ownership
Powerful results
On completion of the MI implementation programme, our client was able to determine the probability and consequences
of equipment failure and safely extend the life of the assets, achieving up to 30% cost saving for inspection and maintenance of assets, between 80 to 95% reduction in failure risks, up to a 20% increase in equipment uptime and
50-90% reduction in inspection points.
Working with Vysus Group was seamless and their MI implementation programme has helped us make significant cost savings while maintaining safety levels.
30%
Cost savings for inspection & maintenance of assets
80%
Reduction in failure risks
80%
Increase in equipment uptime