A recent project by Aberdeen-based performance improvement business Exceed for North Sea oil and gas operator Talisman Energy (UK) Limited has helped deliver significant efficiency savings and improved productivity.

The 22-month project involved two Exceed coaches working on rotation with the Talisman team on the Ocean Nomad, a semi-submersible drilling rig owned by Diamond Offshore Drilling UK Ltd. Direct savings of £1million were achieved, along with an increase in productive time of 60 rig days.

The Ocean Nomad was chosen to pilot Exceed’s performance improvement process due to the wide variety of work planned.

The project was very much a “rig owned” initiative versus a top-down performance improvement project. It was named PLATOON by the rig team – Planning Learning Action Tracking Onboard Ocean Nomad. Giving the project an identity was viewed as an important step in creating ownership and involvement amongst the offshore team.

Exceed director Ian Mills said: “We entered the contract with Talisman with four simple goals, which included delivering a minimum return on investment of 5 : 1 and embedding internal capability. The team has exceeded those goals and we have left behind a sustainable approach to planning and learning.

“We didn’t change technology, introduce new systems or make other capital investments. We simply went back to basics and worked with the most important asset, the rig team. This step change was realised not by us but by the rig team embracing a new way of working.”

Mr Mills added: “Most performance improvement companies offer traditional management consulting. Exceed offers an integrated approach with a team whose backgrounds combine traditional consulting with hands-on oil field expertise. As a result, we have developed a unique offering that gives clients the best of both worlds and delivers clear, quantifiable benefits.

“We carried out detailed project planning in advance with Talisman and had a clearly defined exit strategy, focused on delivering an immediate return on investment and long-term, sustainable improvements within their organisation.”

Tags: Talisman Energy