The definitive guide to CBM: condition based maintenance

September 19, 2024

In offshore energy, keeping assets at peak performance while cutting downtime is the key to success.

Enter condition-based maintenance (CBM), a ground-breaking approach reshaping how companies manage and maintain offshore assets.

At CoreMarine, we’ve developed our own CBM tool: CoreIntegrity, an on-demand asset and integrity management system. But how does it work? This guide starts with the whys and hows of CBM, why it’s such a gamechanger, and how CoreMarine's innovative tech can boost your maintenance program.

Understanding condition-based maintenance

CBM is a maintenance approach that relies on real-time asset data to decide when maintenance should happen. Unlike the old-school time-based preventive method, CBM uses the actual equipment condition to prompt actions. This approach saves resources and prevents unnecessary work.

The CBM process unpacked

Here's how CBM generally works:

1. Gather data through sensors and check-ups.
2. Process and analyze data.
3. Decide on upkeep based on asset condition.
4. Plan and do maintenance tasks.
5. Monitor and refine as needed.

It combines sensor tech on the physical asset with CoreIntegrity's analytics and presents the data in a real-time dashboard. The process is smooth, providing real-time pointers for effective maintenance.

Key aspects of condition-based maintenance

For a CBM strategy to work well, a few elements need to be in place:

1. Sensors and monitoring gear: various sensors pull in data on the condition of your subsea set up, e.g. position, pressure, and temperature sensors. CoreIntegrity utilises a full suite of tough, marine-grade sensors to give spot-on, real-time data even in harsh conditions.
2. Data systems for collection and analysis: perfectly dialled software is crucial for processing and analyzing the data. CoreIntegrity's analytics platform uses machine learning to notice trends, foresee possible failures, and offer useful insights.
3. Maintenance management software: A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is vital for scheduling, tracking, and managing maintenance with CBM insights. CoreIntegrity's CMMS melds condition monitoring data with maintenance planning seamlessly.

Benefits of condition-based maintenance

CoreIntegrity’s CBM system offers benefits including:

• Significantly reduced maintenance costs,
• Increased asset reliability,
• Prolonged lifespan of equipment,
• Cut unplanned downtime,
• Better spare parts management,
• Early fault detection for improved safety, and
• Increased energy efficiency.

Smart moves for implementing condition-based maintenance

So how do you get started implementing a system like CoreIntegrity? We recommend these best practice steps:

1. Conduct asset criticality analysis: pinpoint which assets gain the most from CBM. CoreIntegrity's asset management tools streamline this task.
2. Select the right monitoring techniques: use the right condition monitoring methods based on asset types and faults. CoreMarine offers sensors tailored to various needs.
3. Establish baseline metrics: set normal operating metrics to spot changes. CoreIntegrity's machine learning aids in setting and refining these baselines.
4. Invest in training and change management: educate teams on CBM principles. CoreMarine offers in-depth training to maximize CBM system returns.
5. Ongoing improvement and optimisation: regularly tweak your CBM plan based on what you’ve learned and the performance data. CoreIntegrity’s tools help track KPIs and highlight areas for improvement.

Tackling CBM challenges

There’s always an asterisk. Despite its advantages, some hurdles to implementing a CBM system might include high initial costs and data interpretation complexity. We work through these potential sticking points, helping you get started with CoreIntegrity’s CBM.

The future of CBM

As tech advances, the future of CBM is promising, with trends moving towards Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) integration, advanced AI, and the advent of true digital twins. We’re super excited about the possibilities these developments bring, and are constantly nerding out over CoreIntegrity’s continuing evolution.

If you’re keen to learn more about CoreIntegrity and CBM, let’s chat about how to harness its full potential for smarter asset maintenance.