bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
World-Class Extended-Reach Drilling Performance in Abu Dhabi–A Case Study in How to Beat the Learning Curve
Authors: Al-Suwaidi Abdullah Saeed , El-Nashar Rady Ahmed , Allen Frank , Brandao Fernando J.
Published: December 2007

The Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) has a program of exploration and appraisal drilling from artificial islands in an environmentally sensitive shallow marine location. In early 2000, ADCO management set up a team to look at the feasibility of drilling extended-reach wells to reduce both the impact on the environment and the cost of drilling these wells.

This paper summarizes the work that has been done and the progress that has been made in delivering ADCO's first extended-reach well. It describes how the key risks to delivering the well were addressed and how a systematic approach to well planning contributed to the exceptional results. The modeling and simulation work performed in planning the well and preparing a comprehensive well program, and the use of real-time data to validate the models are detailed. The process adopted to ensure that every member of the team understood the program and was committed to the successful delivery of the well is also described.

The company is in the process of drilling the extended-reach well with a measured depth of 18,748 ft and a horizontal displacement of 13,780 ft. At the time of writing the horizontal section is being drilled. Well construction up to the completion of the pilot hole is covered in this paper.

When ADCO started to prepare for this well the company and the newly formed drilling team had limited experience of extended-reach drilling (ERD). However, progress on the well has been extraordinary. When the pilot hole reached target depth the well was 39 days ahead of the program. This drillingperformance is in the upper quartile of global land-based ERDwells (defined by industry analysts as better than 24.6 days per 10,000 feet drilled).
Drilling Fluids Design and Management for Extended Reach Drilling
Authors: Cameron C.
Published: December 2007

This paper focuses on the potential problems facing the operator in extended reach exploration and development drilling. A practical review is presented of world-wide extended reach drilling fluid experience with examples of successful technology application from specific projects. Critical drilling fluid success factors in the planning and construction of an extended reach well include borehole stabilisation, hole cleaning, lubricity and equivalent circulating density (ECD) management. The latest techniques in monitoring drilling fluid and wellbore behaviour while drilling an extended reach well are also introduced.
Dimensionless Inflow-Performance-Relationship Curve for Unfractured Horizontal Gas Wells
Authors: Billiter Travis , Lee John , Chase Robert
Published: December 2007

A dimensionless inflow performance relationship (IPR) curve that is a function of horizontal permeability, average reservoir pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir drainage area has been developed for unfractured, horizontal gas wells. The Babu and Odeh horizontal oil well flow equations were modified to account for non-Darcy flow effects and mechanical skin effects and also transformed into pseudopressure form. The pseudopressure equations were solved using analytical methods and Monte Carlo simulation to yield dimensionless IPR curves. This effort showed that the proposed dimensionless IPR curve for unfractured, horizontal gas wells in pseudosteady-state flow is basically independent of all variables except horizontal permeability, average reservoir pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir drainage area. The proposed dimensionless IPR curve is similar in form to the familiar Vogel equation, but only has one coefficient, which is a function of horizontal permeability, average reservoir pressure, reservoir height, and reservoir drainage area. The proposed dimensionless IPR curve can be used to predict the deliverability of a horizontal gas well using a single-point test, as opposed to a standard four-point deliverability test, if the height of the reservoir is known.
New Low-Solids OBM Demonstrates Improved Returns as Perforating Kill Pill
Authors: Jiang Ping , Taugbøl Knut , Mathisen Anne Mette , Alterås Eva , Mo Christine
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the development of a low-solids oil-based fluid and its successful application as a kill pill in long horizontal well perforations in the Norwegian North Sea. The authors detail the investigative process that resulted in the development of the cesium formate-based internal phase fluid system.

Simulated perforation formation damage tests with and without zinc debris were conducted on conventional brine-based and oil-based fluid systems. The tests showed the chemical reaction of the brine-based system to zinc debris had little effect on return flow efficiency, but significantly increased fluid loss. With the conventional oil-based mud, returns dropped to 10-15% when the zinc debris was added.

The newly developed low-solids oil-based kill-pill system was engineered with a high content of heavy brine for fluid density and minimal solids content. The only solids in the system are calcium carbonate, which is used for bridging, and minimal amounts of clay and lime for rheology control and alkalinity, respectively. In perforation tests it exhibited more than 80% return flow efficiency.
Iron Precipitation During Acid Treatments Using HF-Based Acids
Authors: Nasr-El-Din H. A. , Al-Dahlan M. N. , As-Sadlan A. M. , Al-Zamil H. A.
Published: December 2007

Description of the Paper

Iron precipitation during spending of four HF-based acids was examined using an experimental procedure similar to that of Taylor et al.1,2 Regular mud acid (HCl:HF weight ratios of 12/3 and 6/1.5) and three retarded HF acids based on AlCl3, boric acid, and a phosphonic acid were examined. Iron (III) was added to these acids at concentrations of 1,000 and 10,000 mg/L and the acid neutralization tests were conducted using sodium carbonate at ambient conditions.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

For full strength regular mud acid, the onset of iron precipitation occurred at pH 0.6, and complete precipitation of iron occurred at pH 1. These values are lower than those noted with 15 wt% HCl. Values of pH at the onset and complete precipitation of iron were found to be a function of initial HF acid concentration. For the retarded HF acid based on AlCl3, aluminum compounds (sodium hexafluoroaluminate) precipitated at all pH values examined, while iron compounds (sodium hexafluoroferrate) precipitated at pH values that depended on initial iron (III) and HF acid concentrations. For the retarded HF acid based on boric acid, iron compounds precipitated at pH values similar to those noted with 15 wt% HCl. For the retarded HF acid based on phosphonic acid, iron compounds precipitated over a narrow pH range (4.7-5.3) because of the chelating characteristics of the phosphonic acid.

Applications

Sandstone formations are commonly acidized using an HF-based acid system. Precipitation of iron compounds during acid treatments can cause formation damage by plugging the formation and stabilizing acid/oil sludges. Unlike acid treatments using HCl, previous studies on iron control with HF-based acids are sparse. These new findings reflect the complex chemical interactions that occur with various HF-based acid systems. They will be used to better control iron precipitation during acid stimulations of sandstone reservoirs.

Technical Contributions

1. Iron precipitation in the presence of various HF-based acids was identified. 2. Precipitation of aluminum and iron compounds was noted with the retarded HF acid based on AlCl3. 3. Iron precipitation in the presence of boric acid was similar to that noted with 15 wt% HCl, and 4. Minimal iron precipitation was noted over a narrow pH range with the HF acid based on phosphonic acid.
Determination and Fate of Formic Acid in High Temperature Acid Stimulation Fluids
Authors: Al-Katheeri M. I. , Nasr-El-Din H. A. , Taylor K. C. , Al-Grainees A. H.
Published: December 2007

Formic acid is present in some corrosion inhibitors and is used as an intensifier in the acid treatment of oil and gas wells. This organic acid is important for the protection of low-carbon steels from acid corrosion at high temperatures and pressure. In this paper, the fate of formic acid used during acid treatments at temperatures up to 250°F in deep gas wells is investigated in detail. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of this type.

The following conclusions were made from this work:

Most of the commercial organic additives for corrosion inhibitors contain formic acid while one inhibitor intensifier contains both formic and acetic acids. Formic acid concentration in flow back samples from high temperature gas wells was higher than 85% of the injected value in most of the treatments. In concentrated HCl at 250°F, the amount of formic acid present in corrosion inhibitors and intensifiers decreased with time. After 8 hours corrosion inhibitors and intensifiers contained approximately 60% of the initial formic acid concentration. Acetic acid concentration did not significantly change with time in these tests.

This work shows the fate of formic acid during acidizing of high temperature wells. Formic acid concentration in acid treatment flowback samples was near the injected value, showing that it remains available to act as a corrosion inhibitor intensifier. However, since it degrades with time, long shut-in times should be avoided. High formic acid concentrations in flow back samples may promote corrosion since the corrosion inhibitor concentration in these samples is significantly reduced.
Weight Down System for Floaters
Authors: Ross Colby , Roane Tom
Published: December 2007

The use of floating vessels in deep offshore operations and the associated rig heave has made the downhole positioning of tools for frac-packing applications more difficult. To address these problems, sand control tool systems that allow weight to be applied to the packer have been developed. This capability enables the tool position to remain stationary during pumping operations and provides a stable point of reference for other tool positions.

While traditional tool designs have been capable of providing a single weight-down position, expansion into deepwater environments has increased the severity of the problem such that one position was inadequate for deepwater environments. A system was needed to provide multiple run-in and circulating positions. Subsequently, tool systems evolved to two-position designs. Again, the ever-expanding development into ultra deep-water environments required further changes. The systems now needed multiple weight-down positions and the capability to allow the tools to be moved both up and down in the wellbore. Finally, tools were needed that could also indicate restrictions in the wellbore and in the actual sealbore diameters.

Tool systems have now been developed to meet these criteria. This paper will discuss these innovations and provide information on:

▪ The state-of-the-art tool-system options now available to meet the varied frac-packing needs of the industry. ▪ A description of the applications where these options can be applied in well completion scenarios. ▪ How to determine the most reliable basic system to accomplish the completion objectives. ▪ A set of tools ready for testing that can be used to accommodate multiple-zone applications with the only ▪ limitation being that that the weight down tool must indicate in a bore that is the same as the seal bore of the packer. ▪ How the new tools increase safety and reduce operational costs.
Formation Damage in Iranian Oil Fields
Authors: Moghadasi J. , Jamialahmadi M. , Müller-Steinhagen H. , Sharif A. , Izadpanah M. R. , Motaei E. , Barati R.
Published: December 2007

The fine migration and the scale formation into the porous media and the resulting production decline have long been the problem to the petroleum industry. It is also generally accepted that formation due to the particle movement and the scale formation are not thoroughly understood. In contributing to the solution of this problem, an experimentally study of calcium sulphate scale formation and the particle movement in the porous media using of packing bed with 12 different size of the glass and sand bead and the 8 core plug that gathered from the Siri oilfields. The purpose was to study the different physical and mechanical aspects of the processes leading to the formation damage caused by the movement and the entrapment of the suspended particles and the scale formation.

The permeability is the key parameter among several others that control the reservoir performance. The experiments are based on the results of the permeability reduction. The interception of the permeability reduction by the interaction between the operational parameter is very complex. Therefore, several of these factors such as the temperature, the concentration, the fluid dynamic and the type of porous media are considered.

The experimental results are analyzed and a new model which can predicts particle movement and the scaling tendency of the common oilfield water deposits in the water disposal wells, the water flooding systems, and in surface equipment's and the facilities is developed. The developed of the model is based on the experimental data and the empirical correlation, which perfectly mach the Iranian oilfields condition. This model has been applied to the investigate of the potential of the scale precipitation in the Iranian oilfields, either in the onshore or the offshore fields, where the water injection is being performed for the desalting units water disposal purpose or as the method of secondary recovery or the reservoir pressure maintenance.
Biological Control of Formation Damage
Authors: Falkowicz Slawomir , Kapusta Piotr
Published: December 2007

Conventional drilling fluids usually contain various polymers, which are the main cause of formation damage. A biological method, which could efficiently reduce this type of damage, was developed. Several halotolerant and thermotolerant microorganisms were isolated and their ability to degrade polymers was tested. Specifically formulated bacterial package proved to be very effective in minimizing starch, xanthan and cellulose-based skin damage when added to drilling mud. The result of experiments showed the usefulness of using the microorganisms for the degradation of polymers and for removal of mud from the pore space. It had been demonstrated that bacterial strains are particularly fitted for degradation of polymers and mud filtrate cake.
Identifying the Optimal Waste Management System for a Large E&P Operation in Southeast Asia
Authors: Hoffmann Robert E. , Marsid Maryuswan , Abel J. Alan , Conrad Dwayne
Published: December 2007

As a production-sharing contractor to Indonesia's national energy company (Pertamina), P.T. Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) is Indonesia's largest oil producer. CPI employs approximately 6,200 people and contracts an additional 26,000 people in its operating area throughout Riau Province on the island of Sumatra. The distances between CPFs 107 producing fields, limited commercial waste management infrastructure, and the evolving nature of Indonesia's waste management regulations complicate waste management efforts.

A thorough review of CPFs current waste management practices identified several improvement opportunities for managing over 90 types of hazardous and non hazardous waste. A multifunctional team was chartered to define the company-wide optimal solution for closing the gaps.

Many facilitative tools were enlisted: A project development and execution process to ensure stakeholder alignment, decision quality, and efficient execution;Preferred practices and technologies for each waste type generated were selected by applying customer-driven evaluation criteria to a comprehensive list of candidate technologies;Quantitative decision analysis was invoked where the preferred technology was not intuitively obvious;The number and locations of new facilities required were identified by integrating forecast waste quantities, information about CPFs existing waste management facilities and the gaps in current practice;Different configurations of new facilities (distributed or centralised; single technology or integrated) were evaluated using qualitative determinants and quantitative tools.

The outcome of these activities was a detailed execution plan for construction of new waste management facilities, and a set of understandable operating procedures to institutionalise the new practices with field personnel.

The new waste management facilities, procedures, and training will minimise CPFs waste management costs and ensure compliance with Indonesia's environmental regulations.
Environmental Risk Management of Discharges from E&P Activities in the North Sea
Authors: Frost T. K. , Johnsen S. , Hjelsvold M.
Published: December 2007

In 1998 Norwegian oil industry, together with the authorities, initiated the "zero discharge" work. As a result of this cooperation, the target for the Norwegian offshore operators is set to achieve "zero harmful discharges" to the marine environment within 2005. The need for a system to quantify and document the potential harm of different discharges became evident as a result of this, and thus, the Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) for produced water discharges was developed in 1999 (presented at the SPE HSE 2000).

This management tool, based on environmental risk assessment principles known from the EUs Technical Guideline Document (TGD) [14], has now been fully implemented in all Statoil's fields in the North Sea. The present paper outlines the utilisation of the EIF as a management tool and environmental performance indicator, and gives a number of practical examples of application of the system.

The EIF has since 1999 also been developed further to cover discharges from drilling operations. Several pilot studies have been undertaken during this development, and the present paper gives the status of this activity and shows examples from drilling waste risk assessment in the Caspian Sea and the Faroe-Shetland channel.

Further development of the EIF based risk management systems also includes linking air emissions and discharges to sea in a total environmental balance approach. The present paper will outline how this is handled in our present risk management system.
Tracking the Progress of Occupational Health Awareness among the Site Employees through Questionnaire-Based Survey
Authors: Ean Ivy Ng Siok , Zainuddin Zainal Mubarik , Samad Abu Hasan
Published: December 2007

This paper shares our experiences in reviewing occupational health implementation progress through a questionnaire based survey. Survey questionnaires were sent out to all site locations to gauge level of awareness on occupational health amongst the workers. The purpose is to determine the effectiveness of our Occupational Health Management System in raising their level of awareness. The first survey was conducted in 1999 where the questionnaires were intentionally focused on basic understanding of occupational health. We had about forty-six percent overall participation which is considered reasonable for a voluntary exercise. Using fifty percent score as reference level, about eighty-five percent of the respondent met the said level. As such, we concluded that at least thirty-nine percent of our site workers had a good basic understanding of occupational health.

Since the first survey in 1999, various efforts were carried out to further increase the level of awareness on occupational health. These include an open communication workshop to all site workers on specific health hazards at our work sites and how to minimize their exposure, simplified packages on common hazards for site safety meetings, and introduction of the various selection of respirators and monitoring equipment. Taking all these into account, after almost two years we developed a similar yet different set of questionnaires, focused on intermediate level of understanding. Using fifty percent score as the reference level, the results showed about eighty-four percent respondents met the said level. With only forty-five percent participation, it can be concluded that about thirty-eight percent of our site workers had a good intermediate level of understanding in occupational health. In a short period of less than two years, we were able to raise their level of understanding from basic to intermediate through the various programs implemented.

We will also analyse the progress in various specific occupational health subject amongst our site workers, such as in hazards awareness, procedures, respirators and use of references and manuals. We hope with this exercise, we will be able to identify our areas of strength and weakness and develop our future occupational health implementation plan accordingly.
Protecting a Sensitive Environment - A Partnership Approach
Authors: Oliveros Nelson , Rodriguez Fernando , Morris David
Published: December 2007

An oil exploration and development project actually began with a detailed plan to protect the sensitive surrounding environment. This process involved prediction of potential spill trajectories, identification of threatened sensitive areas, development of tactical plans to protect those areas, purchasing the equipment necessary to protect sensitive areas, training local responders (including indigenous peoples) to respond safely and effectively.

This project required full use of the latest technology and data sources (Geographic Information Systems, satellite imagery, GPS, hydrodynamic modeling, and aerial photography). However, the technology was combined with practical local knowledge of the area, supplemented by fieldwork, to develop realistic response strategies and expectations. The combination resulted in a Tactical Response Plan in an easy-to-use, graphical format. Each tactic described in the plan identified the response resources (equipment and personnel) needed to implement the tactic.

A survey was conducted to identify needed response resources available in the local area. Essential resources, which were not immediately available, were procured and staged at critical locations. Training was provided to teach local workers and residents how to use the plan, as well as how to deploy the equipment to protect their environment. These local people have proven themselves invaluable in effecting an early and effective response, due to their knowledge of the area.

The results of this effort have included: ➢Increased protection of a sensitive environment prior to oil activities;➢Heightened prevention, due to increased awareness of risks;➢Improved community/local relations by proactive involvement;➢Computerized maps which are useful for numerous operational purposes;➢The knowledge that you have "done the right thing" in a cost-effective manner;

The cost of this project was surprisingly small, due to the availability of information from many organizations that willingly cooperate in this type of effort. The rest of this paper details the steps required to achieve this level of preparation in other sensitive areas where oil has the nasty habit of being found.
Leadership Behaviours for Maximising Safety
Authors: Flin Rhona , O’Dea Angela , Yule Steven
Published: December 2007

While is has long been recognised that the behaviours of managers (from supervisors to senior managers) have an influence on worker behaviours and hence on workplace safety, it is only recently that industrial psychologists have begun to study this relationship scientifically.

This paper will draw on a series of studies of leadership behaviours conducted within the UKCS oil and gas industry, focusing on offshore platform supervisors (Mearns, Flin, Fleming & Gordon, 1997), offshore installation managers (O’Dea & Flin, 2001), and senior oil company mangers (Bryden, Flin & West, in prep). Additional material will be drawn from an ongoing study of management and safety in an international company from the energy sector (electricity generation) (Yule, Flin & Murdy, 2001).

A recent review of the leadership literature by O’Dea, Yule, Flin & Mearns (in prep) identified a number of factors that influence safety behaviours. These will be presented, indicating the direct and indirect paths of influence from managers to system operators. Recent findings suggest that transformational leadership behaviours (e.g. vision, intellectual stimulation, individual consideration) as measured by Bass' Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) may be particularly influential, however particular safety behaviours may be differentially affected by specific leadership approaches. Moreover transformational leadership behaviours are likely to be rather different in focus at more junior compared to senior levels of management and specific examples will be provided for illustration. The results emerging from these studies will be presented with reference to the emerging literature on safety leadership from other industries as well as practical applications for the selection, training and development of managers.
Hearts and Minds: The Status After 15 Years Research
Authors: van der Graaf Gerard C. , Hudson Patrick
Published: December 2007

In 1986 Shell International Exploration and Production started sponsoring a research programme to better understand why accidents occur and what can be done to avoid them. After 15 years of research involving the universities of Leiden, Manchester and Aberdeen it is time to take stock of the know-how that has been generated and analyse how this has changed life in Shell Companies. Both the theory and the practical tools to make the theory accessible for a wide audience are outlined in this paper.
Capturing Sustainability Issues in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Muir James , Reidinger Rick , Chan Yoke Mun
Published: December 2007

Many oil and gas companies have made public commitments to sustainable development since the 1992 Earth Summit. However in the run up to Rio+10, few, if any, companies can claim to have substantially altered the perceptions of the public, customers, NGOs and others. It is evident that measures such as EHS policies, ISO14001 certification and public reporting are not sufficient to convince internal and external stakeholders. In addition, a piecemeal approach is unlikely to capture the full range of sustainability risks and opportunities. This paper argues that this can only be done through the development and implementation of a corporate sustainability strategy and suggests a six stage methodology for such a course of action.
Development of the API Compendium of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimation Methodologies for the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Ritter Karin , Lev-On Miriam , Shires Theresa
Published: December 2007

Understanding the sources and quantities of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is critical to developing an emissions inventory that accurately represents oil and natural gas industry operations. In response to continued interest by its member companies about consistency in emissions estimation, the American Petroleum Institute (API) developed a Compendium of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimation Methodologies for the Oil and Gas Industry. The Compendium is a result of more than a year long effort by API to screen, evaluate and document a range of calculation techniques and emission factors that could be useful for developing GHG emissions inventories.

In this work all oil and gas industry segments from exploration and production to transportation, refining and distribution were considered. Particular emphasis has been placed on including estimation techniques that depend on knowledge of oil and gas processing simulation, along with a ranking of preferred and alternate methods.

Initially distributed in June 2001 as a "Road-Test" document, API will continue to gather comments from end users and other interested parties for a one-year trial period. API has reached out to governmental, non-governmental and industry associations during the development process to ensure broad peer-review. Additional opportunities will be sought for further discussions prior to finalizing the document in 2002.

This paper will summarize the technical approach adopted for the Compendium and introduce some of the techniques for estimating GHG emissions from specific oil and gas industry operations. It will discuss decisions that need to be made when designing a GHG emissions inventory. It will also present findings from users of the Compendium and feedback from end-user reviews.
Managing Seismic Operation in a Sensitive Environment
Authors: Suripno Suripno , Asmaradewi Gayatri , Djamhoer Agus , Fazrie Nurul , Berly Mohammad , Suroto Suroto
Published: December 2007

Tunu is a gas field located in the eastern part of Mahakam Delta, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The field has been produced by TotalFinaElf E&P Indonesie since 1984 in the sensitive ecosystem. The other main activities in the delta are shrimp farming and fishing activities. The delta is of economical importance in terms of fish and shrimp resources due to the use of delta as spawning ground and feeding ground.

A 2D survey has been carried out in transition zone and deep water zone in the eastern part of Tunu. Most seismic lines were overlapping with the fishing grounds of more than 1200 fishermen in the area of 400 km2. Managing seismic operation in such sensitive area needs careful planning. Seismic survey should be planned, organized, and implemented in an environmentally safe manner to prevent several complex problems that could emerge. The following precautions has been taken long time prior to the operation and continued during the seismic operations: ♦Socialization of seismic activities to local communities prior to the operation♦Co-ordination between local government/regulatory agencies, local communities, contractor, and company♦Establishment of Working Committee which consists of representatives from company, local government, and local community♦Tests for environmental effect assessment of airguns♦Extensive fish catch monitoring prior to, during, and after seismic operations.

The overall approaches have resulted in conclusion that there is no significant impact from the seismic operations and that adverse impact could be minimized hence leading to acceptance of seismic operations by all level of local communities.
Community Health Outreach Programs - Strategies for Success
Authors: Moreau Jean-Marie , Balge Marci Z.
Published: December 2007

Community Health Outreach Programs (CHOP) are developed in communities surrounding permanent exploration and production facilities in order to aid in the improvement of near and long-term health status of the surrounding community, while mitigating potential serious disease threats to the project workforce. The underlying strategies for the Chad Development Project CHOP will be presented. These strategies include stakeholder interaction, program development, and program monitoring. The stakeholder interaction phase includes coordination with local programs, baseline data collection and communication with local residents. Program development strategies include: option development, option appraisal by multidisciplinary committee, option review and approval, integration of options in an annual program and budget, and assignment of responsibilities. Monitoring approaches focus on spot reviews and audits. Preliminary results of this effort along with lessons learned will be presented.
Managing the Skills of your HSE Professionals in a Global World
Authors: Kalff J. L. , Jones T. Gower
Published: December 2007

Shell has moved to an open resources and global consultancy market to deploy staff worldwide, this new concept for the business has raised challenges in the management of skill pools. It requires a re-evaluation of the HSE Skills portfolio, staff competency assessment methodology, Skill Gap identification and Development/Deployment strategy.

It needs new criteria for decision-making: which balances the individual development needs (Value Proposition) and the short and long-term business requirements. The HSE skill pools while smaller than the geo-scientists and engineers is affected in the same way.

We have been required to balance short-term staff requirements with long-term needs in a free market and open resourcing framework.

Along the way, we have been faced with challenges such as: ■Difficulty in the introduction of New Ways of Working e.g. Global HSE Skill Forum concepts, convincing staff of the benefits sharing and communicating via a Global Interest Network■Resource constraints to work HSE global issues■Communication to achieve standardisation between other Skill Fora

In this paper/presentation we discuss the challenges and the way forward to manage the HSE Global Skill Pool.
Road Transport Safety Management - A Successful Transformation Journey
Authors: Tan G. T. , Sany M. N.
Published: December 2007

In 1997 Shell Malaysia Oil Products (SMOP) embarked on a radical transformation journey of its road transport operations which resulting in significant improvement in road safety performance. The transformation journey is a complex linkage and integration of six basic elements, which was essential in the management of road transport safety (RTS).

Through this methodology SMOP managed to achieve a step change in improvement in its road transport safety performance. These included a significant decline in the road fatality involving SMOP lorries, rapid improvement in the percentage of drivers and hauliers in their respective leagues table and positive mindset change in drivers, hauliers and SMOP staff. The Shell Group has rated SMOP's linkage of drivers and hauliers performance to that of SMOP's operations as well as the drivers' and hauliers' leagues system as best practices in the Group.
HSE Management for E&P Supply Base
Authors: Charusalaipong Prapon , Laobusnanant Prasert
Published: December 2007

The Challenge is to instill Safety Cultures and Awareness to Local Contractors/workers and maintain a No Lost Time Accident Safety Record.

PTT Exploration & Production (PTTEP) Songkhla Logistics Supply Base is positioned in the South Peninsular of Thailand and provides its supports/ services to drilling rigs, construction barges, seismic operations and Bongkot Gas Field, which situated in the Gulf of Thailand and 180 km away from shore.

The services are delivery of materials and transportation of personnel from onshore to offshore by means of marine vessels and helicopters.

The logistics base comprises 4 main locations e.g. main offices/warehouses, heliport, jetty and safety training centre. Hazardous activities are pipe handling, marine operations, drilling support workshop, waste management, fuel handling and storage, construction work, engineering & fabrication, chemical handling and storage, aviation operations, safety training activities.

The Logistics Base operations are undertaken by 23 PTTEP employees and 120 contract staff. Despite the hazardous nature of the work that could lead to lost time and equipment damage incident, the safety performance record is exemplary.

Methodology and Process: This enviable record and success was achieved through the care and attention of safety of the mixed PTTEP and contractor workforce who were supported by PTTEP and contractor management policy and commitment i.e. Contractual requirement – Safety Notice to ContractorCommunication – regular safety meeting and contractor

HSE forum Worker Participation – Safety Promotion and AwardTraining and SeminarAudits – Safety management system using a recognized international safety rating system (ISRS) as guidelines.

Results and Conclusions: Better Safety Performance i.e. since 28th November 1997 over 1 million man-hours have been worked. In this time there has not been a single Lost Time Accident at the 4 Songkhla Logistic Base Sites or amongst the staff and contractors who have been working on construction projects on both PTTEP onshore and offshore assets.Increase of Local Workforce Safety Attitudes and Awareness.Highly commended "Safety Performance" from British Gas Chairman's Award 2001.
Implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) at a Jack-Up Rig and an Offshore Process Complex in Western Offshore, India – A Case Study
Authors: Kharangate Keshav S.
Published: December 2007

A Project was undertaken for developing and implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) at an offshore jack-up rig and an offshore process complex in the Western Offshore of India.

The objective of the project was to improve the SMS at these sites by developing a documented SMS based on loss control philosophy and the in process improvements were measured using the International Safety Rating System (ISRS) a very useful tool of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). DNV, Singapore was engaged as the consultant for the project.

The project involved selecting competent persons for this project, training them, and then implementing this project at the two sites. It was a process of change management. The project involved the following phases:Phase I : Selection of Personnel (Project Team)Phase II : Development of awareness for the project.Phase III: Training for the selected personnelPhase IV: SMS AuditPhase V : Development of SMS ManualPhase VI: Implementation of SMSPhase VII: ISRS audit to judge the improvement

The paper details the whole process, right from selection of personnel, their training, and the methodology adopted for developing the safety management system manual, to the strategies adopted for its implementation. The paper also briefly describes the SMS developed and its elements and its features. Thus this paper is based on actual experience and is presented in the form of a case study.
Benefiting Communities: Lessons from Around the Atlantic
Authors: Shrimpton Mark
Published: December 2007

When frontier region communities and governments are first faced with oil and gas exploration and development they are often fearful of the implications and largely reactive, trying to stop it or limit its negative social, economic and environmental effects, while at the same time still hoping to achieve some share of any economic benefits. Based on first-hand experience with offshore petroleum activity in Atlantic Canada, Scotland, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the Falkland Islands, as well as with mining, smelter and hydro-electric projects in various parts of the world, this paper explores more proactive and strategic approaches. A number of specific optimization tools, and broader requirements for success in delivering benefits, are discussed.
‘Planting our Future’ with Neighbouring Communities – A National Energy Company Experience
Authors: Ramnath Kelvin , Dyal Shyam
Published: December 2007

As the National Energy Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Petrotrin is committed to the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection and seeks to develop and implement a proactive environmental outreach programme with our neighbouring communities.

The elements of Petrotrin's Environmental Outreach programmes are: 1)Implementation of a school beautification programme, which involved the distribution of plants to 25 selected schools within the Company's operational areas. The objective of this is to increase environmental awareness among children while simultaneously promoting an aesthetically pleasing environment.2)Construction of a recreational facility and restoration of the Pointe-a-Pierre Beach adjacent to the island's sole refinery, for residents of the surrounding communities. There is an absence of such facilities along a 70 km stretch on the west coast of Trinidad. The project includes protection of the eroded coastline, and the improvement of the area aesthetically for use by the public for recreational purposes. This facility is estimated to cost over US$2,000,000, the majority of which will be incurred in the construction of a concrete sea wall which will protect the restored beach from further erosion. Petrotrin recognizes the importance and numerous benefits of fostering a harmonious relationship with our neighbours.3)Donation of twelve (12) Advanced GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Kits to secondary schools over the last three (3) years in commemoration of World Environment Day. Donations have also been given for the printing and publication of a PAHO booklet " Healthy Homes, Healthy Communities" for primary school children. 4) Participation by students of primary and secondary schools in a Climate Change Essay Competition, which was aimed at increasing their knowledge on the effects of Climate Change.

Petrotrin's Board of Directors and Management stand behind this commitment, championing the company's environmental responsibilities to provide a healthier living and working community.
Towards a Multi-Level Social Assessment Framework: Effects and Responses to Change in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Cluck Rodney E. , Luton Harry
Published: December 2007

This paper discusses social impacts of offshore oil and gas development on human communities, families, and individuals in the Gulf of Mexico. It will describe the findings of selected Minerals Management Service research efforts. Impacts from oil and gas development on communities, families, and individuals are difficult to identify for several reasons. First, many social forces impinge on the family and individual such as mass communication, changes in education, and increasing community heterogeneity, just to name a few. Second, most impacts of oil and gas are not unique to that industry. Even the effects of fly-in/fly-out shift work are found in other industries. Finally, the oil and gas industry is not a single entity. It is a complex array of different operators, local business people, port directors, fabrication operators, etc. Therefore, change and effects vary from one community to the next in the same geographic region. However, commonalties do exist. The nature of these effects suggest that "classic" social impact assessment techniques can be improved and made more explicit by developing a "multilevel" conceptual framework.

How communities and industry are affected and respond to social change represents key factors in community development strategies. These factors are pieces of a larger historical context of industrial development and social change, but they are manifested in a unique area and people that have been involved in the offshore oil industry since its birth. The authors use Structuration Theory to argue that it is important for industry, community, people as well as government to understand the complexities of this change and its integration, which ultimately effects the dynamics of social institutions. This paper discusses these changes, along with responses to these changes that can be used and developed by government, the oil and gas industry and local communities.
An Innovative Rigless Method for Perforating, Evaluating and Stimulating a Live Well
Authors: Soto Bryan , Almanza Edgar , Scott Martin , Favret Mark
Published: December 2007

As development of hydrocarbon reserves continues to move into deeper and more complex reservoir conditions, operators have found that conventional techniques for testing, perforating, and stimulating have not been capable of providing satisfactory results in the severe well conditions. Even if operationally satisfactory, they have been unable to meet the goals for cost efficiency.

This paper describes an experience in the Tropical Field, located in eastern Venezuela and operated by Repsol - YPF in which the reservoir is characterized by high-pressure reservoirs and complex geology due to faults and high-dip-angle formations. Repsol needed a method that would optimize well testing operations, improve safety, and cut costs without compromising the results of the operation; thus, a major change to traditional drill stem testing operations was needed. A technique, which would eliminate the need to kill the well to retrieve the guns and also provide the flexibility to test, evaluate, and fracture the well, was suggested. Instead of using a drilling rig or a work-over unit as in the standard drill- stem testing operation, the procedure would allow the operator to perform a rigless well test evaluation using optimum underbalanced conditions in favor of the reservoir.

Several alternatives were evaluated for perforating and testing the well. After thorough examination of all possibilities, snubbing- and coiled-tubing-conveyed perforating (CTCP) methods were selected as the most promising alternatives for achieving the objectives proposed at the beginning of the project. While coiled tubing had been used to perforate in other areas in Venezuela, coiled tubing combined with snubbing had not been used in Venezuela.

This paper will focus on the methods developed to satisfy the operational challenges, the results obtained with the use of the newly applied technologies, and how the technology was able to address the operator's needs as well as the difficult reservoir conditions. Instrumental in the success of the methodology was the combined use of super-deep penetration technology, state-of-the-art memory tools for depth correlation, real time data transmission, and the flexibility to perform several operations during a rigless well-test evaluation. This case history represents the first live-well intervention using snubbing and coiled-tubing perforating techniques performed successfully in eastern Venezuela.
CO2 Injection for Enhanced Gas Production and Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Oldenburg Curtis M. , Benson Sally M.
Published: December 2007

Analyses suggest that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be injected into depleted gas reservoirs to enhance methane (CH4) recovery for periods on the order of 10 years, while simultaneously sequestering large amounts of CO2. Simulations applicable to the Rio Vista Gas Field in California show that mixing between CO2 and CH4 is slow relative to repressurization, and that vertical density stratification favors enhanced gas recovery.
Real-Time, Time-Lapse Resistivity Logging With a Wired Composite Tubing
Authors: Dalton Christopher L. , Paulk Martin D. , Bittar Michael
Published: December 2007

The development of a wired composite tubing enables the continuous acquisition and transmission of petrophysical and drilling dynamics data during all phases of a drilling operation. This capability results in logging passes for each bit trip throughout the life of the well. The operator can then correlate and compare the data in real-time to better understand the borehole stability. This paper presents two case studies that illustrate the value of real-time time-lapse logging to a drilling operation.
Fractured Reservoir Parameters Estimation Considering Multiple Block Size
Authors: Rafael Rodríguez-N. , Héber Cinco-L. , Fernando Samaniego-V.
Published: December 2007

A procedure is developed to estimate the variability of the block size from pressure drawdown data, applying an optimization technique; in other words, the inverse problem is solved.

The confidence of the estimated results is evaluated by applying the confidence limits theory and the procedure is illustrated using data from a simulated pressure drawdown test. On the other hand, the estimated parameters of the variability of the block size were used to obtain results for the pressure derivative function; the agreement with the simulated pressure drawdown data was very good.

Finally, a theory was developed and applied to obtain the imbibition flow rate in water wet naturally fractured reservoirs, using the estimated parameters of the variability of the block size, in an oil recovery process by water injection.