bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Holistic Approach to HSE Performance Assessment, Monitoring and Management in an Integrated Upstream Oil/Gas Corporation
Authors: Chakraborty Ashok B.
Published: December 2007

Assessment and monitoring is an important step to ensure and facilitate better performance for any activity. Likewise, for the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Management (HSE), there are different performance assessment parameters, monitoring methods, procedures and the related Management aspects. Some of these are of general type while others specific. Selection of the assessment parameters may serve to establish the required benchmarking or to ascertain performance level leading to better loss control management or these may be some means to satisfy the statutory compliance etc. In an integrated upstream E&P oil/gas company where activities like exploration, well completion, production, maintenance, pipeline network and all associated services are available and undertaken in-house, the selection of the performance parameters and assessment system adopted, are required to be more elaborate and comprehensive. Each organization has a HSE policy and set of defined objectives to be accomplished. This necessitates a better coordinated approach for the selection of performance parameters, assessment and monitoring methods with a view to ensure that the company objectives are met and sustained along with desired future trends.

In this paper, different performance assessment parameters and the monitoring systems have been discussed. While dealing with the subject and the concerned issues, effort has been made to lay emphasis on strengthening the systems making it more system-centric instead of data-centric. This paper is more analytical and practical in approach and systematically covers to a large extent the whole gamut of issues involved regarding performance parameters, assessment and monitoring in the area of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment management. Nature of the work upon which paper is based; the field study, literature survey and the professional experience. The conclusions are that while finalizing the performance parameters assessment, monitoring methods, procedures and the related management aspects, it is necessary to view it objectively, detailing the purpose and to ensure minimum acceptable HSE operating standards. Besides, standards of performance are an important tool ensuring Management by Objectives.

The area of interest in the paper is primarily based on sharing of experience.
A Focus on Fitness to Work to Prevent Occupational Injuries
Authors: Wright Robin
Published: December 2007

This paper describes Coogee Resources' health programme as it applies to two Floating Production Storage and Offtake (FPSO) facilities in the Timor Sea, Australia. The company's approach is aimed at maintaining a fit workforce, which is a key aspect in minimising occupational injury. In introducing a health programme, difficulties can be encountered in resolving perceived conflicts between company goals and personal choice and privacy. This paper will show how a relatively small oil producing company has attempted to overcome these difficulties in implementing a health programme that has both corporate and personal benefits.
The Benefits of Job-Specific Functional Testing for New Hires
Authors: Bunch R. , Doucette N. , Kalkan S. , Sealy I.
Published: December 2007

The requirements and methods are described for developing and implementing a functional capacity testing program for a range of field operation positions in an oilfield services company. Functional capacity testing is a physical agility testing process designed to assess an applicant's ability to perform the physical demands of the job. It is considered a preventive measure designed to eliminate or mitigate unnecessary risk associated with job placement. Benefits include proper job matching, injury reduction, and improved productivity.

This paper shows the value obtained from this preplacement testing process. The physical capacities of the prospective employee must be properly matched with the essential physical demands of the job. This provides a foundation for ergonomic analysis to reduce work stressors, wellness feedback with employee fitness-level awareness, and instruction on proper body mechanics at hiring time. The program also establishes a preinjury functional capacity baseline that serves as a measurement for assessing recovery during post injury rehabilitation, and determines if impairment translates into occupational disability.

Various regulations have necessitated the functional analysis approach to the hiring process. Functional capacity testing provides a basis for accommodations when a disability qualifies for protection under various regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The paper discusses the potential for future program development for assessing return-to-work capability, and creating links between the functional capacity testing program and hazard identification and risk control programs.
Are You Fit to Fly? Medical Fitness for Air Travel
Authors: Mehra A. , Masrani P.
Published: December 2007

All flights impose preflight, inflight and postflight stresses; most of them are well tolerated by healthy passengers. However, reduced barometric pressure with concomitant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in the aircraft environment make it a hostile place for passengers with even minor cardiac, respiratory, psychological, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases. Other problems like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), jet lag, airsickness, decompression sickness, and fear of flying cannot be ignored. Spread of highly infectious and communicable diseases amongst passengers in closed confines of the aircraft cabin, is a major concern today. Every airline in the world has capability to render inflight medical care with onboard availability of first- aid and physician's kits, oxygen, and trained cabin crew. Today, most of the airlines have automated external defibrillators (AED) installed onboard for cardiac emergencies, few also have telemedicine links with physician's on ground. In conclusion, a trivial medical condition, if overlooked, may become a serious medical issue at 1828 meters to 2440 meters (6000 feet to 8000 feet) in the confines of an aircraft cabin.
Human Factors Program Eliminates Safety Hazards of Marine Seismic Streamer-Handling Operations
Authors: Swinstead N.
Published: December 2007

Technical developments of the marine seismic business of WesternGeco require vessels to handle an increasing amount of towed equipment. With backdeck streamer-handling operations identified as an increasingly hazardous activity, the company took affirmative action to improve operational safety by initiating a human factors design program. This paper presents a novel solution that was developed and introduced on the Geco Eagle, the world's first vessel with 20-streamer capacity (see Appendix A).

The design program focused on all backdeck operations with the objective of eliminating hazards from the work areas. Task analysis techniques were used for data gathering to define operational activities, eventually leading to the design brief.

The creative design program was undertaken using 3D computer visualization that enabled staff to fly through a virtual model of the vessel backdeck. The virtual model was presented to vessel crews to ensure that practical issues were addressed and that users' experience was integrated into the design program.

Prior to commissioning the vessel, a backdeck simulator was built using the 3D modeling database for crew training. Simulation capabilities are such that in addition to normal operational training, crews can be prepared for extreme operational conditions and problems that cannot readily be demonstrated by traditional training techniques at sea.

The results of this program were impressive, with the elimination of backdeck streamer-handling hazards, significantly improved crew training, and increased productivity.
Protecting What's Important: An HSE Management System Primer
Authors: Crabbe Ron , Twilhaar Dick Nijen
Published: December 2007

When Shell Deepwater Services (SDS) introduced the Shell Group concept of HSE Management Systems it found the traditional workshop delivery methods were not successful in educating personnel about the system. Recognizing this challenge, a team within SDS devised the Protecting What's Important workshop. It was designed to introduce the HSE Management System to staff using everyday language in a setting which was both familiar and non-work related.
Preliminary Review of Oil Spill Risk and Response Capability of PETRONAS International Exploration & Production Facilities
Authors: Lee Tzee Wan , B Yusof M Radzuan , Muda Asul Kahar
Published: December 2007

Aspiring to be a leading International E&P company of choice, PCSB takes on the responsibility to protect the environment wherever it operates. The company sees a need to understand and effectively manage the risk of oil spill arising from its various E&P facilities located all over the world. The risk of oil spill was assessed based on the probability of occurrence and the consequence or severity of the spill. The severity of the spill is defined by oil exposure volume, relevant legislative requirement of the host country of operations, environmental sensitivity and stakeholders' perception which has a direct impact on the reputation of the company. To ensure the risk of oil spill at each facility is minimized to as low as reasonably practicable level, the company developed a set of oil spill response capability requirement based on risk level.
Russian Experience in Emergency Preparedness and Oil Spill Response Planning in Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Jouravel Valentine
Published: December 2007

The majority of new Russian oil and gas developments are located either in harsh, like Siberia inland, Arctic and Far East off-shore, and/or in sensitive environmental conditions, such as all the above, Caspian and Baltic Sea. Besides of affordable good practice intents, there are two additional items making HSE management of such developments a challenging issue.

First is that during last years State regulation in the HSE issues demonstrates never yet seen severization of requirements, where some of them are much stronger that those in other countries. The second is that nowadays developments are participating by foreign companies, both as stakeholders and contractors. Newcomers entering Russian developments may become anxious about an evident gap between what they know as a common practice and what they are requested in this country.

The paper is mainly focused on emergency preparedness and oil spill response planning: (i) What is required by the State regulation and (ii) How the industry can comply with.
Measuring Environmental Performance in Oilfield Services: Developing Meaningful Indicators
Authors: Edgar J. K. , Ivory J. M. , Carley J.
Published: December 2007

How well does your company perform on environmental issues? This frequently asked question can be effectively answered only by a company with knowledge of its environmental performance, supported by facts from the operating bases. At one oilfield service company, answering this question started with the decision to develop an environmental performance monitoring program.

Each company has particular environmental risk areas that may not be the same as other industry groups. Therefore, there was no predefined package available for immediate implementation. While the company sought guidance from major operators in the oilfield industry, the indicators selected for measurement were chosen to reflect performance in company-specific environmental risk areas. An additional consideration was that the indicators should enable assessment of the company's contribution to global environmental issues. The challenge was not only to establish indicators that accurately reflected performance against true environmental risk and issues of global concern, but also in data collection, quality control, and normalization. Collecting the data resulted in knowledge of real-time performance in absolute terms. However, the true value in the program comes from drawing meaningful conclusions and establishing realistic targets to reduce the environmental impact of company operations.

This paper describes the program development from conception, through discussion of key environmental risk areas, and the choice of performance indicators. It gives an account of communication and logistical challenges, problems experienced in data collection and program review, and changes made throughout the learning process. It does not provide a solution to the performance monitoring problem; rather, it describes how one oilfield service company is progressing toward the goal of confidently describing the environmental impact of their operations, and providing an accurate basis for continuously improving environmental performance.
An Emerging Approach to HSE Certifications and Verifications: A Behaviors- and Outcomes-focused Approach
Authors: Kraus Brian , Jimenez Roberto , Goodwin Max
Published: December 2007

Oil and gas companies are under increasing pressure from external parties to deliver on stated HSE commitments and performance objectives. Many of them are also being compelled to obtain HSE-related certifications (e.g., ISO 140011, OHSAS 180012, RCMS3, EMAS4). These developments and others have fueled a sharp growth in the area of independent (third-party) certification and verification activities at petroleum industry facilities.

The movement towards obtaining external certifications and conducting verification activities is providing HSE managers in the industry with either ‘nightmare’ scenarios (more paperwork, dealing with auditors that don't understand the business, etc.) or with tremendous opportunities to improve performance and further integrate HSE into the business.

Whilst this paper will not focus on the ‘benefits’ of obtaining external certification and/or conducting verification activities per se, most of these will become self-evident through the course of the discussion. Moreover, the paper will focus on comparing two very different approaches that are emerging in the oil and gas industry to address these developments in HSE third-party certifications.

This paper will argue that one approach, the ‘traditional’ (quality management system) approach to HSE certification events, is fundamentally flawed because it drives organizations to focus on maintaining a body of documentation and bureaucracy, which is not consistent with the way that oil and gas companies work. This paper will then discuss an alternative approach to third-party certification that is emerging at oil and gas industry facilities: one that focuses on evaluating and driving HSE performance.

Additionally, this paper will provide a brief case study related to the HSE performance of sites that have external certifications and conduct verification activities. It will illustrate the results obtained by oil & gas operations that have adopted the alternative approach over the traditional approach.
Environmental Baseline Surveys in Deep Waters: the lessons learnt offshore West Africa
Authors: Sutton C. , Miné J. , Canovas S.
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the technical methods used during three deep offshore environmental surveys performed off Angola, Nigeria and Congo. The logistical means such as the choice of vessel, crane type, winch speed and cable length, adequate equipment and protocol for sediment and water sampling and measurements, and benthic samples preparation and biodiversity identification are described. The results show similar physical features for the three areas, consisting in 1) water column stratification, with three water masses (0 to 50 m deep; 100 to 400 m and below 400 m) lowly enriched by nutrients, heavy metals and hydrocarbons, probably due to low inputs from the continent, and 2) sediment characterised by a very high rate of fine particles, a quite high organic enrichment and low heavy metals and hydrocarbons background levels. Such environmental conditions suggest over all that vertical mixing of waters is low, and that the horizontal water circulation is slow at such great depths. They provide constant conditions of life for benthic fauna communities, which are very rich, abundant and diversified, i.e. healthy and equilibrated. Main difficulties to be overcome regarded some technical issues, as identification of unknown benthic organisms. To conclude, the specific equipment and protocols deployed for performing the three great-depth surveys on Girassol, Akpo and Moho Bilondo fields were well adapted to deep-sea sampling, and allowed to significantly improve our knowledge of deep-sea environment.
Using Targeted Interventions to Lower Health Risks in a Multi-site Wellness Program
Authors: Poindexter M. R.
Published: December 2007

Obesity is a significant and growing health risk problem in the United States, where 61% of the population is considered obese. The problem is even more serious at Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo), making it our most important health concern. Obesity is associated with increased heart disease, certain cancers, Type II diabetes, stroke, and many other health disorders.

The increased predominance of significant health risks has a direct impact on company performance. These risks correlate to increased employee absence, medical costs, and insurance claims and workers compensation costs, thus decreasing overall productivity.

This paper explains the critical steps taken to establish an effective and measurable health promotion program at multiple worksites. The SEPCo workforce, Shell's U.S. E&P organization, consists of 2300 employees and over 1000 contractors. The multiple worksites are composed of onshore administrative, onshore field and offshore Gulf of Mexico locations. The program developed five primary components into its program mix: assessment, program risk analysis, risk interventions, program promotion, and outcome measurements.

Data analysis and results from biometric assessments performed on 1200 voluntary wellness participants during years 2002-2003 is presented. A volunteer "Wellness Advocacy Team" was developed throughout the SEPCo organization to promote and educate employees to a healthier lifestyle. Twenty-six wellness rooms were set up at remote worksite locations and all employees were eligible to participate in a Wellness Reimbursement program designed to promote lifetime physical activity and weight loss.

It has been concluded that using a multifaceted approach to promoting and creating a healthier workforce environment is an effective wellness strategy to lower health risks and costs of employees at multiple work locations.
Exercise as Medicine - Health Promotion and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Kvadsheim Marianne , Martin Ellen Marie
Published: December 2007

In 1994 Norway was awarded the winter Olympic games in Lillehammer. Simultaneously Statoil initiated a campaign with the main goal to encourage employees to participate in physical activities, independent of previous experience in exercising or training. A project group of health and working environment specialists was established with mandate to work out an exercise and follow-up health program for employees experiencing chronic and recurring musculoskeletal disorders, the main goal being to achieve adequate knowledge and confidence regarding personal health management, and improve physical condition and body function ability.

The method is based on three phases, where each participant is followed over one year. The program contains progression from exercising in groups with a qualified instructor during working hours with a build up towards physical activity/ exercise twice to three times a week outside of work. Participation requires motivation for the program and for exercising regularly, superior's approval for work absence through the first and second phase and discipline to individually organize and restructure leisure time. The exercise program is thoroughly established and has shown to be appreciated by the participants as well as by the unions and the company management.

Every year employees apply for participation in the program. The program is used with good results in different business areas as: offshore installations, onshore plants and by personnel in the administrative support functions.

An extensive collection of data shows also a considerable decline in number of days of absence due to illness for the average participant. The program and the focus on exercise and lifestyle are believed to contribute to keep Statoil as a company with considerable lower absence due to illness than in the industry in Norway.
Premature Termination Of International Assignments: The Influence Of Medical And Security Incidents
Authors: de Jongh René
Published: December 2007

Objective

To determine whether experience of emergency medical and/or security evacuations influences expatriates to terminate international assignments.

Design

Quantitative, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive survey, conducted by e-mail questionnaire.

Setting

Indonesia and Russia.

Participants

Expatriate personnel of foreign firms operating in Russia and Indonesia in 1st quarter 2001; 207 individual replies from 296 companies surveyed.

Main outcome measures

Likelihood of premature departure, nationality, and being subject to an emergency evacuation for medical and / or security reasons.

Results

Likelihood of premature departure increases if expatriates have been evacuated for medical and/or security reasons during assignment in Indonesia or Russia. There was no significant difference in premature departure whether the evacuation was for medical or security reasons. There was no significant difference with respect to country of origin or country of expatriation (Indonesia or Russia), nor was there any effect of a combination of history of evacuation and nationality. The combination of employment alternatives, family pressures and better pay being available elsewhere (‘salary effect’) is a significant predictor of the likelihood of premature departure; of these, family pressures have the most impact on the likelihood of premature departure.

Conclusions

Involvement in medical and / or security evacuations does increase expatriates' likelihood of prematurely terminating international assignments.
Committing Teleinformatics into Delivering Preventive Medicare in an African Oil and Gas Company
Authors: Faleyimu B. L. , Ajayi P. A. , Ubuane Nigeria L. A.
Published: December 2007

Population growth, environmental pollution and emergence of new diseases in recent times has created global challenges that include high demand for better health care services and expensive sophisticated treatments. The provision of sustained, informative and integrated quality health services that is largely preventive using existing resources and the benefits of modern technology seems to be a cost-effective alternative to these challenges. Telehealth (Telemedicine) which uses technology to deliver health (Medical) services to the point of need have the potential to improve the quality and access to health care, provide more accessible timely information and has proven its feasibility in several challenging environments.

The focus of this paper is to highlight how the Medical Unit of ChevronTexaco; an Oil and Gas Company in a developing African Country prospectively harness her existing networking technology for Telehealth. This Teleinformatics include the use of Facsimile, Telephones, Email, Intranet and Internet to provide health education and healthy living information to about 1500 extremely mobile employees at geographically separated locations including Remote Badges, Tank Farm and Flow Stations. These networks also support distance consultations, booking of appointments, laboratory result's retrieval, Telepharmacy and doctor-to-doctor consultation. This was possible because of employee's high computer literacy, a dedicated Information Technology Unit, a resourceful Drafting Unit and the Medical Unit's drive for Preventative healthcare.

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS, Drug/Alcohol abuse, Hypertension, Heart attack, and promotion of Adolescent Reproductive health and Responsible Parenthood were some of the health issues addressed.

This is expected to promote healthy lifestyles, modify health-seeking behavior of Employees and increase the health-informatic capacity of the company.

Telehealth is a promising appropriate technology in medical practice and with proper investment and commitment, the existing networking technology in the Oil and Gas Sector can provide great opportunities for cost-effective innovative uses.
Sustainability and HSE/CSR Performance: The Role of Leadership
Authors: Kingston Peter , Wagner Jay
Published: December 2007

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have becomesignificant issues for industry, in response to widespread internationalconcerns - NGO's and the media have ensured that the subjects have maintained avery high profile. A vast industry of lobbyists, consultants, academics andanalysts has been spawned to pressure and advise interested and affectedparties. A corresponding volume of documentation has been generated, presentinga wide array of opinions, claims and views. To companies, Health, Safety andEnvironmental (HSE) performance is an established priority but other CSR issuesare forcing themselves onto the corporate agenda. This paper addresses thecurrent priorities of society that are important to the upstream oil and gasindustry, now and potentially in the future.

Corporate culture and leadership are fundamental to business success. Theyare also crucial in addressing important environmental and social challenges.As investors, regulators and external stakeholders increasingly expect worldclass CSR/HSE performance from industry, it is important to ensure visible andeffective CSR/HSE leadership. This not only supports sustainable growth inshareholder value but also helps to ensure improved stakeholder relations. Yet,while there is growing evidence that successful companies have elevated CSR/HSEinto their mainstream business management processes, there is a lack of clarityregarding the practical aspects of CSR/HSE leadership, about how to promote itand thus effect positive change throughout an organisation.

This paper focuses on the rationale for promoting CSR leadership andprovides a brief overview of practical steps to promote leadership in thisarea. It takes into account many aspects of current practice and identifies keycomponents that could go into a detailed toolbox on CSR leadership. Theobjective should be to first provide a high level framework of guidingprinciples to strengthen leadership (e.g. clear policy statement; key CSRbusiness principles; commercial/CSR balance; simple explanation of the businesscase for good CSR; corporate priority areas with background reasons). These canthen be incorporated into more detailed management systems. Senior managementworkshops, properly planned and facilitated, are a valuable tool in identifyingpriorities and developing leadership programmes.
Social Performance: A Business Imperative for Success
Authors: Jones Murray , Fossgard-Moser Titus , de Wit Monique
Published: December 2007

Social Performance originated in Shell as a means of elaborating the social dimension of sustainable development. It is defined as all the different ways - directly or indirectly - that businesses contribute positively to or impact negatively on the people in the communities and societies where Shell operates. Shell has developed a broad model of social performance with the main areas being philanthropy, social investment, strategic social investment and social impact management. While the former two are familiar as techniques the latter two are seen as the real value creators for the business. All can contribute to good social performance if there is a clear grasp of business and stakeholder requirements. This requires great attention to stakeholder dialogue and integration with the business. Managing social performance in its totality is critical to business success. The paper reviews Shell's move to social performance and the emphasis being placed on addressing the operation / community linkages. The business case along with emerging tools will be provided.

Initiating social performance in Shell has resulted in a surprisingly quick uptake on the concepts and values. While still new to many there is strong resonance with business needs in obtaining the social license to operate as well as delivering on commitments to stakeholder, neighbours and countries.
Biotreating E&P Wastes: Lessons Learned From 1992-2003
Authors: McMillen Sara J. , Smart Ross , Bernier Rene , Hoffmann Robert E.
Published: December 2007

ChevronTexaco began investigating bioremediation as an option for treating Exploration and Production (E&P) wastes and remediation of site spills in 1992. In 1993, ChevronTexaco began full-scale landfarming operations of E&P wastes in Colorado. Since then ChevronTexaco has initiated numerous site-specific cleanups using bioremediation technologies such as composting and in-situ remediation, and we continue to operate bioremediation facilities for the treatment of ongoing E&P wastes that are generated as part of our normal operations. ChevronTexaco has successfully implemented bioremediation in diverse climates and in remote international locations. In this paper our top ten "lessons learned" in successfully applying bioremediation will be reviewed. These include predicting bioremediation end-points, the use of commercial microbial products, how to monitor treatment effectiveness, field equipment needed, interfacing with regulators, reusing treated wastes, costs by waste type and technology, and training of personnel. We will also discuss how to determine when bioremediation is a good option, when it is not a good option, and how to select the best biotechnology for a specific site.
Restoration and Remediation of Abandoned Petroleum Drill Sites - A Nigerian Case Study
Authors: Idialu Peter , Ainodion Jimoh , Alabi Lanre
Published: December 2007

In mid 2002, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Special Adviser on Petroleum Matters gave a directive that all Oil and Gas Operators should embark on abandonment and remediation/restoration programs to address all abandoned drill locations cutting across land, swamp and offshore environments. Before this directive, our company operations had commenced a comprehensive effort in 1999 to address these sites. Across the Nigerian Niger Delta, abandoned drill locations (including well stubs) number well over several tens of thousands. The Niger Delta area of the country lies in the southern part of Nigeria and oil and gas operations have been carried out in this region over the past four decades. Community unrests have arisen from lack of commensurate development in this region. In addition, new environmental regulations with very restrictive requirements have been enacted.

This case study consists of two phases. The first phase is to address the land sites which involve demolition of existing camp/concrete structures, removal of existing well heads, backfilling of existing pits (including large borrow pits), leveling of entire drill site to match natural contour level, spreading of native humus soil and revegetation with native plant species. The second phase will address the abandoned swamp and offshore wells by ensuring that they are completely plugged and abandoned using a more cost-effective approach such as the use of highly compressed sodium bentonite. Thereafter, the wells will be cut below mudline and removed.

This paper discusses the issues involved in abandoning and restoring the land sites and the well stubs in swamp and offshore environments. Experience obtained in carrying along all stakeholders particularly the host communities in the Niger Delta and the regulatory agencies is presented. Other alternatives to pit closure will be mentioned and the environmental and economic benefits of using highly compressed sodium bentonite (Zonite) for plugging well stubs will be discussed.
Monitoring and Zero Discharge
Authors: Lystad Einar , Nilssen Ingunn
Published: December 2007

To achieve the zero discharge goals laid down by the Norwegian Parliament, the authorities and industry have cooperated on the development of operational goals. The offshore industry has developed field specific plans to reduce the discharges to sea. The industry's progress is being checked through the environmental monitoring, audits and the field specific discharge reports. A main milestone is by the end of 2005.
Results and Commitments from the Zero Discharge Work on Produced Water Discharges on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Authors: Røe Utvik Toril Inga , Garpestad Eimund , Tangvald Marianne , Frost Tone K.
Published: December 2007

The industry's goal to reach zero discharge is a response to the national goal established by the Norwegian government in White Paper No. 58 issued in 1996/97. The objective of the zero discharge strategy is to identify environmentally harmful chemical components of discharges so that cost effective measures can be developed and implemented to remove the risk of adverse impacts to the marine environment. The Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) is used as a tool for environmental risk assessment and further identification of the most efficient technology to reduce the risk.

All companies operating in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea are currently working to reach the goal of zero discharges to sea within 2005. Plans for meeting the goal were reported to the Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities by June 1 2003.

Several oil companies have already implemented new measures to reduce the risk of environmental harmful effects from discharges to sea. Based on the discharge reduction from implemented and planned measures, a prognosis for total reduction of discharges to sea in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea are presented. Results show that for fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the total environmental risk (expressed as EIF) will be reduced by approximately 80% in 2006 compared to 2002. Results on volume reduction of produced water and dispersed oil to sea are also be presented, and compared with the new goals set by OSPAR.
In Company Virtual Networking for HSE Professionals: the HSE Global Network
Authors: Gerlings Paul , Malone Charlie , Harding Robin
Published: December 2007

This contribution describes the HSE Global Network since its launch January 2002 in Shell Exploration and Production. The HSE Global Network is a virtual community of HSE professionals. It uses a combination of a web-based database, daily email notifications, backed up with monthly teleconferences and annual workshops. The network has grown organically in membership as well as number of exchanges. The content of the network is mostly solving practical HSE issues. The biggest benefits of networking are (1) speed of developing solutions and (2) improved quality of HSE solutions.

An explanation of the success of the network is suggested, by locating its place in the Knowledge Production cycle at the induction side. It is suggested it counterbalances the traditional deductive/ prescriptive top-down approach. The challenges for the coming years are (1) to enable this top half of the knowledge production cycle to take its place in the Network and (2) to unlock and disclose the information captured for future reference.
Disposal of Disused Offshore Concrete Gravity Platforms
Authors: Hjelde Erik
Published: December 2007

This paper will present the experience gained by the industry in the North Sea in the period 1998 - 2002 in a "state-of-art" review issued in February 2003 by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) of the technical challenges and other assessment issues considered in order to identify the best disposal option for disused offshore concrete gravity substructures within the OSPAR region.

The key elements in the comparative assessment made for each disposal option will be reviewed. These are technical feasibility, safety for personnel, environmental impact and cost.

The uncertainties associated with the removal of both first and second generation concrete gravity platforms will require a case-by-case assessment to identify the specific circumstances for each installation.

Comprehensive programme of consultation involves a wide range of stakeholders to view the question of decommissioning from as many angles as possible.

Concrete substructures left in place will be equipped with navigation systems. During the regular surveillance of the navigation aids it would be appropriate to make a visual inspection of the general condition of the concrete substructure visible above the water surface.
New Techniques in Volumetric Imaging and Photographic Documentation of Salt Contaminated Soil
Authors: Bauman Paul
Published: December 2007

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a new technique for providing depth, volumetric, and time dependent imaging of subsurface salt contamination. The technique has broad applications for planning remediation programs associated with co-produced salt water in flare pits, drilling sumps, blowouts, injection wells, etc. New, easily applied cost-effective techniques of low altitude, high resolution photography from kites, balloons, and masts can match visual airborne imaging of vegetation stress with the geoelectrical data sets. A final product of a 3-D rendered electrical image of subsurface salt contamination can easily be overlaid by a high resolution, orthorectified photographic base map-essentially, an easily understood blueprint for follow-up intrusive investigations or excavations. Three case studies are discussed.
Reducing Vehicular Incidents with a Road Hazard Analysis
Authors: Campbell N. , Tate D.
Published: December 2007

Vehicular related fatalities and injury rates are steadily increasing in our society. Despite all efforts, driving continues to rank as one of the highest risk activities in most oil and gas production or service companies.

The question is: "What can we do about it?" Modern safety management routinely touts hazard awareness as one of the best accident prevention solutions in the traditional workplace. This same solution could pay big dividends if correctly applied to driving; hence the concept of road hazard analysis (RHA).

This paper discusses an RHA program that was implemented in one segment and location of a major oilfield service company, resulting in decreased recordable auto accident frequency from 11.2 incidents/million kilometers in Q1 2002, to 0 in Q1 2003.
Sharing the Benefits of Corporate Driving Training with the Community
Authors: Meade Dave , Reinbold Bruce , Speer Jennifer
Published: December 2007

Driving is the leading safety risk faced by all who drive or ride in vehicles and contributes to an alarming number of fatalities in the teen years. Parents are challenged to prepare their children for the task of driving; however, not all parents can provide adequate training. Availability and cost are issues; lack of appreciation of the risks involved, and overconfidence in personal ability are issues as well. The passing on of bad driving habits from parent to teen is commonplace. High school and postsecondary students are some of the highest-risk age groups for vehicular fatalities. Teens must be exposed to credible information and examples of good driving practices.

Oil and gas (O&G) industry corporations and public service branches are required to deal with driving issues as part of their business. To be responsible and successful, they have had to develop programs that address the hazards of driving. They have developed tools that have been used repeatedly and effectively to reduce risk in sometimes extreme driving environments. Individually the knowledge and experience may be significant, while collectively it is extensive. Over the years they have learned invaluable lessons and ways of communicating these lessons to other drivers.

It was this recognition and capability that encouraged BP, Schlumberger, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to make a difference with local high school students and their parents. The three came together with presentations and exercises that would hopefully impact both attitude and ability of young drivers. Lectures were provided on the theory of crash-free driving, the need for unimpaired attention and capability, and the importance of protecting vehicle occupants. Qualified instructors put the students and parents through the same intensive, practical exercises used for employees in the oil and gas industry.
Development of a Risk Perception Web Portal and Training Tool
Authors: Dook Jan , Longnecker Nancy , McGrath Tim
Published: December 2007

Risk perception is a major contributing factor to incidents with root causes of failure involving human factors, accounting for up to 80% of incidents (Moore and Bea, 1993). Risk perception is a term widely used to include all the processes used by individuals to appraise and manage risk; it incorporates individuals' beliefs, attitudes and behaviour in relation to risk. Risk perception is determined by a range of factors, including internal motivations (eg risk avoidance, risk acceptance or risk taking), prior experience, assumptions about environmental conditions and the rate of change of the situation. Because it is difficult for an individual to predict their behaviour in hypothetical circumstances, it is best to measure risk perception in realistic situations; this is hard to set up and evaluate.

In Stage 1 of this project, we propose to develop a Risk Portal - a Web-based risk perception environment with new resources and links to existing tools to measure risk perception as well as exercises and training for use by the international oil and gas industry. The Web-based environment will be constructed to allow update and addition by authorised organizations in order to build a library of resources that will keep pace with cognitive and behavioural psychology and experiences of the international oil and gas industry as well as other industries that are concerned with employee risk perception. Measurement of an individual's risk perception could generate an individually tailored training programme.

In Stage 2 of this project, training will be developed for hazardous situations with the objective of allowing employees to mitigate risk by implementing appropriate barriers. The training will utilise multimedia presentation of case studies, interactive demonstrations and immersive simulation exercises set in the context of oil and gas industry operations. The training will be delivered in an interactive rather than linear manner so that each individual will have a unique and authentic experience as they explore the environment based on their own preferences. Support for this development is welcomed.
Culture Change and Breakthrough Safety Performance: A European Example
Authors: Aune S. , Bryden R. , Cairns D. , Dam P. v. , Dekker G. , Lauvstad B. , Wal J. v. D.
Published: December 2007

Proposal

This paper shows how previous work presentations at other SPE conferences, has been translated into significant improvements in safety performance within Shell EP's European operation.

The Assets within The Netherlands, Norway and The U.K. have all utilised similar approaches to bring about a positive shift in their safety culture and reduced injury rates. This has been achieved by creating greater personal accountability for the management of safety and by using different tools to diagnose and address specific safety challenges.

To increase personal responsibility and accountability for safety, the Assets have all used an approach that embeds the Hearts and Minds process Making Change Last1. This resulted in a top-down cascade from senior managers setting out their safety expectations through one-to-one conversations down the line in order to seek buy-in from all direct reports. This covered everyone, from the leadership teams to the sharp end of the organisation, resulting in everyone being "crystal clear" in what is expected of them and what their personal role is, in delivering the company's goal of no harm to people.

In combination with this drive on personal accountability, other proactive intervention tools have been used to generate a bottom-up "pull" within the organisations. This paper explains how this approach has been operationalised by three countries and sets out how they are moving forward together by pooling "best practises" to create even better performance.
Improving HES Contractor Safety Performance in Western Venezuela
Authors: Chopite Luis , Barboza Fernando , McHugh Steve , Medina Joanna , Diaz Carlos
Published: December 2007

Improving HES Contractors Safety Performance in Western Venezuela describes how the achievement of world class performance in contractor safety is one of the key ChevronTexaco Operational Excellence goals. In Western Venezuela ChevronTexaco operates two projects: Boscan, a large onshore heavy oil field and LL652, a light oil and gas field in Lake Maracaibo. These fields have a typical workforce of 400 ChevronTexaco/PDVSA employees and 1,500 contractors, who provide a full range of often highly technical, specialized support.

The full engagement and involvement of the contractors, the development of an aligned program and sharing of best practices were determined to be the critical success factors required to make a step change improvement in contractor safety performance.

In 2001, LL652 established a contractor safety council involving all of it's contractors. The council meets monthly, with full management representation from both ChevronTexaco and the contractor companies, to identify areas of improvement and share solutions across the project as a whole. Although the council is facilitated by ChevronTexaco, the agenda, discussion and actions arising are determined by the contractors. The success of the Council is such that LL652 has now gone over 2 years without a loss time incident (LTI).
The Use of Qualitative Health Hazard Assessment (QHHA) Process in a Service Company
Authors: Vizzini Dale , McCormick John , Disatell Joel
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the Qualitative Health Hazard Assessment (QHHA) process. The process is used to determine the procedure level aspects and impacts of risks, as well as the order in which identified health hazards are evaluated. This process does not determine quantitatively if an exposure is within occupational exposure limits; rather, it models and ranks exposures for a more comprehensive evaluation that can determine exposure status.

Since it is virtually impossible to eliminate all possible occupational exposures, industrial hygienists strive to control the hazards to an acceptable level. In the complex and varied environments in which personnel perform their job duties, the assessment of exposures must use a logical, systematic approach to controlling these hazards, so that resources are focused where they are needed most. Additionally, the hygienist must be able to communicate with and engage operations personnel so that recommended control measures are clearly conveyed, understood, and implemented.