bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wireless Noise Surveillance - Development of Dynamic Noise Maps
Authors: Carlsen Simon , Jensen Ellen Katrine , Aardal Anders , Yoshino Hiroki , Bjor Ole-Herman , Olsen Herold
Published: March 2016

Noise is a major challenge in the petroleum industry. Prior to performing work in a noisy area, the noise map is the tool for assessing noise exposure when planning and performing work. The aim of this paper is to present an ongoing R&D project to develop a wireless noise monitoring system that provides real-time input to a digital noise map that updates dynamically. In operations, this will provide up-to-date information when planning for noise risk controls such as work time restrictions and required hearing protection, as well as feedback during performance of work. The system, which has been named WiNoS, utilizes an industry-standard wireless communication protocol, as well as integrates smoothly into plant architecture.

The system consists of a network of battery operated wireless sound level sensors, a wireless infrastructure and software applications for processing and presenting the collected noise data. The main developments in the project are related to design of wireless sensors suitable for operation in oil & gas processing plants, and novel software algorithms for the creation of dynamic noise maps for industrial environments, maintaining the necessary accuracy.

A prototype of the system has been successfully demonstrated in an industrial laboratory environment. The demo system was composed from early prototypes of 9 wireless noise sensors and an alfa version of the mapping software. The demo system also included simple functionality for transferring acoustical frequency spectra. The demonstration successfully showed the conceptual functionality of WiNoS, and served as a decision gate for taking WiNoS into the next phase of development towards first-use at a North-Sea offshore installation.

The WiNoS system will be technically prepared for acoustical frequency analysis, and will be designed with capabilities for wireless transmission of high-resolution frequency spectra. As a next step in the WiNoS development, the idea is to utilize the acoustical spectrum to assess condition of machinery and processes. Detailed frequency analysis can be used for monitoring and fault detection, e.g. of rotating machinery. Early experiments have already been carried out; showing how different operating conditions alter the emitted acoustical frequency spectrum from a wet gas compressor.
Use of Riserless Mud Recovery for Protection of Cold Water Corals While Drilling in Norwegian Sea
Authors: Daniel Macdonald
Published: March 2016

The riserless mud recovery (RMR) system has been commercially available for 12 years and used on over 240 wells worldwide. There are several different drivers that typically result in the use of the system and it offers many secondary benefits for top hole drilling, regardless of the primary driver. For the well in question it was used to avoid damaging cold water corals through burial with drilling related sediment. This paper details the background behind the decision to use the system, as well as the system's performance and the resulting benefits and drawbacks to be considered when selecting to use it in this way.

During a habitat assessment carried out in 2013, significant quantities of sponge and coral structures were identified as being present on the seafloor around the proposed spud location for well 6507/11-11 in the Norwegian Sea. The well was planned to be the first exploration well in the Zumba prospect in PL 591. A visual survey to assess the condition of the coral structures within 500 m of the planned spud location was carried out in 2014. The results of this survey were used to risk assess the extent of any potential damage to the corals resulting from the drilling process on the Zumba exploration well.

This process confirmed the likelihood that some of the corals would be subjected to significant harm if the well was drilled as a conventional exploration well using water based drilling fluid. Typically this would involve discharging displaced drilling fluid, cement slurry and drill cuttings to the sea at or nearby the well site. This assessment drove the decision to contain and ship to shore for disposal all the excess drilling fluids and cuttings.

The RMR system was used to achieve this cuttings containment solution during the top hole sections. This was a relatively unique use of the system in Norway because the 36" hole section was also drilled using total containment and no cuttings were discharged at sea.
How to Establish a Methane Reporting in Line with the UNEP - CCAC - OGMP (United Nations Environment Program, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Oil & Gas Methane Partnership) within an Oil & Gas Company
Authors: Plisson-Sauné S. , Pirrone E. , Musset N. , Brown W. , Miné J.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents how an Oil and Gas Company (Total) has adapted their environmental reporting to implement their commitment to the UNEP CCAC OGMP (OGMP). The Company joined the OGMP, which focuses on measurement and control of methane emissions from the Oil & Gas industry, in November 2014. This paper also explains the importance of having accurate data on methane emissions in the light of methane high Global Warming Potential (GWP).

The OGMP methane reporting implementation is a new challenge for the Oil & Gas industry. The Oil & Gas industry is allegedly the second largest methane emitter after agriculture. OGMP defined nine core methane sources identified all along the Oil & Gas production process and a new reporting system emphasizing on the methane footprint of the Companies’ activities. In this paper, the adaptations provided to Total's environmental reporting are explained step by step in order to illustrate the specifics linked to the participation in the OGMP. Methods and equations are also provided for each potential source. The involvement in the partnership allows improving methane emissions reporting and adopting the uniformized reporting methodology of the OGMP for each participating Oil & Gas company. The work done to take into account the new nine core sources is an essential point of the partnership. This work requires the understanding of the new sources and the identification of those within the Company reporting system. Once this step is done, the reporting is simple and allows assessing the methane emissions covered by the OGMP's reporting system. Thus, the Company can estimate their methane footprint and set up mitigation options toward the methane sources identified. In addition, an aggregated annual report is done with purpose communicating the work done by the Oil & Gas Companies on methane emissions reductions. The OGMP is an open forum with Governments and NGOs members, thus not only limited to Oil & Gas Companies for sharing technical information and consequently, not seen as an Oil & Gas lobby by the public. It is able to fund technical studies thanks to its own budget. Participating to OGMP is a Company internal motivation factor for improving methane reporting and emissions reduction. An additional benefit of participating to the OGMP is getting feedback and technical expertise to manage and reduce methane emissions in a standardized scheme and under the umbrella of an internationally recognized institution. This paper can be seen as a guideline for Oil & Gas companies to put in place a methane emissions reporting in line with the OGMP. It describes also the benefits and drawbacks of joining the OGMP.
Third Edition of the Oil and Gas Industry Guidance on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting
Authors: Murphy Helen , Tyson Louise , Røed Hilde , Janus Bertrand
Published: March 2016

Oil and gas industry sustainability reporting is continuously progressing, with issue areas that mature and develop at different paces. Recent years have been characterised by an evolution in existing frameworks on voluntary sustainability reporting, the emergence of many new voluntary initiatives and mandatory sustainability reporting requirements in some countries. These varying expectations and different definitions of how and what companies should report have led to reporting challenges for many oil and gas companies.

IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) have been providing sustainability reporting guidance for the industry since 2005. The Oil and Gas Industry Guidance on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting helps companies to shape the structure and content of their sustainability reports, particularly for new reporters. To ensure that the Guidance remains relevant as the sustainability landscape evolves, IPIECA, API and IOGP, considering input from external stakeholders, recently produced a third edition.

Through sharing, assessing, debating and consensus building, and by ongoing dialogue with an external stakeholder panel, industry experts from the three associations have developed: –A six-step reporting process, including a ‘materiality’ step to determine the most important issues for reporting;–An updated set of issues and indicators likely to be relevant for reporting by oil and gas companies; and–Three levels of reporting – common, supplementary and other considerations – which enables consistency across the industry, and helps address the most material issues, while also taking into consideration the maturity of each company's reporting.

The third edition of the guidance has been enhanced particularly on relevant topics including climate change, water management, decommissioning, and the social and economic section has been updated to align with the 2011 United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

This latest edition reflects feedback from subject matter experts both within and outside the industry. An external stakeholder panel of leading experts representing business and industry; environmental and community-oriented NGOs; investors; and multilateral institutions advised on both the process and the content of the Guidance. A public consultation period was undertaken on an early draft to solicit input from a wide net of interested stakeholders, and the extensive feedback received was integrated into the final version as appropriate.

This paper will cover the key changes and updates, together with their internal and external drivers, to the third edition of the reporting guidance.
A Holistic Approach to Safety Barrier Management
Authors: Jansen Bård , Firing Frank
Published: March 2016

Statoil has enhanced safety barrier management by introducing a structured methodology for evaluation and visualization of technical integrity for oil and gas production and processing plants. The methodology is described in the management system, and supported by guidelines and a computer-based system named Technical Integrity Management Portal (TIMP). Since 2011, the TIMP-methodology has been practiced on more than 40 sites (all offand onshore sites in Norway/Denmark). Technical condition is assessed and documented giving enhanced understanding of risk related to deficiencies that could influence HSE performance or production efficiency.

The paper describes the methodology and explains how it is used to decide upon technical condition and assess risk and mitigating actions. It will also describe how TIMP is used to support decision-making at various levels in the company in order to prioritize initiatives and budgeting. The plant engineers use it to support a structured analysis of technical issues related to equipment, systems and barrier functions. The operational management uses it for verifying control with operational risk related to technical degradations, and plant management uses it to support planning and budgeting.

The result of the effort has increased the understanding of barrier management since it takes into account a number of different issues such as system design, delayed or overdue maintenance, failure frequencies, deviations and incidents. TIMP has improved management of technical condition related to safety barriers and assessment of any weaknesses. Moreover the approach has made it easy to benchmark assets, and monitor performance over time. It also supports decision making related to life time extension of the assets. TIMP has improved focus and competence related to understanding and managing major accidental risk.

This approach combines the use of automatic indicators and other information generated from a variety of systems, and judgments made by professionals. The methodology promotes collaboration across disciplines.
A Comprehensive Model for Oil Spill Liability Estimation
Authors: Boehm P. , Morrison A. M. , Semenova S. , Kashuba R. , Ahnell A. , Monti C.
Published: March 2016

The potential liability associated with oil spills from operations both offshore and onshore is enormous and in some cases can present an existential threat to a company. The cost of this liability varies widely, depending on situational, geographic, and jurisdictional factors. Companies consider these potential liabilities as they evaluate the risks of oil spills from various operations and apply that knowledge to risk management planning. To support such assessments, we developed a Bayesian network model that relates spill characteristics to specified Cost Elements. The oil spill liability estimation model (OSLEM) presented here uses two types of variables to estimate total liability—Cost Elements and Scaling Elements. Cost Elements include, at a minimum: (1) response and cleanup costs, (2) environmental damages and restoration costs, and (3) third-party claim costs (such as property damage, economic loss, and health effects). The values of the Cost Elements in the Bayesian network are predicted from user-specified values for the various Scaling Elements in the model. Scaling Elements include the location of the oil spill, the type of product, the type of operation, the size of the spill, the response actions employed, and the socio-economic and environmental sensitivities of the areas affected, among others. The output of the Bayesian OSLEM is a summation, or single estimate, of the most likely value from each Cost Element for a given scenario (location, spill size, etc.), as well as a characterization of the uncertainty of that estimate (i.e., range and likelihood of possible costs). The biggest challenge in parameterizing the model is acquiring data for the Cost Elements, which come from numerous sources. By modeling different operations, OSLEM can provide a comprehensive estimate of potential oil spill liabilities for a global portfolio. As a result of the modeling exercise, upstream management teams can identify a range of potential costs associated with an oil spill and deepen their understanding of the factors that affect each operation and, ultimately, the complex, multidimensional spill liability regime.
Inherent Safety Thinking Applied to Construction and Fabrication of Deepwater Facilities
Authors: Zerafa M. , Popat N. , Perkins B. , Marsden A. , Smith P. , Penney I. , Wolf P. , Budilo V.
Published: March 2016

In 2013-2014 the projects organization set a goal to look at personal safety through a process safety lens (inherent safety principles) to reduce hot spots in personal safety risks through improved construction planning (both pre and during construction).

This paper presents a suite of innovative techniques that were developed to identify opportunities for construction risk reduction. The techniques focus on the identification of construction hazards and development of design alternatives, fabrication sequence and yard layout changes to eliminate the source of the hazard. The paper presents the approach and techniques developed; case studies where the approach was applied; and where significant risk reduction and fabrication efficiency improvements were achieved.

The techniques developed have been applied at three primary project phases: Construction Engineering – High-level review to identify and eliminate hazards through (construction / design) engineering changes or construction related changes.30-60-90 Day Planning Reviews – Mid level reviews using a modified HAZID type approach to eliminate hazards through detailed work scope identification, work activity sequence, engineering controls, construction assembly sequence, and coordination of simultaneous task.Construction Execution Reviews – Simplified Bowties and Audits to review the number and quality of barriers to each threat line to verify that sufficient controls are in place and effective for the key top events.

The techniques have been primarily applied to the higher risk hazards, based on work activities from previous fabrication experiences that occurred at similar facilities. In particular, the work has focused on: –Eliminating working at height: by moving work to ground level (engineering and fabrication sequence changes)–Reducing the amount of working in confined spaces: changing the work sequence to complete as much activity as possible prior to confining the work face area, and providing additional access and ventilation–Reducing dropped object exposure: moving work to ground level, and reducing the simultaneous working at multiple levels of a structure–Eliminating and reducing the number and complexity of lifts: changes to the fabrication sequence and construction engineering–Reducing traffic and transportation risks: elimination of people – heavy vehicle interactions through yard layout

The quantifiable benefits of the approach have been: Reduction in the exposure of personnel to HSSE hazards by eliminating and reducing exposures during construction activities, through inherent safety thinkingImprovements and optimization of construction efficiency and sequence by reducing exposures associated with higher risk activities.
Joint Industry Project Developing a Best Available Technique Methodology for Selecting Leak Detection Systems
Authors: Karlström Thylander E. , Grimsrud T. S. , Vandenbussche V.
Published: March 2016

The oil and gas industry is putting increased focus on leak detection and use of remote sensing to detect, limit and respond to oil spills. There are a wide variety of techniques that can be applied, each with its strengths and limitations. A crucial element of a leak detection system is the selection of techniques to cover the areas of an offshore facility with highest risk or vulnerable areas. A Best Available Techniques (BAT) method and tool have been developed to select leak detection techniques, as part of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) in Norway.

The aim was to establish a generic method and tool for decision-making and documentation. A draft was established based on the authors’ experience with BAT assessments and with selection of leak detection and remote sensing techniques. The suggested solution was then improved during workshops and through communication with the JIP participants. The method and tool were developed for both new and mature fields in order to establish and document the BAT taking into account site-specific conditions. The scope included reviewing environmental, technical and economic criteria which influence the evaluation of leak detection techniques.

The result of the development work was a descriptive method and a practical tool including a scope and pre-screening with a suggested list of available techniques. The JIP included a thorough mapping of existing and emerging techniques, and the results of this activity are reflected in the BAT-tool's list of techniques. A first BAT evaluation assesses techniques separately, based on established criteria. Techniques are then grouped and system configurations are established (i.e. a combination of several techniques working as a system). The second BAT evaluation assesses the combined techniques as a system and concludes on a recommended solution. The paper focuses on the benefits and challenges of a generic BAT-based methodology and tool for leak detection techniques. Experiences from a specific case where the methodology was applied will also be included.

The paper presents and discusses the challenges and opportunities linked to applying an already known concept (BAT) for a certain area relevant for the offshore oil and gas industry. The same approach to establishing a BAT selection methodology can also be applied for other areas/systems on an offshore installation. The generic approach developed as part of this work gives users a structured way for selecting the best available leak detection techniques for specific installations.
The Integrataion of Environmental and Social Issues into Concept Decision Making
Authors: Wilford Sarah , O'Brien Rob
Published: March 2016

The opportunity to influence a project design in terms of added value and competitiveness is most significant at the very early stages of design, when concept options are being identified, screened and selected. This is recognised in BP and a Global Concept Development (GCD) organization has been created as a centre of expertise in its upstream segment to deliver safe, cost effective and competitive major project concepts. The GCD integrated team is a multi–discipline team including resources allowing consideration of environmental and social factors, such as regulatory compliance but also striving towards environmental and social improvement.

The ability to influence design through the Environmental and Social (E&S) lens enables: Concept E&S differentiators or showstoppers to be identified and evaluated as part of the concept selection process;Opportunities for the assessment of E&S value improvement; andAdded value gained during concept development in the management of E&S risks leading to safe and reliable operations and a smoother transition into optimize - the next stage of BP's Capital Value Process (CVP).

This paper explains the environmental and social mechanisms that are applied in GCD, which form part of the GCD integrated approach.

The opportunity to challenge new projects to be innovative in the use of industry standards and new technology can make a significant contribution to enhancing value and managing risk. This includes working with other disciplines to develop their awareness and application of environmental and social issues in new projects, such as energy efficiency, water usage and water discharge.

Areas of focus for this paper are: the concept of inherent environmentally robust design (IERD) - an innovative approach applied to assessing projects during concept development, which strives toward achieving continuous environmental and social performance improvement;the integration of energy efficiency benchmarking; andthe identification of environmental sensitivities early on to inform development planning.

Lessons learned from BP's existing operations and their incorporation in new projects are also discussed. The benefit of continuously feeding back lessons learned from BP's operating assets into new project designs ensures that the environmental performance of major new projects matches expectations of the region it will be operating in and also of the company.
Energy Management
Authors: Helland Knut S. , Tavast Johan , Scott Tyler
Published: March 2016

In 2008, the Norwegian oil and gas industry set a goal to reduce annual CO2 emissions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) by 1 million tonnes by 2020. For Statoil's operations this has meant a reduction of 800 000 tonnes. To reach this goal, Statoil introduced a systematic approach to energy management on all Statoil-operated installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). This approach is based upon ISO 50 001 – Energy Management, and anchored in Statoil's own governing documentation.

Relying on a network of energy coordinators, with dedicated roles and responsibilities for energy management initiatives and planning, Statoil has been able to identify and implement measures to meet the original 800 000 tonnes reduction target by the end of 2015, 5 years ahead of schedule. The combination of a well-coordinated and capable network with specific roles, responsibilities, and deliveries, the high price of CO2 emissions in Norway and significant attention to energy management activities by management have all contributed to the positive reduction results achieved by Statoil on the NCS.

Based upon the initial success of this systematized energy management work, Statoil has not only establish a similar energy network for Norwegian, land-based operations, but also set an even more ambitious reduction goal for 2020.
Three Years Experience in Engaging Local Content at Project Planning Phase
Authors: Hammann Etienne
Published: March 2016

Local Content as generally performed today is often suboptimal. In order to cross successfully the current hardship generated by a low barrel price, stricter efficiency criteria should apply to Local Content actions.

This article develops key parameters into reaching higher efficiency, in particular giving more importance to technical training over infrastructures development, planning technical training at pre-project phase, reaching out to wider social circles when employing, extending the notion of Local Content to a broader In Country Value approach, focusing suppliers development on industrial segments with the largest potential and consistent with the global industry development level of the country and acknowledging the complex and transverse task of Local Content practitioners.

Finally and most importantly, it highlights how the various stakeholders need to be prepared to reconsider previous patterns and anchor their collaboration into renewed trust.
The Importance of Early Identification of Safety and Sustainability Related Risks in Arctic Oil and Gas Operations
Authors: Utvik Toril I. , Jahre-Nilsen Catherine
Published: March 2016

The Arctic region is expected to hold large volumes of oil and gas, and development of these resources is often assumed to be technologically and economically challenging. These challenges however, vary widely across the region, and many challenges can be managed safely and efficiently if addressed early.

Statoil views the Arctic region in relation to three categories; Workable, Stretch and Extreme, reflecting commercial and technological challenges. Within these categories, safety and sustainability are considered as part of evaluation for access targets and opportunities. This is followed up through planning of exploration and development operations, where safety and sustainability related risks are addressed early to ensure appropriate mitigating actions.

Statoil has been operating in the Arctic region and in harsh environments for many years, and where Statoil's current core positions are in the Workable Arctic. Early focus on safety and sustainability related risks and risk factors across the company portfolio leads to improved quality and robustness in risk management. This focus leads to identification of key enablers, including fact-based science and technology development needs, as well as shorter term operational measures.

This paper will show how Statoil maintains an overview of risks in the Arctic, and some of the key enablers identified to manage safety and sustainability related risks and support activity within Statoil's business areas. The building of risk assessment tools for environmental management and decision support, together with methods for efficient environmental monitoring has contributed to increased understanding of the Arctic ecosystem. Qualification of technology to advance Arctic oil-spill response capability is a high priority. Ice management, including methods for ice detection in low visibility and improved management of sea ice and icebergs, and development of a numerical model for icing and snow are examples of technology-related risk mitigation. In the operational safety perspective, risk mitigation is mainly related to Arctic working environment measures and logistics planning (EER).

The conclusion of this paper underlines the importance of early risk identification to ensure development of competence and understanding of the safety and sustainability challenges, and shows how this approach has led to safe and efficient operations in the Arctic.
Critical Issues Analysis: Lifecycle Approach for Optimized Execution of Capital Projects
Authors: Green Elizabeth L , Woolson Robin
Published: March 2016

In an ERM study of 102 projects greater than $500 million in CAPEX, across 8 multinationals, 53% of the projects evaluated had experienced significant project delays. ERM determined that in many cases the delays were due to poorly managed or unanticipated HSSE issues. In addition, a third of delayed projects had multiple causes indicating interlinked risks. Critical Issue Analysis conducted in the early phase of a capital project can provide information to facilitate identification of project optimization opportunities, support decision-making for key project alternatives (e.g. site selection, technologies) and support development of project execution planning and scheduling, thereby enabling optimization of project execution throughout the project lifecycle.

This Critical Issues Analysis process allows for health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) aspects to be integrated across a project's lifecycle from preliminary siting, due diligence, transaction execution, and alternative selection to facility decommissioning, risk assessment and divestment to support optimal execution of a capital project. HSSE requirements and risk are identified and evaluated early -and at each stage gate to: quantify the qualitative issues potential impact to the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project;identify regulatory and social/ risks within project alternatives/options; anddefine tradeoffs on cost, schedule and regulatory/social factors.

The strategic output from the Critical Issue Analysis supports decision making to identify and manage: critical inter-dependencies, early data/study needs, priority regulatory and stakeholder engagement, and project optimization opportunities. Delivering multimillion dollar capital projects on time and on budget continues to be a challenge in the oil and gas industry. There are multiple examples of millions of dollars in project cost over runs, in addition to the significant cost resulting from project delays. Although these projects are often run under seemingly well-developed project management systems, projects frequently still do not meet time and budget targets. Early identification of HSSE risks and opportunities that could impact Project design, schedule and cost can arise from factors such as: stakeholder objections and influences;complex and onerous approval pathways;approval thresholds, triggers or conditions;mitigation measures; andfailure to gain timely approval (internal and external).

The Critical Issues Analysis provides for efficient and sustainable practices to be imbedded throughout the capital project lifecycle in an integrated fashion – providing Value Creation by maintaining (or improving) schedules and return on investment. By intertwining consideration of HSSE strategy, stakeholders, schedule, and execution, a stronger project management program will be developed to ensure a more successful project and improved NPV.
"Safer Together" - Driving A Safety Culture Change In A Challenging Environment
Authors: Nienhaus Annette , Afrenie Dana , Sandu Gratiela
Published: March 2016

The successful transformation towards an advanced, sustainable safety culture within an organization requires a delicate balance of people, their behaviours and practices on one side and the physical and organisational infrastructure on the other side.

The authors look at the implementation of a programme to enhance the safety culture and to improve safety performance implemented by OMV Petrom in 2014. The first step comprised the building of internal competencies for supporting cultural change. In a second step, joint teams of ERM and OMV Petrom Assessors performed a series of safety culture assessments at the headquarters and selected assets to understand the maturity of the safety culture within these organizational units. Based on this understanding of the current situation, the safety culture transformation was then initiated through engaging and coaching leaders at the selected assets.

All elements of the programme showed rapidly noticeable changes in the safety culture. A shift change was noted from a "classical" niche-driven view of HSE towards a holistic perspective which looked at personal motivators as well as technical and systems' aspects and the role of leaders for a sustainable safety culture. In the pilot assessments, the newly emerged change agents were key multipliers for disseminating the new perspective on safety into the assets. And finally, in the leadership training sessions at the selected assets, senior managers and leaders gained new insights not only on their personal role and accountability, but also on individual opportunities for reducing accidents and at-risk behaviours.

The programme demonstrated that effective change within organisations can be achieved even in challenging environments. Two essential requirements for this are acknowledging and building on the delicate balance between personal mindset and values on one side, and equipment, systems and processes on the other side, and overcoming the classical HSE "niche thinking" which is still encountered in many organisations.
How Free, Prior and Informed Consent in Mexico Will Make or Break the Burgeoning Hydrocarbon Sector
Authors: Lashway Joshua , Athie Fiona , Nunan Karin , Sanchez Isolina , Copeman Vicky
Published: March 2016

Mexico has recently overhauled the hydrocarbon sector and opened it up to international oil companies (IOCs) after 76 years. The country is unique in that it has one of the highest Indigenous populations in the world at approximately 15% of the population, or 18.3 million people. Regardless of the current industry debate over what constitutes good international practice in terms of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), IOCs will be obliged to implement expansive Indigenous peoples' engagement processes as they enter the Mexican market to not only comply with existing international and national regulations, but to mitigate risk through securing a strong Social License to Operate.

The requirement of FPIC is not new; however, its application and IOCs' engagement procedures will have to: Navigate 25-year old national legislation that has been sporadically and poorly implemented, often leading to protracted and at times violent conflicts;Boost a national government that wants to be viewed by the world as addressing their legacy of human rights abuses, and by its domestic contingency as upholding its political responsibilities (SENER 2015);Restore vulnerable stakeholders' confidence in both the industry and engagement process due to an alleged legacy of negligence regarding stakeholder rights and consultations; andAlign with financial institutions' lending requirements for investors, which are becoming increasing used as a benchmark regardless of a project's borrowing status.

The country and those companies exploiting its hydrocarbons need to be aligned on how FPIC should be applied in Mexico, not only to protect the Indigenous population but the future returns to the companies and the country. Developing such an engagement process has the potential to bring about widespread Indigenous support and minimize the likelihood of expensive work-stoppages or delays.

This paper will review the regulatory authority of the Secretary of Energy (SENER), which is the body governing the hydrocarbon industry, and the evolution of the Indigenous engagement process. It will also summarize the recent FPIC debates within the C-Suite of major industry players and present the accepted norm for how companies generally apply FPIC principles. This paper will culminate in the proposal of new industry best practice for Indigenous peoples' engagement in Mexico incorporating FPIC.
Developing Social Business Initiatives for Access to Energy, A Key Success Factor for Sustainability: The Awango Project
Authors: Fontaine Jean-Marc , Dargnies Christophe , Delalande Ariane
Published: March 2016

1.3 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity. The vast majority of these people live in rural areas. Because energy is vital and drives progress, it must be available to everyone (Sustainable Development Goal 7). It is one of the Oil and Gas companies' objectives to address this issue and be part of the solution.

The Total Access to Energy program was launched in 2010 to test and develop new models and make them economically viable so that they can last and impact as many people as possible.

Within this program, the Awango project is a large scale social business, implemented in 2011 to address the challenge of bringing energy to those who need it more through the sale of solar lanterns.

Beyond making Total's expertise and infrastructure available, the Awango project goes with an innovative choice of products, new methods of distribution and specific associated services.

The solar lanterns can also charge cell phones and are using only state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly technologies.

The services included are: –A two year warranty, monitored by an after-sales department set up by specially trained staff.–A Last Mile network aiming at reaching consumers right at the end of the distribution chain. This involves training independent resellers as well as partnering with other industrial groups, local associations and NGOs to get the products into village centres.–Tailored financing solutions ranging from microloans to partnerships with NGOs.

Fully integrated into the company's core business, the project also engages in tangible, collaborative interactions with local communities.

The main innovation lies with the social business model. The offer is based on a sound financial approach: optimized margins at all levels; a sales strategy with realistic profitability targets that enables the project to grow and address its social mission; benefits reinvested in the project.

The project is now under deployment in over 30 countries worldwide, and by May 2015, one million lamps were already sold, reaching 5 million people.

For the families now using our products, access to safer, more powerful and reliable equipment has made great things possible: –Saving recurrent expenses related to traditional energies.–Studying after nightfall.–Developing new activities and growing businesses.–Not travelling long distances to charge ones phone anymore, …

By the end of 2014, 85% of users declared that their solar lamp had significantly improved their daily lives. The ambition is now to reach and impact the lives of 25 million people in Africa by 2020.
Adjustment of Occupational Exposure Limits to Non-Standard Work Schedules
Authors: Mellemsæther Evy , Eide Ingvar
Published: March 2016

Non-standard work schedules differ from eight hours per day, five days a week, which is the basis for the occupational exposure limits (OELs). This implies the possibility of increased exposure to agents in the workplace and increased risk of adverse health effects. As a consequence, adjustment factors may be used to provide the same degree of worker protection as the original OELs. There are basically two different approaches for calculating adjustment factors for extended work shifts, either simple linear equations or toxicokinetic models. The toxicokinetic models take into account uptake and elimination of chemical compounds in relation to the daily work period, the number of consecutive working days, and the off-duty periods between tours of duty. For a typical offshore work schedule this implies 12 h per day for 14 consecutive days with off-duty periods of four weeks. Linear models, on the other hand, only take into account either the daily or the weekly exposure which provide different adjustment factors. Furthermore, the linear models do not take into consideration neither work periods exceeding one week nor the off-duty periods. As a consequence, toxicokinetic models are recommended for calculating adjustment factors. In Statoil the requirement has been to use an adjustment factor of 0.6 which is in agreement with the Activities Regulation (§ 36). An adjustment factor of 0.6 is consistent with the worst case adjustment factor obtained from the toxicokinetic model described by Hickey and Reist (1977). The application of the worst case adjustment factor was suggested by Eide (1990) for offshore work schedules and is later referred to as the maximum half-life (MAHL) model. This factor is recommended as an adjustment factor since it will always provide at least the same degree of worker protection as the original OELs, also for most non-standard onshore work schedules. The approach implies that knowledge about the biological half-life of the chemical agents is not required. However, when the biological half-life is known, a more accurate and less conservative adjustment factor can be calculated.
From Concept to Application - Data Drilling, a Tool to Supplement Incidents Prevention Strategy from a Perspective of Well Services Company
Authors: Leong Weng Fei , Chen Shen
Published: March 2016

The original concept of "data drilling" is derived from computer science and widely used to extract information from a data set and transform it into an understandable structure for further use. It later evolved to the business world and is known as an analysis of granular data to provide in-depth understanding of a bussiness issue. In the area of HSE, the bussiness issues may refer to prevention of a certain injury or undesired event which may entail thorough examination of today's paradigm of injury or incident prevention and supplementing and re-constructing it with meaningful feedback. Critical to achieving it is by leveraging the wealth of data that an organization amasses and drilling down to explore opportunities presented by granular data – a process known as data drilling. (In this paper, examples of prevention of hand injuries and dropped objects in an oilfield services company are discussed.) Sharing and replication of the approach and application methodically is paramount for the organization to attain breakthrough results and preventing injuries in the workplace. Hand injuries and dropped objects incident data from the past four years was studied to understand the underlying causes of these incidents which form the basis for prevention strategy formulation. The value of data drilling is more apparent in the case study on dropped objects incidents primarily because of the better-defined methodology for understanding potential outcome versus actual outcome. The contrasting dispersion of incidents by actual and potential outcome is distinct and provides a great case for driving change. The data drilling exercise shows that the risk of dropped objects is not fully appreciated and the use of data drilling has helped to highlight potential outcomes of dropped object incidents that were not previously examined in detail because of the low-impact actual outcome. The use of data drilling as a tool to understand and uncover deeper issues is proven. There is a limit to the usefulness of this tool in understanding issues which lack a standard and consistent method of predicting potential outcomes versus actual outcomes. Lessons from the pilot project also provide a frontline insight from incident data which may not have been looked at in great detail previously to fine tune the strategies used to eliminate hand injuries and dropped object incidents.
Barrier Management and the Interaction between Technical, Operational and Organisational Barrier Elements
Authors: Lauridsen O. , Lootz E. , Husebo T. , Ersdal G.
Published: March 2016

Barrier management is a main priority area for the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA). This has been chosen as a main priority as a result of accident investigations clearly indicating that failure or weakening of barriers is a general cause of incidents. The lesson learned is that safety barriers need to be implemented in an integrated and consistent manner in order to minimize risk, and that technical, organisational and operational elements of the barriers need to be considered.

We see a need for better understanding of the interaction between operational, organisational and technical elements that are necessary for the individual barrier to function and to manifest this in the risk assessments. There is also a need for better understanding of how to define performance requirements for the operational and organisational elements and how to include these in specific barrier strategies.

PSA have established a project to improve the supervision of the petroleum industry's implementation of barrier management based on the principles in the note "Principles for barrier management in the petroleum industry" (PSA, 2013).
Advanced Oil Spill Modelling in the Offshore Oil & Gas Industry: Improving the Emergency Response Management along the Project Life-Cycle
Authors: Iazeolla Giuliana , Mariani Maurizio , Cassina Luca , Marconi Michele , Deffis Juan Manuel , Buffagni Melania
Published: March 2016

In recent years, advances in computer technology allowed the development of sophisticated software applications able to simulate the effects of oil spills on the marine environment. The need for such modelling arises from the perception of oil spills as long lasting and highly damaging events because of their wide range of potential impacts on the environment, human health and economic activities. Modelling tools can predict the consequences of these events and allow a targeted Response Planning to be made.

This paper presents an innovative application of oil spill modelling tools aimed at supporting the Emergency Response System along the different stages of the project life-cycle. Three case studies are presented, from exploration, to response planning during production, to contingency response during an emergency. The oil spill modelling approach for each case study is detailed, as well as the specific support provided to the decision making process.

Two different methods for oil spill modelling and environmental consequences assessment in eni exploration & production activities are shown. Preventive modelling, based on a statistical approach, identifies the range of possible outcomes of an event. Through this simulation, the consequence assessment of a spill provides useful information for a targeted Emergency Response Planning. Emergency modelling, on the other hand, is based on a deterministic approach and simulates the evolution of a single event, whose characteristics are known. In this case, oil spill models can predict the fate of an oil spill in an emergency, providing an insight on its future evolution and driving the decision on the most appropriate response actions.

The results highlight the contribution of oil spill modelling in making the Emergency Response System an active player during all the project life-cycle, enabling its complete integration within the project management structure. Oil & Gas operators may benefit of this advanced approach that contributes to the improvement of their Emergency Response Management system. Through a prompt and proper response, the effect of oil spills can be excluded or mitigated, saving human lives as well as protecting the environment, the facilities and Company's reputation.