bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology Development: "Detecting Research and Technology Development Needs in a National Oil Company"
Authors: Domínguez-Vargas G. , Camacho-Velázquez R.
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a technological diagnosis to detect research and technology development needs in a national oil company, the set of actions taken to solve these needs, and the evaluation of these measures by another needs- identification procedure. Using these results, future actions are proposed to consolidate the advances and to drive the company to the next level of technological performance.
An Expert System for Predicting Asphaltene Deposition
Authors: Lababidi Haitham M. S. , Garrouch Ali A. , Fahim Mohammad A.
Published: December 2007

Asphaltene precipitation from crude oils can cause serious problems in the reservoir, wellbore, and in the production facilities. A variety of models are available in the literature for predicting the onset of asphaltene precipitation from live crude oil. These models have been proposed based on different microscopic theories. Each of these models has its own limitations due to the inherent assumptions built-in. This study combines two of these models in conjunction with heuristic rules of thumb into a fuzzy expert system for predicting asphaltene precipitation. We developed three independent fuzzy evaluators. These are evaluators of precipitation potential from a refractive index, a solubility model based on the theory of Flory and Huggins, and a general-rules-of-thumb evaluator. Each evaluator is associated with a weighting factor to determine the final expert opinion about the potential of asphaltene deposition.
Control of Hydraulic-Fracturing-Induced Formation Damage by Optimizing Treatments With Constraints
Authors: Rahman M. M. , Rahman M. K. , Rahman S. S.
Published: December 2007

Uncontrolled growth of hydraulic fractures and initiation of secondary multiple fractures may occur due to execution of a fracture treatment with inappropriate values for various treatment parameters: fracturing fluid viscosity, injection rate, injection time and proppant concentration. Such uncontrolled fracturing is not only uneconomic due to increased treatment cost but may also damage the formation irreversibly, resulting in productivity lower than even unfractured wells. Also excessive pressure drawdown during production from hydraulically fractured wells may result in sand production due to mechanical failure of perforation tunnels. This paper presents an integrated model to optimize treatment parameters in order to achieve maximum possible Net Present Value (NPV) while the above mentioned formation damage aspects are avoided by satisfying various constraints. These constraints are formulated as functions of treatment parameters, fracture geometry and mechanical and petrophysical properties of the reservoir so that the critical conditions that induce the formation damage in different modes do not become active. Additional constraints are also formulated to ensure that the optimally designed treatment can be executed in the field by using the specified surface equipment, and fracture width restriction does not occur. A genetic-evolutionary computing algorithm is integrated to solve the constrained treatment design problem such that it finds optimum values for treatment parameters and fracture geometry that are formation compatible. The capability of the model is demonstrated in the paper by application to a gas reservoir.
Frac-Packing Openhole Completions: An Industry Milestone
Authors: Saldungaray Pedro M. , Troncoso Juan , Sofyan Muhammad , Santoso Bambang T. , Parlar Mehmet , Price-Smith Colin , Hurst Gary , Bailey William
Published: December 2007

Although frac-packing has been widely and successfully used in cased-hole completions, open-hole frac-packing is not so common. It is well known that the efficiency of cased-hole frac-packs can be limited by the perforations. It can therefore be expected that open-hole frac-packing would provide higher productivity by eliminating a major choke in the flow path. In this paper, we present an open-hole frac-pack case history involving a highly-deviated, challenging well in South East Asia and demonstrate the expected efficiency gains.

The well was drilled in a field with a major water-flooding program. Due to extremely low reservoir pressure, low fracture-gradient and high kh formation (100,000 md-ft), very high losses were experienced. The presence of a high-pressure, reactive shale above the pay zone made it necessary to prematurely run a 7-in casing in order to isolate the problematic zone. However, due to the collapse of the reactive shale section, the casing was set above the target depth thereby exposing 70-ft of shale zone. Initial attempts to run the completion assembly failed due to the collapsed shales, resulting in a suspension of the well. After 4-months of water-flooding, partial re-pressurization of the reservoir was expected, and consequently a decision was made to complete the well with the open-hole frac-packing technique. In order to address complete coverage in a high kh zone completed as open-hole, the shunt technique was used. In order to prevent reactive shales from collapsing and mixing with the proppant during frac-packing, a cup-type packer was set inside the casing to divert flow through the shunt tubes and thus bypass the shale section. These procedures resulted in a complete pack of the entire, highly deviated open-hole interval, with an optimized tip screen-out as per design. The resulting PI of 13.4 bpd/psi compares favorably to cased-hole frac-packs (average PI of 2.5 with a best PI of 5.8), cased-hole gravel packs (average PI of 2.3 with a best PI of 4.7) and open-hole gravel packs (average PI of 10.0 and best PI of 19.6) in the same field, particularly considering the extremely high losses (thus the extent of damage) experienced during the drilling stage of this well.

Detailed procedures are given along with operation execution and production results. An extension of this technique to long open-hole horizontal wells (injectors and producers), using modified tool configurations, is also discussed.
Effect of Fracture Face Damage on Well Productivity
Authors: Adegbola K. , Boney C.
Published: December 2007

The phenomenon of dehydration and of the proppant crushing inside the fracture, are the two damage mechanisms mostly recognized as the main contributors to the overall reduction in fractured well productivity. Fracture face damage caused by the fracturing fluid loss through the four fracture faces also creates additional pressure drop that may further reduce the effective wellbore radius. The magnitude of the effect depends on reservoir characteristics, fracture geometry, extent of fluid leakoff into the reservoir, and the viscosity of the fracturing fluid filtrate. A step-by-step approach to predict the fluid loss through the fracture faces during the fracture treatment is explained in this paper. The depth of penetration through the fracture face and the resulting skin values for both the wall building and viscosity controlled leak-off model are determined. This study employs a simple approach that is based on the work of Cinco-Ley & Samaniego that assumes that damage through the fracture face is only caused by fluid saturation changes. The production-forecast simulator used to analyze the effect of various fracture face skin values on oil and gas well productivity agrees with Cinco-Ley and Samaniego study that shows the effect on the effective wellbore radius is negligible when skin value is less or equal to 0.1. In general, the study shows that fracture face damage has a negative effect on productivity only during the wellbore storage and fracture linear flow period. The magnitude of pressure drop increases with increase in reservoir permeability, damage ratio and fracturing fluid leakoff-viscosity.
DREAM: A Dose-Related Exposure Assessment Model Technical Description of Physical-Chemical Fates Components
Authors: Reed M. , Hetland B.
Published: December 2007

The 3-dimensional, multiple component pollutant transport, exposure, dose, and effects assessment model DREAM is described. This software tool has been designed to support rational management of environmental risks associated with operational discharges of complex mixtures. Each component in the mixture is described by a set of physical-chemical-toxicological parameters. Because petroleum hydrocarbons constitute a significant fraction of many industrial releases, DREAM incorporates a complete surface slick model, in addition to the processes governing pollutant behavior in the water column.

Exposure, uptake, depuration, and effects for fish and zooplankton are computed simultaneously with the physical-chemical transport and fates. Thus the mass balance can account for the fraction of each chemical component that is associated with biological organisms. This paper describes the physical-chemical fates portion of the model system, and comparisons of model calculations with both analytical solutions and field measurements.
Aging of the Norwegian Offshore Workforce, Aiming towards Reducing Health Risk and Optimizing Working Ability through Tripartite Collaboration
Authors: Bjerkebaek Eirik
Published: December 2007

The Norwegian offshore petroleum industry has grown into a mature industry giving employment to a workforce of around 20.000. Norwegian legislation aims at securing a working environment that provides full safety against harmful physical and mental influences. Furthermore, work shall be organized and arranged giving due consideration to age and capabilities of the individual employee.

The average Norwegian petroleum worker is rapidly approaching the age of 45. There is increasing recognition of a potentially increasing gap between existing working conditions and the aims of health and well being as ageing causes changes in workers needs and abilities. Ageing may also conflict with the requirements to a robust emergency preparedness organization. Furthermore, increasing age is accompanied by a marked increase in occurrence of illness, including health problems associated with long-term offshore work. Accordingly, there is a marked increase in sickness absence as well as a rise in the frequency of early retirement. The increased costs of dealing with age and work related health-problems are heavy on both national and business economy. In addition, there are costs and reduced quality of life borne by the individual.

This paper presents: 1) Recent results on changes in demographic and health variables for the offshore workforce in the Norwegian petroleum industry. 2) Specific offshore-related health risks for older workers associated with long-term exposure effects. 3) Governmental and business specific strategies for managing the increasing age related health problems and the associated cost effects at individual, social and industrial levels. 4) An ongoing tri-partite approach on improving partnership towards ensuring an adequate working environment standard and work demands on older workers, in order to allow employees to maintain their health while working until retirement age.
Integrating HSE in Design: Implementing a Simple Structured Process
Authors: Spence S. K. , Emmons L. N.
Published: December 2007

There have been many tools developed to facilitate project decision making. These range from sophisticated semi-quantitative to qualitative judgement based methods. There is however, a large step between the development of a decision tool and effective implementation of a decision process.

The Clair team in the UKCS developed a very simple decision making process which ensured that Health Safety and Environmental issues were integral to and influenced design decisions. Fundamental to the approach was simplicity, pragmatism, and professional judgement. The strength of the process was ensured by having the right people involved – enabling experienced and multi-disciplined input to the decisions.

The parameters upon which key decisions were made are: health and safety; environment; technical; financial; strategic implications and deliverability. The term "deliverability" encompassed a range of factors including acceptability to external stakeholders, impact on project schedule and ability to manage the project.

The process was applied by the Clair project from Concept selection through to the end of the design. The decisions to which the process was applied were typically cross discipline, high impact, and those where transparency and understanding of potential trade-offs was considered essential. The decision process was a key tool in demonstrating BPEO (Best Practicable Environmental Option) to internal and external stakeholders.

The resultant design is one which we believe will result in excellent HSE performance when the development becomes operational in 2004.
Health Care for Contractors in Remote Areas
Authors: Maskery Nasser
Published: December 2007

In the oil industry the real "dirty" work with all its associated health and safety hazards is contracted out as "non-core" business. Employing expatriates who suffer economic disadvantages is a well-known practice worldwide. Small contractors in particular are more interested in their own short-term financial gains rather than the health and welfare of employees. The most common weakness is in managing various contractors, expecting them to manage health and safety when they do not have the necessary skills, or failing to provide appropriate levels of supervision to compensate.

Providing optimal Primary Health Care to a large multinational workforce in remote areas is a challenge in terms of logistics and diversity. This presentation deals with the unique experience of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in this area, whereby a field staff of 3 doctors and 43 nurses provide comprehensive Primary Health Care including med emergency handling and OH to a population of nearly 15000 company and Contractor personnel spread over 37 locations --- camps, rigs and seismic parties in a concession area of over 110000 sq.km. of desert environment.

The critical success factor is to work very closely with the contractor community as well as engage the local legislators. PDO has created contractor forums which serve as effective media of communication with the contract managers and contract custodians. A novel approach attempted in contractor health care is to provide a central common health facility, which is then run by a sub-contractor on a competitive commercial basis. Such facilities are called Permanent Accommodations for Contractors (PACs), and are a major step towards improvement. In addition, PACs environment also promotes team building with PDO and improves communication and better adherence to PDO's Health and safety standards. HSE training, brainstorming and auditing have significant added value and are fully applied in Health Care Control for Contractors in Remote Areas.
Using Risk-Based Decision-Making Principles to Develop E&P Cleanup Standards in Indonesia
Authors: McMillen S. J. , Magaw R. I. , Koerber J. L.
Published: December 2007

Internationally, cleanup goals for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and other chemicals in oil impacted soils at exploration and production facilities are often not readily available. Some regulatory agencies in North America and Europe have set cleanup goals based on specific needs in those locations. Regulators outside of those areas typically either have not yet set cleanup goals to meet their own needs, or they have proposed very low goals based on reviews of European and North American regulations. This has led to TPH or oil and grease cleanup goals that vary widely and may range from 50 to 10,000 mg/kg. The Indonesian environmental agency, BAPEDAL, has not set specific soil cleanup goals for TPH. PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) has therefore developed human health risk based screening levels (RBSLs) for managing its E&P operations in Sumatra, Indonesia. In general, RBSLs represent overall TPH or individual chemical-specific levels in soil that are protective of human health. They are derived using conservative assumptions and they may be used as cleanup goals, as appropriate. In developing RBSLs, CPI first reviewed existing regulatory approaches to setting cleanup targets and then adopted a human health risk-based decision making process. This approach was originally developed by the U.S. EPA for individual chemicals and subsequently refined by other groups to address complex petroleum products and crude oils. It requires a detailed analysis of crude oils produced in Indonesia and an in-depth understanding of the potential ways in which people might be exposed to the crude oils. The risk-based decision making approach adopted by CPI and the development of RBSLs for specific land use and human exposure conditions in Sumatra are described in this paper.
Environmental Resource Value of Industrial Infrastructure – The Hidden Environmental Cost of Restrictive Environmental Regulations in Existing Developed Areas
Authors: Hargis Dean
Published: December 2007

The use of existing industrial infrastructure to support the develoment of newly discovered oil and gas resources in existing developed areas allows new production without the environmental impacts associated with the development of new infrastructure. This efficient use of existing infrastructure has actual environmental resource value, since the demand for oil and gas would promote development of an adequate supply in any case. The global benefit of efficient development is overlooked in traditional environmental impact analyses that typically focus on local concerns within a narrow geographic range. This traditional approach, which is common in more affluent developed countries, may actually contribute to increased global impacts by establishing stringent regulatory regimes discouraging development that would allow the efficient long-term use of that infrastructure. Although intended to protect the environment, the failure to recognize existing industrial infrastructure as an important resource may result in a hidden environmental cost by inducing development in underdeveloped countries where economic development goals may overshadow local concerns for environmental protection.

This paper was inspired by the results of a study of onshore industrial infrastructure capacity in Central California sponsored by the U.S. Minerals Management Service. That MMS study evaluates the oil and gas production potential of existing offshore leases that could be accommodated by existing infrastructure and a balanced program of facility replacement. Though these oil and gas resources were originally identified over ten years ago, local environmental policies have delayed their development. Oil and gas production activities in other parts of the world that provide energy supplies equivalent to this unrealized potential were reviewed and substantial impacts that could have been avoided by the development of the California resources were identified. This paper presents an example of such avoidable impacts, and concludes that environmental review procedures addressing oil and gas development should include consideration of global implications of locally restrictive approval policies.
Qualitative Impact of a Mobile Health System in a Riverine Community
Authors: Orekoya Olurotimi G.
Published: December 2007

This study is a subjective review of the impact of a mobile Health-care system in a riverine environment from the perspective of the end user.

As a background a review of the community was made with emphasis on the geography, health care practices, political and civil life of the area.

The reasons for the involvement of oil companies in rural health interventions are reviewed.

A novel partnering between the Government, the Community and the Company resulted in an arrangement to provide mobile health services through a riverboat clinic.

This paper investigated the perception of the members of the host community towards the service provided.

It also investigated the level of utilization of the services and the perceived future needs
Recent Knowledge About Produced Water Composition, and the Contribution from Different Chemicals to Risk of Harmful Environmental Effects
Authors: Utvik Toril I. Røe , Hasle Jon Rytter
Published: December 2007

In 1999 the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) initiated the development of the Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) as a decision making tool for produced water management. The EIF is based on environmental risk and hazard assessment, and makes it possible to identify which of naturally occurring compounds or man-added chemicals contributes most to environmental risk. This possibility leads to increased focus on the quality of results from chemical characterisation of produced water. Data according to the required reporting format given by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities (SFT) from the main discharge sources of produced water in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, have been collected during the period of 1995 to 2000.

The data are used as basis for field-specific EIF-calculations. The results show that the most important contributors to environmental risk generally are the water-soluble fraction of the oil; mainly alkylated phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In some cases specific production chemicals also give a significant contribution to the risk of environmental harmful effects.

This indicates that the water-soluble fraction of the oil should be focused rather than dispersed oil for most fields as the environmental problem of discharge of produced water. This conclusion emphasises the importance of chemical characterisation, and performing field-spesific evaluations of the risk. This should be reflected both in environmental regulation, and in technology development for reduction of the discharges of environmentally harmful compounds.
The Use Of The Hammerdril In The Foothills
Authors: de Chastelain A.G.G.
Published: December 2007

1961 California Regional Meeting, Bakersfield, Nov. 2–3, 1961

The Mission Hammerdril is an air-operated percussion tool placed directly above the rotary drilling bit. It imparts to the bit a hammering action with a frequency of about 1,800 strokes per minute, thereby adding the advantages of percussion drilling to those of conventional air rotary drilling. Standard oilfield cone-type bits are strengthened particularly in the welds between the legs, to withstand the hammering action of the tool. The anvil, which transmits the blow from the hammer to the bit, is keyed to the rest of the tool and consequently transmits no vibration to the drilling string above the tool.

Three sizes of tool are available 5 1/4", 6 3/4", and 9" with hole size ranges of 6 1/8" to 7 3/8" 7 7/8" to 10 5/8" and 11" to 17 1/2" respectively.

The chips or cuttings of formation produced by the bit when used with the Hammerdril are several times larger than those produced during conventional air drilling, and consequently a 25% to 30% larger air supply is required to remove Hammerdril cuttings from the hole.

The most effective operating air pressure is between 300 and 350 p.s.i. This pressure can be regulated by altering the size of the removable choke at the entrance to the by-pass tube which diverts part of the air stream from the hammer directly to the bit. In holes making water, back pressure in the annulus must be taken into account when determining the pressure droop across the tool.

In the Canadian Foothills, the 6 3/4" Hammerdril has been used on four holes during the past ten months, drilling a total of nearly 12,000 feet. As will be observed in Table No. 1, penetration rates are generally more than double those obtained by conventional air drilling.
Solution For Heavy Metals Decontamination in Produced Water / Case Study in Southern Tunisia
Authors: Houcine Mejri
Published: December 2007

Oil industry often generates liquid and solid wastes, which require a pre-treatment before their discharge in the receiving environment. Given their toxicity, among the identified wastes, heavy metals are the most dangerous contaminants and pushed the National Agency of the Environment Protection to set up a very strict regulation.

This paper presents the study and the characterisation of the polluting metals concentrated in produced water from an oilfield situated in southern Tunisia and describes a methodology to decontaminate this produced water. It also presents the specific norms and standardised procedures applied in this study.

Analysis of water produced from the studied oilfield revealed that it contained a high concentration of some heavy metals and especially Zinc, Lead, Manganese, Iron and Barium. These elements are essentially concentrated as particles in the solid fraction rather than in a dissolved state, whereas the other well-known heavy metals pollutants like Cadmium; Chromium; Nickel; Vanadium and Copper exhibit only low amounts, which are less than the defined standards.

It is evident that the considered solutions for the separation of these heavy metals from water have been founded on natural evaporation principle of produced waters in basins especially conceived for this effect. However due to the increasing water-cut, this technique is efficient only during the summer time.

In order to remedy to this latter problem, laboratory tests have been conducted to develop other technique Improvements, which are the use of spillsorb, calcite and lime. Tests showed that the best results have been obtained with the lime, efficient and economic (efficiency > 95 % for most studied metals).
Preparing for a Carbon Constrained World – Experiences from a Global Corporate Greenhouse Gas Audit
Authors: Eddis Melanie , O’Leary Hazel , Comer Philip
Published: December 2007

In 1999, BP became the first major energy company to commission an independent audit of its global greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative followed CEO John Browne's commitment to achieve a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions before 2010 from a 1990 baseline.

During the period 1999–2000, over 80% of BP's worldwide GHG emissions have been included in the audit which has, to date, addressed data for years 1990, 1998 and 2000. In the first year, there was found to be uncertainty over some aspects of 1990 and 1998 baseline data. The findings of the audit helped BP successfully embed GHG emissions into core business planning and reporting processes. This, combined with an improved GHG protocol, consistently applied, enabled the auditors to provide an unqualified opinion relating to 2000 data from BP business units included within the audit scope.

The audit methodology incorporated features of both financial and environmental auditing standards, and was carried out by a multi disciplinary audit team. The audit provides assurance over the consistency, accuracy and completeness of the data reported in accordance with BP's internal GHG reporting protocol. The approach enabled the auditors to assess critically how BP is managing risks related to reporting its GHG emissions data and the level of reliance that can be placed on the Group and business unit data reporting systems.

Looking forward, BP's enhancements of its controls over GHG emissions reporting enable it to be fully prepared to take advantage of initiatives that emerge as the world becomes increasingly carbon-constrained.
The Revenue Dimension of Oil, Gas and Mining Projects: Issues and Practices
Authors: McPhail Kathryn
Published: December 2007

Private oil, gas and mining companies have been revising their policies to enhance the environmental and social sustainability of their activities. The design and implementation of the new sustainability policies require dissemination of corporate good practice examples. The revenue dimension is critical to project sustainability. The fundamental imperative is to contribute to poverty reduction through appropriate sharing and use of the incremental revenues generated from individual projects. This paper reviews key business drivers, major challenges and good practice examples both in terms of the overall policy framework facing the industries concerned and of the diagnostic, design and delivery of the individual investment projects they sponsor. The paper concludes with a distillation of operational priorities.
The Effects of Environmental Studies Requirement on the Investment Decision Process Under Real Options Approach: A Case Study of Recent Brazilian Petroleum Industry.
Authors: Lima G. A. C. , Suslick S. B.
Published: December 2007

Investment analysis based solely on the NPV criteria may not always promote an efficient resource allocation because of its inability to incorporate implicit management's options present during the project's life. On the other hand, real options model may produce more realistic results by incorporating value derived from the interaction of uncertainty, irreversibility, and managerial freedom. This paper explores the results of both traditional discounted cash flow and real options models in approaching the problem of delays in the start up of oil production due to additional environmental requirements.
The EnviroHub: An Intranet Tool for Culture Change and Information Management
Authors: Kubala Gregory , Carey Annette
Published: December 2007

Sharing information, as an effective way of conducting business, is not a new concept; however, the communication tools we use to deliver this information have significantly evolved over the past 10 years. Today, sharing expert knowledge can be performed at the click of a mouse. Intranets, located within a corporation's firewalls, provide the potential for an ongoing, free exchange of both confidential and nonconfidential information. Yet the simple posting of information to the intranet often leaves the intended beneficiaries inefficiently mining for information, which they may or may not eventually locate.

The EnviroHub is an intranet web site designed to disseminate information to promote cultural change, integration of the Environment (E) into the Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) management system (MS), and beyond-compliance environmental performance. Developing The EnviroHub involved standard web-design activities, as well as information-management maximization strategies, an organizational structure for information and data creation, identification of new resources and increased user functionality.

The EnviroHub affords easy access to information so that it is readily available for uniform implementation throughout a global organization. Information and data managed within The EnviroHub include Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) laws and regulations in more than 100 countries worldwide, multilingual/multinational resources, and tools for compliance with a corporation's environmental standards. This paper presents the strategies used for maximizing information management, such as user requirements, web page design and management system integration. Finally, it discusses increased functionalities, such as secure workrooms, which provide confidential work areas for designated users, and subscription capabilities, which allow users to receive automatic e-mail alerts.
Working Toward Zero Automotive Accidents in the Niger Delta
Authors: Jutten Jacques J. , Ndubisi J. J. , Regnault Philippe , Abifarin O.
Published: December 2007

Oil and service companies have made massive efforts to minimize the risks associated with driving in Nigeria. Despite these efforts, most companies still record major accidents, including fatalities. Recently, a major service company implemented an active journey management system that has proved very effective in eliminating driving-related fatalities and accidents. The journey management system combines specific training, the use of driving monitors and risk-reward schemes for all the drivers.

Major companies operating in Nigeria recognized the exceptional driving performance record resulting from this system in 2000. Subsequently, several companies initiated a cooperative program to implement the same journey management system. All participants observed a rapid driving performance improvement. The trend of the number and severity of all categories of driving-related accidents from all participating companies is shown. It compares favorably with statistics from other geographical areas and demonstrates that commitment and leadership deliver results, even in the most difficult conditions.
Technical Integrity. Implementation of a Fully Integrated and Risk Based Management System
Authors: Wiig Erik , Schumacher Robert
Published: December 2007

A common challenge facing many operators is to maintain the technical integrity as facilities age. There are challenges in maintenance as well as keeping updated on minor upgrades and modifications.

Production modes also change as facilities age, e.g. water production increases while oil/gas production decreases. The operational modes change from manual to automatic, often resulting in fewer operations personnel.

How do you operate this safely and knowing where you are in relation to your "operational envelope"?

After several years in operation we experience that the assumptions made and precautionary measures taken in the engineering phase of the platform development are not often commonly shared knowledge.

Vital technical "history" can also become obscured after some years of operation, often due to changing of personnel, cumbersome and voluminous documentation etc.

An HSE Management System (HSE-MS) was established from first operation, but does it reflect all minor upgrades and modifications over time? This uncertainty resulted in a perceived increase of risk.

This was the situation, which justified launching a project to define and assuring the technical integrity of an offshore platform.

The presentation will provide examples of a successful revamp of the HSE-MS, leading to a fully integrated risk based MS. The philosophies and strategies behind the implementation will be discussed, and examples of easily accessible information and tools to control the technical integrity and operation will be provided.
Environmental Impact Assessment and the Nigerian Oil Industry: A Review of Experiences and Learnings
Authors: Agha G. U. , Irrechukwu D. O. , Zagi M. M.
Published: December 2007

Since the issuance of Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in 1991, over 200 pre-development Environmental Impact Assessment and post-development Environmental Evaluation Studies have been carried out by Oil and Gas Operators. This is in compliance with the relevant part of the Environmental Guidelines and Standards and other legal/administrative framework governing EIA in Nigeria. Thus, EIA has become a standard practice in environmental and project planning on some major exploration and project development activities. However, our experiences in Nigeria suggest that not much is achieved in terms of environmental management despite the increase in the number of EIA studies being carried out. The reason for this is not far fetched since it is universally accepted that EIA as a planning tool is saddled with so many weak points. Some of the major weak points associated with EIA in Nigeria include the sparsity of baseline information against which the environmental impacts are measured; lack of budgetary allocations from the operators to implement mitigative measures and monitoring plans; lack of human resources and political commitment to enforce the environmental management plan amongst others. Consequently, oil operators carried out EIA in Nigeria to a larger extent, to satisfy regulatory requirements for the obtention of environmental permits. It is against this backdrop that the process of

EIA of E&P activities have been reviewed with a view to blocking some of the weak points thereby making the EIA process a worthwhile affair. Measures are now being put in place to ensure the implementation of the EIA findings throughout the project cycle including planning, design, construction, testing, operation and post operational phases. it is therefore, the aim of this paper to discuss the past and present approaches to EIA processes of E&P activities in Nigeria.
Safety Performance of the E&P Industry – Year 2000
Authors: Smith D.
Published: December 2007

The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers1 (OGP) has been reporting the safety performance on behalf of the upstream oil and gas industry since 1984. Over that period there have been significant reduction in the fatal accident rate (FAR) and improvements in the lost time injury frequency (LTIF).

This paper presents the results from the year 2000 data collection programme. The database for this period represents over 1.6 billion hours worked, an increase of 36% compared to the 1999 dataset. Thirty-nine companies contributed data, from operations in 71 countries.

It is shown that although there has been an increase in the total number of reported fatalities, the FAR remains similar to previous years due to the increase in the number of working hours reported. The LTIF has continued to show improvements compared to previous years, with the year 2000 data showing the lowest value recorded to date.

The most common type of incident leading to fatalities were vehicle related incidents, and persons being struck by moving or falling objects.

The paper goes on to review briefly efforts by the industry aimed at further improving its safety performance.
Environmentally Friendly Well Testing
Authors: El-Khazindar Y. , Darwish M. Ramzi , Tengirsek A.
Published: December 2007

Burning hydrocarbons during cleanup and well-testing operations produces toxic gases, soot, acid rain, unburned hydrocarbons and noise. Not only do these emissions have a damaging impact on the environment, but they also impose an economic impact: the cost of the oil and gas flared and the cost of the equipment used during the flaring operations.

A joint task force between two offshore operating companies in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), with the help of the contracted service provider, worked to implement innovative solutions to achieve flaring-emission elimination targets and eliminate environmental risk.

Innovative equipment modifications and design, coupled with new operational procedures, were implemented to neutralize the fluids used to prepare the well for production (allowing well effluents to flow through the test separator during the cleanup phase) and to use a boosting system to pump the oil into the sealine (fully eliminating oil flaring).

The initial stages of the solution neutralized the acid flowed back to surface and eliminated the oil flaring. A multiphase flowmeter was then introduced to the system. Not only did the multiphase flowmeter enhance operation flexibility, confidence in the information acquired, and accuracy of the results, but it also eliminated gas flaring after the cleanup period. The minimal pressure drop across the meter and the high-pressure rating of the meter allow well effluents to flow naturally through the sealine without separating the well-effluent phases. Deployment of the multiphase flowmeter in the system reduced the gas flaring by about 60% during the overall job.
Tuberculosis: Return of the White Plague. Medical and Laboratory Strategies for E&P Projects
Authors: Krieger Gary R. , Moreau Jean-Marie
Published: December 2007

Along with HIV/AIDS and malaria, tuberculosis is increasingly recognized is a major resurgent disease in developing countries. In locations that have substantial levels of HIV/AIDS (greater than 5% prevalence), tuberculosis is a significant source of difficult to diagnosis co-morbidity. Traditional diagnostic methods such as chest x-ray have poor sensitivity and specificity. Consequently the predictive value of the chest x-ray is quite poor. This problem has been accentuated by HIV/AIDS since disseminated TB is more common in the presence of full-blown AIDS and is frequently chest x-ray negative. The traditional diagnostic mainstay for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) is bright field microscopy of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) sputum. The ZN method is less sensitive and slower than the use of fluorescence microscopy (FM), particularly when bacilli counts are less than 10 per 100 fields. The yield in collected sputum samples can be further enhanced by pre-staining sample separation and centrifugation. All of these techniques require the presence of an appropriately trained laboratory technician but are not dependent on more sophisticated culture techniques.

Recently, a series of amplified mycobacterium tests have been developed and introduced. These tests, particularly, the Mycodot ® test are simple, rapid and conducive to remote field operations. However, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the amplified test methodology has been challenged in a number of recent papers, particularly involving Sub-Saharan populations with high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates. The data surrounding the use of amplified test methodology will be reviewed; in addition, a proposed cost-effective laboratory-testing algorithm will be discussed.
Documentation of Environmental Performance in the E&P Industry Through Use of Indicators, Based on Experience from the Danish Sector
Authors: Valeur Jens Rosendal , Tüxen Elsebeth , Raagard Sven
Published: December 2007

Use of indicators for showing environmental performance is widespread used both on a corporate level and for analysing whole sectors and societies. When carrying out environmental management, demonstration of continuous improvement with respect to environmental performance is a requirement. But the contents of this concept are often not clearly defined.

Air emissions from the offshore oil and gas production in the Danish part of the North Sea has been used to exemplify the use of environmental indicators. The emissions have been compared with the total emissions from the Danish society, in order of indicating the relative significance of the various emittants. It has been shown that it is necessary to distinguish between emissions with a global environmental impact from emissions with a regional or local impact. In the first case the relative environmental effect is simply proportional to the relative contribution to the total emission of the pollutant. In the second case, the location of the emission source, and also the variation in emission with time, is necessary to take into account when evaluating the environmental impact.

The analysis of emissions to air from the offshore oil and gas production has highlighted the need for a common calculation basis. Even for calculation of an essential parameter as the emission of CO2 various calculation methods used in various countries showed large differences. Comparison of environmental performance in between the various countries is therefore difficult, until common calculation methods possibly are agreed on.
Planning for Improved Health, Safety, and Environmental Performance: How Management Ownership Drives Continuous Improvement
Authors: Knode Tom , Cook Pat
Published: December 2007

Essential to the success of any Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) program is the commitment of management to continuous improvement. With that commitment, manifested by direct involvement in the planning process, changes can be made that affect the culture and performance of the company.

The Performance Improvement Initiative (PII) demonstrates how a company can involve all levels of management in the HSE planning process, and provides a vehicle for the introduction of tools, goals, and targets. PII is an annual planning process that includes a review of past performance, assessment of currently available tools, and development of strategies to introduce the tools globally. PII helps ensure organizational alignment in the quest for continuous improvement and has yielded demonstrable results since its introduction.
Extending Production Through Seismic Imaging and Optimal Reservoir Drilling
Authors: Whitney S. A. , Challis M. I. , Dickinson J. K.
Published: December 2007

Cost effective application of 3D before stack depth migration (BSDM) in the Lobo gas fields of south Texas has resulted in increased confidence in reservoir structure maps. Successful infill development locations have been drilled as a result of improved reconciliation of existing production with fault block area. The improved image has also led to the identification of new fault blocks and improved well locations. The case history of one area will illustrate how the program has generated value of over 40 times the initial investment in seismic processing. To date, nine depth migration projects have been completed.
Optimizing Synthetic Oil Based Fluids for Milling Operations in Deepwater Wells
Authors: Martins A. L. , Aragão A. F. L. , Moura E. M. , Leal R. A. F. , Sansoni U. , Bove A.
Published: December 2007

This paper deals with the adaptation of synthetic drilling fluid for use in milling operations in offshore wells. Main topics covered include: a discussion on the fundamentals of solids transport highlighting the critical aspects of transporting iron particles in offshore wells; a computer simulation task, based on solids transport mechanistic models, to define minimum requirements for fluid flow rates and rheological properties; an extensive experimental work comparing the carrying capacity of water and synthetic based fluids and; the process of field implementation concentrating on well succeeded experiences in the offshore fields operated by PETROBRAS.
Limited Entry Techniques Prove Successful in Simultaneously Stimulating the Fruitland Coal and Pictured Cliffs Formations in the San Juan Basin
Authors: Bazan L. W. , Larkin S. D.
Published: December 2007

The manuscript will outline limited entry design techniques for the simultaneous fracture stimulation of the Fruitland Coal and Pictured Cliffs sandstone in the T28N - R7W Federal Unit of the San Juan basin, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The discussion will focus on the initial perforation design, stimulation parameters, flowback and post audit analysis. Brief discussion on operational issues and cost savings resulting from these techniques will be presented.

Geologically, the Fruitland Coal above the Pictured Cliffs formation may be separated by as little as three feet of shale in the T28N - R7W Federal Unit. It is possible when stimulating the lower formation that the shale is not a ‘fracture barrier’ and communication with the upper formation, the Fruitland Coal, can be established. In these cases, because of zonal communication, reserves from the Fruitland Coal cannot be accessed.

Utilizing limited entry techniques and incorporating stress and leakoff data from offset wells, both formations have simultaneously been fracture stimulated effectively. This methodology allows accessing reserves in the Fruitland Coal that may otherwise not be produced. Radioactive tracer and production logs will be presented as supporting evidence to validate the successful well completion design and stimulation of both formations. Subsequent completion design changes resulting from the log review will be discussed.
Efficient Global Optimization for Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment Design
Authors: Queipo Nestor V. , Verde Alexander , Canelón José , Pintos Salvador
Published: December 2007

This paper presents a methodology for the optimal hydraulic fracture treatment design. The methodology includes, the construction of a "fast surrogate" of an objective function whose evaluation involves the execution of a time-consuming computational model, based on neural networks, DACE modeling, and adaptive sampling. Using adaptive sampling, promising areas are searched considering the information provided by the surrogate model and the expected value of the errors.

The proposed methodology provides a global optimization method, hence avoiding the potential problem of convergence to a local minimum in the objective function exhibited by the commonly Gauss-Newton methods. Furthermore, it exhibits an affordable computational cost, is amenable to parallel processing, and is expected to outperform other general purpose global optimization methods such as, simulated annealing, and genetic algorithms.

The methodology is evaluated using two case studies corresponding to formations differing in rock and fluid properties, and geometry parameters. From the results, it is concluded that the methodology can be used effectively and efficiently for the optimal design of hydraulic fracture treatments.