bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engaging Employees in Safety
Authors: Featherly Janey
Published: April 2008

Many organizations in the oil and gas industry continue to make significant, consistent reductions in incident and injury rates, and the industry itself has set aggressive new standards for safer equipment and working environments. However, serious injuries in our industry continue, while our improvement rates have begun to plateau. A new focus is required to reach and sustain the next significant milestone toward a zero-injury workplace.

Industries of all types are beginning to realize that traditional safety methods (engineering and administrative controls) will not be cnough to make this next step change. The new safety culture must include giving employees ownership and empowerment to make decisions about their safety and that of their co-workers.

This paper will demonstrate that employee-led safety programs expand and improve an organization's ability to curb injuries. It will explore how companies are engaging employees in safety through formal employee-led safety programs. The paper will include case studies from companies, both within and outside the oil and gas industry, who are in different states of engaging in this process. These case studies will look at the successes and lessons learned from initial implementation through various states of program maturity, as well as how management teams support an employee-led safety culture.
The Risk Management Process—An Overview
Authors: Khalaf F. , Ela M. Abu El
Published: April 2008

Risk management is essential to any activity. It is a continuous, iterative and proactive process performed to identify and prevent potential undesirable events before they occur and to reduce the probability of their recurrence, so risk-handling activities can be proactively planned and invoked. It is a key element and an integral part of every quality engineering processes and projects.

The cost of adopting a reactive attitude towards risk is very expensive. Most of the expenses are not visible or are not necessarily directly borne by the owner of the business, does not show in the financial statements because they are hidden and/or diluted in day-to-day work or considered by people, in a prevailing culture, as part of the routine work and general pay. A major part of the cost is the result of long term consequences of events borne by the society. Therefore, risk management should adopt a proactive attitude.

This paper presents a recent overview about (1) risk management process, (2) organizational sources of risk, (3) cost benefit of having a successful risk management system, (4) risk audits process, and (5) the recent improvements of risk culture. We intend to show that risk management can work as style for managing business, the same way as total quality, continuous improvement and environment protection. It leads to optimum performance. The paper shows also that the level of risk culture can be a measure for civism and progress of any community.
Implementation of Environmental Performance Rating for Business Program (PROPER) as Environmental Compliance Tool for Upstream Oil and Gas Industries
Authors: Edvantoro B. B. , Sumaljo D.
Published: April 2008

Environmental Performance Rating for Business Program (PROPER) is a compliance tool, which has been developed by Indonesian Ministry of State for Environment (MOE) since in 1994. The main purpose of PROPER is to improve compliance status of companies through public disclosure.

The difference between PROPER and other environmental audit program is that PROPER emphasizes on the output of company's environmental management. The rating in PROPER was categorized in five different colors, i.e. black, red, blue, green and gold. Briefly, black and red give to the non-compliance category; blue was given to the companies, which is complied with the minimal requirement of regulation; while green and gold are awarded for companies, which show "beyond compliance" category.

Based on the results of PROPER audit in 1995-1997, it showed that. PROPER was effective to improve the company compliance percentage to 9.4% from 213 industries at various sectors of industries including manufactures, mining, energy, oil and gas and agriculture sectors. This paper will only focus on the upstream oil and gas sectors involved in PROPER program. As a result, in 2002 PROPER for upsteam oil and gas sectors showed that five upsteam oil and gas companies were rated blue colour (compliance category) and one company was rated red colour (non compliance category). While, the PROPER's result in 2003 showed that 11 upsteam oil and gas companies (73.3%) were shown as compliance category (blue rating) among 15 companies audited, while the rest (26.7%) were categorized as non-compliance companies (red rating).

In PROPER's 2004 outcome, the finding showed that 36 upstream oil and gas industries were awarded as compliance companies (blue color) exhibiting 72% among 50 industries audited. While, 14 upstream oil and gas companies were categorized as non-compliance companies (28%). The major incompliance aspects stressed upon the mismanagement of hazardous and toxic wastes. In this finding, no green rating was found in the upstream oil and gas sectors.

We found that PROPER is an effective compliance tool to improve environmental performace of upstream oil and gas companies. The program results in the increase of regulatory compliance awareness mainly due to its incentive reputation encouragement for companies.
A Comparative Study of HSE Culture on the Norwegian and UK Continental Shelves
Authors: Tharaldsen Jorunn-Elise , Mearns Kathryn , Knudsen Knud
Published: April 2008

The objective of the study was to examine: 1) employees safety climate on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS, 2) organizational culture (GLOBE scales), 3) self-reported risk-taking behaviour, and 4) trust in colleagues’ and management's commitment to safety. We expected to find (cultural) differences across shelves, across platform and that what you work with, matters. The results were based on a survey carried out on 3 production platforms on the UKCS and 9 production platforms on NCS. The survey included Seawell employees working within wellservices in UK and Norway. The response rate was 67% on both the UKCS (N=165) and NCS (N=605). A combination of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) resulted in a total of 22 factors reported in this paper. Both the GLOBE and the Safety Behaviour scales resulted in two four dimensional models, and the trust scales in a three dimensional model. Structural Equation Modelling indicated that the suggested factor models fitted the data. The overall results showed an organization with high scores on all safety factors. We found support for our hypothesis of (cultural) differences across shelves. The UK respondents report the organization to be more Future oriented and Assertive (Aggressive and Dominant). The results also showed significantly better scores on three out of four Safety behaviour scales for the UK organization. UK workers report higher safety competence, to be more comfortable with confrontations regarding colleagues’ behaviour and higher willingness to stop dangerous work. NCS respondents report higher Reporting willingness, but are markedly more uncomfortable about confronting colleagues on risky behaviour. Both samples report high trust in workmates, supervisor and offshore management. UK respondents have significantly higher scores on supervisor trust. However, the similarities are most striking: Highest trust is reported towards workmates, thereafter trust in first line supervisor and finally, trust in offshore management. We also found support for our two other hypotheses: Where you work (which platform) and with what (discipline) matters for your perceptions on different dimensions.
Getting Grips on Individual HSE Compliance Globally
Authors: Twilhaar Dirk Nijen , de Gier Wouter
Published: April 2008

Compliance to HSSE requirements is a condition for successful HSSE management. Unfortunately a lack of transparency of these HSSE requirements often hampers compliance.  Fountain Insight has proven to make HSSE requirements transparent to staff and has simplified management of HSSE compliance by supervisors. Significantly increased compliance levels were reached and maintained by organisations and sites around the world as a result.
Sustainability at an E&P company in Europe—OMV Austria Exploration & Production GmbH
Authors: Paul Jan , Samhaber Reinhart
Published: April 2008

Energy companies must respond to the challenges posed by rising energy demand, finite fossil fuel reserves and climate change. OMV is committed to the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability taking economic, environmental and social aspects into account in its decisions and activities.

OMV is committed to identify opportunities in the renewable energy area which can be integrated into the group's business activities. To foster these activities the OMV Future Energy Fund was founded.

OMV Austria produces app. 13.6 MM boe per year. For the production of 1 boe of hydrocarbons 0.049 boe are used. The usage of primary energy is calculated at 58.1 kWh for the production of 1 boe.

OMV discovered with the well Strasshof T4 a sour gas field in the proximity of Vienna in April 2005. Acid gas injection is an integral part of the field development plan. Greenhouse gases emissions will be reduced by more than 150,000 t carbon dioxide per year compared to a conventional process.

At present, OMV operates in Austria approx. 1,000 oil and natural gas wells. Instead of plugging and abandoning them after production, they can be used to produce geothermal energy. A comparison of the emissions between oil, gas and geothermal energy shows a CO2 reduction potential of up to 380 t (3,500 m well vs. fuel oil).

OMV is the biggest investor and employer in the Weinviertel region in the Vienna basin. There is a strong commitment on the local level. One example is the support of the local municipalities which is based on a long term contract. During a devastating flood in April 2006 OMV helped immediately with much needed material and experts.
Safety and the Value of Partnering
Authors: Windhorst G. J. , van der Wilt F. M.
Published: April 2008

In the North Sea, Noble Drilling works for a variety of energy companies. One of these partnerships, with Gaz de France Dutch subsidiary GDF Production Nederland B.V. (GDF ProNed) really stands out, because of the extraordinarily good safety records. And it does so in such a degree, that it calls for an explanation. Permanent relationships like these can, in general, only thrive on mutual trust and understanding.

Things that do not speak for themselves in an industry like ours, with its high risks. Economical risks and hazards for health and safety.

So what is the secret of this long-standing relationship, we have asked ourselves. Can something be concluded from it?

The purpose of this paper is to share our practices with the industry and to provide feedback on our approach and the results via the 2008 SPE HSE Conference in Nice.
A Model for Environmental Risk Assessment for the construction of Oil/Gas Processing Facilities in Coastal Areas
Authors: ElSherbiny Ahmed H. , Adly Tarek A.
Published: April 2008

An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) Model is adopted to evaluate the environmental risk associated with the construction of Oil/Gas Processing Facilities in coastal areas. The Model was originally developed by El Sherbiny et al (2006) addressing the construction of tourism projects along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. The model is based on a specially designed network diagram that describes the intermediate links between construction activities and existing ecological/marine receptors. It was designed using a spreadsheet program as a series of hyperlinked spreadsheets navigated by the user.

The proposed model estimates the risk of causing environmental harm to existing ecological receptors, while considering the cumulative effect of different stressors and impacts. It combines Risk Assessment (RA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into a unified analysis process. The purpose of such process is neither to produce the most quantitatively sophisticated estimate of a particular risk nor to provide the most comprehensive list of possible environmental impacts. It rather aims at producing a rational and reasonable tool that aids in decision-making.

The model helps in bridging the gap between the acknowledged environmental impacts and generated risk on existing marine/coastal ecological receptors. It assists the project team, in collaboration with the EIA team, in the analysis of different design alternatives and mitigation measures. Based on the model results, activities responsible for high-risk levels could be tracked backwards for better management, where the effect of different mitigation measures could be investigated. Although environmental impacts associated with Oil/Gas projects are generally known, the extent to which ecological/marine receptors are disturbed is still vague. The proposed model contributes significantly to bridging this gap by quantifying associated environmental risk.
Health Risk Register
Authors: Anwar Saleem , Nensey Safdar , Khalid Sohail Irfan
Published: April 2008

Risk assessment and practicality of the process is always a challenging task as it requires a considerable time and effort to perform a quantitative risk assessment. Most of the risk assessment models in use requires a holistic approach and are not flexible to be applied at smallest of the operations and activities. Health risk register provides an opportunity to take the process a step ahead towards more practicality and flexibility. It takes the risk assessment to the grass root level of the operations.
Gas Leak Detection Through Infrared Camera
Authors: Kabadeh A. , Al Kamali A.
Published: April 2008

The oil and gas industry produce, process and transport many industrial gases and chemical compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment. These gases include fugitive emissions and volatile organic compounds (vocs) from equipment leak, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, and therefore, often not accounted for. There are various technologies and tools used to monitor these gases and to minimize the associated hazards to the environment. Now there is a new technology that will help the oil and gas industry to detect these dangerous gas leaks – GasFindIR infrared camera.
Measuring The Worldwide Standard Compliance Level with a Quantified Gap Analysis
Authors: Guirguis Maurice
Published: April 2008

The Quantified Gap Analysis (QGA) is an excellent tool for measuring the compliance level with KCA Deutag world wide HSE standard. The compliance level can be measured for a rig / location, country, area, and it can be compiled for a region level. With the results from the QGA, senior Mangers will look at one graph only to determine the compliance and none compliance percentage with each standard for each country and even for each rig/location.

The QGA is applicable for measuring the compliance level with any standard or procedures, such as safety, environment or security standard as well as any work procedures. The QGA can be used as checklist for audit or inspection purposes.

The results from the QGA can be utilised to develop the specific plans for corporate, areas, countries and locations. The plans will stress on the development areas that needs attention in terms of training, support, maintenance or investment.

The QGA will develop an automatic corrective action plan for senior managers to follow up and assure closure of gaps of critical risks.

The QGA is an easy tool for measuring the compliance and non compliance level with any HSE or security standard. It provides all information required in one graph. It helps managers to set plans to improve compliance level and improve HSE records and culture.
Industry and Community working in partnership to provide Waste Solutions
Authors: McKay M. , Sheills I. , Taylor Dan
Published: April 2008

Waste management is a significant environmental challenge facing industry today and waste disposal can represent 4.5% of a Company's turnover (ref.1).

A community education project has established a waste disposal route for wood that not only fulfils the need to find a sustainable outlet for waste wood but also provides training and employment for adults with learning difficulties. Wood collected from onshore and offshore facilities is used in the manufacture of saleable garden and household products. The project, now in its 10th year, is a demonstration of the success that can be achieved when a community project fulfils a business need. It provides a recycling option for waste wood which demonstrates good environmental practice and is significantly cheaper than the cost of landfill. The community project benefits as it is provided with a means of generating income which ensures that continued training and employment are provided to members of the local community. Industry benefits from a sustainable outlet for waste wood while fulfilling corporate social responsibilities.
Conservation Partnerships in Peru: The key to developing a Biodiversity Action Plan in a highly sensitive tropical environment
Authors: Alonso A. , Salinas L. , Mansell-Moullin D.
Published: April 2008

Biodiversity is a key issue for oil and gas operations working in sensitive environments in Latin America. There are an increasing array of tools and approaches to assist companies in better integrating biodiversity issues into decision making and management systems.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships are one important means of improving the management of biodiversity issues in exploration & production operations, reducing project risks in sensitive environments and also for increasing the understanding of stakeholder concerns and interests.

In early 2006, Repsol YPF Exploración Peru initiated a dialogue with the Smithsonian Institution Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability, an international scientific institution with headquarters in the United States. The aim of this dialogue was to explore innovative and sustainable ways to undertake exploratory seismic and drilling activities in a highly sensitive tropical forest ecosystem.

This early dialogue has developed into a long term partnership focused on Repsol YPF activities in Block 39 in northern Peru. The first phase of the partnership concluded in early 2007 following a review of all available scientific information, extensive consultation with key stakeholders and an identification of key biodiversity issues for the company. The recommendations from this phase were developed into a second phase which focused on the elaboration and implementation of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), in line with IPIECA and OGP best practice guidelines (1).

This paper briefly describes the main elements which underpin the BAP, namely: 1/ a risks and opportunities analysis; 2/ base line biodiversity information; 3/ spatial mapping to identify critical habitats; 4/ collaborating with local authorities in regional planning; 5/ improving the quality of Environmental and Social Impacts Assessments (ESIA's); 6/ a "positive contribution to biodiversity conservation" plan; 7/ a local education plan and; 8/ an internal and external communication plan.

This paper focuses on the importance and benefits of working in partnerships from both a scientific organization promoting conservation of natural resources and an oil company during the exploration activities in a sensitive tropical environment.
Lessons From Our Global Emergency Response System
Authors: Buford Deena L. , Douglas Glen A. , Shallenberger Leba G.
Published: April 2008

Employees working for global corporations are often asked to leave their home base to attend meetings or to relocate for rotating or long-term expatriate assignments. All travelers are encouraged to avail themselves of a variety of pre-travel health services and information to assess their fitness to travel as well as prepare themselves for travel-related risks. Some travelers are required to visit one of our pre-travel health clinics to receive visa-related immunizations and prescriptions for company required malaria chemoprophylaxis. Unfortunately, many travelers, including those going to higher risk countries, may not heed the advice to consult with a health professional prior to travel. Our global Emergency MEdical Response System (EMERS) provides 24-hour medical advice and assistance to travelers ranging from telephone consultation to the medical evacuation of seriously ill individuals. We reviewed the EMERS calls resulting in medical evacuations from 2004-2006 to develop an overall picture of the underlying conditions which required evacuation. Most of the calls involved conditions that could not have been detected and/or mitigated during the pre-travel encounter. While pre-travel assessments remain useful for detecting and mitigating some high risk conditions, the benefit of pre-travel assessments in a healthy business traveler population may be in the dissemination of valuable information regarding travel-related hazards, the avoidance of such hazards and recognizing early symptoms. Additionaly, pre-travel visits can be used to instruct travelers how to access available emergency health care services. The pre-travel assessment needs to balance screening for high risk conditions with preventive services and health education for the best outcome. Conducting a periodic review of traveler/expatriate medical emergency line calls can help companies evaluate and refine their pre-travel health services to ultimately reduce the number and severity of adverse health events.
The Application of Inherently Safer Design Principles to the Design of a New Offshore Gas Processing Platform
Authors: Oakden M. M. , Eades M.
Published: April 2008

Post implementation of the UK Safety Case Regime, UK designers have tended to apply a risk based approach to the management of major accident hazards when designing new facilities. Although meeting the intent of goal setting, risk based design is subject to numerical uncertainty and can be challenged in terms of effectiveness in ensuring actual risks to personnel are as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). This paper describes how a project has taken a different approach using the principles of inherently safer design to concentrate on avoidance and prevention of major hazards.

The vision of an inherently safer design is one which has:

Fewer inherent hazards Reduced probability of unwanted events Reduced inventory and damage potential, leading to reduced severity of the event Fewer activities on the plant and thus less people exposed Reduced scope for smaller incidents to escalate and overwhelm the facilities Clear focus on simplicity, reliability and longevity to reduce exposure

The outcome of implementing an inherently safer design process is a robust concept in which the risks from major accident hazards have been minimised with emphasis on elimination of hazards and use of passive safety systems and measures. The management of residual risk from major hazards can then effectively achieved by the application of:

Safety Critical Design Measures (SCDM) that can be readily taken through into construction and maintained in operations and; Procedures to reduce the risks from safety critical tasks

By starting the hazard management process with the mind set of elimination of hazards, rather than using risk analysis techniques to aim for an ALARP solution, it is maintained that the risk profile achieved is lower than would have resulted from a traditional risk based approach. In addition the facility is simpler in design and construction with lower maintenance and inspection requirements.
The Use of QRA to Inform the Design of a High Pressure Onshore Pipeline
Authors: Nelson Stacy , Caulfield Margaret , Cosham Andrew
Published: April 2008

The management of onshore pipeline safety in the United Kingdom is governed by the Pipelines Safety Regulations, 1996. This requires pipeline operators to design, build and operate pipelines to ensure that they are safe, so far as is reasonably practicable. This is achieved, in part, by applying good practice and designing the pipeline to recognised onshore pipeline design codes. Where the proposed design falls outside the guidance in the codes, quantitative risk assessment provides an effective means of demonstrating a safe design.

This paper describes a study that was carried out to define the design requirements for the onshore section of a multiphase pipeline. The proposed pipeline will have a design pressure of 380 barg. However, onshore design codes PD 8010-1 and IGE/TD/1 do not provide guidance on the design of pipelines with design pressures exceeding 100barg. Experience from other projects indicates that it is important to consider the implications of such high design pressures early in a project.

The quantitative risk assessment considered a number of different design options. The safety risks of the proposed pipeline options were compared with those from a typical 100 barg gas transmission pipeline of the same diameter. This means that the risk of the proposed pipeline can be compared in a relative manner, to an ‘acceptable’ design, and in an absolute manner to limits on individual and societal risk.

The results of QRAs of the different design options are summarised and discussed. The effects of mitigation measures, such as reducing the pipeline design factor (the ratio of the hoop stress to the specified minimum yield strength), increasing the wall thickness, and incorporating a pressure limiting system at the landfall, are illustrated.

It is shown that the proposed design is feasible. The individual and societal risks for the proposed design were lower than that of a typical 100barg gas transmission pipeline. The individual risk was in the broadly accepted region of risk, as defined by the Health and Safety Executive, and the societal risk was below the acceptance criterion given in IGE/TD/1.
Planning and Executing EIA Baseline Studies in Remote and Socio Economically Complex Regions With Potential for Uncontacted People: Practical Guidelines From Working in Northern Peru
Authors: Achung M. Rodríguez , Sambartolome A. , Rawa A. D. , Rodriguez F. D.
Published: April 2008

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and HSE International, LLC (HSE LLC) are supporting energy companies developing hydrocarbon reserves in northern Peru. Concessions in this region are in various stages of exploration and require completion of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process to comply with Peruvian regulations. Baseline studies needed for this process include sampling of environmental, physical, and socioeconomic parameters. The region is remote and undeveloped; over 90% is covered by primary rainforest and inhabited by indigenous communities. The region also has some potential for the presence of uncontacted people or communities in voluntary isolation. This paper will highlight the steps taken by ERM, with the support from Dr. Martha Rodriguez (who is also a Profesor at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru) and HSE LLC to prepare field teams for the responsibility of interacting with indigenous communities in remote jungle environments, as well as the eventuality of encountering uncontacted people.

To date, we developed preventive measures and guidelines, a sociocultural contingency response plan for uncontacted communities or communities in voluntary isolation, and a communication protocol. These innovative and unique tools provide practical guidelines to minimize the risk for encounters with uncontacted people and outline steps in the event that such a contingency should occur. A process of due diligence was also undertaken to summarize publications, research, accounts, and hypotheses on the potential presence or transit of uncontacted people through particular areas. An evaluation of our clients' practices was completed to ensure consistency with policies, procedures, and reporting requirements. Contractors and employees were engaged via workshops and training. Finally, ERM Peru adopted a policy on working in areas potentially used by uncontacted peoples. The process, tools, and plans developed can serve as models for others working in the region or similar remote areas with the potential presence of uncontacted people or communities in voluntary isolation.
Integration of HSE Tools Leading to Better Leadership Action and System Improvements
Authors: Peuscher W. T. , de Wit M. D. C. , Bryden R.
Published: April 2008

Shell has, over the years, built up a comprehensive suite of HSE tools for incident prevention and analysis. Tools like Bowtie diagrams, Hearts and Minds and Tripod incident analysis have been presented separately at previous SPE conferences (Reference 8–19). Now these tools have matured, approaches will be presented for integrated application of these tools, which results in greatly enhanced benefits.

For incident analysis Tripod Beta theory has been used to improve the deep understanding of underlying causes of incidents. The widespread use of Bowtie diagram's to develop management systems with barriers to prevent incidents has made it logical to link failed barriers in the bowtie diagrams for a particular type of hazard to the Tripod Beta analysis of incidents. This leads to a more thorough analysis with more opportunities for learning.

Tripod Beta theory has been used for years within Shell International Exploration and Production as investigation method, but in recent years the Tripod Beta incident analysis methodology has been updated to link the underlying causes towards human behaviour models, resulting in more focused approach towards the human error. Therefore the immediate and underlying causes are better understood in relation to human behaviour.

This new update of the Tripod beta theory (with the improved human behaviour model) is interesting in a number of areas:

What can leaders practically do in preventing incidents on the workplace via leadership behaviour? Where should organizations focus their attention at preventing incidents? How can the Hearts and Minds tools be effectively applied once trends in incidents causation are established in the area of human behaviour elements?

This paper describes the thinking process, practical application and the outcome of the integration of Tripod beta and the Hearts and Minds concepts.
Compliance with the Equator Principles: What Does it Mean for Oil and Gas Companies?
Authors: Lowrance Courtney
Published: April 2008

More than 50 private financial institutions have adopted the Equator Principles: a voluntary set of guidelines, based on the IFC Performance Standards and EHS Guidelines, which was developed for managing social and environmental issues related to the financing of development projects. For oil and gas companies that seek project financing from international finance institutions for such projects, understanding fully the requirements of lenders from the outset can ensure access to capital and prevent project delays.

This paper will use case studies to highlight the environmental and social processes required to comply with the Equator Principles, and discuss ways that companies interested in pursuing project financing can maximize their EHS management systems and processes to meet these requirements. Key process phases include

Scoping Preparation of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA); Development of Environmental and Social Management Plans; Public Consultation and Disclosure, Grievance Mechanisms and Ongoing Stakeheolder Engagement; Independent Environmental Review; Covenanting Environmental and Social Action Plans - contractual requirements introduced to achieve financial close; and Independent Monitoring and Reporting

Some concrete and practical approaches for streamlining the Equator process have emerged over the last four years of implementation. For example, early communication between the project sponsor and lenders regarding the relevant IFC Performance Standards required by the Equator Principles is essential for efficient processing of credit approvals. Other considerations include selection of financial advisors who are aware of the Equator requirements and qualified consultants, preparation of a Terms of Reference for the EIA, and documentation of public consultation.

To date there are 55 Equator Principle signatories, including banks from Japan, South Africa, Australia, South America, North America, and Europe. Over 80% of all project financing is subject to the Equator Principles.
Integrating HSE in the Business
Authors: Saleh Khadejah
Published: April 2008

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PAPER

One of the key constraints in managing HSE risks is that HSE is often considered as a parallel activity which is owned by HSE professionals. Industrial mainstream employees do not easily realize the virtues of HSE and consider it as extra work to satisfy legal, statutory, corporate or voluntary requirements.

In order to manage the HSE risks effectively, it is important that HSE is integrated into the routine business operations and the business process whether it is oil and gas or any other industry. This integration is not an easy process as HSE is not widely understood by personnel.

The paper will consist of the best possible methodologies to ensure understanding and awareness on HSE by the mainstream personnel so that there is an effective buy-in and subsequent effective implementation and include many time – tested practical examples and tools and techniques like critical task identification and analysis, risk assessment of permit to work etc..

To summarize, the paper will comprise of three sub headings:

Integration of HSE in the routine Operations of Oil and Gas industries Integration of HSE in the business processes of Oil and Gas industries and Integration of HSE in the project lifecycles of Oil and Gas Industries

The paper will focus on tools and techniques that can be best adapted for integration of HSE in every stage of operations from concept to commissioning and the operating stage in the business of Oil and Gas industries, which in turn, will guarantee the highest degree of HSE compliance.

AREA OF INTEREST

The target audience will include personnel from Operations, Maintenance, HSE and Projects disciplines in the Oil/ Gas industries as well as other similar industries.
Delivering Social Performance During Appraisal: The Case of Royal Dutch Shell's Grosmont Venture in Northern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Fossgard-Moser Titus
Published: April 2008

This paper summarises the approach adopted by Royal Dutch Shell's Grosmont Venture towards social performance during its winter 2007 appraisal campaign in Northern Alberta, Canada. The paper first considers the background to the appraisal activities, as well as the local environmental and socio-political context. The paper then provides a summary of Royal Dutch Shell's Global framework for social performance and its conceptual relevance to the Grosmont Venture.

The next two sections of the paper look in detail at the strategic and operational approach adopted by the Venture. At the strategic level the paper summarizes how the concept of ‘Business Integration’ was used to drive the Venture's approach to all non-technical issues including social performance. In particular the specific organizational structure, values and principles for, and management systems and processes adopted by the Venture are all identified as being critical for establishing the framework within which the appraisal campaign's social performance activities were undertaken. The operationalisation of the business integration approach and specific management of social performance issues during the Grosmont Venture's 2007 winter appraisal campaign is next considered. A number of specific examples are provided in relation to the Venture's approach to impact assessment and consultation, management of social impacts and delivery of community benefits. Finally the impact of these activities both for the Grosmont Venture, as well as for local First Nation and other stakeholders in summarized.

The final two sections of the paper discuss the key success factors supporting the Venture's successful appraisal campaign as well as areas for future consideration. The Business Integration strategy is above all highlighted as being critical in driving the approach – in particular in terms of ensuring equal consideration of social performance and other non technical factors along side technical and commercial considerations. The role the Venture Manager and senior operational managers played in supporting business integration and related social performance activities is also highlighted. A number of areas for future consideration are identified including how to further institutionalize the business integration model, as well as some of the more strategic social performance challenges for a potential commercial project.
Sources of Hydrocarbon Leaks and Spills in Upstream Oil Industries, Its Potential Reasons and Preventive Measures
Authors: Al Mansouri Fares , Alam Mohammad Aftab
Published: April 2008

Leak & Spill of hydrocarbon is still the main concern particularly in upstream oil industries. There have been 574 incidents of hydrocarbon leaks & spills in the Company during the period 2003 – 2006. These cases of leaks & spills are accounting 40 – 45% of the total reportable incidents in the Company. The impact of leaks & spills on Company HSE data demanded special attention to control such incidents as an immediate measure and prevent its reoccurrence through strategic planning. Accordingly Safety Team took an initiative to study in detail all cases of hydrocarbon leaks & spills in the Company and came out with solution both for short term gain and long term strategy.

As a part of study; the leak and spill data for the period 2003 – 2006 in the Company were analyzed to find out the immediate as well as root causes and categorized the failure scenario accordingly. The data analysis led to the conclusion that majority (more than 90%) of these leaks and spills are due to one or combination of the potential root causes such as:

Aging Facilities Equipment Failure Construction Defect Accidental Damage Defeat / Bypassing Protective System Ineffective Quality Control Operational Deviation Design Fault Blow Out of Oil Well Human Error …etc.

Based on the data analysis the most common reasons (22 numbers) of hydrocarbon leaks & spills were compiled alongwith their remedial measures. Those 22 most common reasons were shared across the Company in a specific Leak & Spill Prevention Campaign carried out for a month. Each day a brief description, onsite picture & preventive action for an individual cause of leak & spill was circulated through postmaster till the last one on 22nd working day of the month. The campaign was also supported with presentations, posters, leaflets, quiz program, mementoes and motivational schemes.

The identification of main causes and its preventive actions resulted enhancing the awareness level of workers. The impact of such exercise is reflected on Integrity Management of facilities as well improving HSE Statistics in the Company.
Value Added Health Management—A Model to Measure Realized Benefits
Authors: Donnelly R. , Pedersen C. , de Jong G. , Niven K.
Published: April 2008

In assessing the impact of a corporate health function, activity is frequently identified as an outcome and indicator of value. This may not be valid in all cases since the activity may be non-value adding, not necessary to manage risk or meet legal compliance and may persist largely as a result of unchallenged practice in the workplace. During a review of activity of an occupational health team in a multinational oil and gas company, an effort was made to map all the activity of the function to bottom line value for the company. This "value tree" was built by the identification of the company health vision, and mapping back to the work actually completed in support of the strategy. Work was then assessed as high value and supportive of the strategy or low value (i.e. activity which could not be directly linked to the strategy and hence value). Progress maps of critical activity were created, identifying the "as-is" and "to-be" situations for value-adding activity and finally Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were identified for this work so that value-add could be tracked and progress measured. Although time consuming this was found to be a worthwhile exercise for large projects within the department to ensure focus on necessary work and to identify non value adding work that could be retired.
Fitness Parameters Recorded at the Annual Health Review of a UK Offshore Workforce: Are These Parameters Predictive of Sickness Absence?
Authors: Ponsonby Will
Published: April 2008

Objectives

Conduct a review of the health status and sickness absence of Shell's offshore workers. Test whether parameters recorded at annual health review are predictive of sickness absence.

Setting

17 offshore installations operated by Shell in the U.K. sector of the North Sea.

Subjects

398 workers employed to work for Shell full time offshore, who had an annual medical review carried out offshore in 2003.

Results

A healthy workforce, with mean age of 38.94 years, mean VO2 Max of 42.88 mlO2/kg/min, slightly overweight with a mean BMI of 25.7kg/m2, slightly raised BP with mean systolic of 127.99mmHg, and mean diastolic of 79.79mmHg. Only a small minority smoked 16%, and average alcohol intake was self-reported at 14.97 units per week. Sickness absence rates were low at 0.9% averaging 1.4 days lost per employee per year. Being a non-smoker was significantly associated with lower absence at the 1% level. A General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score of 4 or more is associated with higher sickness absence at the 5% level. The older aged workers are more likely to be absent for periods greater than two weeks. As smokers are older this may be a confounder for smoking causing more absence.

Conclusions

The offshore workforce is healthier and younger than is generally thought. The average age has not changed significantly over the last 15 years. Sickness absence in this population is very low when compared against other industries in the U.K. A history of smoking, age and raised GHQ score are all associated with raised sickness absence. Interventions to further reduce smoking and screen and support those with a raised GHQ, may further improve the health of this workforce and improve fitness to work.
Assessing Potential Health Risks for Expatriate Assignment
Authors: Iha G. Sue , Frangos S. A.
Published: April 2008

Major oil and gas companies are sending their employees and their family members to work and live all over the world. Corporations spend untold time and energy to determine the details of the work and all the resources needed to make their business operations successful, including getting the right employee resources on the project. A risk assessment is performed to assist in managing environmental and governmental risks associated with the work in the proposed country. Employers ask medical professionals to perform an individual risk assessment as it relates to the employee and their family members, to evaluate their health status, identify acute and chronic health conditions, make recommendations regarding medical fitness for assignment and to assess medical resource needs that may be required for the expatriates.

A portion of employees and their family members are affected by some chronic conditions that, when closely monitored and managed carefully, may not manifest into an acute life-threatening condition. However, what if the condition changes and the medical facilities and health professionals that may be needed immediately require two international flights? Options to consider when defining the potential risks to the employer and to the employee and family member (potential human health impacts and some potential financial risks) if the expatriate is not fit for assignment will be reviewed.

This paper outlines four important steps that should be taken to better understand the potential physical and mental health risks of expatriates and their family members. Examples of forms, checklists and provider criteria are included. Process data is presented based on more than 5K expatriates in multiple countries. Conditions that pose potentially increased health risks for expatriates -are addressed, as well as the legal framework in the United States regarding medical fitness for duty determinations when the medical recommendation is that someone is unfit for an international job assignment based on health status. Recommendations are made for sustaining and improving the physical and mental health of expatriates on assignment.
Fatigue Risk Management in a Major Airline
Authors: Holmes A. , Stewart S.
Published: April 2008

The problem of fatigue

Fatigue can be defined as a progressive decline in alertness and cognitive performance that results in sleep. Fatigue is an everyday occurrence that, in an ideal world, does not pose a significant health and safety risk. However, in 24/7 industries such as the oil and gas industries which require a proportion of the workforce to undertake shiftwork or work outside of ‘standard’ office hours, fatigue can pose a significant risk (e.g. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 2005; US National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB), 2007; International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), 2005). Unfortunately, our appreciation of fatigue risk stems largely from the role fatigue has played in catastrophic incidents. For example, fatigue was identified as a contributor to the highly publicised incidents at Chernobyl and Bhopal. Fatigue is also estimated to contribute to 15% of fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles (VicRoads, 2006) and the NTSB (2007) has linked pilot fatigue to ten commercial accidents since 1993.

Additional causes of fatigue relevant to the oil and gas industries include long work hours, long commute times, international travel, personal responsibilities – for example a new baby, medical difficulties, such as chronic pain, non-ideal sleeping environments, drugs and alcohol.

Hours of work limitations, such as The Working Time Regulations (1998) and European Drivers' Hours Rules (European Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006), are the primary strategies used to control fatigue risk. These rule sets provide clear boundaries for work and rest time and in the past it has been generally assumed that, so long as organizations are compliant with the rules, an adequate level of safety will be maintained. Recently, however, prescribed hours of work limitations have been criticised on the basis that they are largely determined by industrial and political relations, rather than being based in science (Fatigue Expert Group, 2001).

Why we need more than prescribed limitations on hours of work

Hours of work limitations, such as The Working Time Regulations (1998) and European Drivers' Hours Rules (European Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006), are the primary strategies used to control fatigue risk. These rule sets provide clear boundaries for work and rest time and in the past it has been generally assumed that, so long as organizations are compliant with the rules, an adequate level of safety will be maintained. Recently, however, prescribed hours of work limitations have been criticised on the basis that they are largely determined by industrial and political relations, rather than being based in science (Fatigue Expert Group, 2001).