bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying nonadditive selection caused by indirect ecological effects
Authors: terHorst Casey P. , Lau Jennifer A. , Cooper Idelle A. , Keller Kane R. , Rosa Raffica J. La , Royer Anne M. , Schultheis Elizabeth H. , Suwa Tomomi , Conner Jeffrey K.
Published: March 2015

In natural biological communities, species interact with many other species. Multiple species interactions can lead to indirect ecological effects that have important fitness consequences and can cause nonadditive patterns of natural selection. Given that indirect ecological effects are common in nature, nonadditive selection may also be quite common. As a result, quantifying nonadditive selection resulting from indirect ecological effects may be critical for understanding adaptation in natural communities composed of many interacting species. We describe how to quantify the relative strength of nonadditive selection resulting from indirect ecological effects compared to the strength of pairwise selection. We develop a clear method for testing for nonadditive selection caused by indirect ecological effects and consider how it might affect adaptation in multispecies communities. We use two case studies to illustrate how our method can be applied to empirical data sets. Our results suggest that nonadditive selection caused by indirect ecological effects may be common in nature. Our hope is that trait‐based approaches, combined with multifactorial experiments, will result in more estimates of nonadditive selection that reveal the relative importance of indirect ecological effects for evolution in a community context.
Geophysical features influence the climate change sensitivity of northern Wisconsin pine and oak forests
Authors: Tweiten Michael A. , Calcote Randy R. , Lynch Elizabeth A. , Hotchkiss Sara C. , Schuurman Gregor W.
Published: March 2015

Landscape‐scale vulnerability assessment from multiple sources, including paleoecological site histories, can inform climate change adaptation. We used an array of lake sediment pollen and charcoal records to determine how soils and landscape factors influenced the variability of forest composition change over the past 2000 years. The forests in this study are located in northwestern Wisconsin on a sandy glacial outwash plain. Soils and local climate vary across the study area. We used the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Soil Survey Geographic soil database and published fire histories to characterize differences in soils and fire history around each lake site. Individual site histories differed in two metrics of past vegetation dynamics: the extent to which white pine (Pinus strobus) increased during the Little Ice Age (LIA) climate period and the volatility in the rate of change between samples at 50–120 yr intervals. Greater increases of white pine during the LIA occurred on sites with less sandy soils (R2 = 0.45, P < 0.0163) and on sites with relatively warmer and drier local climate (R2 = 0.55, P < 0.0056). Volatility in the rate of change between samples was positively associated with LIA fire frequency (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.0256). Over multi‐decadal to centennial timescales, forest compositional change and rate‐of‐change volatility were associated with higher fire frequency. Over longer (multi‐centennial) time frames, forest composition change, especially increased white pine, shifted most in sites with more soil moisture. Our results show that responsiveness of forest composition to climate change was influenced by soils, local climate, and fire. The anticipated climatic changes in the next century will not produce the same community dynamics on the same soil types as in the past, but understanding past dynamics and relationships can help us assess how novel factors and combinations of factors in the future may influence various site types. Our results support climate change adaptation efforts to monitor and conserve the landscape's full range of geophysical features.
The ghosts of trees past: savanna trees create enduring legacies in plant species composition
Authors: Stahlheber Karen A. , Crispin Kimberly L. , Anton Cassidy , D'Antonio Carla M.
Published: March 2015

Isolated trees in savannas worldwide are known to modify their local environment and interact directly with neighboring plants. Less is known about how related tree species differ in their impacts on surrounding communities, how the effects of trees vary between years, and how composition might change following loss of the tree. To address these knowledge gaps, we explored the following questions: How do savanna trees influence the surrounding composition of herbaceous plants? Is the influence of trees consistent across different species and years? How does this change following the death of the tree? We surveyed herbaceous species composition and environmental attributes surrounding living and dead evergreen and deciduousQuercustrees in California (USA) savannas across several years that differed in their total precipitation. Oak trees of all species created distinct, homogenous understory communities dominated by exotic grasses across several sites. The composition of the low‐diversity understory communities showed less interannual variation than open grassland, despite a two‐fold difference in precipitation between the driest and wettest year. Vegetation composition was correlated with variation in soil properties, which were strongly affected by trees. Oaks also influenced the communities beyond the edge of the crown, but this depended on site and oak species. Low‐diversity understory communities persisted up to 43 years following the death of the tree. A gradual decline in the effect of trees on the physical environment following death did not result in vegetation becoming more similar to open grassland over time. The presence of long‐lasting legacies of past tree crowns highlights the difficulty of assigning control of the current distribution of herbaceous species in grassland to their contemporary environment.
Validating a Tool to Measure Safety Culture
Authors: Harris Wendy L.
Published: March 2015

A study was conducted to determine the validity of an instrument used to measure safety culture. This instrument was developed from a framework that was garnered from research literature and describes 18 characteristics of safety culture at different levels of culture maturity. Scores from the completed instrument identify the distribution and preponderance of culture maturity for a group. Over 800 completed surveys were gathered and analyzed to determine the validity of its measurements.

As this measurement tool is available to safety practicitioners through research literature, validation of its measurement capability creates an avenue for many to evaluate their safety culture with confidence. Additionally, the study provides recommendations on how to use the tool effectively and improve the existing instrument.

Analysis of the data using confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach's Alpha yielded confirmation that the existing instrument was indeed a reliable measure. Potential gaps were also identified. Both factor analyses supported a three factor structure of safety culture, with one factor that was less developed than the remaining two. As a result of these findings, while the current instrument can be useful in providing a valid indication of safety culture, modifications are recommended and detailed in the study.

The importance of safety culture as a mechanism for improving HSE performance is well documented. However, current research does not agree on a model of safety culture nor does it support any particular instrument for measuring culture. The results of this study provide support of a three factor model that will be helpful for practitioners wanting to improve culture within their organization. As well, the validation of the current instrument provides a mechanism for measuring culture that is commonly available.
Managing Risks at the Early Phases of Oil and Gas Major Capital Projects
Authors: Salas R.
Published: March 2015

The rise in energy demand creates a significant need to invest in energy capital projects throughout the world and nearly $38 trillion is projected to be invested in these projects through 2035. With the complexity of the infrastructure and the nature of the products being handled, the integrity and safety of design, construction and operations must be intact and within the acceptable risk level of the companies and societal pressures. Operational, safety and technical (project development & execution) issues, including examination of risk management key concepts, outcomes and concerns, are a necessary focus at the early phases of major capital projects. While the scale of these unique projects are increasing, potential systematic risks beyond short-term project implementation must be considered such as: testing emergent technologies, maintaining critical expertise, and utilizing in-depth analyses of project execution.

Effective application of risk management creates a more actionable outcome and enhances the project capacity to achieve a more predictable, sustainable and safe work environment. Managing risks at the early phases is crucial to successful implementation of oil and gas major capital projects.
Data Drilling: Changing the Way the Oil and Gas Industry Manages Safety and Risk
Authors: Caldwell Brian , Hinton Jack
Published: March 2015

The oil and gas industry is renowned for its technological advances in the capture and use of data science to find and release new reserves of hydrocarbons to meet the world's ever increasing energy demands. Such uses of the scientific analysis of data and information have enabled hydrocarbons to remain the primary source of energy, worldwide. Data science unlocks patterns typically unseen in typically available information, thus allowing the industry to see hydrocarbons where previously they were not able to confirm their presence. Other industries that specialize in demographic analysis of data, like Google and Yahoo, use data science to see patterns in human interest, which they then make marketable by selling to manufacturers of goods to target increased sales.

Baker Hughes has leveraged what it has been doing for years with data science in its Geoscience expertise, to more completely exploit hydrocarbon reserves; to now better exploit previously untapped revelations from safety incident data. Building on the work that Behavioral Science Technology undertook in 2011 with seven global companies (ExxonMobil, Potash Corp, Shell, BHP Billiton, Cargill, Archer Daniel Midland Company, and Maersk), in their publication “New Findings on Serious Injuries and Fatalities”; and, the further work that ExxonMobil has undertaking with their “Mining the Diamond” approach to safety data analysis, as first reported by Neil Duffin, President – ExxonMobil Development Company, at the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference, Baker Hughes has taken this approach farther. The use of data science applied to safety is revealing previously unseen trends in existing safety incident (near miss and where harm was caused) data. We call this application, “Data Drilling”.

The results of Data Drilling are provocative, as they better guide the business to more clearly understand root cause, which precipitates more accurate intervention strategies and effective management of risk (in a high risk industry). Additionally, the products of Data Drilling present a clear and compelling picture of risk management to executives, enabling stronger safety leadership to their organizations. The results of four retrospective studies, of the industry's experience with Dropped Objects, Wellbore Placement During Drilling, Wireline Pressure Control Equipment, and Coil Tubing Operations, are used as examples of how Data Drilling unlocks meaningful root cause that better targets responsible HSE management. In each case, business leadership was presented with a more accurate assessment of risk than traditional oil and gas industry data trending techniques typically reveal. As a result, decisions to support program and process upgrades and capital expenditures for risk mitigating engineering controls are better made.
Safety Culture Change and Learnings
Authors: Zerafa M. , Shallenberger K. , Hirstius C. , Sistrunk C. , Huber B. , Hebert B. , Turley A. , Satterlee K.
Published: March 2015

The Auger facility was designed, built and installed by Shell, with first oil production on April 15, 1994. It was the first Tension Leg Platform in the Gulf of Mexico, first to support drilling rig, complete production facilities, and world record setting water depth at the time. Auger has continued its strategic role in Shell's Gulf of Mexico portfolio since then with 7 subsea satellite tie-back fields, the most of any in the Shell deep water Gulf of Mexico portfolio. In 2010 and 2011 Auger had 5 recordable injuries per year (TRIF of 6 per million man hours worked).

In this same timeframe, Shell also made a major discovery, Deep Cardamom, 6 miles from Auger. The Cardamom field will increase oil and gas production on Auger back to nearly peak facility production rates and give the facility a new lease on life.

In order to add one more subsea tieback and onboard Cardamom production, many upgrades and facility changes were required. This scope called for simultaneous production, drilling and brown field construction on the asset for 2 ½ years. From a personnel perspective, this required a 20% increase in personnel capacity at Auger with a full-time construction team of 80 to 100 people, in addition to the normal production crew of 100. Shell recognized that the increase in activity level would increase exposure to individuals at Auger. This fact, coupled with the recent safety performance track record, required a step change in safety culture simultaneous with the increase in personnel capacity and hazard exposure.

The Auger/Cardamom team focused on re-invigorating the safety culture offshore; driving visible, vigilant and felt safety leadership; hazard recognition training of the front line work force; improvements in PPE; and improvements in the quality of life and working conditions. The re-invigorated safety program moved beyond compliance to a culture of individual accountability and personal commitment to caring for each other with strong leadership behaviors.

This paper describes the efforts to re-invigorate the safety culture on the facility. The team moved safety culture and performance to one of the best in Shell worldwide, including a Goal Zero year in 2013 with no recordable injuries.
Reducing Project Risks Through Enhanced Evaluation of Societal Risks
Authors: Wall Caleb
Published: March 2015

Risk management—reducing a project's exposure to a range of internal and external risks—is often thought of as a purely “technical” issue. This paper presents evidence and examples of how project risks can also be managed through a thorough evaluation of societal risks. These societal or non-technical risks (NTRs) are important. Research suggests that the majority of project delays in large oil and gas projects are caused by NTRs, a higher percentage than purely technical causes of delays.

In managing adverse social impacts and in maximizing social benefits, a project can look to map and engage with surrounding stakeholders. In doing this, projects are better able to understand their impacts to surrounding communities and to understand which mitigations can increase societal acceptability and thus decrease societal risks. Such NTR management could be by better siting project facilities, smarter mapping of receptors in designing discharge points, or through adaptive planning. By reducing a project's social impact it is possible to help a project reduce its risk exposure, thus to better manage NTRs such as permitting delays.

This paper examines the way in which projects can adopt a more informed approach to understanding and managing societal risks for oil and gas developments. Using social impact assessment as an upfront planning tool—rather than a permitting process after key planning, design, and siting decisions have been made—is essential to this approach. While reducing the physical footprint of a project is not always possible the social footprint (the effect of a project on surrounding communities and stakeholders) can be an important form of mitigation.

By looking at social impact assessment as a risk management tool, rather than a response to regulatory requirements, this allows projects to be more in control of the decisions they are making. Although development impacts may be unavoidable, the risks these impacts pose to surrounding communities—and thus the risks to the project—can be managed and mitigated in a way that allows for more constructive community relationships and better management of external project risks.
Safety Culture in Oil and Gas Operations: A Risk Analysis Framework to Address Communication and Interoperation of Multiple Interacting Organizations
Authors: Tabibzadeh Maryam , Meshkati Najmedin
Published: March 2015

According to a most recent (June 2014) report by the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) that investigated the BP Deepwater Horizon (DWH) blowout, inadequate management systems and poor safety culture were major underlying causes of that blowout. This analysis has been corroborated by many other seminal reports on the DWH accident. In fact, lack of safety culture has been identified as a common contributing cause of many accidents in the oil and gas industry.

In response to the above serious fact, there are strong recommendations that the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, as the responsible regulatory agency for offshore operations in the Outer Continental Shelf, has to promote safety culture. In addition, the BSEE director, in his speech for the fourth anniversary of the DWH accident in April 2014, emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of safety among all involved in offshore operations so that it becomes part of the way business is conducted.

Safety culture can be defined through its five primary composing elements/pillars, characteristics or sub-cultures, which include an informed culture, a reporting culture, a learning culture, a just culture, and a flexible culture. Reporting culture, as one of the five pillars of safety culture, creates organizations in which people are prepared to report their errors and near-misses. In this regard, interoperation and interaction of multiple organizations play a critical role.

This paper, by focusing on the foregoing reporting pillar, introduces a risk assessment framework to analyze multi-organizational interactions with the focus on ineffective communication. This framework models the interactions of involved organizations and key players in four different layers: the level of meta-system interactions, bi-lateral organizational interactions level, bi-lateral work interactions level, and the level of work site operations interactions.

Our extensive literature review indicates that few studies have applied risk analysis to interactions among multiple organizations, with even more limited application to the oil and gas industry, particularly offshore operations. We further show the viability of our framework by using it to develop a risk assessment model based on the investigation of the DWH accident and to analyze the interactions of key players in that case.
Assessing the Ecological Integrity of Wetland Functionality in Response to Energy Exploration and Production Operations on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast
Authors: Kinney Erin , Glenn Stephanie , Neish Brad , Chen Likun , Bare Ryan
Published: March 2015

Description of the material

HARC analyzed the response of ecological integrity of wetland functionality to energy exploration and production operations on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. A decision support tool that will aid the oil and gas industry in minimizing loss of wetland function during energy exploration and production operations is the end result of this project.

Application/Development

We analyzed impacts of oil and gas exploration and production (e.g. transportation infrastructure, pipelines, and exploration and drilling site impacts) on wetlands, specifically Upper Texas Gulf Coast Wetlands; prioritizing these impacts specific to wetland function (such as coastal flooding mitigation or density of wintering waterfowl). The decision support tool contains land use/land cover classifications, wetland type and function, and prioritization of functions depending on wetland type and production stressors.

Results, Observations, and Conclusions

Our objectives are to prioritize wetland functions dependent on wetland type, wetland location and availability of function; cross-reference these functions with possible energy exploration and production operation impacts on the wetlands and then using this information in a decision support tool that will aid managers in determining best management practices in determining where to drill, technical alternatives to mitigate certain impacts, and choosing the options that will have most mitigation effect given limited financial resources.

Significance of Subject Matter

Wetlands provide many positive benefits to surrounding coastal ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic. These environmentally sensitive areas are often found in drilling and exploration territories in the Upper Texas Gulf Coast; providing options to decisions makers in terms of technical alternatives or BMPs will enable resources to be developed in a more environmentally sound manner.
Evaluation of the Respirable Crystalline Silica Content in Common Oilfield Minerals
Authors: Okhrimenko A. , Thuriere A. , Tyczynski P.
Published: March 2015

The amount of the respirable fraction of crystalline silica is a concern within the oilfield and other industries using mineral products. Current measurement and reporting techniques typically identify total silica content, but do not test for, or report, the respirable fraction. In order to address this situation, special measurement techniques have been employed to more accurately report the respirable crystalline silica (RCS) values.

Crystalline silica is a commonly occurring impurity in most mined minerals and its presence as fine respirable particles (smaller than 16 μm) in a material can necessitate specific hazardous warning labels due to the potential health effects. Mineral additives are added to drilling fluids in large quantities, creating a need for the industry to monitor associated RCS levels.

This study establishes a useful technique to determine typical RCS values encountered for two ubiquitous oilfield commodities, barite and calcium carbonate, which are known to contain naturally occurring silica. Isolating the respirable fraction of these materials from the bulk is possible using a sedimentation technique with the fine particulate analyzed for its crystalline silica content by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Barite and calcium carbonate from various worldwide sources were tested using this improved method. This paper will present the data to establish observed levels of RCS for the analyzed samples. Additionally, this paper will demonstrate the suitability of the methodology applied in this study to support the evaluation of RCS in other oilfield minerals.
Safety Observations: Improving Impact With Feedback
Authors: Weiss Stephanie
Published: March 2015

Behavior-based safety observations are an important tool for helping build awareness critical to creating an interdependent safety culture. One way to encourage employees to observe safe and unsafe behaviors is to set a quota of observations for some time period until observations become “habit,” at which point the quota can be relaxed without eliminating the high-quality observations that assist in continuous safety improvement. However, any emphasis on quantity risks disengaging employees from the fundamental purpose of making observations. In addition, if the observations do not result in feedback or changes in the organization, employees may not recognize their value of the observations to their workplace safety, their co-workers lives, and the company as a whole.

In this study, 40 oilfield service company employees were encouraged to submit three observations per month, for six months, to an online observation database. At the beginning of the study, some of the employees answered a questionnaire about their safety practices, safety observations, perceptions about the value of safety observations, and general ‘engagement’ level at work. The full study group then submitted safety observations to an online database. For approximately one-third of the study group, observations were tallied without additional feedback other than that triggered normally by the observation content. Another one-third of the group received generic feedback about the purpose and value of safety observations. The final one-third received specific feedback about the value of each observation. A follow-up questionnaire assessed changes in the employees' attitudes.

The time commitment required to provide feedback and changes in the quantity, quality, and proactivity of observations over the study period are discussed.
Hydraulic Fracturing-Safe, Environmentally Responsible Energy Development
Authors: Todd Bridget M. , Kuykendall Dina C. , Peduzzi Matthew B. , Hinton Jack
Published: March 2015

The safe and responsible development of oil and gas resources is essential to meet the complex energy demands facing us today and enhance public acceptance of expanding industry activity. While use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques in shale formations has resulted in rapid growth in oil and gas production in the United States and a transformed world energy outlook, these practices have also presented concerns associated with impacts from industrial activities. Extracting energy from shale has required more complex hydraulic fracturing operations, with a corresponding increase in equipment, personnel and materials, including water.

A comprehensive suite of technologies and best practices provides our industry with solutions to improve the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations, while addressing safety risks, environmental stewardship and community concerns. Environmental and social challenges are varied and significant, with community and regulatory stakeholders focused on reducing emissions, noise, truck traffic and water use while safeguarding water quality. The ultimate goal is to reduce the footprint of hydraulic fracturing activities and to do so at a reasonable cost, to ensure energy remains affordable for communities, industry and overall economic growth.

Extensive research and development has produced cost-efficient technologies that support safe, environmentally responsible hydraulic fracturing operations. Case studies of widely applicable technologies presently used in various shales throughout the United States will be reviewed to demonstrate such benefits as: Replacing diesel with cleaner-burning natural gas for engines, with examples of up to 70% reduced diesel use;Eliminating truck trips to supply materials including diesel and water, reducing community traffic;Reusing up to 100% of flowback water and using produced water rather than fresh water through advanced treatment technologies;Reducing well site emissions, in some cases decreasing nitrogen oxides (NOx) 50%, particulate matter 70%, carbon monoxide (CO) 100%, and carbon dioxide 32%;Developing measurably greener chemistries for downhole fracturing fluids; andPromoting greater transparency in the chemistries used in fracturing fluids

Technology innovations must be combined with operational best practices and continued collaboration among industry partners, communities and other key stakeholders. Together, this can promote the sustainability of hydraulic fracturing operations and build public trust.
Managing HSE Performance Through Sustainability Reporting
Authors: Murphy Helen , Janus Bertrand
Published: March 2015

The oil and gas sector continues to provide essential energy supply for society's economic development. Managing sustainability impacts associated with producing these fuels and other energy products is an important responsibility. This includes addressing the challenges associated with climate change, and operating in remote and sensitive areas of the world. An important practice is sustainability reporting. Clear and consistent reporting helps companies create a solid platform for productive engagement and performance improvement.

For oil and gas companies, sustainability reporting provides a platform for describing how strategic issues—such as climate change and energy—are being addressed through long-term plans and current initiatives. As well as building external trust and confidence in a company, the process of reporting involving stakeholder engagement, data collection, analysis, communication and results can provide extensive opportunities for performance improvements.

The gathering and analyses of performance data and information can highlight areas of weakness that require management attention on an ongoing basis. The process of measuring and tracking procedures to collect data enable in-depth analysis of company performance and can be used as a decision making tool. Organizational strategy and policy can be adjusted on the basis of results to improve performance. Ultimately sustainability reporting can lead to a status quo of continual improvement and better data management, which can improve business performance, operational efficiency and lead to cost savings.

This paper will explore the various ways in which companies can improve HSE performance from the benefits provided by sustainability reporting which can include:

– enhanced business value as investor confidence grows in response to evidence that the company is managing important risks and positioning itself to take advantage of emerging opportunities; – improved operations as employees develop a deeper understanding of a company's sustainability values, and performance indicators provide insight to support continuous improvement; – strengthened relationships as local community leaders, civil society representatives, government officials and regulators, and other key stakeholders learn how the company responsibly manages sustainability issues; and – enhanced trust and credibility as customers, suppliers and the wider society understand the company's brand, operations and products.
The Work of One Association's Safety, Environment Legislation (SEL) Committee: A Trade Association's Approach to SEL Issues Affecting its Members
Authors: Hough Nicholas , Bugler Jane
Published: March 2015

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is the international trade association for offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies representing over 1000 member companies worldwide. With its membership actively involved in offshore construction activities primarily for the oil and gas industry, IMCA and its members have been keen to develop appropriate tools to support the industry and drive improvements in safety worldwide. Safety, Environment & Legislation (SEL) is an IMCA core activity. The SEL committee's primary purpose is to promote the sharing of experience and safety and environmental related information among members with the aim of reducing incidents by continuously reinforcing good practice. It also offers good practice guidance to the industry by way of documents, seminars and dialogue.

Since 1997 IMCA has been publishing safety flashes from information provided by its members on incidents and potential hazards and lessons learnt from them. This could be faulty equipment, gaps in procedures, reminders of the need for basic safety awareness, and near misses. All safety flashes are available from the IMCA website and the information provided is analyzed to identify trends and whether there is need for industry guidance on topics. The paper will review specific safety flashes and discuss how IMCA has used the information to develop new or review and update its existing guidance.

IMCA also collects safety statistics for its contractor members, enabling marine contractors to benchmark their safety performance against other similar sized companies and other stakeholders such as drilling contractors and E&P companies. The paper will highlight some of the trends identified over the last 17 years of data collection, how the data collected has been extended and refined and the recent addition of the collection of environmental information.

The paper will explain IMCA's 5 year plan for 2014 to 2019 how the SEL committee has reviewed its work to better define its aims and deliverables to the industry. The paper will discuss how the committee has been restructured to broaden participation from members and drive forward deliverables for the industry.
Emergency Response in the Arctic
Authors: Osman Ahmed
Published: March 2015

The Arctic is estimated to contain one-fifth of the undiscovered oil and gas resources in the world. Therefore it has the potential to be a major contributor to the world energy supply for decades to come. That is the reason many of the major oil and gas companies have been involved in exploration activities in the Arctic. However the Arctic is a unique environment often distinguished by the presence of ice and its general remoteness.

The Chukchi Sea is a southern extension of the Arctic Ocean bordered in the west by the East Siberian Sea and in the east by Alaska and the Beaufort Sea (Figure 1). It has a mean water depth of 50 meters and sea ice dominates the marine operating environment for at least eight months from November to early July on average.

Statoil established a strong exploration portfolio in the Chukchi Sea since 2008 taking into consideration that operating in the Chukchi Sea involves managing a high number of risks. These risks include operating in a highly sensitive environment and extreme weather conditions. Also the limited infrastructure that can support exploration and drilling activities represent a challenge to operations, especially those related to emergency response.

Statoil completed seismic, shallow hazard and geotechnical coring surveys in the Chukchi Sea in 2010 and 2011. The company developed a robust HSE management system and emergency response plans to minimize the risks and to ensure that emergencies can be handled in the most effective way.

The emergency response plans started with a detailed risk assessment to identify all possible risks and their probabilities and consequences. Close collaboration with the Emergency Response group in the Houston office was established to compensate for the small size organization in Anchorage.

All operations were conducted successfully without any serious HSE incident. All relevant stakeholders including the native communities, federal agencies and the NGOs praised Statoil for the safe and efficient operations.
One Company's Green Logistics
Authors: Phumphong P. , Sila A. , Preeyanurak T. , Manonda C. , Pornsakulsak L.
Published: March 2015

Diesel engines have proven themselves powerful, reliable and efficient. However, emissions from fuel combustion of diesel engine always leave by-products of oxides of nitrogen, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas. Therefore, environmentalists call for cleaner technology to be used in place of conventional diesel engine.

The alternative option of diesel-electric engine is an applicable modern technology that generates lower air emissions. The diesel-electric engine for marine vessel offers significantly higher energy efficiency and lower air emissions, compared to the traditional diesel engine. Marine diesel-electric engine is a hybrid engine that uses diesel fuel to generate mechanical torque and transform to electrical power for driving motor and propels the ship. The developed electrical systems, where the diesel engine can be operated on a variable speed giving a huge potential in fuel saving. The Gensets operate in variable speed mode, where the rpm can be adjusted for minimum fuel oil consumption according to the system load. It also allows the integration of energy storage sources like batteries. The energy storage sources reduce the transient loads on the diesel engines.

A petroleum company has therefore launched a green logistics program and adopt diesel-electric engine into the marine logistic process to be an initiative of the environmental friendly offshore operation. The Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) operate in the Gulf of Thailand for supporting offshore petroleum production. Since 2012, more than 50% of AHTS operated by diesel engines have been replaced by diesel-electric engines. By implementation of the green logistics program, in 2013 our marine fleet can decreased up to 7,100 m3 of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) consumption, whilst also reduces totally 22,000 tons of CO2e emission. Divided from overall picture, the replacement power driven of AHTS by diesel-electric engines contributed to the fuel saving at 4,000 m3 of MGO or 56 % of total MGO reduction. In economical perspective, a company has an opportunity to cut off fuel expense for 206 MMTHB or 6.9 MMUSD per annual. This could reflect a company determination to stay at forefront of the industry as the leading petroleum exploration and production company driven by green practices throughout our operation and supply chains.
The Integral Role of Waste Management into Successful Capital Project Design and Implementation
Authors: Jones F. V. , Rankin S.
Published: March 2015

A successful upstream oil and gas capital project requires appropriate and timely planning and execution of Health, Safety, Environmental and Social (HSES) considerations. Inadequate and/or poorly timed inclusion of HSES considerations can result in project delays, overhaul, cost escalation and possible cancellation. One aspect of HSES is waste management. The following paper outlines a process whereby waste management can be integrated into a capital project in such a way as to reduce risk, manage costs and maintain schedule. The process is a project life cycle approach, taking the project from scoping and early design through startup, operations and decommissioning. The process utilizes concepts and techniques which can be easily transferred to other industrial capital projects such as mining or construction.

For decades, waste management plans have been developed and guidelines produced on how to manage the sampling, storage, transport, treatment and final disposal of waste. Waste minimization programs and guidelines have also been in vogue for a while and plans/programs/guidelines have played a major role in controlling and reducing waste risk. However, there have been limited attempts to integrate waste management into the overall flow of a capital project from beginning to end. Instead, each stage of a capital project often is approached as a separate unit, with little regard for what came before or will come after the stage under question. This paper discusses techniques on how to integrate waste management plans and programs during project definition, front-end engineering design (FEED), site preparation, construction, startup, operation and decommissioning of an upstream oil and gas development. Each phase will be discussed with regard to steps that need to be taken to accomplish the present phase goals and objectives, while developing a path forward to plan for upcoming project phase waste management considerations.
Engineering the Mud-Spacer-Cement Rheological Hierarchy Improves Wellbore Integrity
Authors: Shadravan Arash , Narvaez Guido , Alegria Adriana , Carman Paul , Perez Cresencio , Erger Robert
Published: March 2015

Maintaining the density hierarchy for wellbore fluids has been a routine while achieving a proper rheological hierarchy for mud, spacer and cement could have been compromised due to tedious testing and sometimes limitations in the field. Establishing appropriate rheological and friction pressure hierarchy prevent fluids (mud-spacer-cement slurry) intermixing especially in deviated and horizontal wells. The objective of this paper is to present a spacer rheological properties model along with a new micro-emulsion spacer formulation which improves well integrity. This water-based spacer system, with densities ranging from 8.5 to 16 ppg, was modeled to temperatures up to 325°F and provided proper suspension properties, confirming stability at bottomhole circulating elevated temperatures. In addition, ccompatibility of this spacer package with various synthetic based muds, oil based muds and cement slurries, designed for Gulf of Mexico, the US land, North Sea and the Middle East, plays a significant role in achieving great displacement efficiency, wellbore clean up, long term effective zonal isolation and sustainable hydrocarbon production.

It is not always possible to accomplish the turbulent flow. Therefore, a rheological model was developed to accomplish the ideal viscosity hierarchy by optimizing the spacer formulation design. Optimum rheological hierarchy occurs where the viscosity profile of a spacer system is higher than the viscosity profile of drilling fluid and lower than the cement slurry. Model's predictions have been validated by one atmospheric and two industry-known HPHT rheometers. The model predictions show that the rheological profiles of the spacer fluid, for all the main standard shear rates, are between the mud and cement profiles. Data obtained from field case histories show the improvements and added values such as ideal fluid compatibility, better displacement efficiency, friction pressure hierarchy and effective zonal isolation,
Mapping Local Economic Benefits of Oil and Gas Development in Colorado
Authors: Dell Jan J. , Fennessey Karl D. , Roberts Andrew D.
Published: March 2015

Development and operation of oil and gas assets can contribute positive social gains to local, regional and national communities. Local economic benefits of oil and gas development and production can include new business opportunities and employment generated for communities, royalties paid to mineral and land owners, and taxes paid to governments. On a per employee basis, the oil and gas industry is a high-output, high-wage industry that has a multiplier effect on local economies. In addition to generating thousands of direct jobs and wages, the oil and gas sector purchases goods and services from other industries, thereby building transferrable skillsets and creating broad capacity in the community. Memberships and donations made to local universities and organizations can also benefit the community.

This paper focuses on the economic benefits to local communities, and across the state, from the investment in exploration, development and operation of a specific unconventional resource asset in Colorado, USA. The investment spend by an operator (ConocoPhillips) is mapped from direct contracts through subcontracting with sub-suppliers. The mapping shows geographically dispersed benefits as they cascade through the oil and gas supply chain into the local communities in oil producing counties and beyond into counties without oil production. Investment with large national companies is mapped to increased employment throughout Colorado. Direct spend with Colorado-based companies is inventoried to show benefits to small suppliers and contractors. Spend on local supporting services, such as retail, restaurants and lodging with hundreds of businesses is documented.

The framework of local economic benefits mapped for a specific Colorado unconventional asset development and operation is typical for unconventional asset developments and may be employed by similar developments in other geographies. This approach to mapping local economic benefits may also be employed in other types of oil and gas project developments to comprehensively identify positive social impacts. A Local Economic Benefit Fact Sheet was created from this assessment and is used to communicate key messages to external stakeholders in Colorado. The fact sheet is included in Appendix 1.
Factoring in Ecosystem Services and Values in Decision Making, Risk Management, Loss and Environmental Damage: Over the Lifecycle of Energy Development
Authors: Wright N.H.
Published: March 2015

New dimensions of environmental loss and escalating liabilities following Macondo have catapulted environmental risk to a key feature on the corporate balance sheet. Forecasting expected losses of critical environmental functions, which underpin society, is setting new challenges insurance underwriters and scientists. A critique of recent case histories will be presented to illustrate the latest dimensions of future risk needs. International operators wrestle with the dollar value of reputational risks of uncharted frontier areas with sensitive marine ecosystems which affect both stakeholder confidence and the stock price. Governments now recognize the criticality of managing environmental capital and services when dealing with new energy concessions in sensitive coastal zones. International efforts to develop “state of the art” techniques to quantify the spectrum of ecosystem services will be presented together with a critique of how readily these can be factored into decision making. Advances in global geographic information systems and satellite imagery illustrate the unprecedented future opportunities to measure ecosystem functions and changes. A series of case histories will illustrate cutting edge approaches to dealing with oil spill risk for offshore assets revealing environmental resource risk exposure, risk reduction, consequences and future liabilities. The criteria used to determine “environmental damage or loss” are fundamental to our approaches to corporate risk management. Our understanding of the role of factors such as: biodiversity; ecosystem robustness; recoverability; habitat uniqueness; species population status and life cycles in the sustainability of ecosystem services will be reviewed and reveals fundamental gaps in knowledge. The global efforts being made to place $ values on the world's natural capital and ecosystem life support services will be summarised. A pioneering approach to due diligence of investments, planning, new concessions and oil spill risk assessments will be presented. Insights will be given on the latest techniques for mapping environmental resources and services in integrated GIS systems on the web, which will provide an “ecosystem health thermometer” making damage to ecosystem services visible to stakeholders. Operators' future “licence to operate” will depend in part on utilizing ecosystem service approaches and values to address stakeholder sustainability and values concerns