There are important practices to ensure the quality of front-end-loading (FEL) deliverables for petroleum downstream capital projects in the petroleum industry. Here follows some practices to improve FEL deliverables and set downstream capital project up for success:
=> Focus on Completeness and Clarity:
- Define clear scope:?Establish a well-defined scope for each FEL stage (FEL 1, FEL 2, FEL 3) with specific deliverables outlined. This ensures everyone is "on the same page" about what needs to be achieved.
- Detailed Engineering:?FEL deliverables, especially those in FEL 3, should have a level of detail that allows for accurate cost estimates, constructability assessments, and facilitates smooth handover to engineering teams.
- Standardized Documents:?Utilize industry-standard formats and templates for documents like Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). This promotes clarity and reduces the risk of misinterpretations.
=> Embrace Collaboration and Expertise:
- Multi-Disciplinary Teams:?Form FEL teams with representatives from various disciplines (process, piping, electrical, instruments and other) to ensure a holistic approach and identify potential interface issues early on.
- Stakeholder Engagement:?Involve key stakeholders (owners, operators, contractors, licensors, regulators and other) throughout the FEL process. Their early input can help identify potential challenges and ensure the deliverables meet their expectations, avoiding rework.
- Subject Matter Experts (SMEs):?Involve SMEs in critical areas like risk assessment, equipment selection, and regulatory compliance, at the minimum. Their expertise can significantly improve the quality of the deliverables.
=> Rigorous Review and Verification:
- Internal Reviews:?Implement a robust internal review process for all FEL deliverables. This can involve peer reviews by senior engineers within the organization.
- External Reviews:?Consider independent reviews by external engineering firms specializing in downstream oil & gas projects. This can provide a fresh perspective and identify potential gaps.
- Risk Management:?Integrate risk management practices throughout the FEL process. Proactively identify and assess potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies to address them in the deliverables.
=> Effective Communication and Documentation:
- Clear Communication:?Maintain clear and consistent communication channels between all stakeholders involved in the FEL process. This ensures everyone is informed of progress, decisions, and any arising issues and/or risk mitigating action plans.
- Detailed Documentation:?Maintain detailed documentation of the FEL process, including decisions made, rationale behind choices, and any changes to the scope. This creates a clear audit trail and facilitates future reference.
- Version Control:?Implement a version control system for all FEL deliverables. This ensures everyone is working on the latest version and reduces the risk of confusion.There are many other important practices but here are the most critical ones in avoiding low quality FEL and related issues.
