Use of Technology Qualification in Offshore Oil and Gas Operations: An FMECA Analysis for Mitigating Potential Failures

The implementation of new technology introduces uncertainties. Due to the consequence of failures, these uncertainties generate risks for the technology developers, manufacturers, vendors, operators and end-users. In this context, the application of proven technology in a new environment is also considered as new technology. In essence, a system as a whole is considered to be new technology when it has been assembled in a novel way consisting of individual components built using proven technology. The concerns in deploying new technology are significant in offshore oil and gas (O&G) operations, as they involve hazardous procedures. Moreover, technology is considered new when applied to offshore O&G operations due to the variability of technical challenges from field to field and the complexity of systems with limited space and experience in a harsh and sensitive environment. When new technology is integrated into a large system, it is necessary to evaluate the effect on the total system’s reliability in order to increase the level of confidence via a technology qualification procedure. Hence, it is vital to interpret how the risks are managed by the provision of evidence to reduce uncertainties. This manuscript presents an illustrative case of failure mode, effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) in qualifying new technology when it is implemented in an unfamiliar environment.