Utilizing Lean Six Sigma Model for Managing Projects in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Case Study of Selected Companies in Lagos State, Nigeria
Johnson, Oluseye Michael (2021-03-20)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202103258480
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202103258480
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this thesis is to investigate factors that cause project late delivery (delays)as a result of welding defects usually experienced during the oil and gas pipeline construction phase and proffer solutions for elimination through the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) model. Delays in projects do lead to cost and time overruns, construction repair, dissatisfied customers and a bad reputation for such organization. This model is able to manage these projects effectively by ensuring optimum welding quality through the various LSS tools and techniques, which form bases for identifying the root causes for welding defects usually experienced during the pipeline welding activities and present meansfor analysis for possible solutions for their elimination; these normally occur in the oil and gas pipeline construction phases in Nigeria.
This research revealed for instance, through the weld inspection report for one of the selected company, an average rate of 149120 weld defects per million opportunities (DPMO) at a sigma level of 2.55 of past pipeline projects undertaken. Thus, poses great concerns and desires an improvement mechanism for the reduction in weld defects. This falls under the capability of the LSS model.
This study deploys the use of appropriate literature on LSS, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods, where relevant data gathered through conducted interviews, weld inspection reports and submitted questionnaires with the relevant players in the oil and gas pipeline industry. Based on the issues stated above, the application of define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) methodology phases of LSS was used as the empirical case study. This phase extensively utilized the collected data, starting with the weld inspection reports in shaping the definition of the research project, thus establishing the project charter, SIPOC. With the aid of other gathered data, the measure phase examines this critical principle of determinism, expressed mathematically as Y=f(X), which gives insights into the factors or functions affecting pipeline welding quality through an environment, machine, materials and man. This formula guides this research in the analysis phase, in formulating a possible solution to ensure quality in the welding process and reduce defects through various statistical tests and charts, such as ANOVA, Cause and Effect, Fishbone, Pareto chart. Finally, improve and control phases, with the aid of FMEA and SPC chart, ensure continuous improvement and monitoring as a result of the evaluated solution, which ensures a reduction in weld defects and late delivery in the construction phase of the oil and gas pipeline operations.
This research revealed for instance, through the weld inspection report for one of the selected company, an average rate of 149120 weld defects per million opportunities (DPMO) at a sigma level of 2.55 of past pipeline projects undertaken. Thus, poses great concerns and desires an improvement mechanism for the reduction in weld defects. This falls under the capability of the LSS model.
This study deploys the use of appropriate literature on LSS, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods, where relevant data gathered through conducted interviews, weld inspection reports and submitted questionnaires with the relevant players in the oil and gas pipeline industry. Based on the issues stated above, the application of define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) methodology phases of LSS was used as the empirical case study. This phase extensively utilized the collected data, starting with the weld inspection reports in shaping the definition of the research project, thus establishing the project charter, SIPOC. With the aid of other gathered data, the measure phase examines this critical principle of determinism, expressed mathematically as Y=f(X), which gives insights into the factors or functions affecting pipeline welding quality through an environment, machine, materials and man. This formula guides this research in the analysis phase, in formulating a possible solution to ensure quality in the welding process and reduce defects through various statistical tests and charts, such as ANOVA, Cause and Effect, Fishbone, Pareto chart. Finally, improve and control phases, with the aid of FMEA and SPC chart, ensure continuous improvement and monitoring as a result of the evaluated solution, which ensures a reduction in weld defects and late delivery in the construction phase of the oil and gas pipeline operations.