Onshore Oil & Gas Player in Gabon Prevents Critical Failure by Detecting Loose Skid with Acoem FALCON

Customer: Oil & Gas Player
Industry: Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Location: Gabon

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An oil and gas producer operating several onshore production sites in Gabon, aimed to improve the reliability of over 440 machines and reduce production losses from unforeseen shutdowns. By implementing a periodic vibration monitoring program using ACOEM’s FALCON analyzer and NESTi 4.0 software, their teams were able to proactively identify machine faults. In a notable case from August 2025, the system detected critical vibration levels on a motor-alternator, leading to a recommendation to check its fastenings. This advice allowed the Oil & Gas Player’s team to perform a visual inspection and confirm a loose skid, preventing a potential catastrophic failure.

The Challenge

The Oil & Gas Player Energy’s primary goals were to establish a robust condition monitoring program for 440 machines across its production sites.

Without a proactive monitoring strategy, the company was susceptible to unexpected machine failures, leading to costly production losses and increased maintenance expenses. Critical equipment, including gas generators and water injection pumps, could fail without warning, jeopardizing operational targets.

The business impact of unplanned downtime in the oil and gas industry is significant. The Oil & Gas player needed a reliable method to improve machine availability, transition from reactive to predictive maintenance, and empower their local teams with the right tools and skills to manage asset health effectively.

The Solution

Acoem implemented a comprehensive predictive maintenance program combining advanced tools and local team training.

Key components:

Acoem FALCON: Portable vibration data collector and analyzer for on-site measurements
NESTi 4.0: Software platform to manage and analyze machine health data
Training: Teams were trained to collect and interpret data independently

The solution focused on building a long-term, self-sufficient maintenance culture, enabling early fault detection, reducing costs, and improving reliability. Remote analysis and cloud capabilities further enhanced support and data-driven decision-making.

The Results

The program quickly demonstrated its value through a critical catch that prevented a major failure.

In August 2025, a routine measurement on a motor-alternator (PY-123D) revealed critically high vibration levels. ACOEM’s analysis of the data pointed to a structural issue amplifying the machine’s combustion frequency.

Based on the data, ACOEM issued a critical recommendation to check the equipment’s fastenings and coupling. Following this advice, Assala’s on-site team performed an inspection and confirmed that the skid was loose. Identifying and rectifying this issue prevented a potential breakdown, saving the company from significant repair costs and production losses.

The Impact

The success of the program has strengthened a strategic partnership between Acoem and Oil & Gas Player:

The client now has in-house capability to monitor assets reliably
Improved operational reliability across multiple sites
Trust in Acoem’s expertise led to plans for advanced expert services (AMEX, ODS) on other critical assets, including water injection pumps and reciprocating compressors

This case demonstrates how combining technology, training, and proactive monitoring can deliver tangible value and long-term operational security in the oil and gas industry.