bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrity Management in KOC
Authors: Esaklul K. A. , Al-Adsani A. M.
Published: December 2007

Any lapses in design or operating practices predominately in the form of departure from the design intent or standard operating procedures have the potential to lead to undesirable events. The resulting design or operating deficiencies once recognized are usually mitigated by add-on safety features, robust practices, effective training and efficient emergency plans; orelse passively by incident investigations. All of which fall under an Integrity Management System.

Effective Integrity Management Systems are assessed through performance indicators that measure accountability and ownership and the mitigating measures effectiveness (individual programs and the management system key elements as a whole). However, even with an effective management system there will always be a dependency on intermediaries and a degree of subjectivity in assessment; therefore there is no replacement for intrinsic safety features and a competent operating workforce.

KOC has recognized that integrity management like HSE is not limited to just mechanical integrity but involves management of hazards, process safety, competency and accountability. To fully address this issue KOC reviewed current industry practices in integrity management and identified the key elements that, if implemented efficiently, will tackle the IM issues within KOC. An IM standard defining Integrity Management and comprising eleven elements has been developed and is in the process of being implemented. The IM elements address risk assessment, hazards evaluation, development of risk management plans, implementation of the risk management plans and capturing lessons learnt to continuously improve.

Delivery of the IM initiatives will take time but like HSE, IM is a continuous journey for the life of the company and the outcome will be rewarding both in increased production, safe operation and committed competent workforce.
Introducing a Total Waste Management Program
Authors: Lawrie G. , Forbes D.
Published: December 2007

In 2001, Schlumberger (SLB) decided to develop and introduce a total waste management system. Rising quantities of landfill waste were deemed unacceptable. Not only did the global quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) policy state a goal of "no harm to the environment," but also landfill waste disposal costs had more than doubled in the last 10 years and were predicted to treble over the next 10 years.

The single-source waste management program integrated the following tasks: interceptor maintenance, hazardous waste disposal, dry waste disposal, tank cleaning, industrial cleaning, recycling, sampling and analysis of interceptors and separators, waste reporting, consultancy and advice, oil and chemical spill response, confidential disposal service, and regular review meetings. The improved segregation of waste, awareness of final disposal treatment costs, disposal to landfill, incineration procedures, and recycling (of plastic, wood, metal, glass, white paper, newspaper, toner cartridges, and plastic cups) contributed to significant recycling opportunities as well as reduced the total quantity of waste. The program also offered accurate control and traceability of final waste destination. It created an immediate 25 to 30% cost reduction.

Further benefits included an overall improvement in general housekeeping that reduced health and safety exposure and a general increase in environmental awareness and concern. The employees were very enthusiastic about the program, and it was noted that awareness did not stop at work: the focus switched to home, as more employees actively started to seek out the local recycling depots for waste produced at home.

The program is not unique to one area and is currently being implemented in other locations across the world, including Norway and Abu Dhabi. This paper is designed to share best practices with other oil and gas companies across the globe.
Management of Change—Systems Approach With Applications
Authors: Unnikrishnan G.
Published: December 2007

Process systems are complex structures involving interaction of many components of diverse nature including humans. They are designed and built based on certain specifications and operated for many years. During the course of operation it may see several changes. Any change will have an impact on the operation of the plant. Management Of Change (MOC) is about understanding such changes and trying to control them. In the course of time companies have developed procedures and methods to implement changes so that they are controlled and its effects predictable. History is full of cases that resulted in accidents when such changes were made without adequate analysis.

The paper will examine the basics of current MOC procedures and methods. While they address the particular part or the subunit where the changes are planned, its effect on the overall process system is usually forgotten. Case studies indicate that while everything appeared fine by conventional MOC procedures, the changes did impact the system in a manner not predicted by these procedures.

Many MOC methods cannot assess or predict such impacts simply because it is incapable of doing so. A Systems approach would have predicted such impacts. Such an approach observes the changes as part of a whole system and in helps in understanding how changes can impact elsewhere on a long term basis.

In conclusion the paper will demonstrate that Systems approach will be highly beneficial and can be built into existing MOC practices. To support the same several hindsight reviews of incidents will be presented; incidents which could have been addressed properly, had a Systems approach been taken at the right point of time.
Use of Novel Acid System Improves Zonal Coverage of Stimulation Treatments in Tengiz Field
Authors: Albuquerque M. A. , Ledergerber A. G. , Smith C. L. , Saxon A.
Published: December 2007

Between December 2003 and February 2005 eight wells were stimulated in Tengiz field in Kazakhstan using a viscoelastic diverting acid system to evaluate the effectiveness of this system in achieving diversion and zonal coverage in large limestone reservoirs. The viscoelastic diverting acid system was pumped through coiled tubing in three of these wells and bullheaded in five other wells for comparison between both methods of placement. Pre- and post-job production logs acquired in five wells provided analysis of changes in the production profiles. In one of the wells, the formation was stimulated first with 15% HCl through coiled tubing and then with the viscoelastic diverting acid system bullheaded down the production tubing; production logs were acquired after each treatment.

The results from comparison of pre- and post-job production logs clearly show a change in the production profile after the stimulation with the viscoelastic diverting acid system, with a significant increase in production from the least prolific zones.

Conclusions from this field trial are that viscoelastic diverting acid systems can achieve full zonal coverage in stimulating large limestone reservoirs, whether conveyed by coiled tubing or bullheaded from surface. The use of viscoelastic diverting acid systems allows oil recovery from the most damaged zones. Oil recovery from these damaged zones was not previously achieved with conventional stimulation methods, owing to the tendency for stimulation fluids to migrate to the most permeable zones. Viscoelastic diverting acid systems are more effective in achieving diversion than coiled-tubing-conveyed methods using conventional linear acid systems.
Optimization of Well Performance in a Selective Subsea Sand-Control Completion, Offshore Nigeria
Authors: Guinot F. , Ezeukwu T. E. , Stenger B.
Published: December 2007

Developing the Okwori field (offshore Nigeria) required the combination of several recent technological advances. The subsea development targeted multiple oil-bearing zones in all wells with the requirement that each zone could be operated independently. Expandable sand screen (ESS) strings were deployed within casing for up to four zones in order to prevent sand production from unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs. Independent control of all zones was made possible by using remotely operated surface controlled sliding sleeve units.

Losses experienced after perforating required the use of loss control material (LCM) for well control. Initial LCM formulation appeared to be damaging productivities. A special effort ensued to design optimal LCM pills with regards to the specificities of this project. This paper presents the completion issues associated with the project, the optimization of the LCM pills, and the design and placement aspect of the remedial treatment associated with this type of completion. The evolution of the completion efficiency for each zone throughout the learning curve is presented and discussed.
High-Viscosity-Yield Acid Systems for High-Temperature Stimulation
Authors: Welton T. D. , van Domelen M. S.
Published: December 2007

This paper discusses the development of a unique in-situ crosslinkable acid system that uses a blend of HCl/formic acid as the base acid and a synthetic polymer gelling agent. The ability to in-situ crosslink an organic acid blend is novel. In addition, an unexpected result of the fluid development was the discovery of its unique rheological properties.

Historically, both gelled and in-situ crosslinked acids have been used for fluid loss control during fracture acidizing and for diversion in matrix treatments in carbonate formations. Various synthetic polymers are used to gel the acid. Past research indicates that ~20 cp base gel viscosity is required as the first step in fluid loss control. In-situ crosslinking allows very high viscosities to be generated as the acid spends. The crosslinked gel creates a permeability barrier and subsequent fluid stages are diverted to other sections of the zone. When the acid fully spends, the gel breaks, giving a low viscosity fluid.

HCl is the most common base acid used for carbonate stimulation. Combinations of HCl and organic acids have been used because of their high dissolving power and relatively low rates of corrosion at elevated temperatures. In extreme cases, combinations of organic acids are used. While HCl/formic acid blends have been utilized in the past, the unique rheological properties of these blends have not been fully explored.

The chemistry and rheology of gelled and in-situ crosslinked HCl/formic acid blends equivalent to 28% HCl will be described and compared with traditional gelled acid and in-situ crosslinked acid.
Security Management and How To Do It
Authors: Aytac U. , Mehdizadeh Y. , Watson V.
Published: December 2007

Over the past few years, security has become increasingly important to companies operating in the worldwide oil and gas industry. Unlike traditional management functions such as finance, marketing, or personnel, security management is a domain for which competencies are not developed internally. Line management and employees may not be familiar by new security requirements such as physical security measures, armed convoys, living and working behind military protection, and security risk assessments.

In today's world, the energy industry requires definitive security support to deliver its commitments. Corporate management teams that engage best-in-class security advisors and adopt their recommendations will build confidence in their organizations. External security consultants must supply competent staff that is capable of adapting to the organizational cultures of their clients while providing consistent assessments and recommendations. Local security authorities have no option but to evolve and deal with an often elusive threat.

It is vitally important that security management be integrated into stakeholder cultures, which will require a mindset change. An evolution of this magnitude can only be enforced with a top-to-bottom drive. However, the key to success is to convince and train middle management, empowering them to carry the banner. The process takes time and a visible commitment from upper management.

This paper will detail how a major oilfield service company is managing this mindset change.
Regulation Balancing Pollution Controls and Costs
Authors: Priebe W. F. , Pratt M. D.
Published: December 2007

Like most costs, air pollution control costs are subject to the law of diminishing returns where greater and greater expenditures result in less environmental improvement per unit of currency spent. Because the pool of funds available for environmental control is not limitless, a wise use of those funds is critical to achieving the greatest environmental benefit for the funds expended. Europe has chosen1 a process, "best available technology not entailing excessive cost" or BATNEEC, which effectively addresses this problem by balancing air pollution impacts with the cost of control.

The most simplistic approach to defining BATNEEC uses clearly defined steps: A list of all applicable control technologies for each pollutant is identified.Next, an assessment of the feasibiltiy and proven commercial status of each process is performed.Once the unproven and infeasible options have been eliminated, the remaining control options are ranked by the incremental emission reduction effectiveness.Finally, the control cost efficiency - the environmental control cost incurred divided by the average annual reduction in emissions - is compared with a predetermined threshold to determine if the control is justified.

This simple, straight forward, stepwise BATNEEC procedure as described in this paper gives a consistent, practical method of applying good engineering practice to environmental control.
Pore Pressure Prediction and Drilling Challenges: A Case Study of Deepwater, Subsalt Drilling From Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Marland C. , Nicholas S. , Cox W. , Flannery C. , Thistle B.
Published: December 2007

Modern day oil exploration pushes operators into harsher and more difficult drilling environments in the search for hydrocarbon reserves. Eastern Canada is one of those environments where deepwater and the need to penetrate through thick salt sheets greatly increase the difficulty faced by drillers. This paper describes a case history of deepwater, sub-salt drilling and examines the requirements for success. This paper also details the challenges, using seismic data, of pre-well planning for dealing with high pore pressures and variable fracture gradients. Experience shows that pre-well engineering differs considerably from conditions actually encountered, conditions that require rapid adjustments based on actual well data. In the case reported here, a fluid influx occurred at a depth where planning had indicated a significantly lower pore pressure. This influx directly led to losing a BHA, sidetracking, and a re-evaluation of the well data and pore pressure regimes possible at that depth.

This paper also highlights the need for flexible well designs able to respond to unanticipated drilling hazards and wellbore problems. In the case history reported here, the 11¾-in. casing was set 511m higher than originally planned due to pore pressure increases. This decision had a significant effect later in the well construction program, requiring the use of expandable casing, not originally in the well program.

This paper illustrates on-the-fly modification of drilling designs to rapidly deploy unplanned equipment, the use of unconventional borehole sizes, and the use of newer technology such as rotary steerable assemblies for side-track kick-off. The paper will also discuss the optimised use of hole openers and expandable casing and the potential effects of expandable casing on subsequent hole opener use. These dynamic modifications and immediate implementation of lessons learned allowed successful drilling to a record depth for Eastern Canada.
Arqumia Field: Mexico's Highest-Deliverability Gas Well
Authors: Guzmán A. E. , Fernández Venegas J. A. , Riaño J. M. , Vázquez R. , Aguilar-Razo R.
Published: December 2007

On February 2004, Arquimia gas field was discovered with vertical well number 1 drilled at 2,200 m and completed using cemented tubingless and perforations. Upper Miocene formation is high permeability and porosity sandstone, thickness is about 30 m with OGIP estimated to be 80 BCF. The areal extension of reservoir is close to 4 squared kilometers. According to development planning 4 development wells were completed, 1 vertical and 3 horizontal using different completion techniques, such cemented tubing and expandable tubulars. Optimum horizontal section was defined as 350 m. Each drilled well was designed to be more efficient in terms of pressure drop throughout reservoir- completion-tubulars system.

On April 2005, horizontal well number 41 was completed using 4¾" expandable screen and 5" tubing, producing 87 MMSCFD at its maximum potential, setting a record as the highest gas production from a single gas well in Mexico. Exposed area to flow using screens is higher than area for perforated completions even for horizontal wells, thus higher deliverability is achieved.

Due to accelerated gas recovery, despite the field is in pipeline construction stage, Arquimia field will increase Veracruz basin dry gas production to 570 MMSCFD being an economic success for Pemex E & P, North Region, estimating benefit to cost ratio about 10. Once on production, vertical wells will be Fractured (Frac and Pack) to improve flow efficiency. Veracruz basin has experienced a continuous growth in its Exploration and Production activities, increasing the dry gas production from 45 MMSCFD on 1997 to 450 MMSCFD on April 2005. The key to this successful growth has been the team approach applied, that includes all the value chain activities: 3D seismic, geologic modeling, directional drilling with real time monitoring, reservoir engineering, facilities construction and well operation.

This paper presents the way Arquimia field was developed applying the newest technology.
Mechanism of Fluid Invasion in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs: Experimental Study
Authors: Salimi S. , Alikarami R.
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the experimental study of formation damage in naturally fractured reservoir during conventional drilling operations. Dynamic formation damage (DFD) apparatus of NTNU is designed to simulate the drilling fluid circulation process at the formation face in the well bore face under bottom hole condtions. Chalk core samples are selected to study as a representative of very fine-grained limestone formations. A uniform fracture was made entirely along the conventional core. A series of overbalanced leak-off test were conducted with different drilling fluids under different reservoir conditions on the samples. Dynamic leak-off test was performed on the core samples for 4 hours and then it was followed by static leak-off test for 16 hours. Cummulative invasion of mud into the core during leak-off test is measured and then return permeability test and drawdown pressure effects are employed. The experiment results clearly show that drilling moods can cause large irreversible damage to fractured formation and dramatically reduce the productivity of wells producing from natural fracture network. The results present the significant impact of overbalanced pressure on invasion profile. The use of bridging agent such as CaCO3 and polymer play key role in reduction of solid and filtrate invasion in fractured core sample. Return permeability test indicates that cleanup and remove all solids and particles during production is not completed as well.Therfore the experiments recommend the use of drawdown pressure effects to clean-up of solids and particles during production.
Filter-Cake Cleanup in MRC Wells Using Enzyme/Surfactant Solutions
Authors: Nasr-El-Din H. A. , Al-Otaibi M. B. , Al-Qahtani A. A. , Al-Fuwaires O. A.
Published: December 2007

Long horizontal and multi-lateral wells continue to be used in applications requiring high production rate. However, many of these wells suffer from low productivity due to incomplete filter cake removal. The obstacles encountered are the difficulty to ensure contact of the cleaning fluids with the filter cake throughout the whole interval, as well as controlling the reaction rate between the cleanup fluids and the filter cake to assure uniform dissolution.

The filter cake formed by water-based mud consists of XC-polymer, starch, CaCO3 particles and drilling cuttings. Today several chemical techniques (oxidizers, enzymes and acids) are available to break the polymers and dissolve CaCO3 particles that are present in the filter cake. The limitations of these fluids are fast reaction rates and corrosiveness provided by acids, especially at high temperatures. Also, cleaning fluids are not effective in heterogeneous formations where there are high permeability streaks, which will require using large volumes of the treatment fluids, but with poor performance.

One way to overcome problems associated with the heterogeneous nature of oil and gas reservoirs is to increase the viscosity of the cleaning fluids. This was addressed in the present study by adding a viscoelastic surfactant to the cleaning fluids (mainly enzymes).

Laboratory studies were conducted to examine the effect of viscoelastic surfactants on the performance of specific enzymes (used to break XC-polymer and starch). The apparent viscosity of the combined solution was measured as a function of shear rate (10 to 1,000 s-1) and temperature (77 to 212°F). A modified HPHT fluid loss cell was used to assess the effectiveness of the combined system in cleaning filter cake formed by water-based drilling mud. The effects of temperature, enzyme type and concentration; and surfactant concentration were investigated. Experimental results showed that the surfactant increased the viscosity of the solution. As a result, the rate of polymer degradation by enzymes had decreased. Solutions that contain enzymes and viscoelastic surfactants can give a uniform distribution over the whole interval, which will result in higher production rates. This paper will discuss various interactions of surfactant-enzyme systems and address the advantages and limitations of this system.
Influence of Thermal Aging on Treatment Chemicals in HP/HT Applications: From Development of Equipment to Field Application
Authors: Kotlar H. K. , Hauge L. , Solbakken K. , Gangstad A. , Gjersvold B. , Sivetsen L. M.
Published: December 2007

Increased lifetime of chemical treatments is an important achievement both from an economical – field productivity issue as well as from an environmental point of view. Whatever type of reservoir potential enhanced treatment efficiency would be beneficial. Normally, this could be obtained by different strategies of employments, like precipitation squeezes, enhanced adsorption and bridging techniques.

However, in HPHT fields, e.g. field with temperature higher than 150°C, an additional obstacle would be the thermal stability of the chemicals. In nature, the thermal stability of products is often in conflict with or in contradiction to the property of high biodegradation, e.g. environmental friendliness.

In the present paper a new, multi-task method with a high throughput screening system for thermal ageing is presented. Combined with this set up is a new dynamic test-rig at HPHT conditions, directly testing the efficiency of the thermally aged products. Further analytical aspects of the degraded chemicals are analyzed on liquid-chromatographic mass spectroscopic, LC-MS, techniques. In order to gain more in-depth knowledge of the overall chemical efficiency, all data are evaluated using a multivariate analytical tool. This combined system is used for qualifying chemicals to be used in North Sea HPHT fields. Three scale inhibitor products, two classified as yellow and one classified as a red chemical, were evaluated for field application.

In this paper, the detailed experimental data and a new procedure for thermal ageing tests will be presented.
Optimization of Acid Stimulation for a Loosely Consolidated Brazilian Carbonate Formation—Multidisciplinary Laboratory Assessment and Field Implementation
Authors: Lungwitz B. R. , Hathcock R. L. , Koerner K. R. , Byrd D. M. , Gresko M. J. , Skopec R. A. , Martin J. W. , Fredd C. N. , Cavazzoli G. D.
Published: December 2007

The Macaé formation (Cretaceous age, Campos Basin, Brazil) is predominantly an oolitic and oncolitic grainstone and packstone limestone with a bottomhole static temperature (BHST) of about 150°F. The formation permeability often exceeds one darcy. The mineralogy is composed of calcite (98 to 99%) with about 1% halite and < 1% quartz; therefore, the formation is a potential candidate for acid stimulation. This limestone is atypical because of its texture—a granular aggregation of carbonate particles, poor cementation, and a moderate-to-low rock strength. Core analysis and rock mechanics assessment revealed that much of the rock is weak and potentially prone to deconsolidation after acid stimulation. Weakening of the rock matrix often leads to borehole instability and loss of wellbore integrity at the anticipated drawdown required to meet completion objectives.

The two exploratory wells in this study were cased with a perforation density of about 5 shots per foot (spf) over relatively large perforated intervals spanning 180 ft and 269 ft, respectively. Hence, adequate diversion of acid into the desired zones was a technical challenge. In addition, the crude oil was heavy (17 to 21°API), and compatibility with the stimulation fluids was a concern. In this paper, we demonstrate the fluid selection process and its field implementation supported by integration of mechanical rock testing, core-flow, and solids migration tests using preserved core. Results indicate a high dependency of the mechanical strength on acid type. Based on the laboratory results, an optimized fluid system was selected that showed the best compromise for maintaining rock integrity, fluid efficiency, zonal coverage and fluid compatibility.

Both wells responded well to the prescribed treatment: Well A tested an 269 ft measured depth (MD) or 194 ft true vertical depth (TVD) perforated interval on natural flow at approximately 600 barrels oil per day (BOPD) with a productivity index (PI) of 2 bbl/D/psi, good reservoir quality, and a negative post-acid skin value (s~ -4).

Well B tested a 180 ft MD/TVD perforated interval with an electric submersible pump (ESP) at stabilized bottomhole pressures at rates of 3,600 and 2,500 BOPD. The well exhibited a productivity index (PI) of 2.5 to 4 bbl/D/psi, extremely good reservoir quality (average 500-md), and a negative post-acid skin value (s~ -4).
Evaluation of Alcohol-Based Treatments for Condensate Banking Removal
Authors: Alzate G. A. , Franco C. A. , Restrepo A. , Barreto-Alvarez D. L. , Del Pino-Castrillon J. J. , Escobar-Murillo A. A.
Published: December 2007

The use of stimulation treatments based on alcohol to remove liquid blockage or condensate banking in the near well zone date from sixties. Among the proposed mechanisms to explain the enhancement in gas effective permeability and also the higher degree of cleaning and liquid removal obtained in laboratory and field studies, are interfacial tension reduction and the miscibility characteristics reached between the treatment fluids and the formation fluids.

This paper presents the results for compatibility and displacement tests carried out among reservoir fluids, alcohol and inhibited diesel based treatments and formation cores from main Cupiagua field. These tests are focused about the behavior of these treatments when they are applied in core flooding tests to reduce liquid saturation and also to increase the gas effective saturation in a porous media. The offered results can be interpreted as a preliminary sight about the use of these treatments on lab scale before applying them as stimulation fluids on a field project.

The study consists in assess the alcohol-based and inhibited diesel treatments' efficiency through the gas effective permeability before and after of the treatment injection into a core. The objective was focused to study the use of alcohol and inhibited diesel to remove formation damage by liquid blockage and their application in condensate gas reservoirs.

The alcohol-based treatments show consistent results about their effectiveness both on core tests carried on Mirador formation, Cupiagua Main Field – Colombia, and Berea sandstone. In general, the results show up an increase on the gas effective permeability, the lower the core permeability the higher the gas effective permeability enhancement reached after the treatment. The alcohol labeled 21-NE-06 and inhibited diesel treatments increase the gas effective permeability both in Berea and Mirador cores. Both Alcohol 21-NE-06 and inhibited diesel based treatments are effective for removing liquid phases that cause a liquid blockage to gas flow. The stimulation degree is higher in Mirador than in Berea cores. Some treatments did not show any stimulation degree, instead, they generate additional gas effective permeability impairment.
Standalone Screen Selection Using Performance Mastercurves
Authors: Constien V. G. , Skidmore V.
Published: December 2007

The performance of stand alone screens can be predicted by developing master curves for individual screens based on the screen opening pore size and an effective formation particle size factor.Screen mesh designs and pore structures have unique performance curves which can be used with particle size analysis from whole or sidewall cores to aid in the selection of screens which will meet performance criteria for solids production and flow capacity for a specific wellbore.The paper describes the procedures for developing the performance master curves for screen laminates.Examples are given illustrating the predictive data for solids production and flow capacity for a series of well core samples.
Organizational Design for Excellence in Safety
Authors: Bosio A. E. , Carbonetti E.
Published: December 2007

Today, Companies invest considerable resources in generating and optimizing management tools to improve the performance in Quality, Safety, Health and the Environment. However, few of them have stopped to visualize the Organization as a focal point where a set of implicit and explicit contracts with stakeholders converges.

In this paper, we focus on showing the importance of Leadership, Strategic Direction, Organizational Architecture and Communication as "the determinants" for generating an Organizational Culture that integrates the Safety Concept.

Leadership will be presented as an independent phenomenon of organizational hierarchies, and as a set of choices in order to act aligned to Company Vision.

Strategic Direction will be shown as a tool for generating adequate incentives, by means of a correct design of company strategy that permits a powerful alignment of objectives.

Organizational Architecture will be developed in its three axes and their inter-relationships: Authority and Empowerment, Performance Evaluation, and Rewards. Their intelligent connection facilitates daily individual decisions aligned with Company's Strategy.

Communication will be focused on satisfying personnel needs in all levels of hierarchy: orientation, tolerance, attention and interest; and reinforcing implicit and explicit contracts that were established by Leadership, Strategic Direction and Organizational Architecture.

Finally, we will demonstrate how these four aspects result in Safety integrated to Organizational Culture, where Safety's criteria is incorporated in all stages of business process, and personnel has authority and empowerment on individual and collective safety enabling effective and sustainable results.
Aged Drilled Cuttings Offshore Gabon: New Methodology for Assessing Their Impact
Authors: Durrieu J. , Mojtahid M. , Cazes L. , Galgani F. , Jorissen F. , Tran D. , Camps R.
Published: December 2007

During E&P offshore activities, and in particular during drilling operations, the living conditions of the flora and fauna on the seabed may be disturbed.

The paper describes the study made for assessing the actual impact of the discharged cuttings, the regenerating capacity of the ecosystem and the medium and long-term recolonization processes, based on in situ measurements. A previous study undertaken on cuttings recently discharged offshore Congo measured kinetics of space and time restoration of the drilling site. To validate the results we carried out a similar study dedicated on aged cuttings offshore Gabon.

Usual process for monitoring biological effects of cuttings includes several approaches such as benthic macrofauna (> 1mm size) studies, physicochemical analysis of sediment and ecotoxicological tests. One of the key features of our study was to add, to this process, a study of the benthic meiofauna (0.1 to 1mm size).

Experiments conducted demonstrated:

very low concentrations of hydrocarbons stemming out from the cuttings, a very low toxicity of sediment, no benthic macrofauna community alteration, no change in the communities of actual and fossil foraminifera (meiofauna) and, last but not least, that the study of the benthic meiofauna improves the quality of the assessment made.
Structure and Functioning of the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Certified HSE Management System of the Offshore Installation South Arne
Authors: Valeur J. R. , Clowers M.
Published: December 2007

South Arne is an oil and gas producing installation in the Danish sector of the North Sea. Its HSE management system was certified to ISO 14001 (environment) in 2002 and OHSAS 18001 (health and safety) certified in 2005. It was the first certified offshore production facility in Denmark. The purpose of adjusting the management system in line with the requirements of the standards was to ensure a structured system which can be used for facilitating continual improvement in HSE performance.

Various studies have discussed whether certification of HSE management systems leads to improved HSE performance. Two keys to success include development of a good safety culture and clear and convincing management commitment. An important part of a good safety culture is a good reporting culture with respect to HSE incidents. Clear management commitment is indicated by prompt response to actions identified to prevent recurrence of incidents as well as ensuring that key contractors are included in the facility HSE management system.

South Arne originally used incident severity rating scores as a measure of HSE performance, based on a relatively complicated rating matrix. It was not easily understood and provided poor consistency of ratings. Therefore, a revised matrix was developed based on feedback from users and it appears to be more easily understood and results in more consistent ratings.

HSE target setting and improvement plans are fundamental in both the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. The difficulties in independently measuring health and safety performance are discussed. In addition, both the inherent changes caused by maturing of the fields and the problems in weighting different types of environmental impacts makes it difficult to objectively define improvement in environmental performance.

The experience is that certification of HSE management systems helps operators to manage their HSE matters in a structured way. The certification process in itself sets focus on HSE in the organisation. Offshore and onshore management, employees and contractors work together towards a common goal. Therefore, both the preparations for certification and the resulting improved HSE management system have a positive effect internally and as a signal of HSE commitment towards external stakeholders.
Stakeholder Involvement in the Ormen Lange Project To Achieve Sustainable Solutions
Authors: Brekke G. , Tangen T. A.
Published: December 2007

The purpose of the paper is to share experiences on the method used in stakeholder dialogue in the Ormen Lange Development Project. Hydro is operator during the field development phase on behalf of a group of 6 licence partners. Systematic stakeholder identification and consultations have resulted in an optimal development solution for the partners in the project and for the society as a whole. Dialogue with and recognition of the views of various stakeholders has enabled the project to reach better and more expedient solutions than would have been possible without this process.
The Importance of Cooperation and Job Satisfaction to Continuous Improvement of the HSE Results on an Offshore Installation: Experiences From the Oseberg Sør Platform
Authors: Andersen P.
Published: December 2007

Oseberg Sør is an oil production and drilling platform, located at the Oseberg field in the North Sea. Since the start-up of the platform in 2000 we have achieved an excellent development in our safety records over the last years of operation. We have been operating for over 5 years without any injuries that have led to absence from work.

There are also very few, and none severe, personal injuries without absence.

Our M value = "Working condition based injuries" Have also shown a similar development.

To achieve these excellent results, we have been working systematically with all aspects of safety at the platform. Due to this the Oseberg Sør Platform was nominated and won the President Safety Award from Hydro ASA for 2004 in competition with all Hydro plants worldwide.

In this paper I will point out some of the factors I believe are the most important reasons for our very high safety figures.

I will start by giving you some facts about the platform. Then I will present our management philosophy and how we are practising it. Further I will explain how we have managed to develop a safe, secure workplace and what we have done to achieve this. There are no magic formulas, but we strongly believe that if people are happy at work, proud of their workplace, feel safe at work and look after their workmates, they will also work more safely.

Here are some figures and capacities of the platform. The platform was completed in 2000, and stands on a steel jacket at a depth of 110 metres. It is a combined drilling and production platform and has one of Hydro's most modern drilling rigs. The platform has a processing plant with single-step separation, with gas and water injection. The partially stabilised crude oil is then exported to Oseberg A. It has a production capacity of 94.000 barrels pr. day.
Lessons Learned on Stakeholder Engagement From Energy Projects in Tengiz, Nigeria, and the United States
Authors: Martin M.
Published: December 2007

This paper is an analysis of the stakeholder engagement efforts of three major capitol projects. Although the methods of stakeholder engagement differ widely between these three projects, they are similar in that each project team made a conscious effort to engage stakeholders as early into the project as possible and to maintain a positive relationship with stakeholders through all phases of the project. Best practices, improvement opportunities, and lessons learned for stakeholder involvement are reviewed, presenting ideas that are applicable to both large and small projects in a variety of cultural and regulatory environments. Steps that have worked and efforts that can be improved upon are both discussed. Tools for gaining stakeholder acceptance of a project that can be used regardless of the size and locale of a project are reviewed.
Safe Practice in Tank Bottom Repair
Authors: Al Ameri B. S.
Published: December 2007

Petroleum storage tank bottom repair is a HSE Critical Activity as it posses imminent danger of fire and explosion due to entrapped crude oil or its products beneath the tank bottom as the tank bottom always susceptible to the leakage caused by corrosion. Oil industries are using various methods for its repair depending on various situations of the corroded tank bottom. At TAKREER the tank bottom is repaired with a special technique using Inert gas as continuous purge gas / blanketing beneath the tank bottom plate and adequate ventilation in the tank which is cost effective and safe practice achieved after chronological improvements.
Bioremediation of Weathered Oil from the 1991 Gulf War
Authors: Murphy T. P. , Shaw R. D. , Guo J. , Parr T. , Leppard G. G. , Blair S.
Published: December 2007

In the 1991 Gulf War over 40 billion litres of oil were released. This oil spill was by far the largest in history. There are over 64 km2 of shoreline that are still contaminated. The anticipated recovery is taking about ten times longer than other studied oil spills. We were contracted to evaluate the potential for in situ bioremediation of the oil in the intertidal sediments. Only with nutrient enrichment were bacteria seen with an electron microscope to be commonly attached to oil. A pilot-scale injection of a solution containing nitrate and nutrients into intertidal sediments bioremediated highly weathered oil. After one month there was a notable production of alkanes resulting from either breakdown of larger more complex petroleum compounds or "liberation" of sequestered oil from a mineral precipitate matrix. Two months following the treatment, effectively all of the C8 to C40 compounds were reduced to very low levels equating to treatment effectiveness for aliphatics of about 90%. There was little washout of the nutrients. Impacts to benthos were limited and they fully recovered within three months.
Khat—A Natural Stimulant
Authors: Sellei L. , Al-Jabri M. , Kurinsky J. D.
Published: December 2007

In Yemen (Fig. 1), Khat chewing is a noteworthy part of the life style and plays a dominant role during celebrations, marriages, and political meetings. This habit presents similar problems for Yemen as alcohol does in other parts of the world.

The alkaloids of Khat (Cathinone & Cathine) are psychotropic agents (having an altering effect on perception or behavior; affecting the mind or mood or other mental processes). However, Khat is not a controlled substance and is openly sold at many markets in Yemen. It is the most popular commodity of the country and could be considered the national narcotic. Certain people use it weekly, but almost every Yemeni adult uses it on a daily basis. Before the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Yemen in 1990, Khat related commerce amounted to one third of the North's economic income. It was not as prevalent in South Yemen as it does not grow in the south's low-lying terrain. After the union, however, this habit also became wide-spread in the south.

Because of the effects on human behavior the oil and gas (O&G) industry and public service are required to deal with this habit as part of doing business in Yemen. An understanding of this habit and its effects must be gained and methods to manage it need to be incorporated into injury prevention and health plans for operations in Yemen.
Moving Beyond Management System Descriptions To Achieve a Step Change in HSE Performance
Authors: Walters K. W. , Wallace J.
Published: December 2007

This paper provides an overview of the approach used in the ExxonMobil Production Company (EMPC) to achieve an increased understanding of HSE management systems leading to consistent and more effective execution at the business unit and field operating levels.

A suite of standard management systems defined by EMPC specifies ‘what’ needs to be done to meet Operations Integrity (i.e., HSE management system) objectives. The following suite of complimentary documents has been developed for each standard management system to increase the effectiveness of each system and to facilitate an understanding and consistent execution at the business unit and field operating levels:

■ System Summary: communicates system requirements at a high level to individuals other than those directly responsible for developing the system's procedures/tasks. ■ Business Unit Details: allows those positions directly responsible for the system implementation (i.e., system owner and administrator) to demonstrate how specific required procedures/tasks are being met and where the documentation resides within the organization. ■ Roles and Responsibilities Matrix: details the specific execution responsibilities of the various positions in the business unit. Sorting of this detailed information by position (e.g., Operations Manager, Site Supervisor, etc.) provides a "Quick Reference Guide" of execution responsibilities for each position and a means for field level personnel to quickly understand their full range of HSE-related responsibilities. ■ Verification/Measurement Table and Feedback Plan: provides a format for capturing verifications and measurements related to system performance, and documents the system feedback activities, thereby completing the continuous improvement cycle.

Comprehensive documentation of HSE management systems is necessary but not sufficient for effective execution and sustained performance. Full acceptance and effective execution of HSE management systems at the field level requires additional tools where procedures and tasks are clearly defined, roles and responsibilities are communicated, personnel are adequately trained, performance is measured, and adjustments/improvements are made.
Adgas LNG Plant Pre-Fire Plans
Authors: Lecheheb N. , Abbas A. , Nedjar M.
Published: December 2007

A pre-fire plan identifies proactively the resources (equipment and personnel) required to effectively handle and mitigate the impact of an emergency situation and thus reduce the business interruption risk. These plans act as working tools with the emergency responders and have a built in flexibility to be modified to suit the situation.

In order to produce the ADGAS Pre-fire plans as well as the related Emergency Response Plans (ERP's) it was necessary to study and analyse all previous quantified Risk Assessments to determine and define all the credible scenarios, then, calculate calculate for each scenario, the fire impact and the resources (manpower and equipments) required to control this fire. The following flow diagram summaries how the pre-fire plans and ERP's were produced.

Each scenario, identified by previous QRA's, was analysed to determine its credibility, (i.e., it has a high likelihood of occurrence and serious consequences. High risk fires and those with potential for escalation were also considered as credible.
A Guide to Social Impact Assessment in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Consiglio M. , Witchalls B. , Armstrong K. , Stampa M. , Madec A. , Abdullah M. , Depraz S. , Fraser E.
Published: December 2007

Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) can be developed at any stage in a project to propose measures to mitigate potential adverse social impacts and enhance positive social impacts. This paper describes guidance developed on how to make the best use of SIAs in oil and gas projects.
An Assessment of the Benefits of "Secure Source" Systems for Nuclear Logging-While-Drilling Operations
Authors: Nelis P. , Dahl J. , van Lammeren C. , Hearn F.
Published: December 2007

This presentation discusses the health, safety and environmental risks associated with the deployment of nuclear logging services while drilling (LWD). During these operations, radioactive sources are inserted into logging tools which are run in hole as part of the drill string bottom-hole assembly.

This paper summarizes the key radiation safety and environmental protection aspects of a ‘secure source’ logging system, designed to deliver the highest possible standard of protection to the logging sources during drilling operations. The risks associated with various critical scenarios are assessed and compared. The discussion includes a summary of the procedures followed when stuck nuclear logging tools are required to be abandoned in hole and the importance of avoiding loss of the sources at an unknown location in the well.

The conclusions are presented within the context of an ongoing debate on the relative merits of ‘secure’ logging sources and alternative ‘retrievable’ systems, involving sources which may be able to be returned to the surface if the bottom-hole assembly gets stuck in hole.