FPSO Experience transfer

FPSO Lessons Learned Database

This lessons learned database is designed to capture and store lessons learned during FPSO Projects and Operations. It is designed for ease of access and data entry, so that anyone involved in FPSOs can search the database or add lessons.

Choose Search (menu to the left) to search for lessons

Choose Data entry to to enter new lesson

The database requires a structured entry process to facilitate different types of query and data analysis. In addition a simple word search facility is provided for, where all lessons involving a specific work or phrase are listed.

All lessons entered by users are reviewed for accuracy and applicability by the database administrator before publication. Lessons can be published with or without reference to the source of the data, however the OLF database administrator will have a record of the origin of each lesson.

 Database structure

The database has a three dimensional structure – Phase, Discipline and Activity. This enables searches for example for all lessons during FPSO commissioning (by Phase), or for all lessons involving subsea activities (by Discipline), or for all lessons occurring during mooring operations (by Activity).

If no satisfactory description can be found for a lesson the word "other" can be used and if appropriate, the Database Administrator will create a new category for future use. This is most likely to occur in the activity descriptions where it is expected that the data structure will evolve over time.

Lessons and data entry

Data entry is described under 5 simple steps

1 Title
Enter an appropriate title for the lesson eg "Helicopter Operations on a moving Helideck" or "FPSO Oil Storage Capacity"

2 Activity
The second step in the structured entry process required a description of the Activity where the lesson occurred and will require answers to three questions for each entry. Press "select" and then enter from the pick list as follows;

Phase
The user should state at which phase during an FPSO project is the lesson applicable. If the lesson occurred during operations and was a result of how the operations was conducted, enter operations, if however the problem was clearly a result of poor design enter FPSO design.

Discipline
Enter the discipline that is most closely involved with the lesson. Eg if the lesson relates to poor contractor management during the construction phase, enter Project Management. If uncertain enter any.

Activity
The database is designed with a unique set of activities for each phase/discipline combination. Choose the one most appropriate or enter other if none fit the lesson.

3 Lesson
The third step is entering the lesson entry itself. Describe here what happened and give as much background as possible but in not more than 100 words. The problem or success should be described to enable the reader to learn enough to understand the applicability to another project.

4 Recommendation
If the same activity is to be repeated on another project, enter what should have happened to ensure the problem does not reoccur – of in the case of a success how could it be helped to happen again or be improved still further. This section is the "advice column" to give others the benefit of the insight you have learned from the lesson.

5 Source and Author
If you do not wish to have your name or source details published in the database click No. If however the data is publicly available and/or you are happy to have you name included in the lesson record, click yes. It is important to include the source of the data eg SPE Paper No 18291 or "internal company report" for future follow-up. This also applies to entering your name and e mail address.

On completion of data entry press submit. This will alert the database administrator who will in due course publish the lesson on the database.

Data Search and Support
The data search page allows two types of search - a structured Category search of the database according to project phase, discipline or activity. or a keyword search.

For a Category Search; enter the phase of interest, eg Design if design issues are required with "any" in the discipline field. Or enter the discipline required eg "Marine". The phase field should be left as "any". Then press submit.

The relevant lessons should then be displayed.

For a Text Search just insert the appropriate word (or any activity title) and click search.

Again the relevant lessons should then be displayed.

If further data on a lesson is required please contract the database administrator who, subject to the approval of the submitter, can give you contact details.

Further information on the front page:

FPSO Experience Transfer