Why? Due to the nature of assets involved in Oil Sands, many owner-operators have switched from reaction-driven inspection and maintenance programs to proactive asset integrity management of critical process equipment based on Risk-Based Inspection principles. This aims to ensure asset reliability, technical integrity, safety and regulatory compliance. In contrast to the past, when millions of dollars were pumped into equipment repairs and production downtime during shutdowns, more and more global-scale companies are realizing the tangible cost benefits that accompany these high-tech preventative strategies. Below we will detail further how these solutions will benefit your Oil Sands company if it hasn’t yet joined the AIM revolution.

Naturally, the scale and value of critical assets involved in Oil Sands Mining operations are enormous. Large-scale machinery such as crushers are required, as well as sifters, separators, and many types of pressure, piping and rotating equipment. A vast number of these assets are especially subject to severe damage from corrosion and erosion. As these complex ranges of assets are often in remote and varied locations, it makes the need for centralized asset integrity management even more important as these solutions have been proven to be the most practical, user-friendly, cost-effective, and certainly the most reliable. In addition, monitoring asset health and scheduling intelligent inspection intervals have become much more effective and efficient with these modern AIM solutions.

Another huge motivator for Oil Sands Mining companies to evolve their systems is the continuing trend toward stricter regulations. There is constant increased pressure to improve reliability and safety standards while reducing risks in this industry. Oil Sands companies are being audited according to increasingly exacting criteria (e.g. ISO 55000) and with the old systems, this often results in costly and embarrassing audit failures, expensive preparations, and exhaustive manpower efforts.

Thankfully, the engineering behind AIM has come a very long way. The comprehensive solutions available today are specifically designed to address the needs of the Mining industry and there are experienced consultants to implement these systems. Many of the largest Oil Sands companies in Canada have already successfully integrated such programs at their operations. If your company has not yet attained this game-changing technology and also wants to benefit from drastically reduced shutdowns and downtime due to asset failures, you should specify for an AIM program that can: