bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability reporting on the rise within the Petroleum Industry - A view of the industry and experiences from an NOC, IOC and Service Company
Authors: Krishna Paul , Janus Bertrand , Peterson Cynthia Ann , Doherty Brett , Sherman Robert , Murphy Helen , Curlee Charlie
Published: September 2012

In 1987, the Brundtland Report, "Our Common Future", produced the widely accepted definition of sustainable development as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". But what can sustainability mean for the oil and gas industry, which produces fossil fuel required to meet basic human needs today such as food, fuel and shelter? The oil and gas industry provides a fundamental energy resource while improving health, reducing poverty, and increasing productivity for the global population. Oil and gas are therefore integral to promoting economic growth and will continue to play a major role in meeting the world's energy needs for the foreseeable future. Global energy policies are promoting low-carbon energy technologies, and the use of modern renewables will almost triple by 2035 to about 14% of total supply. However, renewables cannot satisfy global demand growth, so consumption of both oil and gas will also continue to grow.1

Oil and gas companies must therefore continue to discover, produce and supply these energy resources, and it is essential that they do so in a safe, environmentally sound and socially responsible manner. This requires safeguarding the environment; respecting the rights of others; protecting the health, safety and security of workers and the public; meeting increasingly stringent laws and regulations, and yet managing a range of operational, reputational and financial risks. An additional responsibility for companies is the need to communicate openly how they conduct their operations – the vision, decisions and strategies used to pursue resource developments. Sustainability reporting is therefore both a responsible and an expected method for companies to communicate publicly on environmental and social performance. The oil and gas industry has made significant progress on these objectives but challenges remain and individual companies need to tell their own sustainability stories in a clear, transparent, and honest manner.

Finally, sustainability reporting also helps to establish a basis for continuous improvement in business processes and risk management. In particular, reporting has value for reputational risk, access to capital, and strengthened customer and employee relationships. For oil and gas companies, reporting can provide a robust platform for describing how strategic issues are being addressed through long-term plans and current initiatives. Stakeholders can now find details of a company's high level vision and strategy for dealing with sustainability-related impacts, implementing action plans and assessing outcomes on company websites and in annual reports.
A Review of the Evaluations of Six Offshore Numerical Models for E&P Discharges
Authors: Kampala Benjamin , Guillou AnaTs , Marini Laure , Michel Cedric
Published: September 2012

Numerical models may be used to predict concentrations of produced water and drilling discharges released to the marine environment. They may be applied to predict effects of existing or future discharges, compliance with regulations and also be used to calculate risks posed to the marine environment. These models are complex and generally have a high level of uncertainty associated with results. The uncertainty is due largely to the lack of data to parameterize the model, especially oceano-meteorological data. Efforts on two main fronts address this data gap. First, data are being collected to better parameterize and calibrate models, and second, studies are undertaken to better quantify and characterize the models themselves.

This paper presents a bibliography of six offshore produced water and drilling discharges models and compiles information regarding the evaluation of each. The limitations which prevent more robust evaluations of models are discussed. Finally, additional evaluation activities are proposed to further the case that such models correspond with reality and are reliable. This study addresses offshore E&P discharge models only and is intended to serve as a guide for users of such models who need to defend the use and quality of their model.

There are several models available capable of providing good predictions of the fate and dispersion of substances released during E&P activities. Each of the six models considered in this study possesses a good level of development and include features that make useful PW and DD simulation possible. Data collection obstacles remain which prevent rigorous validation of these models. In general, evaluation activities for these six models would benefit from renewed focus and study to increase the defensibility of modelled results. Investing in a sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis would yield greater confidence in results, and provide good value for R&D investment.

While evaluations complementary to comparisons between field and modelled data may not conclusively show model validity, they contribute to the weight of evidence that the model predictions are satisfactory and can be used to make planning or operational decisions, and also support regulatory compliance requirements.
Quantification of Carbon Stocks and Sequestration Rates for Tropical Forest
Authors: Othman Noor Suhailah , Jamil Adriza Jaezah
Published: September 2012

Terrestrial carbon resources such as forests function as carbon sinks when there is an increase in the sum of all carbon stocks retained. Preserving healthy forests therefore has the dual benefits of both protecting their carbon stocks from being emitted to the atmosphere while maintaining the ability of these stocks to continue actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This paper described PETRONAS effort to quantify carbon stocks, sequestration rate and trial values for its two forest conservation areas in Peninsula Malaysia.

The carbon stock assessment is calculated using the Gain-Loss Method. Gains can be attributed to growth (increase of biomass) and to transfer of carbon from one pool to another (e.g. transfer of carbon from the live biomass carbon pool to the dead organic matter pool due natural disturbances). Losses can be attributed to transfers of carbon from one pool to another (e.g. emissions due to decay). The five carbon pools for this study are; aboveground carbon stocks, belowground carbon stock, deadwood, litter and soil carbon. Calculation of aboveground biomass included tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) data collected from tree inventories 10 cm dbh and above. Height and dbh of dead standing trees, leaf litter trapping and soil sampling were also collected on monthly basis to calculate the carbon pools for dead wood, leaf litter and soil organic carbon. In the absence of the age of the forests, the carbon stock assessment is repeated after 12 months to determine their annual sequestration rates.

This two-year project that commenced in June 2010 is carried out in collaboration with Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. It is seen as a pivotal effort to demonstrate the importance of conserving forests to sequester carbon and avoiding emissions, hence combating global warming and climate change.
Managing Small Marine Operations in the Mahakam Delta to Increase Compliance and Minimize Risks
Authors: Djamal Harnanto , Dwimaryanto Aditomo , Ball Andy
Published: September 2012

The nature of oil and gas operations requires transporting people worldwide via land, air or water. In swamps and rivers, small marine vessels are needed to support operations. This paper describes how an oilfield services company implemented journey management practices with its local contractors of small marine vessel companies in the Mahakam Delta in Indonesia.

In the Mahakam Delta in Indonesia, small marine vessels are required to transport people, tools, and equipment to rigs and barges. Risks in the Mahakam Delta are particularly high due to heavy traffic, a variety of boat sizes, curved and narrow river banks, and unpredictable weather conditions. In addition, because most towns in the area are connected by the Mahakam River, local people often use small wooden boats as their private vehicle.

However, local contractors have limited knowledge of health, safety, and environment (HSE) issues or international marine regulations. The contractors may have no management system and the coxswains often have only non-formal experience. No official training or certifications are required other than a government license to operate small marine vessels. Therefore, because of the governmental regulations and risks to people and equipment, developing a journey management plan for small marine operations contractors is especially important to ensure journey management compliance and incident-free activities.

This paper outlines best practices on how to manage sea trucks and ensure that contractors follow local and international regulations. Mentoring, training and observation with intervention are a few ways to communicate best practices in managing journeys for contracted sea trucks. The paper describes how closer attention to journey management planning has resulted in more effective management of small marine operations, with fewer regulatory infractions, lower injury rates, more competent sea truck coxswains and more efficient trips.
Managing Environmental and Social Risks in China's Unconventional Gas Sector-Lessons Learned and Application in Future Developments
Authors: Touzel Piers
Published: September 2012

China has the largest reserves of unconventional gas in the world. Led by Chinese National Oil Companies (NOCs), and with participation from International Oil Companies (IOCs), exploration and appraisal activities for unconventional gas, in particular shale gas, have ramped up significantly since 2009. Eager to exploit domestic gas reserves and reduce its reliance on imports, the Chinese Government has implemented policies to support the industry and has announced ambitious plans for the development of the country's shale gas reserves to 6.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) per annum by 2015, rising to 60–100 bcm by 2020.

China's unconventional gas reserves are concentrated in four areas: the Ordos Basin on China's northern plain, the Tarim and Junggar Basins in western Xinjiang and the densely populated Sichuan Basin in the south. Each of these areas faces significant environmental and social constraints, including availability of water for hydraulic fracturing and its subsequent disposal, land access and resettlement, and community relations (including those with indigenous peoples in some areas).

While China has adopted policies to support the development of unconventional gas resources, technical and administrative standards are yet to be released. Outside of the oil and gas companies and their service providers, there is little understanding of the potential environmental and social impacts associated with unconventional gas development.

Chinese officials are concerned with maintaining social stability in rural farming communities and are keenly aware that environmental issues are today a leading cause of community protests. Sensitive to issues that may affect farmland or the groundwater required to sustain the livelihoods of China's rural residents (and the potential for ensuing social unrest) Chinese regulators are beginning to scrutinize more closely activities associated with the exploration and development of unconventional resources. Similarly, local communities are concerned about the environmental impacts from exploration and development activities and are becoming more vocal in their demands that they too are beneficiaries of upstream activities.

Demonstrating to regulators and to the community that unconventional resources can be developed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner will be critical to the future success of the industry. The paper concludes that the current round of exploration, appraisal and pilot testing activities being undertaken for unconventional gas in China represents a window of opportunity for this to be demonstrated at a small scale prior to scaling up future field developments.
Leadership in Health&Safety (LiHS) a Proactive Program Toward Health
Authors: Mika Frano , De Santis Sabatino , Croitoru Elena , Matkin Darren , Scotti Davide , Forzan Andrea
Published: September 2012

In it's drive to shape the organizational safety culture, Saipem's Senior Management recognized the need for an inclusion of health into its already established Leadership in Safety program (LiS). The now ‘Leadership in Health & Safety’ (LiHS) program was seen as a natural evolution in terms of extending a culture of care to its employees. This critical new focus signifies a major and significant shift in the way that Saipem takes care of its employees in the long-term, underlining the real need for the linking Health to Safety, and not only in terms of accidents.

An analysis of Saipem's statistics revealed that 74% of all repatriations in Saipem were not accident-related, but resulting from long term "lifestyle" related issues, and often very preventable health-related conditions.

In its effort to motivate a healthier workforce, Saipem developed an engaging tool designed to foster a proactive approach toward health, creating a ‘want’ within the individual to peruse healthier choices and actions.

One of the key elements in nurturing this healthier attitude within the organization, is a high-impact film drama created exclusively for LiHS. It focuses on three main health topics: Malaria, Transmittable Diseases and Lifestyle, offering a motivating and emotional message to carry forward Saipem's Vision for Health.

This paper describes the innovative strategy Saipem's Health Department has taken toward a diminishment of communicable and non-communicable disease incidence rates, and further explains the technicalities of the campaign. This paper should be of interest to all those who manage health related issues within their organizations.
A Powerful Approach for Decision Making in Risk Management Process: BART Tool and AHP Methodology for ALARP Demonstration
Authors: Petrone Annamaria , Cherubin Paolo , Scataglini Luciano
Published: September 2012

For any Oil & Gas organization successful decision making is the most crucial step in the risk management process. The driver in the decision making process shall always be safety but in the Oil and Gas business there are typically very complex issues involving multiple conflicting criteria that need to be weighted such as cost, impact on productivity, time frame for implementing a design alternative, etc. and there are also multiple parties and several aspects of the project that are deeply affected from the decision.

A powerful and innovative approach combining the risk screening tool BART (BAseline Risk assessment Tool) with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology has been set up to assist in the decision making process through the reliability assessment of the preventive and recovery barriers in place in a plant, the identification of any possible effective risk reduction scenarios and the prioritization of recommended actions.

Outcomes from BART are inputted in the AHP methodology to compare all alternatives with reference to specific benefit and cost factors properly prioritized in accordance with company needs. Weighted hierarchic structures are then built on the basis of multiple sets of pairwise comparisons to represent the decision problem in which all priorities are concisely captured and expressed as numerical values.

In addition, since one of the fundamentals of Risk Assessment is that safety must not only be achieved but also demonstrated, a further step has been to use this approach to assist in the ALARP demonstration that involves weighing a risk against the trouble, time and money needed to control it.

A case study is presented in this paper to provide an insight of the methodology, the rationale behind it and how it has been applied to support ALARP and decision making process in one of the company asset.
Implementing an In-Vehicle Monitoring Program: A Guide for the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
Authors: Retzer Kyla , Tate Derek , Hill Ryan
Published: September 2012

Significant progress has been made globally in the upstream oil and gas industry in reducing the number and rate of fatalities related to land transport (hereafter referred to as "motor vehicle") related activities. However, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death to oil and gas extraction workers in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. oil and gas extraction industry from 2003–2009 (Retzer, 2011). The study made three significant findings: 1) 74% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities occurred to workers employed by companies with less than 100 employees; 2) 30% of the fatalities occurred to employees with less than one year experience with their current employer; and 3) at least 38% were not wearing their seat belt at the time of the fatal crash.

Many large oil and gas extraction companies as well as companies in other industries have found that monitoring their drivers’ behaviors is an effective way to reduce the risk of motor vehicle crashes. As recognized by the OGP LTS RP 365, In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) are electronic devices used to identify at-risk behavior as well as seatbelt use, providing data for targeted driver coaching. For large companies, the research, selection, implementation and management of an IVMS program is a daunting challenge; for a small business, it can be overwhelming.

Working with recognized industry leaders, NIOSH has developed tools to assist smaller oil and gas companies and others to reduce risk of motor vehicle fatality. One of these tools is a guidance document for IVMS use: "Implementing an In-Vehicle Monitoring Program: A Guide for the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry". The IVMS guide provides ‘best practice’ in how to: Select the system that best fits a company's needs.Successfully implement an in-vehicle monitoring program.Best utilize IVMS data to improve motor vehicle safety and reduce fatalities.

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about motor vehicle crashes, describe some benefits of IVMS, and introduce the IVMS guide developed by NIOSH and its partners for the U.S. oil and gas extraction industry.
Strengthening a Company's Fight Against Malaria Among Semi-immunes: Spouses on the Frontline
Authors: Okorocha Uche , Barbey Alex , Barnier Muriel , Stott Mary Louise
Published: September 2012

A malaria prevention program developed by an oilfield services company in response to malaria fatalities among employees has proved to be very effective over the past decade. However, although there have been no recorded malaria fatalities among the semi-immune population, malaria rates have remained very high, inflicting a heavy burden on the families and having indirect consequences for the company.

To explore strategies for strengthening the effectiveness of the program among its semi-immune employees and their families who live and work at high-risk locations, the company conducted a survey in 2010 in four sub-Saharan African countries among the company's semi-immune employees and their spouses.

Although the locations surveyed are similar in their basic socioeconomic circumstances, significant cultural and behavioral differences were found to abound in the perception of the problem of malaria. The findings show how environmental factors affect the acceptability and eventual effectiveness of traditional insect bite prevention measures. Clear differences in the levels of awareness between employees and their spouses are also highlighted.

Based on the results of the survey, the company designed a semi-immune malaria prevention program in which the spouses not only actively participate but also share its ownership with the HSE function. Creativity is employed in making the program flexible and adaptable. The pilot program will be implemented at two of the surveyed locations over an initial two-year period.
Smooth E&P Activities in a Remote Area having Fragmented/hostile Communities Around - A Case Study Highlighting How an E&P Company Made it a Reality
Authors: Khan Murad Ali
Published: September 2012

Description of the Paper

This paper shares the experiences and results that eni Pakistan had by adopting a ‘Community Investment Management System (CIMS)’ in a developing country- Pakistan. CIMS philosophy is to make ‘Community Relations’ and ‘Co mmunity Investment’ management an integral part of the overall business fabric. This system was evolved taking into consideration full E&P activities life cycle in context of indigenous culture, traditions, customs and environment of local communities living around.

Applications

CIMS utilizes the logic of project life cycle, highlighting the importance of stakeholders and company's risk assessment in ‘Context Analysis’ and adopts the ‘Logical Framework’ approach to plan, manage, monitor and evaluate the interventions.

eni Pakistan has done so by development of people & promoting the indigenous culture, establishing mutually benefitting relations with all stakeholders, fully respecting the territory and the society of which it is an integral part.

Results

Conclusion

Smooth running of E&P activities can be supported by adopting ‘CIMS’ process that can deliver same results anywhere in the world should applied with true spirit and commitment.
Safety Leadership: Lessons Learned from Developing and Delivering Content on Building the Safety Capacity of an Organization
Authors: Knode Tom , Wham Tony
Published: September 2012

Individuals who possess a natural ability to inspire those around them, regardless of organizational authority, are rare. The soft skills needed to build that capability can be taught, thus enabling a person to become a more effective leader. The greater the individual's leadership skills, the greater the chances that the organization will demonstrate superior performance in safety, as well as other aspects, of their business. Lessons learned from a recent deployment of leadership training will be covered to provide guidance for those interested in the development of similar programs.

The leadership training content should include risk-management tools and a review of company requirements, as well as a discussion of what drives behavior. After the training material is developed, a carefully scripted message and strategy for deployment will help with organizational acceptance and follow-up.

Positive reinforcement of the desired discretionary behaviors must be a theme of the training. With this in mind, leaders can tailor their application of the training to the idiosyncrasies of their work and team. A review of the tools used to manage risk and measure performance is helpful in setting the stage. These tools may include job safety analysis (JSA) or equivalents, as well as hazard and behavior observation programs. The leaders can review the application of those tools, then set expectations for others by applying the Antecedents, Behavior, and Consequences (ABC) model for motivation. After completing the course, follow-up over a period of time should be required to reinforce the application of the new techniques.

Before training is deployed, it is critical to establish the expectations with the leadership of the organization. Setting the tone in the communications and leading by example will reinforce the message that safety leadership is foundational to superior performance and to the achievement of an incident-free work place.
Culture Shift in Obesity Prevalence: Productivity Impact on Petrochemical Population
Authors: Bhojani Faiyaz A. , Tsai Shan P. , Donnelly Robin P.
Published: September 2012

Objectives: To evaluate the consequence of shifting trends in obesity over 30 years on the loss of productivity of a population of petrochemical employees due to illness absence.

Methods: The obesity prevalence data were extracted from the Shell Health Surveillance System, which includes morbidity, mortality and physical examination data, including biometrics (height and weight). Absenteeism data were collected from the Shell People System, which includes employee attendance and absenteeism records. Productivity losses were calculated based on the differential workdays lost between obese and normal weight employees. Impact of productivity loss due to obesity on a variety of health conditions was calculated.

Results: Prevalence of obesity among Shell employees increased from 14% in 1982 to 42% in 2007. In 1982, lost productivity from obesity was estimated to be 8,520 days, but by 1992, work lost had surpassed 16,680 days. In 2007, work lost from obesity was almost 25,500 days; a 3 fold increase over 25 years. The direct loss of productivity in 1982, 1992 and 2007 was estimated to be USD 2,281,000, USD 4,270,000, and USD 6,513,000, respectively.

Conclusions: The productivity impact to employers due to obesity will continue to rise unless effective measures are taken in support of employees achieving and sustaining healthy weight. In the US population, Obesity has now replaced smoking as the number one driver for productivity losses due both work-related and personal injury and illness as well as reduced life expectancy. In addition, it is a key contributor to enhanced health care costs.

A focused and joint strategy between Health, Safety and Benefit (HR) professionals with business leadership is required to achieve a sustainable change in lifestyle changes, both at and outside of work. Such changes include, diet modifications and promotion of regular physical activity, involvement of personal physicians and family members, incentives for action and outcome as well as environmental changes in the workplace to minimize the future impact of the loss of productivity and improvement of health, safety and well being of staff.
Development of Environmentally Friendly Lost Circulation Materials for Riserless Drilling
Authors: Matsui Hitoshi , Daitoh Masaki , Yoshimura Koichi , Morita Nobuo
Published: September 2012

The recent scientific drilling operations have proved that wells as deep as 6000-ft. from ocean bottom can be safely drilled with small riserless drill ships. However, the problem is that theweight of the drilling fluid must beoccasionally increased from the sea water density to 9 ~ 11 -ppg. The problems encountered while using weighted polymer drilling fluids are wellbore instability, stuck pipe induced by lost circulation and insufficient cutting transport problems.

Polyglycolic Acid (PGA) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) have been widely used for medical operations, since the products left in human body dissolve with time. One of the properties desired for lost circulation materials is that the materials prevent lost circulation problems during application, while they disappear when they are disposed to ocean bottom duringriserlessdrilling. The lost circulation resistance tests are conducted using the standard API slot tester, mixing fibers, grains and powders, all made of PGAor PLA in a Xanthan Gum polymer drill-in fluid. Ratio of fibers, grains and powder is optimized to maximizethe lost circulation resistance for 0.04 and 0.12-inch slots. Then, the changes of particle size and fiber strength with time are measured. Cutting retention tests with the fibrous LCM are also performed to check the cutting retention capability when the circulation is ceased during the connection of drill pipes. The cutting fall rate is measured changing fiber concentration, pipe diameter and cutting volumes.

The results show that the capability of preventing lost circulation is maintained withina reasonable time. PGA and PLA lost circulation materials are applicable when the temperature is less than 60°C. The fibrous LCM can also have a capability of cutting retention so that the cutting fall rate is trivial even if the fluid circulation is stopped.

The conclusion shows that the PGA and PLA LCM are capable of sealing fractures for drilling low temperature wells up to 60°C and the fibrous PGA and PLA also help to transport cuttings from well bottom. The merit of PGA is the high strength during the first several hours and the merit of PLA is the pro-longed strength although its initial strength is low. The dissolution time is several days for PGA LCM while it is several weeks for PLA LCM. The strength and dissolution time can be adjusted by the grain sizes and mixture ratio of these two polymers.

This paper emphasizes that when the mud weight is increased, mixing lost circulation materials with enhancing cutting transport capability is important to conserve the mud volume since, for riserless drilling, the weighted mud is not circulated back to the mud pit.
A Resilience Programme: Enhancing Human Performance
Authors: Lillington Teri
Published: September 2012

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity, and is characterised by flexible thinking and adaptive behaviour. All humans have some degree of resilience, and individual capacity for resilience can be learned and strengthened. Research shows that resilient employees perform better, are more productive, and are healthier and happier. Resilience training for employees is gaining momentum in the workplace. Shell's approach is focused on being practical and we have spent time on developing the design and delivery of resilience modules to Shell employees around the globe. This presentation will cover the methodology of the Shell resilience programme, and the evaluation of the programme to date, and what makes this programme innovative.
Remote Real-Time Industrial Hygiene Monitoring
Authors: Wilson Jaemie S.
Published: September 2012

Technology is now available for real-time Industrial Hygiene monitoring of activities in locations such as offshore facilities, with viewing of the data remotely. The use of this technology can result in a more dynamic approach to hazard control, where the data being collected can be interpreted and control barriers altered in line with the results of monitoring. The data review can take place onshore by Industrial Hygiene specialists without the need to fly offshore. Encrypted data is transmitted via the internet for viewing onshore. No work on this application of real-time monitoring has been published previously. This innovative technology is being trailed by Shell in Australia in what is believed to be a world first.

Real-time personal monitoring equipment is available for monitoring of compounds such as VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), benzene, heat stress, radiation and dust. The application of this type of monitoring is extremely useful in a dynamic environment such as offshore exploration drilling or during commissioning of new offshore facilities. In these environments there is limited opportunity for specialist resources such as Industrial Hygienists to be present offshore as operationally, manning levels are at their maximum during these periods.

The use of real-time monitoring with remote review by Industrial Hygiene specialist makes it possible to monitor unique, uncommon, or unplanned maintenance tasks that would otherwise be very difficult to capture.

This paper will provide results and conclusions from the trial of this technology during the refit of an LNG Tanker in Singapore and will describe how this technology may be implemented in remote facilities such as Shell's Prelude FLNG facility. The paper will also discuss likely advances in this technology over the next few years.
Visible Management Commitment in the Drive for Cultural Change toward Safety
Authors: Matkin Darren B. , Scotti Davide
Published: September 2012

Saipem has gained significant experience over the past five years through the development and implementation of its internally generated cultural change program. So far, 8,500 management personnel and senior supervisory levels were engaged in the organisations 1 ½ day Leadership in Health and Safety (LiHS) Workshops, delivered over 600 times across a staggering 38 countries.

LiHS has spread beyond the boundaries of management and impregnated into the workforce at every level, directly involving over 60% of the organisations 42,000 workforce by adopting a strategy of management empowerment and endorsement transferred throughout subsequent hierarchical levels. Increasingly, a change toward a positive culture of safety is emerging in the root of the everyday actions and decisions taken by employees at all levels within the organisation.

The development and implementation strategy of Saipem's LiHS program was centric to the critical need for highly visible Senior Management commitment to trigger and sustain a cultural change process.

The paper describes the role Saipem's Senior Management undertook, from a Board Room and CEO level to Project and Site Management, acting as catalysts through the key development, implementation stages, and continued highly-visible action toward sustaining the organisations long term focus for cultural change. Rarely before has such commitment in terms of financial and personal dedication been demonstrated in the pursuit of a workforce's Health and Safety by Senior Management

Also the critical role of management levels beyond that of the Board Room and Corporate Office's. Local company operating management levels succeeded in engaging their workforce through combining very vocal and visible high influence events with informal interaction.

Visible management commitment is fundamental to establishing an effective cultural change program toward safety.

Saipems Leadership in Health & Safety Program began in early 2006, when the CEO was catalyst for the research and development of a home-grown program to drive a step change in terms of safety performance. With Saipems safety performance being above the industry average at the time, it was still recognized that injuries at work were morally unacceptable, and an approach to drive management commitment and workforce engagement was critical.
Assessment for Lifting Loads above Live Process Plant and Lines - The Development of a Consequence-Based Methodology and Calculation Tool
Authors: Banner Bill , Pourcel Pascal , Brown Alan
Published: September 2012

Lifting above or close to live hydrocarbon process plant or pipelines has long been an emotive subject. Managing such lifting is a fundamental part of the safe operation of the concerned production facilities. Lifting above live plant or lines can be encountered during normal production operations and also simultaneous operations for construction and production or drilling and production activities. Much of the time, with good preparation and planning, such lifts can be performed during planned shutdowns, therefore removing the ‘live plant’ hazard. However there are occasions when shutting down and depressurizing the plant or lines close to or under the lift path is not always perceived as possible. Based on this, a need was identified for a means to allow personnel to perform an appropriate level of assessment to aid in the decision making process regarding whether or not to allow such lifts.

This paper presents the basis of a calculation tool developed to help determine whether or not a lift can be carried out over unprotected plant or lines in a consistent manner and which will give users confidence in the results generated.

The tool calculates the potential impact energies of a dropped load and subsequent damage based on a percentage of indentation to a pipe or vessel diameter. This is derived from inputs by the user in terms of load shape, mass and potential drop height. Thereafter, depending on the plant or line types selected, the tool will advise whether or not the lift can be considered as acceptable providing that other criteria have been complied with. Clearly the final decision as to whether to lift above live plant or lines will be made by a team of appropriately qualified personnel. The benefits to be derived from the introduction of this tool include reduced uncertainty over whether or not such lifting is feasible and it should also reduce the number of enforced shutdowns and restarts, especially for smaller, repetitive types of lifts.
Bioremediation of Synthetic Base Mud Cuttings; The Long Road to Acceptance for Onshore use in China
Authors: Getliff J. M. , Swartz F. R. , Trotter R. N. , Malachosky E.
Published: September 2012

Use of a Non-Aqueous Drilling Fluid (NADF) on the Chuandongbei (CDB) gas project wells will increase the rate of penetration (ROP) and decrease non productive time (NPT) and thus the overall development costs. The use of non aqueous fluids instead of water based drilling fluids (WBM) will however, require significant changes and improvements to the waste management practices previously used in the region which are not suitable for use with non aqueous drilling fluids. A non-aqueous drilling fluid based on a proprietary synthetic paraffin base fluid and a potassium acetate internal phase will be used to maximize the bioremediation potential of the drilling fluid and allow the use of an enhanced bioremediation process that combines the use of fertilizer, top soil and organic amendments to speed up the rate of degradation to produce a useful soil that is able to support plant growth that can be used for reclamation and landscaping of the drill site.

This paper provides a concise overview of the proof of concept studies that were carried out at the University of Tulsa (Phase I and II) and the subsequent refinements using locally sourced soils and organic amendments at the South Western Petroleum University in China (Phase III). The data show that the synthetic based drilling fluid can be successfully biodegraded in soil bio-piles composed of soil and organic amendments from the CDB operating area. The resultant product was successfully used as a plant growth medium.
Managing Societal Risk by Considering Simultaneous Operations Early in Project Development
Authors: Travis Rod
Published: September 2012

With the ever-increasing costs associated with major capital projects, there is significant pressure to achieve early production before the construction workforce has left the site to maximise return on capital expenditure. Indeed, with plants of increasing complexity, commissioning activities typically span several months during which period there will be many more personnel onsite than would be the case during normal operations.

Even after commissioning is long over, modifications such as debottlenecking, expansion and regulatory driven changes often require changes to be made to or near existing process units. Turnarounds of limited portions of the facility can place large numbers of individuals onsite. All these situations have historically occurred without shutting down the plant, resulting in potentially large numbers of personnel to be placed in close proximity to live equipment with subsequent impact on the onsite societal risk profile of the facility.

In this paper, we will discuss the impact of these situations on the (onsite) societal risk profile of facilities. We will discuss: what this may mean for facilities operating under regimes requiring societal risk to be managed within criteria and how to reasonably assess these situations;what are realistic criteria for these circumstances and how they should be applied; andImpact of various mitigation measures on the assessment and whether these are practicable in real terms.

The paper will demonstrate that early assessment of these situations will lead to facilities with greater flexibility for capital expansion and help raise awareness of the hazards and ensure that the facility manages the risk to a level that is As Low As Reasonably Practicable.
Coastal Shoreline Crossing Using Horizontal Directional Drilling for Pipeline Installation Achieves Excellent Environmental and Social Outcomes
Authors: Howitt L. , Smith M. Lincoln , Blount C. , Branson P.
Published: September 2012

As part of the Devil Creek Development Project, Apache successfully used horizontal directional drilling (HDD) with a delayed break out as the installation method for the shoreline crossing of a new gas pipeline at Gnoorea Point, 45 km southwest of Dampier, Western Australia to achieve excellent environmental and social outcomes.

Technical, environmental and community engagement challenges included an HDD reach distance of 1.85 km, a delayed break out technique, hard complex and variable geological strata, the HDD exit point in shallow water (6 m) and surrounded by benthic habitats consisting of corals, seagrass and macroalgae within a Marine Conservation Reserve, stringent regulatory requirements and the onshore drilling location directly adjacent to a heavily used camping area and a public boat ramp with adjacent beach.
A Corporate Health Research Ethics Program: The First Decade (2002–2012)
Authors: Lerman S. E. , Lavelle K.
Published: September 2012

Protecting human study subjects from risk or harm is a long-recognized imperative of ethical research. Title 45 CFR Part 46 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, known as The Common Rule, regulates research ethics for most federally-funded human research, but does not apply to research that is privately funded.

Private entities also benefit from instituting formal ethical procedures to guide the conduct of human research that they sponsor or conduct. The primary reason for undertaking such efforts is to protect study subjects from undue risk or harm, while maintaining scientific rigor. An additional benefit may be the enhanced credibility such a program may confer to the validity of industry sponsored/conductedresearch.

This paper describes a program establisihed in 2002. The ExxonMobil Health Research Ethics Program consists of five key elements that include: (1) A Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and (2) Formal written Guidelines; (3) A three-tiered review (4) Annual training of both HREC members and potential study investigators (5) Annual Program
Water Use in Canada's Oil Sands Industry: The Facts
Authors: Lunn Stuart
Published: September 2012

Canada's oil sands industry is often perceived as having poor environmental performance. One focus area is the use of water for oil sands production. Bitumen from oil sands is produced by surface mining or by in-situ thermal extraction. Both technologies are water-based. The oil sands deposits are situated in northern Alberta where the river basins have 87% of the provincial average annual water supply but only have 13% of the demand. Oil sands operators have made significant progress in improving freshwater use efficiency and water use represents a small and sustainable percentage of natural supply. For in-situ production, steam is injected into oil sands reservoirs to reduce the oil viscosity to allow its recovery. As an example of continuous improvement, the Imperial Oil Cold Lake in situ oil sands operation has improved freshwater use productivity by 90% since 1985 through produced water recycling and the use of deep saline groundwater. The in situ oil sands industry will remain a sustainable water user into the future (2030) using an estimated 0.04% to 0.09% of available supply from the 3 river basins where they are situated. For oil sands mining, water is used to transport and extract bitumen. Most of the source water comes from the Athabasca River. In 2011, the oil sands mining industry used 0.54% of the average annual flow and 3% of the lowest 2011–2012 winter weekly flow. For growth forecasts to 2030, it is estimated that the oil sands mining industry will require 1.4% of the average annual flow of the Athabasca River. Overall, by 2030, it is projected that the entire oil sands industry will use less than 0.4% of Alberta's average annual water supply to produce 80% of Canada's total oil production.
Safety Begins (and Ends) With Management
Authors: Threadgold Ian M.
Published: September 2012

Safety cannot be left to chance otherwise incidents are more likely to occur. Safety has to be properly managed. "Safety Begins With Management" should be an important philosophy, corporate value or safety policy element for any organization that is serious about the safety and wellbeing of its employees, workforce, contractors and any visitors or stakeholders at its facilities or worksites.

"Safety Begins With Management" however, has multiple meanings, all of which are critical to good safety performance and continuous improvement with an organization.

Firstly, the Management of an entity (the senior people who run the company) must show a real commitment to safety and exhibit visible and believable leadership, and steer development of the organizational culture to this end. The information presented in this paper includes guidance on leadership, actions that leaders must take and things they must not do, as well as ideas to improve management visits to the worksite.

Secondly, there are processes that should be utilized for key aspects of an operation such as management of risk, change or contractors for the purpose of keeping the workforce safe. Finally, management systems must be used to control the various facets of a company's activities and not just for occupational health and safety. So "management" refers to people, processes and systems in its varied meanings.

A comparison of management system models discusses the problems with using regional or national standards versus a global standard. It is also concluded that the management system model that was enacted into law in the US after the Macondo incident may not have been the best choice.

The paper looks at the unique success story of The Offshore Drilling Company and how it's "management" was a critical component to its amazing turnaround.

The author feels strongly that safety not only begins with "management" but, if the various aspects of management are not all in place and working effectively, then safety can end (that is incidents will occur) due to failings of management. Without these key controls, incidents are more likely to occur and people more likely to be injured, even fatally.
NORM Disposal in Australia
Authors: Crouch Dean , Stoney Eleanor
Published: September 2012

This paper examines the challenges associated with NORM disposal for the offshore oil and gas industry in Australia. This paper will address the Australian regulatory context and ‘textbook’ disposal alternatives and identify the approved avenues for disposal. Whilst this paper will reflect on how NORM is managed to minimise personnel and public exposure to NORM, in essence this paper will review regulatory considerations required for NORM disposal. This paper attempts to answer the question of, where to now with NORM disposal in Australia?

The accumulation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material or "NORM" can occur during hydrocarbon production. During the extraction of hydrocarbons and associated formation fluids, some radioactive materials may become entrained and precipitate out of suspension in the form of sulfate and carbonate scale, sands and sludge. NORM has also been known to occur where there is a commingling of reservoir fluids and where there is a significant temperature or pressure decrease (i.e. as fluids flow from the production tree towards a production facility). For example, the injection of sea water has been known to assist in the formation of NORM as it can introduce sulphates to the reservoir which start to precipitate due to the reservoir containing soluble barium and trace concentrations of Ra-226 and Ra-228.

NORM in the offshore petroleum industry is typically identified as Radium (usually Radium-226 and Radium-228) and Thorium (usually Thorium-228). These isotopes are purely radioactive and have no nuclear application. NORM activity levels have been observed to range from: