IMPLEMENTING LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY IN THE OIL INDUSTRY: GENERAL FRAMEWORK

The oil industries constitute a significant part of global economic, depending on whether the value of its output, exports or jobs created. The industry affects directly the national economy, and contributes to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Oil industries are considered the main supplier for many sectors such as industrial, transportation and so forth. On the other hand, the oil industry has faced many problems such as environmental impact, exhausts, climate change, waste, and safety; as well as customers\u27 and employee dissatisfaction. Errors and waste in the oil industry have serious costs and consequences. Hence, a systematic methodology of quality in the oil enterprise has become an urgent necessity to minimize or eliminate waste and provide a health, safety, and environment (HS&E) performance. One of the most efficient systems of quality is the integration between Six Sigma methodology and Lean Enterprise. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has become widely used in several areas such as manufacturing, service, and health care. The research literature does not provide a framework for implementing Lean and Six Sigma in the oil industry. A systematic general framework of the LSS implementation is developed which includes eight steps - statement, leadership, committee, deployment, prioritize, implement, review, and finalize. Then, the effectiveness of the LSS methodology of solving problems that the oil industry faces was demonstrated by providing several case studies applied successfully in different areas in the oil enterprise