In all asset intensive industries but particularly in Oil & Gas and Energy companies, equipment availability is the most significant operational value driver. Maintenance efficiency and work-flow effectiveness are critical to achieving the right levels of reliability and operational stability. The fact is that in today’s high demand / high price environment no LNG (liquified natural gas) plant, refinery operation or other downstream energy players can afford to have anything but minimum levels of planned downtime and definitely no unplanned outages.
A common response is to throw money at the problem by buying more spares or employing more workers or contractors in order to react quicker. However, these actions treat the symptoms, not the root causes. To continue to be critical players in the energy independence vision all energy players must ensure “best in class” performance in everything from turnarounds, capital project execution, reliability, integrated logistics to maintenance.
Running plant operations with minimal waste and high reliability. Spending the right amount, on the right things to maximize asset returns. Not to mention keeping costs competitive is our ultimate “True North” with clients.
Our team of industry experts understand the best way to transform operations and sustain performance is through implementation of a Continuous Improvement culture and a drive towards excellence throughout the complete value chain. Many times, clients have a sense of what needs to be done but knowing where to start, how to start, how to change the culture and what is critically important to ensure success, is something else altogether.
Transforming the way projects are managed using Lean Construction Techniques that are giving clients a competitive advantage.
Helping clients improve turnaround predictability, performance, and longer interval durations.
Helping clients improve safe, reliable, and steady production through proven Visual Management and Lean Production Solutions
Helping plants achieve step change improvements in effectiveness and efficiency using Pull Based Maintenance
Helping clients select and improve contractor performance that gives them a competitive advantage.
Helping clients improve the flow of feedstocks, intermediates, and products at optimum rates and costs.
We have extensive analysis and implementation expertise in Natural Gas Liquefaction plants, refinery operations, petrochemical plants, storage / logistics / midstream and other energy assets. Our methodology applies proven continuous improvement techniques and visualization tools to improve team collaboration and effective front-line execution.
When it matters most, our end-user designed solutions and performance leadership are put to work to achieve excellence in operations and maintenance execution in the different stages of the Oil and Gas value stream:
Our team of change practitioners work with clients in seven specific areas:
Argo was referred to us by one of Canada’s largest railway operators, and were ultimately shortlisted based on their demonstrated capacity and capability for developing lean talent. This lead to a three year partnership in which we were able to develop 25+ internal “lean practitioners”, who then went on to achieve millions in savings for the Upstream side of the business. Argo’s combination of lean tool deployment and behavioural-based leadership development proved to be a great formula for building sustaining skills with our workforce. Several of those leaders have gone on to senior positions and still rely on that experience to continuously improve our business.– Global Continuous Improvement Director at a major Canadian oil producer
Changing the process
Our Industrial Engineering and Lean – Continuous Improvement Methodology is built on a management rigor system where the goal is process execution excellence, development of a daily performance culture and long term sustainment.
Our team has deep experience in front line execution of:
Building the Performance Culture
Top quartile performance is built upon a relentless pursuit of operational discipline and front-line leadership habits. Our involvement follows a teacher / coach approach to embed the right practices and behaviors towards “winning every day”:
Argo’s seasoned consultants connect seamlessly with the craft and supervising ranks providing hands-on learning improvement tools at the right pace.
Argo team members are expert coaches in leadership behaviors – evaluating and coaching leadership at all levels to understand the pivotal role they play in driving success and ensuring sustainment.
Typical benefits of our joint work with clients include:
Argo’s proven team of industry experts understand how to rapidly transform your operations to achieve breakthrough performance. We’d value a conversation, 312-543-1026.