bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Unconventional Approach to a Conventional Field, how Slickwater has Changed the Game in the Cardium
Authors: Lamson Brad , Keith Don , Zotskine Youssouf , Yule Keri
Published: June 2014

The Pembina oil field in West Central Alberta is known as one of the largest and most prolific conventional oil fields in Canada. Covering more than 283 000 ha (700 000 acres), one of the main hydrocarbon bearing formations being tapped is the Upper Cretaceous Cardium formation. The Cardium is represented by marine sandstone with massive sandstone beds separated by siltstone and silty-mudstone interbeds. Since the 1950's the Cardium has produced an estimated 1.3 billion barrels of light gravity oil and over 12 tcf of gas. With resource potential pegged at 1.2 billion m3 (8 billion barrels) of original oil-in-place, it has the potential to rival some of the most profitable light oil plays being exploited today.

Historically, many conventional fluid systems have been utilized to hydraulically stimulate the Cardium and over-time field development has favored hydrocarbon based systems. This preferential treatment towards hydrocarbons was due to the fact the Cardium has long been known to exhibit a desiccated reservoir character. With the introduction of horizontal drilling and multi-stage completions in 2009, successful development of thinner, lower permeability and porosity sandstones outside of the previously designated Pembina field boundaries ("the halo") was made possible. The methodology and stimulation technique within the Cardium was then reevaluated. As a result, the traditionally considered fluid system evolved to a slickwater based application as an unconventional completion technique was applied to a conventional resource.

This paper will examine the multiple facets of this unconventional approach with a particular focus on a single operator's ingenuity. Despite the concern in introducing a water based completion strategy, the outcome has proved to be beneficial, in fact superior, to previously utilized approaches. Within the West Pembina Cardium halo play, sustained production from various stimulation fluids including the slickwater system will demonstrate the success of this bold initiative.
Utilizing Production Logging Measurement Model Matching to Improve Inflow Control Device (ICD) Completion Design in Offshore Horizontal Wells
Authors: Zorbalas Konstantinos I. , Al Yateem Karam S. , El-Fattah Mahmoud Abd
Published: June 2014

A study was undertaken to evaluate the production performance/potential of horizontal wells equipped with inflow control devices (ICDs) in an offshore oil field in Saudi Arabia. Several challenges are associated with the optimum ICD completion design in this field due to the reservoir sequence of the thick sandstone with thin layers of shale, siltstone and limestone. The sand members are unconsolidated, which poses potential issues with fine migration for screen plugging. An additional challenge to the completion design is the practice of long open hole (OH) horizontal sections, normally drilled with net pay in the range of 3,000-4,000 ft MD with oil based mud (OBM). The reservoir has very good permeability and the high permeability streaks pose a threat of acute water production early in the life of the wells.

Many representative wells were analyzed by constructing a calibrated ICD model based on their actual completion characteristics with ICD completion and the reservoir parameters of each well. The calibrated model was used to match the wells' production logging measurements profile and analyze future performance based on potential enhancements in the completion design. Results showed that using a nozzle based ICD instead of a helical ICD design for the same influx profile in these wells caused a reduction in the pressure drop across the completion. The use of additional isolation packers in the ICD sections has the potential to improve the influx balance profile by creating more compartmentalization in the long OH horizontal sections. These findings are taken under consideration for optimizing the completion practices in the future development of the field.
Application of Linear and Partial Correlation Techniques to Enhance the Waterflooding Surveillance Process
Authors: Villamizar M.. , Rivas F.. , Carvajal G. A. , Md Adnan F.. , Kheterpal A.. , Knabe S.. , Rodriguez J. A , Al-Jasmi A.. , Al-Saad B.. , Goel H. K
Published: June 2014

Linear correlation techniques (LCTs) and partial correlation techniques (PCTs) are well known statistical techniques useful in generating smart workflows for real-time surveillance and monitoring processes, such as waterflooding. In real-time environments, which require short-term analysis (30-day cycling), traditional simulation techniques are less effective and take a considerable amount of CPU time. As an alternative and considering LCTs have been widely applied in the oil industry, to understand relationships between producer and injector wells, LCTs can provide rapid results and even predict expected water breakthrough in producer wells.

This paper describes the use of the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), a statistical measurement that is very sensitive to linear relationships between water injection and producing wells, including correlations where one parameter is a nonlinear function of the other. While this technique can show high correlation between some variables that are unrelated and only small correlations between highly related variables, the use of PCC, in many cases, returns measurements concerning the joint behavior of two variables that are important to the decision-making process.

This paper describes how PCC was used to clean noisy data generated in LCTs. This paper also describes the use of the PCT to detect the influence of other variables on the LCT-based results. The study was conducted on a mature, carbonate black-oil reservoir in the Middle East under waterflood. The LCT/PCT results were compared with streamline simulation, and some similarities were found between the streamline simulation well allocation factors and the LCT/PCT results. Regardless of local reservoir conditions, the results showed that LCTs/PCTs are powerful tools that can be used to quickly assess inter-dependencies among producing wells and associated injectors. Use of these tools can enable engineers to make prompt decisions to help prevent water breakthrough and adjust water injection rates.
Understanding Shale Gas Production Mechanisms Through Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Hao Sun , Adwait Chawathe , Hussein Hoteit , Xundan Shi , Lin Li
Published: June 2014

Shale gas has changed the energy equation around the world, and its impact has been especially profound in the United States. It is now generally agreed that the fabric of shale systems comprise primarily of organic matter, inorganic material and natural fractures. However, the underlying flow mechanisms through these multi-porosity, multi-permeability systems are poorly understood. For instance, debate still exists about the predominant transport mechanism (diffusion, convection and desorption) as well as the flow interactions between organic matter, inorganic matter and fractures. Furthermore balancing the computational burden of precisely modeling the gas transport through the pores versus running full reservoir scale simulation is also contested. To that end, commercial reservoir simulators are developing new shale gas options but some, for expediency, rely on simplification of existing data structures and/or flow mechanisms.

We present here the development of a comprehensive multi-mechanistic (desorption, diffusion and convection) multi-porosity (organic materials, inorganic materials and fractures), multi-permeability model that uses experimentally determined shale organic and inorganic material properties to predict shale gas reservoir performance. Our multi-mechanistic model takes into account gas transport due to both pressure-driven convection and concentration-driven diffusion. The model accounts for all the important processes occurring in shale systems, including desorption of multi-component gas from the organics surface, multi-mechanistic organic-inorganic material mass transfer, multi-mechanistic inorganic material-fracture network mass transfer, and production from a hydraulically fractured wellbore.

Our results show that Dual-porosity Dual-permeability (DPDP) with Knudsen diffusion is generally adequate to model shale gas reservoir production. By comparing Triple-porosity Dual-permeability (TPDP), DPDP and Single-porosity Single-permeability (SPSP) formulations under similar conditions, we show that Knudsen diffusion is a key mechanism and should not be ignored. We also guide the fractures design by analyzing flow rate limiting steps. This work provides a basis for long-term shale gas production analysis and also helps define value-adding laboratory measurements.
A Comprehensive Experimental Study on Wellbore Strengthening
Authors: Guo Quanxin , Cook John , Way Paul , Ji Lujun , Friedheim James E.
Published: June 2014

Experimental tests have been performed to investigate the applicability, effectiveness and engineering of various wellbore strengthening techniques which increase the mud weight window by adding lost circulation materials (LCM) to drilling fluids. The experimental techniques include fracture sealing of known fracture apertures simulated by two plates, induced or natural fractures in a sandstone or shale block with a borehole, and a transparent cylindrical LCM particles transport cell, which allows visualization of how the fracture seal is formed and broken.

In the block tests, two independent stresses are applied to the block faces parallel to the wellbore to simulate horizontal stress anisotropy. Drilling fluid, with and without LCM, is pumped into the wellbore to simulate formation breakdown, mud loss, fracture sealing and wellbore strengthening. The wellbore strengthening treatments can be continuous in one step or hesitation squeeze in steps. The various types of tests performed to simulate different operational procedures include: breakdown tests under different stress anisotropy and magnitude to establish the baseline and to validate the results with rock mechanics analysis; fracture sealing and remedial treatment of an induced fracture with LCM after breakdown; preventive treatment with background LCM in the active mud system before breakdown to study the difference between preventive versus remedial treatments; and fracture sealing and strengthening of natural fractures of different apertures; among others.

Several hundred tests have been performed with different stress conditions and strengthening implementation methods. Valuable lessons have been learned from this comprehensive experimental study and the results have significantly increased the success of wellbore strengthening. Due to the large volume of test results and data, this paper focuses more on the various types of tests performed using the block tester, and gives selected snapshots of test results and modeling work on wellbore strengthening mechanism and the role of filtercake on sealing quality and strengthening performance. More results will be presented elsewhere.
The IPIECA Marine Geospatial Bibliography
Authors: Voparil Ian , Connick Sarah , Marconi Michele , Engstrom Carol , Ruck Philip
Published: June 2014

Research on marine ecosystems is progressing rapidly, but information is often from disparate sources and in different formats. Although nominally publically available, it is frequently difficult to find, presenting a challenge in ensuring relevant information can be accessed freely and easily by all interested audiences.

IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues, have developed and launched an innovative knowledge sharing platform called the Marine Geospatial Bibliography (MGB). The business case for the development of the MGB is to centralise relevant environmental understanding relating to oil and gas activities in marine areas, ensuring it is transparent and can serve as the basis for policy and regulations, by making it publicly accessible whilst reducing duplication of effort.

The MGB’s mission statement is to ‘‘identify and share sources of up-to-date scientific knowledge for management of oil and gas activities related to the marine environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems, whilst promoting ocean stewardship through increased transparency and greater awareness". The tool centralises and geospatially references reliable information, making it easy to find, search and summarise. The advantages of the MGB include that it: –Supports science-based environmental management enabling licence to operate;–Provides technical/scientific credibility and weight-of-evidence for regulatory decisions;–Allows horizontal transfer of knowledge between different communities of users;–Helps retain critical technical knowledge in the industry beyond the retirement boom

The MGB’s primary audience is the oil and gas industry, however it is also intended to be of use to other audiences. The oil and gas industry often work with consultants who carry out baseline assessments or Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) so the information in the MGB could be relevant and useful for them. Additionally, it may be of interest to academics and scientists that perform research on deep water and marine environments. The MGB will also be of use to regulators and policy makers that make decisions based upon best available information to regulate the oil and gas industry. Finally the information contained in the MGB may be of interest to the public.

At launch the MGB contained over 10,000 resources (including key papers, academic references and relevant industry grey literature) with an initial focus on the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

This paper will explain the background/rationale for the project, the functionality and applicability of the MGB, and provide additional insight into the resources available. The paper will illustrate how IPIECA members are contributing information to the tool in the interests of greater transparency, and will outline future plans for expansion.
Water Related Risk Assessment
Authors: Pornsakulsakdi L. , Sila A.
Published: June 2014

By 2030, the world may face 40 percent water shortfall as a result of increasing population along with impacts from climate change. This results in rising effort from worldwide companies to fully understand current and future risks including liabilities from water use for their operations.

In response to this growing concern, PTTEP has conducted a project to establish corporate system to assess future potential water related risks on production assets. Boundary of study covers eleven assets located in five countries (Thailand, Oman, Australia, Canada, and Algeria).

Innovative risk assessment is conducted by using both primary information from PTTEP representatives of each asset and secondary data from three worldwide accepted softwares, comprising WBCSD/IPIECA Global Water Tool, WRI Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, and WWF Water Risk Filter. Since each software presents its unique set of risk indicators, combining all risk results generated by these tools produces higher level of confidence and more accurate results. The system is then capable to undertake scenario analysis to quantify impacts of the pre-defined risk events.

The results indicate that, it is not expecting to have significant risk at PTTEP’s assets in Thailand, Oman, Australia, and Canada. However, a major concern for Algeria assets regarding water stress issue is defined. Algeria is also assessed to pose regulatory risks, particularly in the areas of clarity and enforcement of water-related legal framework. Accordingly, it is vital for PTTEP to be aware and monitor changes in government and public perceptions on water related issues in Algeria.

The outcome of this project is regarded as an innovation to assist PTTEP to pinpoint water-related risks and quantify the magnitude of impacts if the risks occur. The water related risk assessment tool functions like a compass for PTTEP to develop corporate water management plan and define suitable practices for company’s water footprint reduction.
Monitoring of Impact of Drilling Discharges to a Calcareous Algae Habitat in the Peregrino Oil Field in Brazil
Authors: Johnsen Ståle , Nilssen Ingunn , Brandão Pinto Ana Paula , Torkelsen Terje
Published: June 2014

The Peregrino field, operated by Statoil ASA, is located 80km south of Cabo Frio, in the Campos Basin area, Brazil. The field is operated with two well head platforms drilling production and injection wells and a FPSO located between these. The seabed hosts a calcareous algae (CA) habitat, an area with relatively rich biodiversity. Conventional sediment monitoring has been found not to give sufficient information about potential impact of drill cuttings.

A tailor suited, in-situ sensor based monitoring approach was developed for the field including testing and qualification of a number of sensor systems for visual observation, oceanographic parameters, light and turbidity, all placed on a seabed observatory frame. 4, 6-months sampling campaigns were carried out with this system. In addition, three sediment traps were placed at different locations, over totally 7, 4-months campaigns. Data were combined with discharge information and laboratory studies of drill cuttings effects to CA and associated species, to identify potential exposure and impact in the field. Discharge and environmental risk modeling were performed to identify which data gave significant and vital information for the purpose of environmental monitoring of the CA habitat.

Combining discharge information with in-situ observations and modeling gives a strongly improved basis for identifying impact of drill cuttings discharges in a field like Peregrino. Technology for this has been developed to a readiness level available for multiple use. A new, cost beneficial monitoring program is proposed as an alternative to traditional sediment monitoring.
Continuing the Efforts to Learn From Industry Safety Data
Authors: Walker Kirsty , Toutain Patrick , Poore Wendy
Published: June 2014

The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) is a global forum in which members identify and share best practices to achieve improvements in areas such as health, safety, the environment, security, social responsibility and operations.

OGP encompasses 74 oil and gas companies, industry associations as well as major upstream service companies. OGP members produce more than half of the world’s oil and about one third of its gas.

The OGP member companies report their annual safety data on a voluntary basis, and the information is used to compile an annual safety performance indicators report. The OGP Safety Data Sub-Committee (SDSC) has focused its attention on using the data submitted by member companies to derive industry-wide learning from the causes of industry incidents. This paper describes the efforts of the OGP SDSC to improve the ability to learn from industry data.

The paper details how the OGP SDSC developed a generic set of causal factors which were reported by participating companies for fatal incidents and high-potential events, based on the annual data submissions from 2010 to 2012. The results from the last three years of data show that the most common causal factors for fatal incidents and high potential events are hazard identification or risk assessment, work standards/procedures, supervision, decision making or judgment, and training/competence and unintentional violations (by individuals or groups).

The paper also discusses how the OGP SDSC developed a set of life saving rules which are used in the analysis of the annual safety data submissions and how analysis of the fatal incident descriptions has shown that 79% of the fatal incidents reported in 2012 are linked to failure to adhere to OGP’s life saving rules.
ESHIA Hindcasts: Advancing Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment and Risk Management
Authors: Tait Russell D. , Moynihan Kelly J. , Daetwyler Neil A. , Young Carolyn J. , Scott-Wilson Peter
Published: June 2014

Environmental, Socioeconomic & Health Impact Assessments (ESHIAs) are considerable undertakings that are performed to identify and evaluate the key environmental, socioeconomic and health (ESH) aspects of an activity/project and their associated potential impacts, evaluate appropriate alternatives, propose measures to address ESH risks and fulfill host-country regulatory and/or external financing institution requirements. However, a project’s ESHIA process (as well as the associated process for producing an Environmental, Socioeconomic & Health Management Plan [ESHMP]), its findings and/or the associated documentation that is produced are infrequently revisited during an asset’s operational life. Systematic ESHIA (or ESHIA/ESHMP) hindcasts offer the opportunity to capture lessons learned, identify opportunities to improve the process by which ESHIAs and ESHMPs are synthesized, and develop and implement enhanced environmental, social and health risk management measures. ESHIA/ESHMP hindcasts were conducted for two ExxonMobil assets that are in the middle portion of their operational life – i.e., Angola Block 15 (offshore deep water production) and the Chad Export Project (onshore production). Based on the findings from these investigations, improvements have been integrated into several existing internal ESH management systems and documentation, and the specific process for preparing ESHIAs and ESHMPs for ExxonMobil’s major upstream oil and gas production projects and operations has been strengthened.
Addressing Non-Occupational Risk Factors for Repetitive Stress Injury in the Workplace
Authors: Perez Graciela , Davis-Street Janis , Irikannu Ugochi , Maltchev Kathy
Published: June 2014

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are adverse health outcomes that affect soft tissues of the body. MSDs typically develop over time and may be associated with a variety of contributing risk factors. Companies have implemented policies, training, processes and systems to address occupational risk factors in the workplace. Unlike other workplace exposures, the contributing risk factors for MSDs exist in every aspect of employees’ lives. This presentation outlines results from a literature review on the effects of non-occupational contributors to MSDs and describes the development of an integrated approach to address non-occupational risk factors for MSCs in the workplace. Following the review of the emerging research addressing non-occupational contributors to MSDs, a gap analysis was conducted on existing discomfort management programs and program enhancements were developed to pilot. Key stakeholders were identified to complete an internal peer review and vet planned program enhancements. An internally published whitepaper was written for employee education, leadership engagement, and to promote a holistic health approach. We describe the results to date of the developed communication plan, including the preliminary feedback and information sharing processes currently in use with business leaders, health, medical, and ergonomic professionals.
Chevron San Ardo Facility Unit (SAFU) Beneficial Produced Water Reuse for Irrigation
Authors: Myers James E.
Published: June 2014

The Chevron San Ardo Facility Unit (SAFU) is a successful example of how brackish produced water can be treated and beneficially reused for freshwater irrigation while increasing domestic oil production. The SAFU produced water reuse is the culmination of a couple of decades of research, pilot testing, and engineering design. The produced water treatment process consists of conventional oil/water separation, reverse osmosis, treatment wetlands and recharge basins. SAFU is located in the mid-coast region of California along the Salinas River near San Ardo. There are many growers in the area producing wine grapes, walnuts, lettuce, spinach, asparagus and other fruits and vegetables. Understanding the local community and stakeholder water needs is as important as the technical treatment side of water reuse.
Developing and Deploying a Global Platform for Monitoring and Evaluating Social Investment
Authors: Kiernan Lisa
Published: June 2014

This paper presents findings on developing and globally deploying a platform for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of social investment (SI) at one of the world's largest integrated oil and gas companies. This global SI M&E platform has been designed to track the performance of more than $200 million in annual social investment spending and to measure the progress of SI projects against both business and social objectives. This paper illustrates how an SI M&E process and tool can help ensure that all field locations meet the expectation that social investments be managed and deliver results at a highly strategic level comparable to other business functions. Through the presentation of case study findings, this paper also provides practical insights into developing meaningful standardized metrics, coordinating with the field on piloting a process, and working with a third-party to build an online solution.
Progressive Land Reclamation as the Design and Operational Basis for the Kearl Oil Sands Mine
Authors: Neufeld Lori
Published: June 2014

Development of the oil sands in northeastern Alberta is an important contributor to the economies of both Alberta and Canada, but this type of hydrocarbon resource is often perceived by some as representing daunting environmental challenges. One particular area of stakeholder focus is the nature of the surface land footprint associated with mineable oil sands developments. This paper will provide the facts and context of progressive reclamation in Canada's mineable oil sands industry with a focus on the Kearl Oil Sands Mine operated by Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited (Imperial Oil). It will demonstrate how progressive land reclamation has been integrated into the mine planning process for Kearl from the outset of project planning and how the soil, overburden, groundwater, surface water, vegetation and wildlife resources are considered throughout the life of the mine from a reclamation perspective. Nearly 22,000 ha of land will be disturbed over 40+ years of operation of the Kearl Oil Sands Mine. Imperial Oil is committed to progressive reclamation of the disturbed land throughout the life of the mine. As part of Kearl's long-term vision for reclamation success, Imperial Oil is currently salvaging, segregating and storing soil and collecting and banking native seeds so that these valuable reclamation materials are readily available in the future. Ongoing mine closure planning and the integration of progressive reclamation from the outset of the mine planning process has identified opportunities, vulnerabilities and technical constraints to mine closure.
The Journey to 80 Million Safe Man-Hours
Authors: Morales Marcos J.
Published: June 2014

The Gas Process Plant of Habshan 5 is one of the world's largest Natural Gas Processing plants build to date and expected to process 2,000 MMSCFD of Natural Gas and 6,000 Tons/Day of NGL when in full production. Peak manpower of 25,000 workers coming from more than 35 different countries, remote location and site conditions of high temperatures and humidity during summer time provided substantial risks to the overall project safety performance.

International safety studies have agreed that behavioural based safety change is a key component for a Zero Accident/Incident project. JGC engaged an Incident and Injury-Free® (IIF®) program and adopted a one-project, one team philosophy from the early days of the Project. A strong safety culture in which management leadership was aligned among parties and ingrained into various safety practices even including daily Safety Task Analysis and Risk Reduction Talk (STARRT) was pursued.

JGC encouraged subcontractors to embed all levels of site management in daily TBT/STARRT meetings, and organized several competitions in partnership to reach the level of excellence. The Culmination of the STARRT Journey is the STARRT Mastership Tournament; a competition not only between work crews of the respective Subcontractors, but a Grand Final between the winning crews of each Subcontractors to produce the overall champion.

Communication between senior management and the workforce was encouraged and a camp welfare committee established where ad-hoc evening visits were made by senior management to the workforce living areas where workers were invited to openly discuss issues regarding their welfare.

Through weekly IIF patrols on site, both day and night patrols in all the process plant areas with over 5,000 senior and line management site visits took place. Tool Box Meetings (TBM) and STARRT were extensively promoted with senior and line managers attendance almost every day.

Pre-job meetings like STARRT is nothing new, however, by introducing IIF, provoking management leadership for safety and welfare will bring about strong safety culture, in which every body including line manager, supervisor and workers are eagerly integrated into the field of creating safety culture.

Incident Injury-Free has been tailored to the specific requirements of this project, providing a very useful tool in further developing the changes in attitude on site. The achievement of 80 million safe man-hours under the JV operation on December 04th 2012 is a result of the long journey in materializing everybody’s wishes to complete the job and go back home safely. Finally, as of July, 2013, the project recorded over 100 Million Man–Hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

All information provided in the following document is based solely and entirely on information relating to the Habshan 5

Process Plant project. It is important to note that all data, statistics, figures and factual information pertain only to this project and is not in any way intended to represent the entire IGD Habshan 5 project.
Overview of FracFocus and Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure Data
Authors: Arthur J. Daniel , Layne Mark Alan , Hochheiser H. William , Arthur Roy
Published: June 2014

Description of the Material: The FracFocus chemical disclosure registry provides public disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemical additives used in nearly 50,000 wells by over 600 companies in the United States. The large number of well sites that have been entered into the registry present a rich population of hydraulic fracturing jobs over a wide geographic area and spanning a period of more than two years. This paper will review the structure of FracFocus and how the system works, discuss industry’s experience in working with the system, and present selected analyses of that data showing how the volume of fluids and the number and type of additives vary by company, by region and play, and even within plays. Application/Development: ALL Consulting developed and manages the FracFocus database and web site. The company has dedicated considerable resources to assess the quality of the data in FracFocus and convert submittals to a database format. ALL has used the resulting data to analyze a variety of research questions about hydraulic fracturing and related environmental concerns and public disclosure issues. Results, Observations, Conclusions: This paper will demonstrate the use of the FracFocus data to investigate a number of questions concerning hydraulic fracturing, including: water use trends across plays, among plays, among companies, and over time; chemical makeup of fracturing jobs, again within and between plays, among companies, and over time; geographic distributions of disclosures (where are submissions being made?); company distributions of disclosures (who is making them?); the use of proprietary or trade secret designations in FracFocus; the use of green chemicals; and whether fracture fluid “recipes” are converging over time within plays or within a given company. Significance of the Subject Matter: The analysis of the data from FracFocus can help bring a scientific approach to addressing many of the concerns expressed by the public, NGOs, and regulatory agencies regarding hydraulic fracturing. These issues include: water use; the number and variety of chemicals used in fracturing fluids and the risk associated with them; and how these factors have changed over the two-year history of FracFocus.
Water Management: Concept to Implementation
Authors: Fennessey Karl , Staudt Wilfred , Dell Jan
Published: June 2014

Water is essential in oil and gas operations. Yet water, particularly fresh water, is a scarce resource in many parts of world now and availability in some regions is predicted to become more constrained in the future. This paper will address industry understanding of water risks and impacts and share examples of water management strategies that are integral to sustainable and efficient operations in the sector.

Utilizing several publically available tools for improving understanding and evaluating risk, ConocoPhillips has continued to advance both our internal understanding of our risks and mitigation plans and contributed to raising the industry and stakeholder awareness of water management risks in the sector. Through our work with IPIECA, GEMI (Global Environmental Management Initiative) and other organizations, this paper showcases the evolution of the industry’s understanding, tools and guidance developed to better manage water risks, impacts and adaptation. As co-leader in the development of these tools, and from experience in their internal implementation, ConocoPhillips will share the evolution of the topic and the impact the following tools had in managing risks: The IPIECA Global Water Tool for Oil and Gas, customized in collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), gives an overview and visual output of water use and risks for a global portfolio across the oil and gas value chain.The GEMI Local Water Tool for Oil and Gas provides a local-level understanding of water risk and development of asset-specific management plans.Development of a focused internal water strategy and areas of emphasis (supported by the IPIECA and GEMI tools) is expanding our transparency and internal understanding of water risks.

The paper will share practical implementation results from utilizing these tools, support implementation of good management practices and environmental and operational performance.
Conservation Agreements: Integrating Social and Environmental Investments in Liberia
Authors: Anwar Nadeem , Howard Deddeh , Donovan-Allen Jessica , Sayon Borwen , Niesten Eduard , Weikel Marielle Canter , Betre Mahlette
Published: June 2014

Social investments by the energy sector are often pursued separately from environmental programs, which can miss opportunities for mutually-reinforced outcomes. Since 2012, "Chevron Liberia Limited" (therafter referred as "Chevron Liberia") and Conservation International (CI) have partnered in Liberia to develop community-level integrated social and environmental projects with the Barcoline community through Conservation Agreements (CAs). CAs are negotiated with local communities and include a package of social benefit investments as an incentive for environmental conservation commitments and performance. CI has conducted feasibility assessments for CAs with 12 villages comprising the Barcoline community just east of the port city of Buchanan. Villagers have committed to conservation activities such as protecting mangroves and sea-turtle nesting beaches and more sustainable hunting and fuelwood collection. In exchange, with support from Chevron Liberia, CI is working with development partners to develop and deliver benefit packages that include investments in social services (e.g. health, education, water and sanitation) and livelihoods (e.g. new agroforestry products, small-scale tourism and hospitality ventures), as well as training, equipment and stipends for community efforts to protect resources. Preliminary work has already increased awareness of local communities as to how their activities are impacting their local environment and how behavior changes might help improve their lives as well as protect natural resources. The communities, Chevron Liberia, CI and government agencies are positioning these CAs as demonstrations of replicable structure for relationships between local communities and companies, informing the design of a national conservation and development program for Liberia. A national CA program inspired by Chevron Liberia and CI’s demonstration project with the Barcoline community could serve as a model to support and assist broad distribution of the benefits of Liberia’s natural resource wealth, and also serve as a model for other countries. Although the Conservation Agreement approach has been implemented in more than 25 projects in 15 countries with support from 8 companies, this is the first time it has been used with an energy company. Bringing this model of integrated environmental and social investment projects to the sector could spur greater delivery of social and environmental benefits to communities and countries with energy exploration and development, as well as companies seeking to enhance their environmental and social performance.
Increasing Barrier Awareness at the Well Site During Intervention Operations
Authors: Kilfoyle Jeff
Published: June 2014

The material to be presented is a “poster” describing the use of “barrier boards” that provide visual representation of the barriers preventing pressure from the reservoir being released to the atmosphere. These barrier boards were developed in response to recognition that the mechanics of process safety were somewhat new to those at the well head. These Barrier boards were developed to inform discussions at the work site with regard to barriers, both active and contingent, and to drive greater awareness of how barriers are established, maintained, and verified. The barrier boards are placed in a common area in clear view of personnel in order to inform discussions and decisions regarding activities. Changes are made to reflect removal or installation of barriers during the intervention process. The process and the posters have thus far been well received by the crews, resulting in more robust conversations regarding the barriers and increased awareness of “process safety” risks. Rig and Non-Rig based activities differ somewhat and thus have resulted in differing “barrier boards”. Given the consequences of a loss of primary containment with a path to the reservoir, any effort that increases awareness and understanding of barriers is of great benefit. A tool that is simple and easily understood by those executing the work at the well head is of enormous value.
Facts Behind the $18 Billion Ecuador Judgment for Environmental Damages
Authors: McMillen Sara J.
Published: June 2014

Over the course of 20 years of litigation regarding former oil operations in Ecuador, numerous allegations have been made about purported impacts to people and the environment. Specific allegations have included drinking water contamination, extinction of entire indigenous groups, increased cancer rates, massive deforestation, biodiversity loss, and improper soil remediation. These allegations have been repeated by some NGOs and the international press as if they were facts. However, extensive research into each of these alleged impacts has proven them all to be false. In spite of the overwhelming evidence that the claims were false, in February, 2011, an Ecuadorian court awarded a judgment of USD $18 billion for these alleged damages.

Texaco Petroleum spent six years conducting audits, remediation, infrastructure improvements, and donating funds for socioeconomic projects. All of this work was done with government oversight and inspection resulting in a final settlement agreement absolving Texpet of any liability in 1998. Yet even after this major effort, a new lawsuit was filed in 2003. As part of that case, thousands of water and soil samples, historical records, decades of satellite imagery, government census and mortality data, and field surveys of biota have been compiled and analyzed by a team of experts including epidemiologists, anthropologists, chemists, biologists, economists, remediation specialists, human health risk assessors, and environmental engineers. The results of this research have been submitted to the courts in Ecuador.This paper will summarize the highlights of this unprecedented case and the tremendous volume of evidence collected to refute the claims that were part of an emotionally-charged, high-stakes litigation and NGO press campaign.
Intervention Program to Control Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal Risks for Oil and Gas Industry Employees
Authors: Acevedo R. Gloria , Claros Liliana , Rodriguez Paola , Ulloa J. Hernan
Published: June 2014

Cardiovascular disease is a serious public health problem worldwide, occupying the first place among the causes of morbidity and mortality and also with a high potential for disability. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease deaths represent 30% of all deaths worldwide. The oil and gas industry is not an exception to this problem, with statistics for an oilfield services company over the last 10 years showing that more than 150 employees died of cardiovascular disease; 95% from heart attack and 5% from stroke.

In Colombia it was found in 2012 that a high percentage of the working population of the oilfield services company had one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease: 48.5% for overweight and obesity, 32% for lipid disorders, and 81% for physical inactivity (sedentarism). In consideration that many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease are modifiable, such as improving one’s lifestyle concerning diet and exercise, a program named Ergoday was structured and implemented to focus on providing an individual diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring of the modifiable risk factors. With an emphasis on weight control, muscle strength, and flexibility in addition to the control of cardiovascular risk factors, the aim of the Ergoday program is to control both cardiovascular risk and musculoskeletal disorders, which were also prevalent in the Colombia workforce.

Participants in the program become aware of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and the need for physical fitness to improve their quality of life. To achieve long-term success, the intervention includes specific recommendations to reduce or eliminate the risk factors and regular monitoring to assess compliance and impact of the recommendations given.
Upstream Nigeria Telemedicine Pilot Program
Authors: Dim Susan , Aliyu Bello
Published: June 2014

Background: The quest for oil and gas has necessitated personnel movement into remote locations including offshore. Typical challenges for medical emergency response in remote locations are: adverse weather conditions and logistical problems.

Employees of ExxonMobil Upstream Affiliates in Nigeria stepped into the future of medicine with the deployment of innovative telemedicine technology by the Medicine and Occupational Health (MOH) Department in Nigeria. This Upstream Nigeria Telemedicine Pilot Program became a reality in March 2010 with commencement of teleconsultations by the specialists across our locations. Thus, they became the first ExxonMobil affiliate to successfully deploy such a Pilot Program.

Objective: This innovation is aimed at ensuring specialist on-line interactions with patients in remote locations such as off shore and reducing patient transfer across our locations.

Methods: The telemedicine equipment in this pilot includes Physician Small Studios (PSS) at the Mobil House and MHE Clinics; a Telemedicine cart (T-cart) at the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) clinic and a B3 Zero suitcase on a medic manned offshore location: OSO complex.

An on-line log of teleconsultations is kept on a daily basis while monthly total of the records is also documented.

Over one hundred and sixty-one (161) personnel across Eket, Lagos, QIT and OSO complex have had teleconsultations with physical evaluations done by means of the diagnostic scopes system. A client satisfaction survey was deployed in August 2010 to increase the metrics.

Conclusion: Some of the health needs addressed during such sessions include: fever, upper respiratory infections (URUI), pharyngitis, acute abdomen, gastroenteritis with dehydration, skin lesions, cellulitis, hypertension, and review of blood work. In most cases, personnel returned to work although some of the cases were placed on observation and some referrals to designated hospitals were made.
Effect of Pore Size Distribution and Connectivity on Phase Behavior and Gas Condensate Production from Unconventional Resources
Authors: Sanaei Alireza , Jamili Ahmad , Callard Jeffrey
Published: June 2014

Transport properties and mechanisms as well as phase behavior under nanoscale confinement exhibit significant deviations from their bulk behavior. This is due to the significant effect of molecule-wall interactions as well as molecule-molecule interactions in shale formations which are mainly characterized by nanopores. Consequently, production from shale gas reservoirs is strongly influenced by pore sizes and their effects on phase behavior and transport properties.

In this study, we focus on analyzing and determining the effect of phase behavior and transport properties change due to pore proximity on production from a shale gas condensate reservoir. Additionally, the effect of different connectivities between pore sizes on production is studied. The effect of pore size on phase behavior is considered by using modified critical properties for different pore sizes in the phase behavior calculations.

A shale gas condensate reservoir with a ternary mixture of methane (80 mol%), n-butane (10 mol%), and n-octane (10 mol%) as the reservoir fluid is modeled. The reservoir pressure and temperature are 5000 psia and 180 °F, respectively. The dew point pressure is 3600 psia. Pore sizes change between 5-150nm. Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies on shale reservoir rocks, the pore volume of the reservoir was divided into five regions: bulk (stimulated area and pore sizes more than 50nm (17% PV)), 20-50nm (4% of PV), 15-20nm (6% of PV), 10-15nm (45% of PV), and less than 10nm (28% of PV). Three different types of connectivities between pores were considered: 1- completely random distribution 2- pore sizes from smallest to largest connected to the SRV in series, and 3- pore sizes from largest to smallest connected to the SRV in series.

Our study has shown that by decreasing the pore size, dew point pressures decrease between 5 to 17%. Also by decreasing pore size, two-phase region shrinks therefore condensate drop-out and near wellbore permeability impairment are reduced. After 10 years of production, condensate saturation around SRV is 6-10% less under confinement effects. Gas and condensate viscosities under confinement decrease 3-16% and 10-45% respectively. Considering effect of confinement did not affect gas production significantly but the liquid production increased significantly and doubled. The effect of different pore size connectivities caused a 20% change in liquid productions.

The results of this study can have a significant impact on our understanding of gas condensation and transport in shale formations thereby enabling improved field planning, well placement, completions design and facilities management.