Predictive maintenance program evolution-lessons learned

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has one of the country's largest and most diverse collection of large pumps and motors. These pumps and motors, along with their power, control, and valving support systems, are used to move the enormous quantities of crude oil stored within the reserve. A predictive maintenance program (PdM) was initiated on the SPR during 1993 and 1994. During the development, implementation, and early phases of the PdM program, the program evolved based on lessons learned. The primary areas of involvement and potential improvement in the process are: defining the PdM program based on project needs; obtaining and maintaining support for the program; setting realistic implementation goals and schedules; establishing and justifying manpower levels; developing and involving a project team in the program; developing detailed equipment specifications; identifying training requirements; implementing a phased program; and developing project reporting schemes.