bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model Based Assessment of Underwater Sound Levels during a Seismic Source Soft-start Operation
Authors: Hannay David , Racca Roberto , Carr Scott , Jenkerson Mike , Melton Rodger , Hedgeland David , Tsoflias Sarah L.
Published: July 2010

The seismic source soft-start or ramp-up procedure involves the progressive activation of individual airguns within a seismic source array over a period of time to gradually increase the emitted sound pressure levels. The intent of the soft-start procedure is to warn nearby marine mammals of pending seismic operations and to allow sufficient time for those animals to leave the immediate vicinity. This is perceived as a ‘common sense’ procedure that assumes animals will move away from lower sound pressure levels and thereby avoid exposures to higher sound levels later in the soft-start process and during full array operations. However, the efficacy of soft-start has not been scientifically evaluated. The approach is commonly used as a mitigation measure during seismic survey operations in order to reduce the risk that marine mammals in close proximity to the source at the time of activation are exposed to levels which might cause auditory or physiological injury.

A computer modeling study was performed to estimate sound levels received at various locations in the water column near an industry-standard seismic airgun array during a typical soft-start procedure in 2000 m water depth. The models included an airgun array source model and an acoustic propagation model. Received pressure levels were computed for receiver positions at several distances perpendicular to one side of the seismic vessel tow line and at multiple receiver depths. The computer model generated predictions of per-shot sound exposure level (SEL). These were summed over a number of shot points to compute cumulative SEL at each fixed receiver position.

The model predictions indicate that sound levels present during the initial stages of soft-start are below the cumulative SEL thresholds that might lead to Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) auditory system injury in cetaceans even at receiver locations 100 m off the seismic vessel sail line or 100 m depth when sail line passes directly overhead. The cumulative SEL levels could reach auditory system injury thresholds for pinnipeds at 100 m depth directly beneath the sail line at the third stage of soft-start, but this exposure level would only occur if the animal remained stationary during the approach of the seismic source.
Integrating Performance Metrics into Social Responsibility Practices
Authors: Overton Cindy
Published: July 2010

This paper will undertake an overall evaluation of the role performance metrics plays in E&P companies’ Social Responsibility (SR) programs and show how to build value into SR efforts.

Regardless of whether companies are in an early design phase or involved in advanced phases of implementation of the SR metrics programs, they will be able to use this information as a basis for evaluating the value of the metrics they use/intend to use. They will understand what drives their sustainability metrics efforts - external demands to report or internal sustainability goals. When metrics are separated from the reporting function, they will function as a powerful tool to foster improvement across the entire business.

The paper creates a current profile of how companies across the E&P sector manage and use SR metrics and details challenges their organizations have faced as programs have been implemented.
Defining the Optimal Organizational Structure for EHS Management
Authors: Marshall Jessica M. , Serwinowski Mark A.
Published: July 2010

Given the current economic conditions, it is essential for EHS organizations to support the overall management imperative to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and maintain or improve brand image. By implementing the optimal organizational structure and business model, organizations are able to create short and long term value with improved ROI of their EHS investments. In the next 5-10 years, the EHS business model will have evolved from the tactical / functional support role to a strategic platform for product and process innovation and growth strategies.

This paper seeks to define the optimal structure that can facilitate improved efficiency, cross disciplinary communication, mitigated risk, and improved innovation across the organization. By benchmarking the organizational structure, strategy, and management execution of fourteen independent and super-major oil and gas organizations the paper is able to identify the Business Case and Opportunity for the following: Optimizing the Organizational StructureDriving cost containment and sustainable market growthEncouraging business units to adopt corporate holistic view of the organization,Driving value creation by improving the reputational capital / brand image of the organization

By evaluating the organizational structure and strategy of fourteen oil and gas organizations, this paper hopes to identify the best in class structure to answer the following: Strategy & Structure○What is the best in class reporting structure and how should it be aligned with a value-chain approach?○Does the current organizational structure facilitate business unit cost containment, and brand / regulatory risk management?○Is there a consistent implementation strategy exist that reduces repetitive processes and roles within the organization?Process & Governance○How are roles within the organization differentiated within EHS functions to enable optimal support of the business units?○How can process changes be documented and communicated?○How are best demonstrated practices shared and optimized?Systems & Tools○What is the current toolset for managing and tracking EHS metrics?○What are the appropriate systems and tools in place to implement a global, organizational restructuring?○Are current toolsets robust enough to support CO2 emissions accounting and manage associated financial risks and opportunities?Organizational Capabilities & Skills○What type of organizational structures best facilitate the roles EHS will be asked to play in the future?○What is the appropriate leadership in place at the Business Unit level to support the reorganization and cost reduction strategies?

These key questions are the driver for defining the shareholder value of the EHS organization, the best in class business model, and the optimal future state EHS organization.
Obesity Among Seafarers in an International Oil Logistics Company: A Growing Concern
Authors: Pinto Augusto Paulo , Hausmann Erica Feitosa
Published: July 2010

Medical exams are required for boarding, including the register of patient´s weight and height are always done.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is defined as the patients weight (Kg) divided by the square of the height (m). This index is more useful than the crude weight for defining obesity, because it allows comparisons between different biotypes.

Obese are more prone to become sick and to have medical complications while sick. Diseases related to obesity include hypertension, diabetes mellitus and joint diseases, among others.

The prevalence of obesity keeps growing worldwide, in spite of many efforts (education campaigns, nutritional advise, incentives to the practice of physical activity).

The purpose of this study was to verify the percentage of obese seafarers among those with BMI above the normal range annually, over a period of 6 years (from 2003 until 2008).

Data was obtained from the company´s database. The research parameters were: (1) being a seafarer (all categories) and BMI > 25; (2) being a seafarer (all categories) and a BMI > 30.

The proportion of patients with BMI > 30 between those with BMI > 25 was calculated (simple division).

Results:

For 2003: 205 (BMI>25), 56 (BMI>30), 27% BMI>30 among BMI>25

For 2004: 398, 122 and 30%

For 2005: 481, 152 and 31%

For 2006: 497, 167 and 33%

For 2007: 565, 198 and 35%

For 2008: 681, 248 and 36%

The data shows a temporal increase in the total number of both overweight patients and obese patients, and also in the percentage of patients with BMI > 30 among those with BMI > 25.

Given that a seafarer has an abnormal BMI, he is more likely to be obese nowadays than he was in the previous year. Possible explanations are the ageing of the crews or a reduction in physical demands onboard due to automation; but perhaps the obesity in seafarers is part of a larger social phenomenon of growing obesity.

These data are provocative, and could help defining priorities and planning future health actions.
Developing a Biodiversity Action Plan through an Integrated Phased Approach
Authors: Maguire Simon , Casaretto Carolina , Vexler David , Kingham Richard , Rolseth Scott
Published: July 2010

The Peru LNG Project is located in the southern region of Peru consists of a natural gas transportation pipeline system that traverses the Andean mountains to a liquefaction plant and marine terminal located on the Pacific coast. The 408 km pipeline traverses many diverse landscapes and ecosystems from the edge of the tropical rainforests to the high peaks of the Andes and finally down to the arid desert coastline. This paper describes the processes taken to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), utilizing a phased approach throughout the planning and construction phases of the pipeline and moving forward into operations.

The general objective of the BAP is to provide a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting biodiversity during the construction and operation of the pipeline. The phased approach considers the various critical phases of a construction project from the early planning stages through assessment, construction, operations, and closure. Undertaking a phased approach to the development of the BAP has enabled this Plan to evolve through the different phases of the project.
Managing Large Scale Development Projects - Assuring EHS Excellence through Contractor Selection and Management
Authors: Rolseth Scott , Kingham Richard
Published: July 2010

Major development projects involve a high risk of environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) impacts as well as unplanned negative outcomes such as community unrest and the loss of broad support. As the majority of these impacts are likely to occur during construction, substandard ESHS performance by construction contractors can lead to significant risks in terms of a project sponsor's reputation, financing requirements, and product delivery commitments. Proactive management of contractor ESHS performance is therefore critical to the overall success of major oil and gas development projects.

Increasingly, projects are crossing borders and diverse ecological zones, touching vulnerable communities and traversing remote and rugged terrain. They are therefore subject to a numerous ESHS requirements from many sources from corporate policies to international safeguard policies and performance standards. Many of these requirements become the responsibility of contractors, particularly in the case of Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts. The challenge is to minimize ESHS risks by fully assessing a contractors understanding of the often-complex requirements before signing contracts. This is particularly challenging when a lump-sum contracting strategy is adopted.

This paper describes lessons-learned and recent advancements in ESHS planning within a robust contractor selection and management strategy. Topics addressed include the timely completion of environmental assessments and associated studies; environmental and social aspects of project financing, clarifying responsibilities, interpreting complex expectations, and developing collaborative relationships with contractors to achieve ESHS excellence.
A Quantitative Risk Assessment Approach
Authors: Watson Victor
Published: July 2010

Security and health, safety and environment (HSE) departments encounter several challenges and use different methodologies when carrying out security risk assessments. Security risks have often been evaluated through qualitative, intuitive, or "gut- feeling" approaches. This paper describes how an oilfield services company decided to approach security risk assessment in an innovative way, combining qualitative professional advice with quantitative analysis.

The paper examines the differences between how security and HSE personnel commonly carry out risk assessments and the ways that security personnel generally come to their conclusions based on experience, intuition, or intelligence. The paper also considers whether these kinds of assessments are qualitative or quantitative.

The author considers whether it is acceptable for experts in a field to carry out qualitative assessments without demonstrating how they arrived at their conclusions and explores whether, instead, a combination of qualitative and quantitative assessment should be used in all cases. In addition, the differences between risk and threat, risk levels and alert states, and prevention and mitigation measures are discussed. The paper also defines specific problems in integrating security assessments into a company's management system and where and how qualitative versus quantitative assessments fit.

The paper concludes that the oilfield services company has demonstrated success in helping nonprofessional managers to better understand and manage security risk through an innovative approach: using qualitative professional input and combining it with quantitative analysis for a simpler and more consistent output. It is suggested that the oil and gas industry would benefit from a common approach to risk assessment and that the development and publication of agreed industry guidelines would enable all companies to have access to this common approach.
Basic Principles for Offshore Control Rooms Design
Authors: Duarte Francisco , Conceição Carolina , Maia Nora
Published: July 2010

Description of the proposed paper

Ergonomics has been present in offshore platforms design, aiming at introducing work logics in the workplace conception process. Due to its importance for a good performance and operation of offshore platforms, control rooms are usually analyzed with the intention to improve working conditions even in operation platforms. The objective of this paper is to present some basic principles for offshore platforms control rooms design. These principles were generated from six ergonomic intervention cases in offshore control rooms with one to eight years of operation.

Application

The elaboration of basic principles for offshore control rooms design intends to guarantee that designers have access to required relevant information in relation to the real needs of these environments.

Results and conclusions

Based on norms and general recommendations knowledge, previous control rooms design experience, and work analysis in control rooms now in operation, it was possible to identify some common typical characteristics. In turn, these characteristics gave origin to basic principles that can serve as guides to control room design projects (either new rooms or under renovation ones) on other offshore platforms.

Significance of subject matter

Ergonomic interventions in offshore platforms control rooms design projects have become more frequent and have proven to be efficient in improving working conditions. The methodological approach used in ergonomic interventions highlighted the importance of users’ participation in the construction of proposed solutions and principles.
Contribution of Ergonomics to Workspace Sesign in the Offshore Accommodations Module
Authors: Conceição Carolina , Duarte Francisco
Published: July 2010

Description of the proposed paper

This study falls within the context of a research project which aimed to draw up ergonomic guidelines for future offshore platform designs. The participation of ergonomists during the design process together with the other actors involved contributed to a greater understanding of the activities to be developed in the new areas. It is always possible to identify existing situations which when analyzed offer partial clarification of future activities connected to the space to be designed. Using this information in the planning of new designs enables the best adaptation of the design to its users. During the two year duration of the project, trips were made to operating platforms with the aim of observing and following activities, and interviewing workers in different sectors, which supported the guidelines drawn up for these areas.

Application

Ergonomics has been challenged to contribute from the beginning of the design process for the enrichment of the technical specifications. The objective is not only to enlarge information quantity, but mainly to ensure that relevant and substantial information will be available so as to designers be thoroughly knowledgeable about the real work conditions on the offshore platform and therefore the real demands for the design project. And, since time is paramount in this sort of design project, the earlier this information is available to the designers the higher will be the chance of programming the substantial characteristics to each environment, hence avoiding critical situations as the ones presently observed.

Results and conclusions

Ergonomic analyses were carried out on the accommodations module areas and positive and negative aspects were identified on the different platforms. On the basis of this analysis, guidelines were drawn up for the basic design of new platforms. This involved guidelines for the layout concept design, inter-connectivity amongst sectors and the flow of people and activities.

Significance of subject matter

Making ergonomics part of offshore platform designs enables the design process to be guided by the logic of the work activity. Although a standard accommodations module cannot be created, we saw the possibility of creating tools that aid the use of guidelines in a participatory process in new projects.
Survey of a Cohort of Patients Evacuated from Indonesia in the Course of a Dengue Fever
Authors: Pic J-P
Published: July 2010

Background

The rapid progression of the dengue fever (DF) epidemic in tropical areas along with the expansion of the expatriate community in Indonesia has led to an increase of medical evacuation related to dengue fever.

Patients and methods

With the view of designing a diagnostic tool that contributes to make evidence based decisions to medically evacuate patients with complicated dengue fever, we conducted a retrospective survey of a cohort of 46 cases of patients evacuated from Jakarta over the two previous years. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we looked for criteria predictive of the fact that the patient would later require a level of care not immediately available locally.

Results

Within dengue fever patients becoming seriously thrombopenic, three parameters - presence of abdominal pain, liver function disturbance and fever - are strongly associated with the occurrence of heavy cares during the course of the hospitalisation that followed the evacuation. The selected multivariate model, provides a scoring classifier; its excellent accuracy was characterised by ROC analysis: AUC= 0.899.

Discussion

The survey allowed reconsidering the value of clinical features (abdominal pain and fever) besides the ackwnowlegment of the severity of the thrombopenia. The availibility of a prognosis tool implies an assessment regarding the conditions of its use. Other data (older of from other asian regions) will worth being included.
LOPA as a PHA Complementary Tool: A Case Study
Authors: Silva E. N. , Maia L. , Amaral S. P.
Published: July 2010

This article presents an example of the use of a risk assessment technique called Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) as a complementary technique to be employed after a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA). The article shows a case of study from an offshore exploration and production unit type Floating Production Storage and Offloading System (FPSO). The results showed that the use of LOPA technique resulted in a better accuracy in estimating the risk, through the initial adoption of the risk tolerance criteria, reducing the subjective judgments originated from the qualitative classification of the accidents sceneries that happened during the elaboration of PHA. Furthermore, the study results showed that the use of LOPA provides the identification of a higher rigor in the classification of the appraised risks when PHA is used alone. The new analyses of risks should adopt LOPA for the verification of the quality of information generated with focus in the decision-making process for implementations of independent protection layers and in the operational safety's increase.
Oil Exploration and Tropical Diseases
Authors: Morante Gonzalo , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro
Published: July 2010

Oil exploration demands a series of health risks for workers and also for native populations anciently living in remote zones and frequently aisled, where the presence of the Government is absent or precarious. Risks are in both ways: (a) diseases that can be introduced by workers into populations with limited occidental contact, and (b) mainly tropical diseases which circulate in exploration zones and can affect people who enter into these zones. The companies challenge is to develop preventive programs for both situations.

The use of vaccinations by personnel who enters into exploration zones, as well as to avoid the entrance of personnel with any kind of health problem is the most utilized and proper strategy in order to prevent the introduction of diseases into these zones. The experience shows us that this strategy works only when the indicated principles are rigorously accomplished, however, it is important to be conscious of the existence of limitations, as it would be the case of the A H1N1 Flu, with no commercially available vaccinations, and with an incubation time that can last up to one week, which would imply that a worker can enter into the zone with no symptoms, but already in the field can present them and initiate a contagious chain.

The workers risk to get endemic diseases which circulate in rural areas is a more complex challenge, as they are of diverse nature. In front of this, WALSH is developing a strategy to minimize workers risks, contemplating: (1) educational program in order to inform the workers about the most common diseases in areas where they will be mobilized and measures for individual and collective protection; (2) training to health workers and nurses who accompany the brigades -including brigade chiefs- about diagnosis and treatment (in field conditions) of the more common pathologies in contact zones, as well as a precise definition about the conditions in which patients with any kind of risk must be evacuated; (3) selection of the equipment, consumables, and medicines of the first aid kits, suitable to the working environment; (4) subscription of collaboration agreements with control and prevention programs that are being developed in the zone, as in the case of the control program against malaria (PAMAFRO) which is being carried out in the Peruvian jungle, and allows to optimize its diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures. This group of measures has determined a decrease of the majority of the diseases -among them, malaria- and has reduced the number of events that mean evacuation.
Large-Scale Habitat Mitigation for Seismic Operations Offshore Mozambique
Authors: Viada Stephen T. , Graham Bruce D. , VanGraafeiland Keith B.
Published: July 2010

This paper describes a study that integrated geographic information system (GIS) habitat mapping, habitat sensitivity analysis, and direct observational data to develop an efficient means of locating shallow water seafloor features warranting environmental protection during seismic operations off northern Mozambique. Data collected during the study were then used to develop a mitigation plan to minimize potential impacts associated with proposed geophysical survey activities. This study combined proven survey techniques for rapid assessment and large-scale mapping of sensitive seafloor features.

Preliminary seafloor habitat categorization and mapping of the project area was conducted using high-resolution satellite imagery and a review of relevant published scientific literature. An operation-specific environmental sensitivity index (ESI) was applied to habitat types, and selection criteria were developed for habitats warranting environmental protection (sensitive habitats) from proposed geophysical survey activities. Sensitive habitats were protected from potential impacts from the seismic sound source by mitigation buffers. A subsequent field survey, consisting of a combined side-scan sonar survey of selected geophysical survey lines and rapid assessment groundtruthing of selected seafloor features, was conducted over a 21-day period, surveying 250 km of seafloor in water depths between 2 and 15 m. The side-scan sonar data were reviewed during collection to identify seafloor features that potentially met sensitive habitat criteria. The locations of seafloor features of interest were obtained for subsequent examination by diver scientists utilizing rapid assessment methods for selection criteria verification. Seventy-nine targets were selected for examination during the field survey. The results of the field survey were used during the design of the geophysical survey, with protective areas placed around sensitive habitats.

The study demonstrates an integration of survey techniques that collectively provide a time-efficient and cost-effective means to identify and map environmentally sensitive shallow-water seafloor features within a large and environmentally complex geographical area. This study additionally presents the application of an operational-specific ESI based on habitat characteristics which are sensitive to impact producing factors associated with offshore oil and gas exploration activities. This combined technical approach is a practical means to minimize environmental impact while meeting industry engineering and logistic constraints.
Optimized Surfactant IFT and Polymer Viscosity for Surfactant-Polymer Flooding in Heterogeneous Formations
Authors: Wang Yefei , Zhao Fulin , Bai Baojun , Zhang Jian , Xiang Wentao , Li Xianjie , Zhou Wei
Published: July 2010

Surfactant Polymer flooding (SP flooding) has drawn more attention than Alkaline Surfactant Polymer flooding (ASP flooding) in China due to the difficulty of demulsification and the scale formation problem from the alkali in ASP. Traditionally, the primary requirement for the surfactant in SP flooding is the lowest interfacial tension (IFT). However, core flooding tests performed in a series of heterogeneous models have demonstrated there exist optimized surfactant IFT and polymer viscosity for SP flooding, which can maximize the oil recovery of a heterogeneous formation. The optimized surfactant IFT has a low value but not the lowest possible value, and polymer viscosity is at an appropriately high value, but not the highest possible value. This paper summarizes and analyzes more than 40 core flooding test results and provides possible mechanisms for the results.
Virtues of a Virtual Person Monitoring All Real Aspects of All Production Facilities All of the Time
Authors: Cramer Ron , Berendschot Leo
Published: July 2010

The Oil and Gas industry and associated pipelines is sadly afflicted with a history of catastrophic safety incidents - a small subset for problem-definition purpose as follows:

– 1984 Mexico City LPG explosion resulted in 300 fatalities – 1988 Norco refinery, explosion led to 7 fatalities and 42 injuries – 1988 Piper Alpha North Sea platform explosion resulted in the death of 167 operators, loss of 10% of UK production and $2.3 Billion asset – 1989 Pasadena Texas Chemical Plant explosion led to 23 fatalities, 130 injuries and $800 MM damages – 2005 Texas City fire and explosion resulted in the deaths of 15 people, 170 injuries and substantial damage to property and reputation

The purpose of this paper is to review such catastrophic process incidents with a view to identifying potential mitigating effects that could have been obtained if suitable real time information systems had been available. Among the aspects to be covered are remote monitoring centers, near misses and pre/post-facto incident analysis. The underlying intent is to investigate the potential benefits of using real time information to maximize technical integrity and to minimize incident probability.
An Implementation of On-line Well Virtual Metering of Oil Production
Authors: García Alejandro , Almeida Inaê , Singh Gagan , Purwar Suryansh , Monteiro Mônica , Carbone Leonardo , Herdeiro Marco
Published: July 2010

Asset managers constantly seek to determine how wells are performing to assess performance of long-term strategy and to achieve expected results. For this purpose, periodic production tests are performed to measure individual flow contribution to total measured platform production in addition to other measurements, including BSW, gas-oil ratio, pressure, and temperature. Daily well production is estimated by back-allocating production measured at fiscal meters to individual wells based on the well’s production potential validated during tests. This paper presents an alternative system for measuring individual well-oil production based on a neural network and online correlation logic using data from sensors, well tests, and simulations.

This system permits a closer right-time monitoring of the wells by enabling readings to be taken more frequently and by minimizing the intrinsic estimation errors that normally arise when doing back-allocation of well production based on performance of other wells.

This paper describes a methodology for data selection, sensor validation analysis, modeling, online implementation, and quality control of the results. The main benefit of this implementation has been to quickly identify production deviations above or below well potential and to identify and adjust the variables that affect these deviations.

The combination of high volumes of measured data that automation technology enables and historical values of testing data made it possible to implement this smart solution where data is constantly transformed into information. This information allows the engineers to analyze and associate results and transform them into events of knowledge. This methodology can be applied to any asset where time and operational constraints do not permit the testing of wells on a daily basis or where it is too expensive to justify the installation of multiphase meters and where a high level of automation is available.
The Norne Field Case—A Unique Comparative Case Study
Authors: Rwechungura R. , Suwartadi E. , Dadashpour M. , Kleppe J. , Foss B.
Published: July 2010

As the first of its kind, the Norne field case proposes to use real field data for a comparative case study. The Center for Integrated Operations in the Petroleum Industry (IO Center) at NTNU include four comprehensive research programs. The "Reservoir management and production optimization" program work on the development of methods, technology and work processes for realtime reservoir management and real-time production optimization. One of the program’s objectives is to develop a benchmark data base for research and trial activities. The IO Center states: "The data base should use a real field and in particular promote comparative studies of alternative methods for history matching and ultimately closed loop reservoir management". Statoil’s Norne Field in the Norwegian Sea has been in production for approximately 12 years. The field has high quality 4D seismic data, production data and well logs in addition to a reservoir model (geo model) and seismic model. This data has kindly been made available to the IO Center by the Norne license in general and Statoil in particular. The IO Center will make the data available in packages for IO Center partners and the research community as a whole. At the moment there exist no benchmark cases consisting of real data. The most realistic case present today is probably the Brugge Field (synthetic) presented early in 2008.

The first Norne release considers the Segment E of the Norne field. The reservoir model for this segment consists of 8733 active grids and it has 7 wells (2 injectors and 3 producers with 2 side tracks). This limited starting point was chosen to ensure simplicity and softness at the beginning. Later cases will include the whole field.

The data is accessible via a dedicated web-page where the task at hand is described. It includes a reservoir simulation model in Eclipse format, a geological report describing the stratigraphy of the field consisting 17 zones, and petrophysics reports from three wells which provides data related to permeability, water saturation, net-to-gross, thickness, porosity, capillary pressure, porosity-permeability relationship in all formations.

This paper reports on the preparatory work that included introduction of flux boundary conditions for Norne E – segment separation with a perfect match between the separated E – segment and the E – segment attached to the rest of the field.
Digital Platform for the Next Generation IO: A Prerequisite for the High North
Authors: Verhelst F. , Myren F. , Rylandsholm P. , Svensson I. , Waaler A. , Skramstad T. , Ornæs J. I. , Tvedt B. H. , Høydal J.
Published: July 2010

The Arctic region holds vast amounts of extractive energy resources. Most of the arctic resources lie offshore beneath thick ice and deep water in environmentally very sensitive areas. Weather and distance from existing infrastructure and centers of population add additional operational and logistic challenges.

Oil and gas operations in the high north are likely to entail the remote and distributed control of assets – leading to heavy demands on the communication links and information flow. Connecting and integrating business processes and information sources across disciplines, geographical locations and organizational boundaries add to the complexity. Further, operations in the high north require particular sensitivity to environmental aspects.

In order to meet all the requirements and at the same time maintain profitable operations, the industry has to create new field development and operation concepts that include heavily instrumented facilities. There must also be put a significant focus on the transfer of real time data between fields and operation centers located elsewhere, and on automated key work processes to handle the large volumes of data. A prerequisite for this development is a robust digital infrastructure and a platform for effective and efficient information exchange. This is what the Norwegian Oil Industry Association has called Integrated Operations Generation 2. Central to this vision is a much higher degree of functionalities being distributed geographically and organizationally based upon a digital platform that is distributed to a higher extent than what is common today. The platform defines interfaces and employs data transfer and distributed intelligence based on open standards, allowing for a much higher degree of interoperability across applications, disciplines, geographic locations and organizations than is common today.

The main aim for the "Integrated Operations in the High North" project is to build and demonstrate a digital platform for Integrated Operations Generation 2. The project is a unique collaboration between the ICT, defense and oil and gas industries, as well as university research groups. During a four year period starting May 2008, the 26 participants in the project are working together to develop a demonstrated platform for Integrated Operations Generation 2. Pilots defined for drilling, production and operations and maintenance, are used as a basis to generate the requirements early in the project, and at later stages in the project to demonstrate the value of the platform.

The project is also relevant for gaining experience with where and how cutting edge ICT technologies, like semantic and agent technologies that target the "Internet of things", may generate value within the oil & gas industry.
Bridging the Gap between Deploying Collaborative Applications and Generating Value
Authors: Burress Charlotte , Paylow Kevin
Published: July 2010

Increasing numbers of collaborative tools and environments are becoming commercially available, and many of these applications are used or have been tried within the oil industry. But simply having the tools doesn’t mean they provide value or are embraced by employees. The perceived need for change management or lack of resources dedicated to change management seems to be pervasive across the industry. So this leads to the question: "How can we bridge the gap between deploying IT applications and generating value to users and the organization?"

This case study looks at different low-cost approaches employed to prototype uses and builds user familiarity with several collaborative applications within our organization. These applications include webinars, wikis, collaborative discussions, amateur video and Microsoft SharePoint® software functions.

Some simple approaches to deploying these tools have driven greater uptake and collaboration in the organization. Others became viral messaging. Other methods just didn’t "stick" with users. While not all approaches have been successful, we view this as part of our innovation and learning process.

Collaboration is important to organizations and participants as it enables efficiency, effectiveness, knowledge transfer and innovation. The ability to bring people and information together from around the globe is increasingly critical as we watch resources diminish due to the economic climate, the demographics of the industry’s workforce change significantly and the technical and commercial challenges to find, drill, and produce hydrocarbons grow more complex. Collaboration between users doesn’t happen simply because tools are available. Organizations must find a way to make collaborative tools valuable, wanted and used.
Realizing Value from Implementing i-field™ in a Deepwater Greenfield, Offshore Nigeria
Authors: Sankaran Sathish , Olise Moses , Meinert David , Awasthi Ankur
Published: July 2010

Digital oil field (DOF) in the upstream industry has gained momentum in the last few years and has transformed from being solely a vision to actual projects that have measurable value. The ultimate goal in DOF projects is an integrated approach towards decision making and control of asset management in relevant time. This paper describes the successful methodology adopted for implementing i-field™ in Agbami—namely, identification, prioritization, and implementation of relevant workflows.

The Agbami field, located in deepwater offshore Nigeria, is a subsea development that incorporates crestal gas and peripheral water injection. It is located in ~1,500 m of water depth and consists of a 38 well-development program to be implemented in three phases. The well completion incorporates intelligent well completions (IWC)—downhole flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, and interval control valves. These downhole accessories are managed using electric and hydraulic controls/instrumentation with subsurface, subsea, and topsides data acquired and transmitted to a central-data historian on the FPSO in relevant time. The implementation of a robust architecture for a data and information management system involving acquisition, processing, storage, and replication (from offshore to onshore) is conceived to be the foundation upon which asset management workflows are implemented.

The expected benefits from implementing i-field™ in Agbami include reduction in lost production opportunity (LPO) through proactive asset management, better long-term reservoir management through timeline management of injection and production-rate balancing, increased efficiency and reliability through guided workflows, improved ultimate recovery, and better overall performance from standardization of base business work processes. The real value of implementing i-field™ initiatives in Agbami is not only justified by the return on investment but also by providing a benchmark for capturing the value by other assets. Based on field experience, this paper discusses the approach towards value realization of the i-field™ system, including change-management strategy for end-user acceptance. Critical success factors and lessons learned during deployment are also presented.
The Future of Integrated Operations
Authors: Crompton Jim , Gilman Helen
Published: July 2010

The concept of Integrated Operations (IO) has matured significantly over the past eight years since the landmark study by CERA in 2002. Many companies, including Chevron, now have established programs with demonstrated results delivered in multiple assets. With that track record, companies are now asking what’s next and how can they build on this foundation for the future.

Given what we’ve learned to date, how can we accelerate results and where can IO add the most value? What business and technology trends will emerge both to help and hinder integrated workflow solutions over the next 5-10 years? This paper will address these questions by looking at the history of the Chevron i-field program to understand what has been accomplished, the promises realized and the challenges uncovered in the journey. We will examine trends in the industry, to understand future opportunities and challenges more clearly.

The paper will look at how different elements of Integrated Operations can be deployed more effectively, and how to address the challenges of delivering and sustaining the change within the current and future workforce. Delivering solutions is usually difficult, but sustaining and supporting them provide new levels of challenge. How do we ensure that Integrated Operations becomes the way we work in the future instead of a passing technology fashion fad?
Experimental and Numerical Modeling of Three-Phase Flow Under High-Pressure Air Injection (HPAI)
Authors: Niz-Velâsquez E. , Moore R. G. , van Fraassen K. C. , Mehta S. A. , Ursenbach M. G.
Published: July 2010

In this paper, an improved characterization of three-phase flow under HPAI conditions was achieved based on experimental results and numerical reservoir simulation.

A three-phase coreflood experiment was conducted at reservoir conditions, using 37°API stock tank oil, 84% nitrogen – 16% carbon dioxide flue gas mixture, and 3% KCl brine. The aim of the test was to evaluate the effects that the highly liquid-saturated front produced by the thermal reactions has on the mobility of each phase. Departing from connate water saturation and reservoir pressure and temperature, sequential injection of water, gas and oil was carried out, followed by a final gas flood to residual liquid saturation. Other two-and three-phase tests performed on this rock specimen were published elsewhere. Numerical history matching was employed to determine oil-water and liquid-gas relative permeability (kr) curves for both imbibition and drainage cases. A Combustion Tube (CT) test was simulated using both conventional kr curves and a set including hysteresis. The degree of hysteresis observed during the coreflood test was maintained for the CT simulation.

History matching of the coreflood showed that kr to the gas phase is much smaller during liquid re-imbibition than during drainage. The use of gas phase hysteresis for the CT test allows for a better matching of liquid volumes and pressure drop. Analysis of the simulated data suggests that the reduction in gas phase mobility encourages an early increase in the oil rate, which is more consistent with experimental data than that predicted by a model with conventional kr. It also reveals that water distilled below the saturated steam temperature plays an important role on the increase of liquid saturation and oil mobilization.

The improved characterization on relative permeability considering gas phase hysteresis for simulating HPAI enhances the predictive capability of the available commercial simulators, providing a more certain method to evaluate the technical and economical feasibility of a project. The ability to predict an early increase in oil rate, consistent with experimental observations, results in improved economics for the project.
Enabling an Intelligent Energy Strategy through Industrialization of IT
Authors: Hill Craig
Published: July 2010

In the industry today IT has become "business critical" in wellsite and field operations, moving beyond the traditional back office role. As a result, there are significant implications for the IT organization, where rig site and producing-asset interaction, both in terms of people and technology, has been infrequent, ad hoc or confined to the witnessing and delivery of data. It is now critical to align the strategies and plans of IT and Operations both at HQ and local level, to achieve the efficiency, performance, and technology objectives set. Key focus areas are

Staffing—Assign experienced staff to real-time–related IT management. Process—Define clear processes for all "touch points" between IT and Operations. Infrastructure—Design, build, and operate a highly resilient infrastructure from end to end. Service Quality—Benchmark, measure performance, and plan to continually improve.

This paper describes a "model real-time framework" and the standards defined for compliance by target geographical areas over a 12-month period. The aggressive targets were achieved through a high level of HQ support, key personnel moves, and monthly reviews tracking progress against action plans.

With the application of a well-structured program, support and confidence was gained across the company, united through the understanding of the clear business benefits brought about by advances in IT. Complacency in the existing level of infrastructure resiliency was apparent and compelling arguments to justify investment were required and provided.
Probabilistic Modeling for Decision Support in Integrated Operations
Authors: Giese Martin , Bratvold Reidar B.
Published: July 2010

We report work carried out within the CODIO project on COllaborative Decision support for Integrated Operations. As one part of this project, we have designed a system to provide assistance in operational decisions based on real-time sensor readings in a typical scenario: while drilling close to the transition to a high-pressure formation, a gas influx is observed. The drilling team needs to decide whether to circulate, increase the mud weight, plug back, set a casing, etc.

After a brief description of the technology we used to model decision problems (Bayesian Networks, Influence Diagrams), we describe our case study and go on to apply the method of decision analysis to it. We discuss how the resulting influence diagram was tested using a simulation, and discuss challenges in applying the technology, as well as lessons learnt underway. We also give a list of desiderata to establish better decision making practices in the petroleum industry.
Surface Facilities for a CO2-EOR Project in Abu Dhabi
Authors: Saadawi Hisham
Published: July 2010

The Government of the UAE aspires to reduce green gas emission by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emitters and transporting the CO2 to oilfields for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).

In order to demonstrate and test this concept, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) recently implemented a pilot-scale CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery in one of its onshore oil fields. This is the first ever CO2-EOR flood to be implemented in the Middle East.

This paper gives the background to this unique project and describes the pilot facilities and project execution plan.