Practical Application of Project Management Processes to Planning and Scheduling Fleets of Rigs with Multi Oil and Gas Projects

Inemesit Ekong

Abstract: The oil and gas (O&G) exploration and production portfolio consists in capital and technology-intensive, high-risk, and multi complex projects such as exploration, appraisal, development, workover, completion, abandonment, and other maintenance activities. These activities rely mostly on fleets of drilling and workover rigs, a scarce and costly resources that must be appropriately planned and scheduled to ensure availability at the right place and time to execute the various activities in order to deliver expected O&G production targets, minimize production loss and cost, avoid delays and meet delivery dates. This paper investigates the challenges faced by O&G companies when planning and scheduling fleets of rigs with multi projects and operations, identify the crucial project management processes that can be used to effectively manage rig fleets, and offer recommendations for improving the project management procedures used to oversee rig fleets involved in varieties of O&G projects and operations. The research adopted a qualitative literature review method and reviewed the following databases: Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science to uncover relevant articles and publications, identify and give a thorough and organized examination of the existing literature on the subject. The study used two case studies from hypothetical O&G company ? ?OilCo? and ExxonMobil to demonstrate applicability of project management principles in the real world for planning and scheduling rig fleets with multi projects. The study provides insightful information for O&G industry experts, academics, and decision-makers to enhance effective planning and scheduling of rig fleets with multi projects, improve fleet performance and efficiency, minimize risks and cost, and ensure flexibility and adaptability to shifting projects requirements and external variables.

Keywords: project management process, planning, oil and gas activities, rig fleets, rig schedule, scheduling