bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of IPR Curve of Oil Wells in Visco-Elastic Polymer Solution Flooding Reservoirs
Authors: Xia Huifen , Yue XiangAn , Wang Dexi , Li Qun , Zhang Xuebin
Published: December 2007

When developing water-flooding reservoirs, oil and water are regarded as Newtonian fluids in the study of inflow performance relationship of oil wells. But for polymer-flooding reservoirs, prediction of inflow performance relationship of oil wells must consider non-Newtonian behavior of the polymer solution. Based on present papers, descriptions about the flow behavior of non-Newtonian fluid in porous media are mainly concentrated on power-law fluids. These studies do not consider the variation of rheological parameters along seepage flow direction and also elastic effect of polymer solution, therefore these models or results can not be used to characterize the seepage behavior of polymer solution in porous media and predict the inflow performance relationship of oil wells in polymer flooding reservoirs.

Analysis of the samples from oil wells in polymer flooding reservoirs shows that polymer solution produced still appears visco-elastic effect even at a lower concentration of the polymer solution. In this paper, according to a great quantity of experiment data on core displacement and rheological property, a model about the variation of rheological parameters along the seepage flow direction is developed. A constitutive equation for visco-elastic fluid is constructed, in which the variation of the rheological parameters of polymer solutions in porous media is taken into account. A formula of critical elastic flow velocity is presented. Using the constitutive equation proposed in this paper, the seepage flow behavior of visco-elastic fluid with variable rheological parameters is investigated. A model for calculating IPR of oil well in polymer flooding is developed, in which variation of in-situ fluid rheological parameter, visco-elastic effect, formation damage near the wellbore, decrease in formation permeability and other factors are considered. This model is solved using finite difference method and IPR curves and pressure distributions are predicted. Some factors affecting inflow performance are analyzed. With this model, inflow performance relationship of two oil wells in polymer-flooding reservoir in Daqing oil field is calculated. The prediction result is coincident with the flow-after-flow data, the average relative error is less than 10%.

According to the predicted IPR results, the pumping equipment and working parameters can be optimized. It is of great significance for designing a reasonable working system for oil wells in polymer-flooding reservoir.
Benchmarking of Steamflood Field Projects in Light/Medium Crude Oils
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Alfredo , Gamboa Marjorie , Ovalles César , Manrique Eduardo
Published: December 2007

A benchmarking study on 43 steamflood of light/medium crude oils was performed, to find attractive reservoir characteristics and successful operational practices that are used worldwide. More than 30 successful projects were analyzed and summarized in a database, which included reservoir properties, best operational practices and results obtained. On average, an incremental oil recovery of 19% OOIP was obtained by steamflooding, during a project lifetime of up to seven years.

Based on the successful project characteristics, we developed a model to rank potential reservoirs. Reservoir data were analyzed using standard statistical methods for properties, such as: API gravity, initial oil saturation, reservoir temperature, porosity, initial pressure, depth, net pay, viscosity at reservoir condition, initial (at the beginning of steamdrive)-bubble pressure ratio and average permeability. The statistical model ranked the properties on a standardized score scale. A predicted score close to one hundred indicates a high probability of success. Supported by this numerical model, we selected the La Salina reservoir (La Rosa Formation, Lake Maracaibo, Western Venezuela) as a potentially successful reservoir to apply steamflood technology.

In addition, unsuccessful projects from two different reservoirs (the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, and Buena Vista Hills, both in the USA) were analyzed, to understand the reasons for failure. Several reasons were identified, such as: poor reservoir characterization, thief zones and carbon dioxide formation by decomposition of reservoir minerals.
Successful Field Test of the First Ultra-Low Interfacial Tension Foam Flood
Authors: Wang Demin , Cheng Jiecheng , Yang Zhenyu , Qun Li , Wu Wenxiang , Yu Huiyu
Published: December 2007

An important method to increase the recovery of reservoirs is ASP (alkaline/surfactant/polymer) flooding to lower the IFT (interfacial tension) between the crude oil and displacing fluid to an ultra-low value (<10-3 mN/m) to increase the displacement efficiency and at the same time to increase the viscosity of the displacing fluid in order to increase the volumetric sweep efficiency. However, the alkaline in the ASP fluid makes it difficult to increase the viscosity by polymers. Therefor, experiments were performed by adding natural gas to the ASP fluid to form an ASP foam (ASPF) displacing fluid. This ASPF fluid should have the characteristics of an ultra-low IFT, high displacement efficiency and also low mobility, which should increase the volumetric sweep efficiency also.

This paper introduces the results of ASPF tests in the laboratory and field. The experimental results in the lab include the foaming ability of the ASPF, the stability of the foam, its IFT, resistance to flow in cores, the incremental recovery of cores of different heterogeneity and the relationship between incremental recovery and residual oil saturation and polymer concentration. The field results include reservoir description, well pattern, composition of the injected ASPF, injection and production conditions and problems encountered.

Good results were obtained in the field. The current recovery factor is already 65.6% OOIP. The final recovery is estimated to reach 71.3% OOIP.
Simulation and Optimization of Continuous Gas Lift System in Aghajari Oil Field
Authors: Bahadori Alireza , Ayatollahi Sh. , Moshfeghian M.
Published: December 2007

Gas lift system is optimized by use of PVT data combined with fluid and multiphase flow correlations. The first step in the study is the selection of appropriate correlations followed by multiphase flow calculations at various points of injection. From actual pressure and temperature surveys and determining the point of injection, a gas lift performance curve is constructed for the well. In order to determine the optimal gas lift condition, Solution nodal method is used to determine optimum injection depth, optimum well-head pressure, optimum production rate and minimum injection gas volume. A considerable gain could be obtained from implementing recommendations. Finding the appropriate valve space is done in this work is new compared to others.
Optimizing Drilling Parameters Enhances Horizontal Drilling Performance
Authors: Eissa Walid Mohamed
Published: December 2007

The optimized selection of bits and mud type during any drilling operation improves significantly the drilling efficiency presented in high rates of penetration consequently less cost per meter.

Hydraulics play also great part in optimization cycle by enhancing the ratio of the pressure loss across the bit nozzles to the circulating pressure., Utilizing bit hydraulic horsepower or jet impact force criteria which improving considerably the rate of penetration, due to the continuos cleaning below and through the bit cones.

Geosteering drilling is considered as one of the optimizing tools that recently introduced to drilling operations, where it affected positively Petrobel horizontal drilling learning curve performance.

This paper present a case study for group of horizontal wells drilled by Petrobel through last two years, summaries the good drilling performance achieved and analyzing difficulties encountered and describing implementation process of the lessons learned from old wells in planning recent ones.

As a result of that, the cost per meter was decreased by about 50% in last two years, and average penetration rate was nearly doubled, moreover, the production rate increased approximately 10 times more each well.
Safeguarding Our Assets Through Contractor Partnership
Authors: Price J. G. , Vega T. A. , Wasden F. K. , Isbell G. C. , Cadwallader R. G. , Fontenette L. A. , Mc Rill M. C. , Shackelford E. J.
Published: December 2007

Company contractor safety performance has improved dramatically over the past 10 years (Appendix A, Chart 1) due to commitment from both the contracting community and the entire organization, particularly from senior leadership. The foundation upon which this success story is written is the company's Contractor HSE Management Process (CSMP). Utilizing a risk-based approach and a "fit-for-purpose" schema that is owned and driven by line management, CSMP principles provide the foundation for integration of health, safety and environment (HSE) into the company's everyday business.

At the heart of this process is "Stoplight", a tool that provides an initial assessment of contractors that have a medium to high degree of risk. First introduced into our midstream business and subsequently adopted throughout the company, Stoplight requires demonstration of alignment with the company's HSE Management System (HSE MS) as well as documented continuous performance improvement. This approach has provided the focus necessary to achieve the outstanding performance exhibited to date.

The integration of CSMP into the company's business strategy is key to its success. Through our Procurement Councils and Business Performance Reviews conducted in conjunction with our contractors, clear expectations and aligned messages become apparent. Both relationships and time are maximized when these and other "face-to-face" meetings are held on a regular basis between designated company contacts and their contractor counterparts. Contractors now share key learnings and collectively develop improved practices that benefit the entire industry.

Successful creation of a partnering atmosphere with our contractor community is crucial to safeguard people and our assets. This collaboration has provided the foundation for meeting the myriad of challenges that exist in the demanding oil and gas environment and in such diverse regions as South Texas, the Gulf of Mexico and Michigan.
Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Synergy by Creating Alliances Between Oil and Service Companies in Integrated Projects
Authors: Beyk S. , Paradas S.
Published: December 2007

Over the years, oil companies have invested significant resources looking for ways to assign projects to the most competent service companies in the different disciplines of the exploration and production business. Often this resulted in fragmented services because of the service company's capacities.

Continuous searching has resulted in the evolution of a relationship between oil and service companies to encompass anything from a simple service call to a more mature, contractual relationship developing integrated projects. The integrated project approach enables an oil company to award work to a service provider based on their capacity to economically manage various processes. It also provides the opportunity to produce outstanding results, while continuously improving processes.

In 1999 an oil company and an oilfield services company started a strategic alliance to drill and recomplete wells in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. This alliance enabled both organizations to be involved in the planning and design of "fit-for-purpose" rigs that operate at maximum efficiency in the specific conditions of the lake. Both engineering and operations solutions are based on an integrated services contract.

In this paper, we show how this alliance has created a combined quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE) management system, generating greater results than the operator and service company systems generated individually; and how this has benefited employees, the environment and the community.
A Project has Brought About a Confluence of Two Industries with Very Different Approaches to Management of Some HSE Risks
Authors: Ros A. J.
Published: December 2007

Variability In Health And Safety Standards

Standards of health and safety around the world vary greatly. The standards vary not only across different industries, such as exploration, drilling, production, shipping or construction, but also by geographic region, as is clearly evident from statistics published by industry bodies such as OGP. The standards of health and safety can even vary across different aspects of businesses of an international company dealing with industry in various regions of the world. Putting the above together creates a challenging issue to manage.

Cultural issues and general standards of living play a large role in setting the scene for the health and safety standards that are present in the industry and country in question. Many issues form the basis of this cultural heritage, but this paper proposes that one can simply correlate the health and safety awareness of a workforce or organisation with the cost of that labour force. In other words, "you get what you pay for".

Although legislation can play a key role in this, one has to differentiate legislation with enforced legislation. Again, cultural issues play a leading role here and again the end result is reflected in the cost of labour.
Waste Management in the Norwegian E&P Industry - Improved Cost and Control in a New Era
Authors: Roebuck Keith
Published: December 2007

The Norwegian E&P operators have joined forces under the common umbrella of their branch organization, The Norwegian Oil & Gas Operators Association (OLF), to combat raising costs and to improve quality of waste management.

After establishing a task force, a work process and product was defined which had a primary function to identify current best practices and improvement potential. Results from this work were documented as national industry guidelines and supported by all operators, service industries and authorities.

Initial work aimed to define the E&P industry's improvement potential through close cooperation with specialist consultancies, suppliers of waste management services, and authorities. This cooperation with companies and stakeholders both inside and outside the E&P industry proved particularly fruitful in gaining a common understanding and harmonization of operator, contractor and regulatory goals and expectations, as well as interpretation of Norway's functional regulations. The task force's open style of cooperation proved to generate wide interest in gaining ownership to the industry's challenges related to reducing cost and improving efficiency and quality.

Since completion, publication and implementation of the Norwegian industry guidelines, other branch organizations have found this work useful in establishing or updating their own guidelines.

OLF's strategy to gain common understanding, support and ownership of the guidelines proved successful. Two years after the task force initiated its work, results indicate improved waste segregation (>20%) and recycle (>25%), reduced nonconformances from authorities (>80%), and integration of non-conformance reporting in company management systems. These improvements translate in Norway to cost savings of approximately five million USD annually, compared to a status quo situation (1997).
Water Reinjection for Disposal in Erawan Field
Authors: Sirilumpen Mala , Meyer John C.
Published: December 2007

Unocal is the largest producer of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand. Unocal is faced with finding the most cost-effective way to handle produced water from its oil and gas operations to minimize its impact on the environment. Two options were considered for handling the water: water treatment and water re-injection. This paper looks at the re-injection option and its history and future considerations as it pertains to the Erawan Field.

The promising results from early injectivity tests and long term availability of depleted wells have led to full-scale implementation of water re-injection at the Erawan Field. Water re-injection performance begain at 80% of total Erawan produced water and has improved to 92% due to improvement in facility design and overall operating efficiency. Action items have been developed for the immediate, medium and long-terms and incorporated into Unocal Thailand's business unit plan.

Typical water injection wells are described as well as good injection well candidates. Erawan Field has 5 major water injection facilities located at each processing platform with bridge connected wellhead platforms. In addition, water is reinjected at 7 remote wellhead platforms utilizing separator pressure vs. aid of an injection pump. Presently, Erawan is reinjecting approximately 20,000 BWPD in 30 wells located on the 12 platforms. Water disposal capacity from the depleted gas wells is estimated at 100+ MMBW. This is equivalent to 15 years of water disposal.

Topics to be covered in this paper will be lessons learned, anticipated well characteristics, water management history and future considerations for water re-injection at the Erawan Field.
International Regulations – Meeting the Challenge
Authors: Fronks Roger C
Published: December 2007

SPE Paper 46740 "International Co-operation in the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry", presented at the 1998 SPE HS&E conference in Caracas, described a system of collaboration between North West European Offshore Regulatory Authorities.

Four years on, this paper describes the successful outcome of two multi-national safety management system audits undertaken by the combined forces of the UK Health and Safety Executive, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Danish Energy Agency, Dutch State Supervision of Mines and the German Higher Mining Authority.

The direct objective was to examine how effectively selected aspects of corporate safety management systems were applied by local managements across different regulatory regimes. The strategic objective was to improve practical cooperation between the regulators and to justify further initiatives in the common quest for improved health and safety performance.

This paper, prepared by the leader of the audit teams, discusses how the audits were successfully undertaken across diverse cultural and legal frameworks. The strengths and weaknesses will be reviewed in practical, operational and strategic terms.

The paper summarizes the audit conclusions, which include evidence that remote corporate managements may not have an accurate view of how their management systems are operating across international boundaries. They may not be sufficiently proactive in monitoring and reviewing locally applied policies and procedures.

Strategically, the audits were successful in improving practical regulator cooperation. The influence of the companies audited in setting the future harmonisation agenda will be shown to demonstrate the advantage of company/regulator cooperation. New North Sea initiatives will be described.

The paper suggests that similar practical cooperation between regulatory authorities on the wider world stage could contribute to a more global improvement in health, safety and environmental standards in the offshore oil and gas industry.
GEOS: An Innovative System for the Management of Oil Spill Emergency
Authors: Puletti M. , Filippi G. De , Mazzucchelli L. , Meneguzzo F.
Published: December 2007

Environmental Risk Management has become a main issue in general and in particular as far as is concerned the activities involving crude oil at sea. ENI AGIP has developed GEOS, an innovative integrated system for managing oil-spill emergency and for risk assessment evaluation in the planning of offshore platforms.

The following key items are integrated in the system: OSCAR, a model of transport and weathering of crude in case of spill at sea;RAMS, a wind model for weather prediction;AGIP IDRO, a two dimensional barotropic model of the Adriatic sea;MARTE, a system for real-time data acquisition from offshore platforms in the Adriatic Sea. Several monitoring stations are installed on the platforms. The incoming data are validated and loaded in a data base for statistical processing;a huge database of environmental information about the Adriatic Sea.

The idea is the following: gathering all the information and output data from the listed key items using a GIS (Geographic Information System) for visualization and the risk analysis purposes. In case of an oil-spill emergency, real time data are involved in the calculation: wind and currents speed and direction are interpolated to define wind and current field at the spill site.

The OSCAR model is then applied for a short time forecast of the spill evolution and after the arrival of a new set of data, the forecast is updated.

As far as is concerned the risk assessment evaluation, the historical data are used and the interaction with sensible areas are calculated.

At the moment, GEOS is applied to the Adriatic Sea, but it is also sufficiently flexible to be implemented also for other areas if sufficient data are available. The system is implemented on a Windows NT environment using the GIS ArcView 3.2 and the ORACLE DBMS.
The Norwegian Guideline for Probabilistic Explosion Risk Simulations
Authors: Pappas Jan A. , Holen Jens Kristian
Published: December 2007

Many approaches to the problem of selecting explosion loads based on advanced CFD simulation models on scenarios have been suggested during the past 3–5 years. In order to accelerate and harmonize the development of probabilistic explosion simulation methods, Norsk Hydro and Statoil took an initiative in 1998 to develop a guideline that recently was issued as a NORSOK standard.

The guideline treats the complete calculation of explosion risk from the gas leak to the structural response. The result is a probability distribution of the explosion loads or the structural response. Based on company specific acceptance criteria the dimensioning explosion load can then be selected with a lot of input data and judgements that has to be made.

A test study of the guideline with identical studies performed by five consultants has demonstrated the importance of focusing on input data and judgements that has to be made. There were some discrepancies between the results from the five consultants. Some of this discrepancy is judged to be due to different interpretation of input data and some due to the implementation of the procedure itself. For four of the five consultants the most interesting results are in the same range and would lead to the same conclusions. The main conclusion from the test study is that with right focus on input data it is possible to get consistent results by following the procedure.
Radiation Sources in Drilling Tools: Comprehensive Risk Analysis in the Design, Development and Operation of LWD Tools
Authors: Aitken J. D. , Adolph R. , Evans M. , Wijeyesekera N. , McGowan R. , Mackay D.
Published: December 2007

Nuclear logging while drilling (LWD) methods containing chemical sources of ionizing radiation have become commonplace in the past 15 years. However, introducing radioactive sources into a drillstring's bottomhole assembly (BHA) involves a level of risk greater than similar tools deployed on wireline. Such tools must meet acceptable standards not only in terms of performance, but environmental and personnel safety. In addition, stringent regulatory requirements are imposed on the transport, storage, handling, abandonment and eventual disposal of chemical radioactive sources.

Comprehensive risk analysis has driven the development of two generations of nuclear LWD tools at one oilfield service company. We discuss these tools, their Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) performance and the process of continuous improvement, both incrementally and in fundamental design changes, as risks were better quantified.

Substituting a pulsed neutron generator (PNG) in place of chemical sources can eliminate many of the risks, while increasing the measurements available for petrophysical analysis.

PNGs have been used successfully in wireline-deployed tools but, until recently, have not been sufficiently robust for LWD application. Prototype LWD tools are successfully proving the viability of a new generation of PNG. These PNG-based LWD tools open the door to an enhanced suite of LWD measurements without the HSE risks of chemical source-based tools.
Development and Implementation of HSE Management System (HSE-MS) in a Deepwater Company – Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (SNEPCO) Experience
Authors: Onianwa Amechi T. , Onwuzurike-azu Cosmos , Fowler Alan , Pagett Richard , Ogunnaike Babatunde
Published: December 2007

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding the health and safety of its employees and contractors, and for protecting the environment. The company therefore launched a programme in 1999 to develop an integrated health, safety and environmental management system (HSE-MS) which complies with Shell Group Standards and with ISO 14001. System design and implementation were challenging due to the rapid evolution of our activities. The environmental component of the management system was certified to ISO14001 in August 2001 and the company is now focusing on reaping the HSE and business rewards and further enhancing our HSE performance via a range of post-certification initiatives. This paper describes our experience in developing and maintaining the HSE-MS and our plans for the journey ahead of us.
Health and Safety Assessment in E & P Laboratories: Results of Two-year Monitoring
Authors: Biancifiori Carlo , Flospergher Walter , Castagnoli Antonio , Fabri Giovanni , Guaschi Elena
Published: December 2007

The protection of workers' health and safety is realized in the right of each individual worker to physical safeguard, as well as in his right to work in a healthy environment.

Our Health and Safety Division conducted, in San Donato Milanese Central Laboratories, two years of chemical, physical and biological survey, both in analysis and research facilities and laboratories, and on workers exposed to hazardous manufacturing processes using carcinogenic substances, such as for example, crude oil.

Purpose of the survey was to check the presence of carcinogenic substances in the air, and their eventual absorption in the human body.

Noise and microclimatic environmental conditions were also monitored, with particular respect to humidity, temperature, particulate and air conditioning, as well as the microbiological impact of air-conditioners, with a close survey for legionella, staphylococcus, coliforms, yeasts and moulds in the air introduced in the premises.

This paper shows the instrumentations and the methods used in the sampling and in the analyses, and the results obtained as well as their conformity with the Italian legislation and with the main international standards on this subject, and the future areas of improvement.
Managing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Medical Care of Victims of Kidnapping and Gun Shot Wounds in the Niger Delta.
Authors: Vaughan J. M. M.
Published: December 2007

More than 100 employees and contractors working for the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria, were kidnapped at work in the Niger Delta in 1999 and 2000. Shell Hospitals in the Niger Delta also dealt with 55 cases of gun shot wounds in the same period although most were third parties.

The company has a duty of care to ensure that the health aspects of kidnapping are appropriately managed and that a best practice is developed. There is no doubt that any insinuation of negligence in this area could become a significant liability issue particularly if it is perceived that there has been a failure to give the highest priority to the Health, Safety, and Security of employees and contractors.

The paper will discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): its definition, diagnostic features and management. In developing a best practice the Medical Department of SPDC, Nigeria, has defined its role in the company emergency response plan and effective liaison with duty managers so that the victims of kidnapping come to the hospital immediately on release. Depending on the duration of the kidnapping and the conditions in which the victims were held appropriate medical screening and counselling takes place. Arrangements are made for follow up. The effectiveness of this procedure was tested by a questionnaire sent out to 50 victims. A brief description of some of the pitfalls of managing high velocity bullet wounds will also be given.

During the years 1999 and 2000 over 100 employees and contractors working for the company were kidnapped at work by those whose prime motive was apparently financial extortion. Many were released the same day but there were some who were held for up to three weeks, often at gun point and in very basic conditions. 83 were seen on release in the company hospitals in either Warri or Port Harcourt. Fortunately, there were no fatalities
Monitoring and Measuring Stress to Guide Targeted Intervention
Authors: Donnelly R P
Published: December 2007

Many employers and organizations throughout the world report high levels of stress in the workforce. Concerns about the human costs as well as organizational performance have resulted in many employers introducing stress management programs. Often however little is known about the actual scale of the problem, possible causes and the effectiveness of the proposed interventions.

Over a two year period over 2,500 employees underwent a simple psychological screening process using previously validated questionnaires (GHQ12 and HADS). This process resulted in a psychological map of the organization showing the areas where levels of anxiety and stress within the company were high and required intervention. The data collected proved valuable in targeting hot spots, monitoring the effectiveness of interventions and has provided a basis for future work on stress management.
Demand-Resource Analysis, a Method for Assessment of the Working Environment at the Planning Stage
Authors: Kjellén Urban , Gillberg Mats , Jeding Kerstin
Published: December 2007

Demand-resource (DR) analysis is a tool primarily developed for use during the design of offshore installations. The aim is to make an integrated assessment of the physical and psychosocial working-environment for job positions on the installation when in operation.

DR-analysis was originally developed in the early 1990ies and was based on Karasek and Theorell's demand-control-support model. In 1998 the method went through a major revision to improve its theoretical validity and reliability. The paper presents the revised methods and results from its use in the assessment of four job positions on a new offshore platform.

Results show that the method is suited for the identification of critical working environment aspects during the design of new workplaces. For instance, it highlighted an unsatisfactory high task demand in the driller's position that was not adequately balanced by control of own work and social support.

It is concluded that DR-analysis represents a valuable complement to existing tools for the evaluation of new workplace designs in order to avoid solutions with potentially detrimental effects on the health of the operator and platform safety.
Total Energy Consumption: A Comparative Case Study of Two Alternative North Sea Cuttings Handling Processes Associated with the Use of Oil Based Drilling Fluids.
Authors: James R. W. , Rørvik B.
Published: December 2007

Phillips Petroleum Company Norway has North Sea experience with two alternative cuttings handling processes associated with the use of oil based drilling fluids. The Operator has used this unique opportunity to perform a comparative study of the total energy consumption of the two alternative handling processes.

The resultant formation cuttings coated with oil based drilling fluid must be correctly handled for environmental reasons with all discharges being avoided. The use of mineral oil based drilling fluids is preferred for drilling operations as it ensures improved hole stability in clay formations.

In addition to the total energy consumed, safety issues and cost impacts of the two alternative handling methods are briefly described for interest.
Getting serious about safety: Accountability and leadership – the forgotten elements
Authors: Bryden Robin
Published: December 2007

The paper sets out a model specifying the four elements required to deliver breakthrough safety performance, focusing on accountability for safety and strong leadership, although this needs to be applied in conjunction with workforce involvement and management commitment.

Drawing on the experience of Shell U.K. Exploration and Production, this paper highlights the role accountability and leadership have played in improving the company's safety performance.

The motivation to change behaviour was achieved by making explicit the link between actions and their consequence, in terms of linking safety to reward and career progression. This paper illustrates the controlled manner in which this was done based on Kotter's (1996) model of organisational change[1].

The provision of skills for people to make a behavioural change was done through training all staff on Shell Expro locations in how to intervene if someone is acting in an unsafe way and how to respond to an intervention. The other key skill identified as essential to delivering this message in a constructive non-threatening way is leadership style. The paper demonstrates – in Bass's classification scheme – that a transformational leadership style is the most effective way for senior managers to communicate their commitment in a believable form[2].
New Method for Prioritizing Between Emissions and Discharges from the Offshore Industry
Authors: Hjelsvold M. , Furuholt E. , Johnsen S.
Published: December 2007

The Norwegian oil industry association and the Norwegian government have established a set of emission reduction targets for Green House Gases (GHG), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Produced water and drilling chemicals. The offshore oil and gas industry is frequently faced with conflicting situations regarding these targets. A measure that reduces one type of emission or discharge may cause other emissions/discharges to increase. Competing technical concepts or solutions may also have different impacts on the various emissions and discharges.

A method is proposed to compare the different emissions and discharges based on the "distance to target" concept. The main assumption for this method is that all targets are equally important. This means that it is equally beneficial for the environment to reach the targets for GHG, NOx, VOC, produced water and drilling discharges.

Based on the distances to their respective targets, a Reduced Emission and Discharge (RED) value is derived for each emission/discharge. The RED units give the user a numerical method to assess a total emission and discharge load. Each tonne of emissions and each reduction in discharges can thereby be given a dimensionless number.

Three different cases where the RED method has been applied will be presented. The Tampen area consisting of several platforms in the North Sea has used the RED method to identify the most effective discharge/emission reducing measures from an environmental point of view. The RED method has been tested on three different levels of decision; the platform level, the field level and the regional level.
Holistic Environmental Assessment of Oil and Gas Field Development
Authors: Salter E. R. E. , Ford J. T.
Published: December 2007

Many organisations, such as the British Medical Association, European Oilfield Speciality Chemicals Association, the Royal Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Norway) and Shell Expro, now recognise that a holistic approach is essential to assess total environmental risk. This paper presents a study that has developed a new life-of-field, goal orientated process of analysis called Holistic Environmental Assessment (HEA). HEA assesses the total environmental risk associated with a proposed oil and gas field development. It prioritises environmental risks and identifies cost effective strategies to reduce them. For the first time the process was applied to a real ‘case study’ field development programme, X Field in UKCS Block 22/12, to test its effectiveness. The application identified that HEA is a useful tool to help design eco-efficient and cost-effective oil and gas field developments. Furthermore, it was discovered that much of the information required by HEA could be obtained in a quick and user-friendly format. The authors propose that HEA would be effective as a software tool to analyse different environmental risk management systems. This would facilitate the identification of a system that steers an operator towards the triple bottom line of Sustainable Development. A guidance document detailing the HEA method and its application is available from the authors.
Development of Environmental Operational Controls for Risk Minimization and Environmental Clearance for Onshore Drilling Operations
Authors: Khan Francois
Published: December 2007

With the advent of new environmental legislation in Trinidad and Tobago, all industrial and commercial development activity will require a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC). The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) which is the environmental regulatory agency in Trinidad can request an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) if it deems necessary when considering an application for a CEC.

The CEC application process will pose great challenges for the petroleum exploration and production industry where activity levels correlate with fluctuations in crude prices. The application process can take months depending on the scope of the project and there are significant costs in conducting an EIA. This problem is compounded by the fact that most onshore drilling takes place in mature and marginal fields. Operators cannot tolerate excessive and expensive environmental assessments, mitigation costs and equipment downtime. A combination of these problems can result in postponement or cancellation drilling programs.

As part of Petrotrin's drive towards ISO 14001 EMS certification for its exploration and production operations, the Exploration and Production HSE Department in conjunction with the Drilling Department has identified all environmental aspects, potential impacts, and developed environmental operational controls for onshore drilling operations. These controls were developed through a risk assessment process and are integrated into drilling operations through policies, training and regular audits.

The project management team realized that environmental operational controls will not only have benefits such as risk reduction, but can potentially lend assistance towards reducing delays in obtaining environmental clearance for development programs.

This paper describes the risk assessment process by which Petrotrin developed policy environmental operational controls for its onshore drilling programs, the use of these controls to minimize risk, and the novel approach the company is taking in using them for obtaining environmental clearance.
Challenges in Developing Occupational Health Services in an Oil & Gas Company in Malaysia
Authors: Jaya M. Sharkawi
Published: December 2007

In the management of Health Safety Environment (HSE), emphasis is usually placed on safety due to its immediate and great visual impact when accidents happen. This immediate great visual impact generates keen media interest. Occupational illness and related death, on the other hand, tend to develop slowly and surreptitiously and many remained undiagnosed. This being the case, they do not generate great media interest and consequently remain overshadowed by safety issues. It is therefore, crucial that health be consciously addressed in the management of HSE. The development of occupational health services is to be in line with the HSE Policy statement of the organization as well as taking into consideration industry practice and statutory requirements of the country. As for safety, top management commitment is a pre-requisite to the success of occupational health management. Health risk assessment determines the required occupational health program. Standards for this can be adopted from local laws and or industry or international codes. Successful implementation of occupational health program requires competent personnel that are scarce making it one of the biggest challenges in Malaysia. For PETRONAS, a network of Regional Occupational Health Advisers (ROHAs) was developed to serve and coordinate occupational health service for all the regions in the country and is supported by the Regional Industrial Hygienists (RIHAs). Each Operating Unit develops a team of health risk assessors and hygiene technicians. To conduct medical examinations and surveillance, a group of Approved Medical Examiners (AMEs) are also appointed. All the ROHAs and AMEs are required to be trained in occupational health.
Present Working Environment Conditions and Measures of Improvement in Vietnam Petroleum Industry
Authors: Linh Ho Xuan , Hanh Vo Van
Published: December 2007

Petroleum industry plays an important role in Vietnam economy, attracting a large quantity of manpower. Almost of enterprises and companies are holding a large number of high technology equipment. However, several workers are still working with manually controlled equipment. Especially many of jobs are still involved with harsh and toxic working environment. Therefore, the requirements to improve working environment, laborer health and to prevent occupational diseases are important and urgent duty in petroleum industry.

Petroleum industry is a wide field with many complex processes and advanced technologies. Petroleum industry mainly includes the following areas: exploration, drilling and production, transport and storage, processing and distribution. Together with these main fields are technical services, transportation, chemical production and technological science research and development activities. Generally, with direct – producing companies, in most stages, laborers are exposed to hazards threatening their health such as heat, noise, heat stress, harmful radiation, weather changes, toxic gases releases, dust, vibration, water pressure (on diving) etc… especially with specific work as diving, drilling, well geophysics measurement, well work over. Besides, hazards of petroleum such as gas release, blowout, oil spill etc. are always possible occurring and, if there are no appropriate preventive measures, they could lead to serious accidents.

Working conditions in Petroleum industry is very multiform and different in each companies/ enterprises. The workplaces, which satisfy working environment requirements, are normally offices, research departments, laboratories etc. However, in most production sites in Petroleum industry there are still many problems that need to be solved to improve working conditions for laborers such as noise, vibration, heat, dust preventive measures, ventilation system and domestic water supply.
A new Approach Towards Environmentally Friendly Desulfurization
Authors: Knudsen B. , Tjelle S. , Linga H.
Published: December 2007

Desulfurization of natural gas by use of scavenger technology is widely used because the gas specification can be achieved with low investment costs (equipment) and moderate chemical cost. However the technology has an environmental challenge. The discharge of chemicals from the offshore installations has been given more attention the last past years, and Statoil is now working to implement "zero-discharge of environmentally harmful components". The discharge of the scavenger is the main contributor to the environmental risk at several Statoil operated fields, and it is of importance to reduce this risk. Statoil has established a project which has the object to reduce the environmental risk caused by H2S removal from the gas. In this project there has been focused on two strategies a) reduction of the chemical consumption and b) new environmentally friendly technology. The project has been a co-operation between the Dynea Oil Field Chemicals, Framo Purification and US Filter/Zimpro.
Bongkot Floating Storage and Offloading Facility Mercury Contaminated Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Authors: Soponkanabhorn Teerapon , Keeling Anthony John
Published: December 2007

Mercury occurs, sometimes, naturally in the reservoirs that produce hydrocarbon products (gas, condensate and oil). Elemental mercury and the compounds of mercury are present, in small quantities, in the gas and condensate produced from the Bongkot Field that is operated by PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited. As a result many sections of the process facilities may become contaminated with a sludge that contains small amounts of mercury and its compounds.

Mercury is a toxic substance that can cause acute or chronic effects depending upon the exposure pattern and can also enter the biological food chain. Risk of exposure to mercury must therefore be strictly controlled and wastes contaminated with mercury disposed of in the appropriate manner. The impact on the environment must be minimized, consistant with national regulation and international best practice.

Mercury is characterized by a great affinity to organic matter, and thus can become biomagnified in the marine food chain. One unit of concentration in water can lead to 106 units in fish. Thus species at the top of the food chain (including humans) may be susceptible to the toxic effects of mercury.

In order to prevent personnel exposure written procedures are in place, periodically reviewed and updated as necessary. Personnel are made familiar with the procedures through training sessions and information. A medical surveillance program is in place for all personnel who may be exposed to mercury.