Value stream mapping in optimizing terrestrial pipelines assembly

Abstract

To meet the demand for the supply of oil and its derivatives, companies in this sector in Brazil, especially Petrobras, invest in the assembly of terrestrial pipelines to transport these products. The costs to perform such tasks are high and involve large amounts of labour and equipment resources. Among the various activities in the assembly of pipelines, the welding process is particularly noteworthy. This work has as general objective the application of the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) tool in the evaluation of the welding processes of terrestrial pipelines assembly used for supply oil and its derivatives. As specific objectives and following the concept of (VSM), the Current State and the Future State of the Value Stream of the welding process were elaborated. After the critical evaluation of the Future State, a work plan was proposed for possible improvements by Petrobras senior management. The focus of the changes was to reduce the costs and deadlines for the process development.