Asset integrity management (AIM) is a factor that could affect the entire value chain of TT’s oil and gas industry. Proper or improper management of a company’s assets could mean the difference between sustainable and reliable performance of our systems and networks, and complete shutdowns, loss of valuable gas and even loss of life. The majority of undesirable events and issues, if investigated usually leads to a gap in the management of a company’s assets.
The National Gas Company of TT (NGC) since 2015 has been developing it AIM systems, after recognising through an audit by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) – independent assurance and risk management auditors – that much more needed to be done to optimise how it manages its assets.
But on Tuesday after officials of the NGC group of companies, including NGC, Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd, National Energy, La Brea Industrial Development Co and NGC CNG, gathered for insight on the latest audit, done in 2022, at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, auditors applauded the group on its steady improvement and encouraged it to aim for even better results as it continues to add value to the group.
Graeme Pirie, president and country manager of DNV TT Ltd, lauded the company’s progress, saying the latest report showed strides in improving its management systems.
Pirie explained that the 2015 audit of more than 30 local companies’ systems, equipment and practices at a rate of zero to four; zero being described as learning and four described as optimising. DNV gave NGC a score of 1.79 out of an average of 2.02, prompting the auditors to conclude that the company was in the implementing phase of asset management.
He lauded the group's success in evolving from 2015 in his remarks.
“Overall the audit scores improved with respect to the prior audit and the scores were close to the average of the 2016 national facilities integrity audit, with the systems rating being slightly above and equipment being slightly below,” he said.
Although the official report has not been released as yet, Pirie shared tidbits of the report which highlighted NGC’s progress.
“The 2022 AIM audit has shown that NGC has, in a relatively short period of time, created the building blocks to become a world-class organisation where process safety management guides the organisation to a sustainable future,” the report said. “In the longer term (three-five years) with continued effort to improve the AIM practices can become effectively implemented. Then after several years of implementation the activities and practices will become more effective and efficient and NGC can move toward the managing stage. Through cycles of updates and revisions NGC will be able to show its continuous improvement.”
Pirie said the improvement demonstrated that, when taken seriously with commitment from all levels of an organisation, asset integrity management is a journey for all.
“(It is) not for the feint of heart,” he said. “But rather for a team of individuals working together, moving forward in the same directio
