bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave Treatment of Oil Contaminated Drill Cuttings – Towards a Commercial Scale System
Authors: Robinson J. , Kingman S. , Snape C. E. , Antonio C. , Pereira I. , Page P. W.
Published: July 2010

The paper presents results from a novel continuous, pilot scale microwave treatment process for the treatment of contaminated drill cuttings at a processing rate of 500 kg/hr. The requirements of a commercial scale system are outlined, and the necessary scale-up challenges are highlighted.

The process has been developed for the remediation of contaminated drill cuttings at source, i.e. on offshore oil platforms of remote installations, with minimal demand for utilities and a very small footprint. The process separates the contaminant oil from the drill cuttings, leading to an inert solid material and an oil product that can be reused within the mud system.

The process can remediate the cuttings to below 0.1% oil. The unique heating mechanisms obtained using microwave treatment mean that the recovered oil is not degraded as is the case with conventional thermal desorption or mechanical processes. The energy requirements are of the order of 100 kWh per tonne of cuttings treated, significantly lower than current technologies.

This process could replace ship-to-shore practices for drill cuttings treatment, and provide a remediation option with a significantly lower energy requirement and CO2 footprint than existing technologies.
A Design Pattern for ISO 13407 Using the Goal Structuring Notation (GSN)
Authors: Aas Andreas Lumbe , Elgåfoss Stefan , Skramstad Torbjørn
Published: July 2010

This paper describes the implementation of a pattern of ISO 13407 using the Goal Structuring Notation (GSN) - a graphical argumentation notation. The purpose was to visualize the standard's goals, guidelines, requirements, and contextual elements through the construction of a pattern for reuse in e.g. safety cases or assurance cases. A pattern can also be used prescriptively in case assessments, balancing the goal-based and prescriptive approaches. We observed that the proposed approach gave a structured and easy to read overview of the standard and we identified potential case quality metrics such as node type distribution and fan-out fan-in argumentation. We discuss pattern size and we identified the smallest possible patterns to be nano patterns and micro patterns. We observed a need to model order or time dependencies in a case, i.e. when one activity depends on one or more other activities. Thus, we introduce a notation for modeling such time dependencies in a case. We conclude that a pattern modeling ISO 13407 can provide a useful perspective to the standard and we have identified lack of metadata as a shortcoming in current case techniques.
The Application of Environmental Impact Assessment in Carbon Capture and Storage
Authors: Holleman Evert , Huber Erik
Published: July 2010

Subject

Using the EIA as an instrument to facilitate public discussions of specific CCS projects

The theme of the Conference is: Facing New Challenges with Best Practices and Innovative Thinking. In our paper we will discuss our lessons learned in the Netherlands from EIA-procedures,

one generic EIA to find common understanding between the authorities and CCS parties (AMESCO), specific project EIA's for CCS demonstration projects in the Netherlands.
Linking Environmental, Social & Impact Assessment (ESHIA) to Strategic Social Investment (SSI) to Create Direct Business Value
Authors: Padilla A. , Ryan V. Totten , Anwar N.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents findings on the links between two cornerstones of corporate responsibility: (1) environmental, social and health impact assessment (ESHIA), and (2) strategic social investment (SSI). The goal of ESHIA is to improve project decision making by managing potential project-generated impacts. The goal of SSI is to create, simultaneously, lasting development impacts in societies where oil and gas companies operate and direct business value. Conceptually, ESHIA and SSI are linked. Baseline research is a core component of ESHIA, when much is learned about human development of peoples potentially affected by a project and which can be applied to social investment. By using information about economics, labor market skills and business capacity obtained during the ESHIA process, a company can evaluate potential opportunities to expand local hiring and contracting. By using information about livelihoods in the project's context, a company may address needs and opportunities to support sustainable human development. ESHIA and SSI can optimize local conditions to operate without disruption over the long term. A robust social investment program can be an effective way to support communities in turbulent areas (e.g., where there is poverty or conflict). This paper presents original empirical findings and critical success factors drawn from a set case studies of impact assessments for >$500M capital projects and >$200,000 social investments across six continents – including the countries of Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ghana, Nigeria, the UK and the US.
An Approach to Business Vulnerability and Risk Assessments Related to Climate Change
Authors: Menzie C. , Cantor R. , Boehm P. , Bailey J. R.
Published: July 2010

Continued changes in climate are probable under most future scenarios. However, the magnitudes and timing of these changes are uncertain and will vary on a regional basis. Impacts of these changes on the oil and gas industry will play out on more local scales. Therefore, planning by HSE managers for impacts of climate change on the industry's plans and operations needs to incorporate the uncertainties in forecasts, a consideration of regional variations, and a translation to local consequences.

This article outlines a step-wise approach for generating the information needed to assess risks and make informed decisions in the future. These decisions will be influenced by a host of environmental and legal drivers. The relative importance of those drivers will depend on a company's operations and locations. Therefore, an effective approach for planning must integrate operational information with relevant climate projections. The paper describes a scenario approach that yields a range of outcomes with associated likelihoods and consequences for the business. This approach demands that excellent communication occur between the decision makers and the analysts, to ensure high utility of information. We provide one example that involves alternative designs for oil and gas transport in relation to severe weather events.
New Dispersant Gel Treats Marine Oil Spills more Effectively with Less Product
Authors: Nedwed Tim
Published: July 2010

Application of chemical dispersants to marine oil spills is an important response option that yields net environmental benefits in many instances—particularly for large offshore spills. When properly applied, the dispersion process quickly dilutes the dispersed oil droplets to concentrations below toxicity thresholds and allows naturally occurring microorganisms to rapidly biodegrade the oil. Conventional chemical dispersants, however, have limitations that to some extent may reduce their effectiveness for viscous oils.

ExxonMobil is developing a new dispersant with a gel-like consistency that reduces or eliminates many of the limitations of current dispersants. Wave-basin tests indicated that the new dispersant's greater viscosity and higher active ingredient content allow it to treat conventional oils with dispersant-to-oil ratios as low as 1:60 or lower (compared to 1:20 typically used for dispersants) and to disperse oils currently considered too viscous, e.g., heavy crude oils, fuel oils, or oils that become viscous in Arctic climates. The new formulation dispersed heavy California crude oils and heavy fuel oil collected after the 2002 Prestige spill significantly better than a widely stockpiled dispersant (Corexit 9500) in side-by-side tests. Responders did not attempt to use dispersants on the Prestige spill because they considered the oil too viscous.

Wind-tunnel tests that simulated spraying the gel from an airplane indicate that the high viscosity of the product does not cause significant delivery issues – a simple gear pump effectively sprayed the product. In addition, the gel passed tests required by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use in the United States.

The advances provided by the new dispersant may more than triple the capacity of a single plane load of dispersant, and disperse oils currently considered too viscous either because of naturally high viscosity, weathering, emulsification, or cold temperatures. This new technology represents the first major advance in dispersants in at least a decade.
A Management System Approach to Measuring Health Performance
Authors: Doll Brian , Martin Alison
Published: July 2010

In 2007 the combined Health Committee of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) published "Health Performance Indicators -- a guide for the oil and gas industry." At the time there was no globally applied set of health performance indicators within the industry and the publication highlighted the possibility of using a Health Management System (HMS) approach to assessing performance.

The guidance suggested very simple use of a traffic-light system to give a visual indication of the extent to which 8 areas of health were addressed globally, including (1) health risk assessment and planning, (2) industrial hygiene and control of workplace exposures, (3) medical emergency management, (4) management of ill-health in the workplace, (5) fitness for task assessment and health surveillance, (6) health impact assessment, (7) health reporting and record management, and (8) public health interface and promotion of good health.

A pilot test of this leading indicator approach yielded 13 responses from oil and gas companies. As a result of this pilot, Health Committee members agreed to the development of an Excel-based data analysis tool to look at the 8 areas in greater detail. The resulting HMS tool would enable a more detailed gap analysis at site, business, or regional level to facilitate performance improvement. The tool could be used solely internally, or the data could be aggregated and used for benchmarking between companies. In May 2009 the "final draft" version of the HMS tool was sent out to member companies with the capability to add their own section if desired. It will be pilot tested for 6 months and feedback used to make changes if considered necessary. This HMS approach may serve as a useful vehicle to promote broader understanding of health management concepts among non-health professionals within our industry.
Engaging Stakeholders for Peaceful Operation in a Restive Environment
Authors: Attah Nkoyo Ekanem , Nnadi Vincent Gilbert , Royal Godwill
Published: July 2010

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is the main oil bearing region in the Country. Almost all the International Oil and Gas Companies (IOCs) carry out exploration and production activities in the region. Their operational bases, offices and residential accommodation are located in the region. However, alleged decades of lack of development of the area have raised social tension resulting in high level of insecurity to human and material assets of the International oil and Gas Companies.

Consequently, most IOCs have either suffered loss of production, outright stoppage of exploration and production activities and some have relocated offices, personnel and operations out of the region. In the mist of all these some IOCs have been able to re engineer their societal practices and have obtained the consent of the people and communities that host their facilities and assets in the region to operate peacefully.

This paper will share the experience of TOTAL Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, TEPNG; an integrated International oil and gas company who have formed mutually beneficial partnership with the communities around their facilities and are therefore experiencing very cordial relationship with their hosts. This has enabled the company to increase their portfolio of investments in the region in spite of the restiveness.
Safety Step Change after Company Acquisition - A Journey to Incident Free Operations
Authors: Yunan Arief
Published: July 2010

Organization change, merger, or acquisition often raises concerns about the potential impact of the change on the health, safety and environmental performance of the business operations. Similar to other industries, mergers and acquisitions have occurred in the oil and gas industry. This paper describes one company's (the "Company") experience and approach to manage the risks of organizational changes on the health, environment and safety (HES) aspects. The approach applies the Antecedent, Behavior and Consequences (ABC) principle of Basic Behavior Base Safety by utilizing the Company's policies and Tenets of Operation as antecedent and the Company's Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) and its processes and procedures as control tools in building the Company's safety culture.

The approach emphasizes the importance of leadership role in building safety culture and the Operational Excellence (OE) Management System, OE processes implementation, and strong participation from the personnel involved in safety critical work processes, including contractors. Areas such as experience, competence, responsibilities, accountability, and OE specific processes are discussed. These include how the Company developed the strategic focus to implement the OEMS, and prioritized and deployed the OE processes throughout the Company's organizations. Key activities included building leadership accountability by establishing the OE Leadership Team, building an OE culture through workforce engagement, deploying the Tenets of Operation and Stop Work Authority, and immediately reporting any incident including near miss (Flash Reporting). Several OE processes such as Incident Investigation & Reporting (IIR), Fundamental Safe Work Practices (FSWP), Contractor Health Environment Safety Management (CHESM), Behavior Based Safety (BBS), are discussed as examples. To promote the smooth deployment of the OE processes, organization capability was enhanced by filling in critical positions, refining and restructuring OE/HES organization, and developing people competency.

A historical performance review has shown that the approach has not only proven to be effective in reducing the risks associated with an acquisition but also has managed to enhance the HES performance of the Company.
Experience in Applying a Health Information Management System Through the Medical Module System for Employees in Latin America.
Authors: Martins Joyce , Montalvo Vinicio , Castillo Hugo
Published: July 2010

An important challenge for consolidating health-related information of various countries for most companies in the oil industry is to have consistent data that can be accessed, interpreted, and managed in a uniform manner. This paper describes the experience gained by a multinational company in its Latin American operations of implementing a regional program to manage health data throughout the company. The Latin America occupational health department, which is responsible for the areas of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, has implemented a corporate medical module for these diverse countries to help ensure an alignment with company global standards and established policies.

The purpose of this medical module is to provide integrated data available in real time. By including medical information, such as physical evaluations, results, diagnosis, and impressions, the organization's occupational health staff is able to share important issues and identify significant trends that may affect the health of company employees. This information is strictly confidential and is accessible only by authorized personnel; the online system is protected by a password that is unique to each user.

Important occupational information has been obtained by the company with this tool, including blood type, Rh factor, cholesterol levels, blood pressure levels, body-mass index, immunization schemes, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. By identifying the most relevant information, the organization can define goals and objectives to be achieved throughout the year. The availability of information in real time will also enable convenient periodic reviews, as well as a periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs established as a result of these reviews.
Alien Invasive Species: Risk And Management Perspectives For The Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Rivas Giovanni , Moore Alec , Dholoo Erica , Mitchell Paul
Published: July 2010

The colonisation of new areas by species from outside the immediate environment is an important natural ecological process. However, human activities are rapidly increasing the number and rate of species introductions worldwide and linking areas that would otherwise be unconnected through natural colonisation processes. When introduced species become established outside their natural range as a result of human activity and threaten biodiversity, they are defined as Alien Invasive Species (AIS).

Alien species invasions are rising at an alarming rate. For example, studies of records for invasion-prone ports and estuaries have shown high rates of invasion by aquatic species; up to two to three new species every year have been reported for Port Phillip Bay in Australia, while up to one species every nine weeks has been reported for San Francisco Bay in the USA.

AIS can have severe impacts and they are known to cause negative ecosystem changes, threaten economic activities (such as fisheries), harm human health (through, for example, paralytic shellfish poisoning and cholera outbreaks) and result in the loss of biodiversity. It is no surprise that in economic terms the damage caused by AIS is enormous; the global cost is estimated at US$ 1.4 trillion per annum.

While the oil and gas (O&G) industry is certainly not unique in undertaking activities that can enable the transport and establishment of AIS, IPIECA acknowledges that many activities associated with the exploration, production and transportation of oil and gas have the potential to provide direct and indirect pathways for the transfer of AIS into new environments.

IPIECA also recognises that the eradication of established AIS is costly and technically very difficult if not impossible in many environments. In the majority of cases, prevention is therefore the most important approach and the most desirable management solution. In this context, IPIECA undertook a study on the management of AIS focusing on: The analysis of AIS-related literature (drawn from a range of industrial sectors) and its specific relevance to O&G activities, in order to build on existing good practice;The development of a risk assessment process for identifying priority issues based on (a) consideration of different direct and indirect pathways associated with principal O&G activities and (b) factors in play at the ‘source’ and ‘receiving’ environments that can influence the relative risk of AIS transmission; andThe preparation of guidance for preventing and minimising onshore and offshore AIS transmission.
To BAP or Not to BAP? Challenges and Opportunities in the Adoption of Biodiversity Action Plans for the Oil and Gas Sector
Authors: Croucher Toby , Dholoo Erica
Published: July 2010

While most companies are clear on the importance of biodiversity, it appears that only some companies are using Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). The flexibility in the use of BAPs, in particular the extent to which they are integrated as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and overall environmental management plan (EMP) processes, has made them less visible, and to some extent invisible, as a discrete tool. Indeed many companies could now be more accurately characterised as engaging in biodiversity action "planning" as part of their overall approach, without packaging this approach into a published or discrete plan. Many companies are still using stand-alone BAPs for local business reasons but the trend appears to be towards integrated biodiversity action planning. This is a positive development in terms of industry behaviour but it raises two issues. Firstly, it serves to emphasise the importance of environmental impact management scope – with clear guidance for biodiversity related issues – as the critical one for industry and industry watchers. Secondly it means industry watchers themselves; the external rating agencies, lenders and non-governmental organisation (NGO) communities, must avoid seeing a BAP itself as a measure of a project making full consideration of biodiversity concerns, and ensure that any evaluation of project performance is able to consider the full biodiversity action planning activities, whether presented as a BAP or not.
Life Extension of Aging Petroleum Production Facilities Offshore
Authors: Ersdal Gerhard , Selnes Per Otto
Published: July 2010

A large part of the Norwegian gas and oil production facilities has reached their initial design life, but the respective fields are still producing substantial levels of hydrocarbons. In order to ensure technical and operational integrity of these ageing facilities the Norwegian oil industry Association (OLF) has initiated a project to establish the necessary standards and guidelines for assessing and ensuring safe life extensions. This paper presents this project and the headlines of these standards and guidelines.
Mapping Risk And Sensitivity: Partnerships To Develop Early Screening Tools
Authors: Barcellos Harris M. , Mills C. , Brooks S. , Silvestri S. , Besançon C. , Savy C. , Villa F. , Dholoo E.
Published: July 2010

The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services has serious consequences for society, as well as to business actives. While there have been significant advances in the development of policies to incorporate biodiversity issues in a company's activities, reliable and accessible data on the distribution of biodiversity and ecosystem services can be a major hindrance to a company's ability to implement and conform to such policies. The development of biodiversity tools for use by the private sector is therefore of high importance to facilitate this transition from policy to performance. Key to this development is the role of cross-sectoral partnerships between the environmental and business sectors that have proved to be mutually beneficial in achieving sustainable, environmentally sound and lucrative business practices.

Proteus is a partnership between oil and gas, mining and technology companies and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Its goal is to make biodiversity and ecosystem information available to support decision-making. Proteus’ most significant achievements have been the compilation of global biodiversity data and the development of tools to aid accessibility by a range of sectors, including business. These include the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT). Proteus was also instrumental in the compilation of critical coastal and marine ecosystem datasets, which asupport the marine extension of the Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services (ARIES); a new web-based tool for ecosystem services assessment, planning, and valuation of areas that are needed in order to maintain the interconnections between ecosystems and ensure their full functionality.

The development of new tools in the context of the partnership can help with sharing of expertise to build purposeful tools that address real world needs. Continued efforts to develop strong and productive partnerships, will enable further development of tools and information sources that can address the growing challenge of safeguarding the environment and the services that it provides for economic and social development alike. Understanding the internal and external, as well as the technical and institutional challenges and opportunities of the partnership provides a useful case-study to other organizations considering the development of online tools to address global socio-environmental challenges.
Impact Evaluation: A Sharper Tool for Corporate Reporting
Authors: Brusset Emery
Published: July 2010

Corporations today are struggling with the complexity and low ability to convince of sustainability reporting. On the other hand little known impact evaluation methods, or something akin to usable case study approaches to social reporting, are available. Evaluations have the advantage of being much more credible to NGOs, governments and pressure groups, which on occasion apply this discipline to their own work. They can be carried out in conflict environments to engage in dialogue with pressure groups and public stakeholders.

This paper presents examples of how impact evaluation can be managed (in Sudan and other conflict environments). This revolves around tracking of a chain of results, and good engagement with civil society actors. The paper is written for submission to the SPE International Conference of April 2010, to be presented for a panel discussion, and aimed at strengthening the case for a sharper targeting of reporting audiences.
The Use of Videowalls in Control Rooms: High Tech Appearence or Operational Help?
Authors: Duarte F. , Benoit-Gonin L.
Published: July 2010

The article has as aim to discuss the use of large screen presentation of process information (videowalls) in control rooms. It presents the results of an evaluation of the usage of these presentation devices of information in a control room in Brazil. One year and a half after the videowall operation had begun, an Ergonomics Work Analysis was carried out (observation and follow up of the operation activity) to evaluate the use of this device.

This article considers the ergonomic perspective, presenting the most commonly found traps and pitfalls. The paper aims to share the experiences obtained in this case study and generalized it to fit other control room projects. Thus, the results can be used as basis to help designers to (1) choose to use or not the videowalls and (2) what cautions need to be taken for an effective operational use.

Our results show that the operational use of videowall, is still very low. The process of screen design for videowall has come across organizational and technical difficulties that have considerably reduces the device's flexibility. In this case study, the videowall is an instrument for a management use rather than operational use. The introduction of a new presentation device of information in a control room should follow considerations about the real activity of the operators, and especial, aid the operators: 1 –in the construction of a global view of the process2 –in the communication with the other operators (support in the collective work)3 –in the reduction of short-term memory demands

The use of large screen for the presentation of operational information in control rooms can be a positive factor for the increase of industrial reliability. The elimination of old synoptic panel screens and its substitution for digital monitors brought many positive characteristics to the operation. However, the loss of a global view, the need to navigate between screens, the excessive number of alarms, amongst others, demand increasing cognitive efforts by part of the operators.
Ergonomics Considerations About Desktop Screen Design in Control Rooms
Authors: Duarte Francisco , Resende Adson , Gonin Léonar
Published: July 2010

This article aims to discuss and make some recommendations about the design of operator displays in control room. The results presented have come from an ergonomics intervention taken place for a petroleum company in Brazil. The methodology used was based on the Ergonomics Working Analysis. The recommendations were built based on detailed observations of the operator's activity. They were, also, validated with a group of operators, who have participated since the beginning in the new displays (screens/view) design.

The paper aims to share the experiences obtained in an ergonomic intervention and to generalize the observations to fit other control room projects. Thus, the results can be used as basis for new interventions and researches in ergonomics display design.

The ergonomics recommendations for the design of operator display in the console workstation are presented in two ways. On the one hand, they indicate "how" to present the information on the screens (way of presentation, letter size, colours…). In this case, the main sources of information came from an analysis of specialized literature and from the operator's experiences. On the other hand, the recommendations go further in the sense that they indicate "what" to present (the screen's content), as to minimize the navigation between screens and the construction of a global view of the process. In this case, they are based on the analysis of operator's activity and in the solutions created by them. It is joining both considerations that enable the operator to increase their cognitive resources and their experience. The recommendations presented here have a close relation with practice and possibilities of transformation in the analysed situation.

The operational reliability in the process industries is related to, amongst other factors, the conception of interface between the operators and the process. The operator display design may aid the operators in the construction of quicker and more precise diagnosis on the functioning of the process, enabling more effective actions and management of abnormal situations (disturbances in a process)
Functional Reliability Study of the Electrical Power System, Automation System and Ballast System to Maintain the Balance of a FPSO Platform
Authors: Rocha Gustavo Cruzeiro , Vasconcellos José Marcio , Frutuoso e Melo Paulo Fernando
Published: July 2010

This paper evaluates the functional reliability of the interactions amongst the electric power system, hydraulic power system, safety interlock and automation system, ballast system and the loading system of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platform, considering an emergency scenario where the platform is subjected to an adverse band.

This atypical situation demands a high reliability performance from the analyzed systems, because the occurrence of additional failures within those systems can lead to a lack of functionality and reduce dramatically the chance of the emergency remediation and the FPSO balance condition recovery. In an extreme case, those additional functional failures could even worsen the emergency scenario driving the platform to a band condition that would demand the crew's immediate disembarkation and abandonment of the FPSO.

The study was conceived from the results of a previous Failure Mode, Effect and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and in compliance with a specific technical specification. A Monte Carlo simulation model was built using a fault tree analysis tool taking into account all functional failures, in which the risk was considered critical or moderate during the FMECA analysis. Therefore, it was possible to quantitatively measure the probability of success of each system considered whitin the study's scope and its relative impact on the emergency treatment efforts and on the restoration of the platform's balance.

The methodology presented herein represents a useful tool to evaluate the operational safety of a FPSO platform during an unexpected band scenario, where all effort relies on the performance of a few vital systems. It brings an important discussion and some recommendations in order to make the systems more robust and reliable.

As a general application, this methodology can also be used as a reference for future quantitative studies that are conceived from previous qualitative analyses, helping to avoid some of the common biases involved during the conversion process.
Why Improving the Safety Climate Doesn't Always Improve the Safety Performance
Authors: Groeneweg Jop , Hudson Patrick T. , Vandevis Ted , Lancioni Giulio E.
Published: July 2010

This paper will discuss the results of a study outside the petrochemical industry (Vandevis (2008), but the results may have a profound effect on the way organizations try to influence their safety climate by setting so called SMART goals. It was conducted within the electrical high voltage contracting industry in Ontario, Canada and the objective was to investigate the relation between goal setting as a way to influence the safety climate and several safety related parameters and injury experiences. A quantitative survey based on Zohar's (2000) Safety Climate Scales was conducted with 564 surveys returned from 26 companies. Safety climate was not found to be correlated to self-reports of injury nor to lost-time or no-lost-time injury statistics. Safety climate was strongly and positively correlated with organizations setting at least partly SMART safety goals and in particular very strongly correlated when setting a goal of zero injuries and moderately and inversely correlated to self-reports of injury. People feel safer and report less accidents with or without injuries, but the actual performance using objective statistics has not improved. Setting such SMART safety goals as a way to improve the safety climate may lure both the management and employees of an organization into a false sense of achievement: the perceived level of safety goes up, however this change in perception is not matched with an actual improvement in safety performance. This study shows that management needs to do more than just setting SMART targets; if changes in the climate are seen as a "goal" rather than a "means" the safety performance will not improve.
Recovery of Flash Gas from Storage Tanks at an Offshore Production Platform Using Scroll Compression Technology
Authors: Schneider G. W. , Boyer Brian E. , Goodyear Mark A.
Published: July 2010

A major independent oil and gas producer (Producer) with operations located on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico had several facilities damaged by Hurricane Ike. As a part of restoring operations, one of the offshore platforms was refurbished. The refurbishment included upgrading the production train to handle additional oil and gas production from other nearby production platforms. The additional production to the platform required a vapor recovery system to recover facility flash gas. The project team chose the scroll compressor vapor recovery unit (VRU) to recover and recompress the flash gas. The project was the first application of scroll compression technology for vapor recovery in an offshore environment.

The Producer installed the VRU allowing the facility to recover flash gas from the oil storage tanks and excess unused flash gas from the oil treater. The average volume recovered was approximately 58,000 standard cubic feet of natural gas per day during the initial phase of the project. The methane content of the recovered natural gas was approximately 69 percent by volume. The estimated methane recovered was 0.84 US tons per day and the estimated recovery of greenhouse gases were 17.6 US tons per day CO2e. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) recovered were 1.0 US tons per day. The scroll compressor VRU met the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Minerals Management Service's flaring and venting regulations. The projected payout was 15 months (simple payout).

The significance of this project includes: First use of scroll compression technology in an offshore applicationSmall physical footprint of unit important to offshore operations with limited spaceScroll technology requires less maintenance than typical mechanical compressorsLower initial costs and lower operating costs enhance economics of recoveryRecovered flash gas that contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane, a greenhouse gas
Implementing Driving Fatigue Management in Oil & Gas Operations in Brazil
Authors: Camargo Marcelo , Fox Chris , O'Byrne Mark , Villarreal Gonzalo , Fraga Kermitz
Published: July 2010

Driving presents the greatest potential risk for accidents in oilfield operations. Fatigue is one of the main contributing factors for automotive accidents and fatigue-related accidents are often more severe than others. Driving fatigue is therefore an exposure that must be managed effectively. This paper is about the implementation of a driving fatigue management program by an oilfield services company operating in Brazil. It describes the processes put in place, results obtained to date, and discussion of what more could be done to have a greater, longer-term positive impact.

The objectives were to decrease accidents by minimizing night driving, planning operations taking into consideration fatigue conditions at the time of driving, monitoring vehicle movements, and providing support to drivers. The scope of work covered several different operating locations in Brazil, a fleet of more than 200 vehicles of different types and purposes, more than 500 drivers, and almost 4 million kilometers driven annually.

The driving fatigue management program is complementary to other existing corporate programs within the company, such as defensive driving training, a competence assurance program, behavior-based safety, driver improvement monitoring, auditing, assessments and three levels of fatigue management training.

The main steps of the implementation included enforcement of journey management procedures such as driver rest evaluation; management commitment and leadership workshops; road-hazard mapping of common routes; contracting of hotels in strategic locations; preparation of night driving maps; elevation of night-driving management approval levels based on night driving maps; and introduction of a pre-job fatigue evaluation process.

Implementation of the driving fatigue management program resulted in increased awareness and decreased fatigue-related automotive accidents. There is now traceability of journey management and fatigue management not only while driving, but during operations as well. The authors suggest that the program is applicable across companies and across industries, although it puts pressure on field personnel if implemented as an isolated initiative. The program could be considerably more effective if adopted by the industry as a whole.
Produced Water Reuse for Production of Chemicals
Authors: Grimaldi Maurício Carvalhinho , Castrisana Walterli José , Tolfo Fabiano Coradini , Christino Fernando Protti , Geraldo Lúcia Maria , Saliba Gustavo Coutinho , Lopes Daniela Emilia
Published: July 2010

Produced water is highly saline. It may be used for soda ash (sodium carbonate) production. That is why its main component is sodium chloride and soda ash industrial process is based in brines. This process, in use since 1861, is also known as Solvay process. It starts when seawater-based brines receive ammonia gas, making up ammoniated brine. In the following step, carbon dioxide is added, precipitating sodium bicarbonate, which is filtered, leaving an ammonium chloride solution. Sodium bicarbonate is pyrolised to soda ash, water and carbon dioxide, which returns to the carbonation step. Produced water will undergo a pre-treatment step designed for removing metals such as calcium, magnesium and iron. After this procedure, produced water will be evaporated until it reaches the brine concentration for Solvay process. This operation also produces high purity water, suitable for many purposes. Carbon dioxide (CO2) used in this process is originally obtained from thermal decomposition of limestone.

Soda ash is an important raw material for a wide variety of products, such as glass, soap, cosmetics, etc. Brazil imports all soda ash used by its industries. Using high salinity produced water for producing it may be a very attractive alternative with huge economic and environmental incomes. It may be possible to use CO2 captured from atmospheric emissions, contributing to mitigate global warming.

Some laboratory scale experiments are in course now, dealing with Solvay process applied to produced water conversion into soda ash. Present results have shown that the process is feasible, allowing us to scale it up to a pilot scale.

Considering the environmental benefits obtained of this process, both in wastewater treatment and carbon sequestration, as well as the production of a valuable commodity, applying Solvay process for treating produced water is a promising technology for the next years.
Real-time Environmental Monitoring of Discharges of Drill Cuttings in the Peregrino Field (Campos Basin, Brazil)
Authors: Salgado C. S. , Johnsen S. , Gomes S. , Torkelsen T.
Published: July 2010

Peregrino is an oil production field located in Campos Basin, 85km from the Brazilian coastline. Production well drilling in Peregrino will start April 2010 and approximately 40 wells will be drilled from two well head platforms in two locations over a period of three to five years. The Peregrino field is located in an area with high density of calcareous algae rodoliths, species that form important substrates for the seabed ecosystem. Initial actions related to the location of the two well head platforms have been taken to avoid impact of drill cuttings discharges to this habitat, but Statoil will in addition implement an environmental monitoring program with special focus on the calcareous algae rodoliths and the marine ecosystem related to these species. The program combines the use of sensor based real-time measurements of relevant environmental parameters, and visual observation of the seabed environment with sediment sampling and tracking of cuttings dispersion and settling by acoustic sonar systems. In parallel, a laboratory study to assess the key species of the local seabed ecosystem sensitivity towards drill cuttings exposure will be carried out. This approach aims, in combination with risk assessment modeling, to improve the environmental management ability and performance in the operations. A seabed based ocean observatory will be deployed (March 2010) in a position where it can follow the cuttings dispersion from the discharges, with the aim of a sonar. The observatory will also include sensors for measurement of vital environmental parameters (e.g. turbidity, light intensity, sedimentation rates) and visual surveillance (video) of ambient species. Combining these observations with RoV surveys for visual characterization and sediment sampling in the vicinity of the discharge points will provide a cost effective monitoring with highly relevant quality information as output. The proposed program constitutes an innovative way to monitor, in real-time, the dispersion, deposition and impact of drill cuttings offshore.
Integrating Organisational Culture into Incident Analyses: Extending the Bow Tie Model
Authors: Hudson Patrick
Published: July 2010

Recent analyses of major incidents, such as BP's Texas City disaster and the loss of the space shuttle Columbia, have moved from considering immediate factors and basic organisational failings to considering cultural issues. Cultural issues are, however, even more difficult to incorporate into incident investigations and analyses than are organisational factors. This paper provides a structured approach to analysing individual, organisational and cultural/regulatory factors based upon the Bow Tie methodology, using well-defined rules to distinguish three levels of causation.

Level 1 analysis describes barriers implemented at the individual and immediate hardware level; Level 2 describes the organisational factors that support level one barriers; Level 3 describes the cultural and regulatory environment that ensures that the organisation implements level 2, thereby ensuring the integrity of level 1 barriers. Incident investigation and analysis can be performed as a structured search for failed barriers at any or all of these three levels. Both organisational failure (L2) and problems with the safety culture and regulatory environment (L3) can be reliably identified, rather than relying upon the intuitions of investigators.
Is a Recognition Program an Efficient EHS Management Tool?
Authors: Ferreira H. , Sahlit S. , Lage V.
Published: July 2010

This paper describes Anadarko's experience and EHS performance results in recent exploratory drilling campaigns offshore Brazil. The relationship between EHS performance with a recognition program implemented for contractors on offshore dedicated installations is discussed. This program is being considered a potential efficient management tool for future operations because reinforce and supports the management tools already implemented by contractors. This so called "Anadarko EHS Incentive Plan" has been developed aiming to achieve the EHS goals measured by leading and lagging performance indicators. Workers receive cash bonus according to pre-defined criteria previously discussed with contractors, considering the achievement of the goals (overall and individual ones) in proportion to number of days on board. This plan involves the contractor's management engagement including the effective payment to their personnel under reimbursement by Anadarko.

Since the beginning of this Incentive Plan in 2006, three offshore exploratory wells have been drilled in two Blocks using three rigs (two different owners) and 12 supply vessels (five different owners). No oil spills to the sea occurred and just one recordable safety incident occurred, in all periods of drilling operations. One other recordable incident occurred in the transit of the rig from the GOM to Brazil, in the 2008 operation, not related to the drilling operations. The lagging indicators for all these Anadarko drilling operations achieved a significant high EHS performance. Considering the three year operation, an average TRIR of 0.36 was achieved if one recordable incident is considered, and 0.71 if one considers the two incidents. In both cases, the Anadarko International goal of 0.8 TRIR was easily met by this performance. Therefore, these results motivate the continuity and improvement of this recognition program among other management tools applied by Anadarko in Brazil. This paper also summarizes the Anadarko's EHS-MS approach as a whole, highlighting the relationship with contractors. Despite the good results achieved, other indicators have also been considered, such as some recorded High Potential near misses which call the attention for continuous improvement.