bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major Hazards Management in Trinidad and Tobago – Putting the Jigsaw Together
Authors: Ciaraldi S. W. , Mohess R. H. , Dalzell G. A.
Published: December 2007

bp Trinidad and Tobago has a mature offshore oil infrastructure and a growing, highly valuable gas resource. The merger of bp and Amoco caused an examination of the operations and facilities through a new set of eyes; particularly those from the North Sea who had lived through the loss of Piper Alpha. This paper outlines how this operator took the lessons from the North Sea and applied them in a pragmatic way to existing assets in a very different country.
Benefits of an ISO-Registered Management System in Atlantic Eastern Canada
Authors: Robson M. , Parsons J.
Published: December 2007

A leading oilfield service provider operates an integrated quality and environmental management system that is International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001) registered in the Atlantic Eastern Canada marketplace. This integrated management system offers significant benefits to any company wishing to incorporate the program. The increased operational efficiency leads to better risk assessment and safer operations. Minimizing the environmental impacts of our business not only helps the environment, but also improves our image in the community where we work. Improved customer satisfaction helps us to retain or increase our general market share, and we realize increased profitability by increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

ISO 9001:2000 is an internationally recognized quality standard that is a "process approach." ISO 14001:1996 is the internationally recognized environmental standard based on risk assessment, leading to better environmental stewardship. These standards form the basis for the quality, health, safety, and environment management system, in which an organization's key activities are divided into their logical groups or processes.

This paper explores the benefits and hurdles faced by oilfield service companies when implementing, operating, and registering a quality and environmental management system. Also discussed are the key challenges of program development, accurate process mapping, and employee buy-in and participation.

The management system is maturing after 2 years and has become part of "the way we do business." Advantages for both the service provider and the client are explored that lead to reliable customer satisfaction measures, and improved efficiency for both the service provider and the client.
The Body or the Smoking Gun?
Authors: Dalzell G. A.
Published: December 2007

The understanding of hazards is one of the greatest risk reducers available to us. If we know why a plant or operation is dangerous, then we can manage it safely. However, ignorance still persists. Some risk assessments make recommendations but fail to deliver hazard knowledge. If this is to become a primary deliverable, who needs to know what? The needs of the directors are different from technicians or plant operators. The paper proposes four levels of knowledge and associated responsibilities. It also discusses a problem; that the explicit documentation of risks and hazards would be recovered in the event of an accident and used as prosecution evidence, hence the title; "The Body or the Smoking Gun".
Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Compliance Improvement: A New Approach
Authors: Moynihan Kelly J. , Moreau Jean-Marie M. , Shallenberger Leba G. , Lindemann Kenneth C. , Guibert Philippe
Published: December 2007

Awareness training, personal protection against mosquito bites, and vector control measures are all important in helping reduce Anopheles mosquito bites. However, these measures cannot completely eliminate the risk of contracting malaria. The prevention of malaria in non-immune individuals in sub-Saharan Africa relies heavily on the proper use of effective chemoprophylaxis. Compliance with effective chemoprophylactic regimens is problematic, especially in long-term expatriates who believe they have acquired natural immunity. In spite of implementing a comprehensive Malaria Control Program (MCP), with a goal of zero cases of malaria among non-immune individuals, the Chad Export Project experienced an increase in the number of malaria cases in the contractor non-immune workforce as construction activities in Chad and Cameroon accelerated. Several serious cases of Falciparum malaria were recorded, and four fatalities occurred. In response to this, a multidisciplinary team was formed to identify opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the MCP. One of the team's key recommendations was to develop and implement a Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Compliance Program (MCCP) to address identified informational and behavioral shortcomings regarding malaria chemoprophylaxis use. The heart of the MCCP is awareness and education but compliance with chemoprophylaxis is further encouraged through collection of urine specimens from non-immune individuals for laboratory determination of effective anti-malaria medication usage. Data collected during the first 15 months that the MCCP was implemented in Chad and Cameroon show an overall low (i.e., <1%) rate of non-conforming specimens. After implementing the MCCP in Chad and Cameroon, the rate of malaria cases among non-immune workers decreased fifty percent and the program has been extended to other operating locations in Africa.
Measurement, Incentives and Motivation in Health, Safety and Environment
Authors: McCarron P. L. , Thornton R. W.
Published: December 2007

A unique incentive program that rewards positive activities and reductions in incident severity was developed and implemented on January 1, 2001. It has proven to be highly motivational. Results were calculated for the year 2000, prior to program implementation, and were compared to results for the year 2002, the second year of the program. In that comparison, positive activity scores increased by 400%, while incident severity decreased by 15%. During the same period, company operated oil and gas production increased by 20%. Similar trends have continued into 2003.
Using Employee Risk Identification Reports to Measure Safety Performance and Set Safety Priorities
Authors: Dickes R. , Wood T.
Published: December 2007

Employee risk reports are a valuable part of a safety program. Managers frequently encourage employees to identify, correct, and report risks they discover while performing their jobs. The efforts by managers can have an immediate impact on safety performance by reducing or eliminating hazards in the workplace. However, the additional benefits that can be gained if employee reports are routinely analyzed for trends are often not realized.

If these reports are analyzed, they provide constant and valuable feedback. This feedback can be used to detect negative trends and set priorities for future actions and improvements. In addition, reporting the results of an analysis to employees can increase employee participation in the risk-reporting system.

The case study described in this paper shows the positive benefits achieved through risk-report analysis over a 2-year period. The feedback from this analysis was used to set priorities and was reported directly to employees, resulting in a more than 30% increase in employee risk reporting.
Implementation of Minimum Health Management Standards. Facilitation through Workshops and Inclusion in Business Plans. Focus on Fitness to Work
Authors: de Valk R. H. W.
Published: December 2007

The Shell Group adopted the seven Minimum Health Management Standards (MHMS), a structured approach to implementing occupational health requirements. In SPDC Nigeria the implementation has been promoted by presentations at 2002 business improvement workshops and following integration in all business plans. This has been facilitated in 2003 with workshops for all categories of staff and contractors.

This paper presents the results of the workshops, analysis of the feedback of participants and the effect on the standard Fitness to Work. A combined approach is demonstrated in a firefighter programme, where job specific medical examinations were integrated with Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and review of work-related illnesses.

There were many participants at the workshops. Most of them gave a positive feedback and useful comments. All participants indicated that the course would enhance job performance. We receive many new requests for workshops.

There was an increased number of requests for job specific medicals, HRA's, reports on work-related illnesses and an improved awareness of health policies and procedures. Actions from a self-assessment questionnaire and barriers to report were discussed.

Staff is more aware of the interaction between the standards and of their own responsibility as seen in the example of the firefighter department.

More cases of specific illnesses were detected in staff working in safety and health sensitive jobs. Quantifiable data, leading to prevention of potential health incidents and accidents. Case reports are presented in the paper.

Workshops are a useful tool for promoting the effective implementation of MHMS, create understanding for occupational health management and lead to improved health management as demonstrated for the standard Fitness to Work
Building a Global Driving Program that Delivers Superior Results
Authors: Tate D.
Published: December 2007

As a major oilfield services company with worldwide operations, transportation of our people and equipment is essential for conducting business. Our company employees drive more than 150 million miles per year during work-related activities. Driving, both on and off duty, is recognized as the greatest daily risk facing the employees. The driving environments are diverse, with the operating conditions being some of the most extreme that can be encountered. Our challenge was to craft a program that would address this diversity while transcending cultural variances both corporately and nationally.

Until 1998, Schlumberger Oilfield Services (OFS) comprised several entities that each had responsibility for driving safety. There was some collaboration, in some cases very extensive, but overall, each group had their own program. Internal incident rates were acceptable overall compared to industry at the time; however, they were not at a level that Schlumberger management found acceptable. Management determined that to truly have a global program the programs must be consolidated at a corporate level.

Effective communication with the various areas was required to identify the existing best practices as a cornerstone for development and to identify local versus regional practices. This communication was essential as the program developed and as part of the continuous improvement cycle. In 2000, a position of OFS driving manager was created at the global level to develop and maintain the program.

From 1998 to the end of 2002, the incident rate for a fleet of 12,700 vehicles traveling up to 170,000,000 mi/yr has dropped from 15.6 incidents per 1,000 drivers to 10 incidents per 1,000 drivers—a reduction of 36%.

A continued decrease has been seen year to date in 2003 (31October) to 6.3 incidents per 1,000 drivers. This represents an overall reduction in incident frequency of 60% since 1998.
A New Aviation Management System for Managing Air Transport
Authors: Hafez G.
Published: December 2007

Schlumberger has become more aware of the inevitable risk associated with air transport and the need for a systematic way to manage that risk effectively. In February 2003, the company developed an aviation management system (AMS) based on its quality, health, safety, and environmental management system (QHSE-MS) model. This system can be applied to air transportation on charter aircraft, client-provided third-party aircraft, aircraft controlled by associated third-party contractors, or commercial carriers where risk mitigation is deemed necessary. This paper describes the AMS plan for Schlumberger operations.

The AMS is an integrated, documented process that describes how an air operator can demonstrate its commitment to three fundamental values: complying with all applicable national air authority regulations, implementing accepted best industry standards and practices, and using state-of-the-art safety technologies and systems in their operations.

An assessment tool for monitoring the implementation of AMS has been developed, which ensures that key performance aviation attributes are monitored during all phases of an aviation service contract. In addition, this tool will help align management in establishing realistic, cost-effective, and safe aviation services using contracts that are fair, balanced, and targeted at the type of operation considered.

While all the existing tools and documents are important for good aviation management, they often lack structure. The approach is aimed at providing this structure, while achieving continuous improvement throughout the contract period. The AMS endeavors to become the model for air transportation throughout the oil and gas industry. While this obviously is beneficial to those operators lacking a system, it also helps to set the standard and align the existing systems so that all think and act as one industry.

The AMS consists of nine individual elements that will be discussed in detail in this paper.
Performance Leadership Coaching – The Next Step
Authors: Senior Lewis Michael
Published: December 2007

In an industry which has grown and developed in a frame of reference from "Can't do it - can't stay" through to "no blame / just culture scenarios" we have to ask ourselves what comes next? Most people in our business have at one time or another been exposed to a culture that has been very task focused within stringent time schedules. In a lot of cases "rule by fear" was the norm and generally, people work in the "telling" style of leadership. Safety leadership principles have been passed on through many different vehicles from training sessions, videos, walk-throughs, OJT, management by example etc. It seems that now is the time to go to the next level in terms of seeking even more efficient and cost effective development and training to those who can make the difference.

In our company we have embarked upon a new and exciting journey. We have taken the stance that if Tiger Woods can have a coach, and indeed benefits from that process, then our company culture may indeed reach further levels of excellence from a safety, operational, business, and personal standpoint if the same principle was applied. We have created the role of a Performance Leadership Coach that can and does coach the rig managers and OIM / platform managers in our fleet, who can truly make a difference. The coach comes from within the organization and thus will have credibility and credence, necessary for an initiative such as this.

In a "results" oriented industry, bottom line is if people feel empowered and valued, if they have the skills, motivation and support they think they deserve – then productivity, safety, employee retention will be at a level desired by all. The Performance Leadership Coaching approach can and will enhance that vision.
Improving the Quality of Supervision in the Workplace
Authors: Hudson Patrick , Vuijk Margot , Heerema Suzanne Croes , Parker Dianne , Lawrie Matthew , van der Graaf Gerard , Bryden Robin , Malone Charlie
Published: December 2007

Failures in supervision are frequently found as a cause in incidents. Supervisors are predominantly promoted on the basis of their technical competence but soon discover that most of their work involves non-technical skills, such as planning and dealing with people. The Hearts and Minds brochure ‘Improving Supervision’ provides supervisors with a structured process for improving their non-technical skills, such as how they respond to technical problems, the development of motivation and trust, and prioritisation. The paper introduces a model of supervision and shows how the cultural maturity model specifies the range of critical supervisory behaviours. These critical behaviours are described in ways compatible with the HSE culture maturity ladder that forms a central part of the Hearts and Minds program. As well as identifying the skills that are most in need of improvement, the brochure also supports the identification of preferred and required styles of leadership. A central theme, common to all Hearts and Minds tools, is the creation of a process that is driven by the participants, who discover which critical behaviours they wish to improve and devise their own personal action plans.
Practical HSE for Supervisors Training: Toward a Step Change in HSE Performance
Authors: Day Tim , Subramaniam Sugu , Wong George
Published: December 2007

Health, safety and environment (HSE) management systems have been globally implemented for many years; however, the number of total recordable injuries was not declining at a rate acceptable to a major service company.

A new 2-day training program—Practical HSE for Supervisors—was established for supervisor-level employees who had all received the initial HSE training, but perhaps would not attend an HSE for Managers course. The program focuses on the individual's responsibility to prevent accidents from happening to themselves and members of their team, and uses examples and situations from both work and home. The program stresses their key role as supervisors.
Industrial Optimisation Framework Development for an Offshore E&P Company
Authors: Lorkin M. , McMillan N.
Published: December 2007

Within the industrial setting, optimisation can be referred to as "improved economic and environmental performance per unit output through more efficient and less wasteful industrial processes and operations."

A comprehensive industrial optimisation baseline study and strategy development project has been undertaken within Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), one of the UAE's major oil and gas producing companies operating a concession area in the Southern Arabian Gulf offshore of Abu Dhabi.

Unique within the region in its comprehensiveness, the study reviews legislative requirements and factors driving optimisation and the reasoning behind the need to establish an integrated industrial optimisation framework within the company and the challenges in terms of approach, data availability and attitudes that face oil & gas producers.

The paper provides an overview of industry "best practices" for optimisation, the drivers behind it and the required elements of a successful industrial optimisation program are described along with developed examples of key strategies, categorised under corporate, energy management, material resources management, and waste management.

Also detailed is the assessment of ZADCO's baseline data, the conclusions made and the reasoning behind the renewed commitment for the development in the company towards a more holistic environmental performance assessment approach, rather than focusing on traditional individual aspect performance.

It discusses the legislative, policy, financial and environmental rationale behind establishing the optimisation program, and features the process of development of key components of optimisation agreements within the company along with suggested optimisation strategy and model energy management system frameworks and implementation plans.
Composting Bioremediation of Crude Oil-Impacted Peat at a Remote Location
Authors: Hoffmann Rob , Rozi Fakhrul , Kosario M. K. , Smart Ross , Bernier Rene
Published: December 2007

Composting was utilized to remediate crude oil-impacted peat from a remote ombrogenous swamp in Sumatra, Indonesia.

The source material was a nearly water-saturated (?~400%[m/m]) naturally acidic (pH=2.2±0.1) peat soil. The high prevailing moisture content and poor structure necessitated addition of a bulking agent to render the material workable and enable oxygen transfer. Pilot tests were undertaken to identify the optimal structural amendment type and mixing ratio. Predictive kinetic (rate) and endpoint ([TPH]f) equations were utilized to confer confidence that the technology would meet the schedule and performance constraints.

A one-time composting site was designed and constructed at the location of a former soil borrow pit nearby. Common construction and oilfield equipment were sufficient to construct, turn, and water the windrows. Field test kits were utilized to ensure the maintenance of optimal bioremediation conditions within the windrows.

Over a 20-week period, 2650m3 of crude oil-impacted peat ([TPH]t0=10%±3%) was bioremediated in 15 dynamic windrows at a unit cost of US$79/m3. The amount of material composted (peat + bulking agent) totaled 4435m3. The primary cost driver was the expense of mobilizing and sustaining technical personnel at the remote location. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon ([TPH]) removal averaged 81% (±11%), achieving a final [TPH] of 1.8% (±0.8%). Chromatographic analysis suggested extensive depletion of normal alkanes.

The mature compost was beneficially utilized to re-vegetate the borrow pit, resulting in simultaneous elimination of separate remediation and reclamation liabilities.
HSE Partnerships: Jointly Working Toward a Cultural Change in the Brunei Oilfield Community
Authors: Raj R. D. , Nawi A.
Published: December 2007

Instead of working on health, safety, and environment (HSE) issues individually, recent experiences in Brunei demonstrate the benefits of working together in a partnership within the oilfield community. The united approach has enabled more effective sharing of lessons learned and best practices within the oilfield community.

Analyzing past recordable cases and the completion of an employee survey led a joint team of HSE professionals to take action in areas of commitment and leadership, policies, training and competence, risk management, and reward and recognition.
Drive-Through Driver Training
Authors: Brandsness M. , Sealy I.
Published: December 2007

Schlumberger has a long history of delivering driver training to novice drivers, both through its central training school, and through annual refresher courses at field locations. This paper describes a two-part program developed to reinforce driving behaviors and lessons learned in routine and long-term training in the field operations environment.

In 2001, a program designed to deliver advanced training using a transportable, computerized driver simulator was developed and implemented. Schlumberger now has more than 2 years of experience with this program and is delivering training to approximately 1,500 drivers per year at approximately 80 field locations. This paper describes the successes and limitations of this program and its associated equipment, additional features, such as skid-car and seat-belt training that have been added to the traveling package; and the way that the program has been linked to established driver-training programs.

Part of the behavioral change program is driver mentoring. Mentoring bridges the gap between the intensive training of formal driver training schools and the annual (in-vehicle) or triennial (classroom) refresher training. We recognized that newly trained drivers represented a higher than normal risk when driving in the field in the period immediately following training school. We responded to this by developing a mentor program that helps transition drivers from instructor-supervised training environments to unsupervised field operations. This paper describes the mentor's profile and role, the process of mentoring new drivers, and how that process is adapted for different driver populations. In our conclusions, we discuss the success of this two-part program in the wider context of automotive incident performance over the past 3 years: from 2000 to 2003 we have seen a more than 50% reduction in automotive incidents (per million miles driven), and a more than 70% reduction in high-potential automotive incidents, per year.
Risk Management and Analysis of Driving Hazard Using Bow Tie Model
Authors: Eslinger Keith , Ure Dave , Kutlay S.
Published: December 2007

Proposal

Using the Hazards and Effects Management Process (HEMP) in a visual methodology referred to as the Bow Tie Model and Analysis, the hazards and associated risks of vehicle operations can be structured and presented in such a way as to better understand the necessary steps for proper hazard management
Health Risk Assessment In Oil And Gas Exploration: Siesmic Work
Authors: Ajoku C. O. , Nmadu P. , Chijioke S. , Mohammed M. , Osibanjo O.
Published: December 2007

In Oil and Gas Exploration, workers are often exposed to various health hazards due to nature of work, work environment, and other location health problems. It is therefore vital that workers have the necessary hazard awareness and detailed knowledge of risk control to enable them perform their duty safely, effectively and in good health

Risk factors associated with workplace tasks increases the vulnerability of an individual to illness or accident. These risk factors will normally be managed through "Health Risk Assessment" - controlling health risk at work, that offer clear, practical guidance on how to identify, evaluate and control the risk in addition to the recovery processes.

The method adopted in this study is the standard Health Risk Assessment designed to address physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychological hazards associated with work. It will also provide key information for the emergency detection and response planning.

This paper provided information on experience in the practical application of the use of standard Health Risk Assessment in management of the health hazards that is often encounter in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria seismic work. The overall objective approach is to be pro-active in providing input to team work that prevent, mitigate and control health hazards with a resultant high productivity, cost effectiveness and general well-being of the workers.
Contractor HSE Management In The Niger Delta - The SPDC Experience
Authors: Ozumba Chinyere I. , Oduah Arinze M.
Published: December 2007

The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has over 17,000 registered contractors and suppliers in various work categories. Local (Nigerian) contractors make up over 95% of this number with contractors drawn from the Niger Delta catchment area contributing up to 70% of this number.

At any one time, over 4,000 contractors are in contract with SPDC working under an average of 6,000 live contracts. Annual spend on contracts is approximately One billion eight hundred million US Dollars (US$1.8bn).

There are over 100,000 contractor staff working at various SPDC locations and during contract execution, most multinational contractors are obliged to recruit most of their low level casual staff from the remote communities where the contract is being executed. Consequently, contractor employees account for nearly 90% of work site exposure.

Successive HSE and business process audits and reviews highlighted weaknesses in contract and contractor management. These weaknesses were mostly internal to SPDC and exposed gaps in contract-making and contractor HSE management competencies. These are exacerbated by the high level of exposure of local casual labour and structural weaknesses endemic in the local operating environment. The result of all these weaknesses working in combination is reflected in the fatality statistics of SPDC.

In the Nigerian context, the degree of regulatory enforcement, the problem of widespread illiteracy and economic deprivation and the corresponding low quality of most local contractors amongst others, multiply the exposure of businesses to HSE risks in contracting.

This paper discusses these contractor HSE management challenges, and focuses on internal SPDC's initiatives where the company has control and where the payoff in performance improvements is highest.
A New Methodology to Estimate Fracture Intensity Index for Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Arango Sandro , Idrobo Eduardo A. , Perez Hector H.
Published: December 2007

The characterization of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFR) represents additional challenges to that of conventional reservoirs because it is not only required the description of two separate means (matrix and fracture) but also it is necessary to understand their interaction. Among the list of potential parameters that can contribute to understand the complexity of NFR is the fracture intensity. This is defined as the density of fractures per foot of formation. This attribute is a key factor for a quantitative prediction of the porosity and permeability of a NFR. Furthermore, it is directly related to the reservoir productivity and can be used to optimize reservoir management decisions.

In this paper, we present a new methodology to identify fractured intervals in a NFR by combining the answer of a set of conventional electric logs and the information coming from the physical description of the cores of a fractured formation. With this information, a continuous variable fracture intensity track is generated and related with the fracture permeability through two different approaches. In the first approach, the aperture and fracture intensity were used to estimate the fracture permeability. The second approach is indirect. Using a non-parametric regression technique, the measured fracture permeability is modeled from variables such as GR, fracture porosity, Facies, and fracture intensity. In both cases, quantitative models of fracture permeability were obtained under static conditions.

We have successfully applied the proposed technique on a reservoir producing from a Cretaceous Formation in a Colombian Field. The models obtained were satisfactory validated with information coming from core analysis, stratigraphic and structural models, pressure tests, and production data.
A New Methodology To Determine The Pre-Consolidation Stress For Evaluating The Compaction Drive In Unconsolidated Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Carles P. , Onaisi A. , Deude V. , Mercier F.
Published: December 2007

Compaction Drive consists in the expulsion of oil due to the reduction of pore volume. Generally, unconsolidated sands display an elasto-plastic behaviour during depletion. The limit between the elastic and the plastic behaviour is called the pre-consolidation stress and referred to as Pc0. As long as the effective stress is less than Pc0, the rock behaves elastically and the pore compressibility is low. If ever the effective stress exceeds Pc0, the compressibility increases significantly. In heavy oil fields of unconsolidated sand, the additional recovery due to compaction drive may be estimated between and 1 % if the rock remains elastic during the field life and to more than 3% if the plasticity threshold is reached early.

Experience has shown that it is almost impossible to determine Pc0 from laboratory tests on sand samples, mainly because of cores disturbance. TOTAL has been investigating other methods to determine this parameter. The method presented in this paper is based on:

Laboratory tests on preserved intra-reservoir shales A shale compaction model derived from the critical state theory of Cam-Clay and calibrated on a normal compaction trend for shales Geological description of the deposition-erosion history on a basin scale.
Heat Management in Coalinga – New Insight to Manage Heat in an Old Field
Authors: Zahedi A. , Johnson R. , Rueda C.
Published: December 2007

The Coalinga field is one of the oldest oilfields in California and has been under production for over 100 years. The Temblor sands comprise the major reservoir in Coalinga at a depth of 500-2000 ft, with porosity of 33%, oil gravity of 12-14 API, and air permeability of 0.7-3 darcies. Each Temblor sand is at a different stage of drainage and thermal maturity.

Steam production represents Coalinga Field's single largest operating expenditure and managing this expense is critical to Coalinga's success. Starting in 2002, ChevronTexaco has followed an aggressive plan in Coalinga to manage and optimize the field steam injection by using monitoring tools and also maintenance and growth heat calculation tools. Heat management is used to optimize thermal recovery economic performance in Coalinga.

This paper documents how these tools are being used in Coalinga, and, more specifically, how steam Identification logs and temperature viewing tools are providing insight into how effectively the reservoir is being heated.
Seismic and Geologic Evidence of Complex "Positive Flower" Structures Along Confining Bends in Strike Slip Faults, Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
Authors: Kramer Darrell , List David , Tillman Laura , Jagiello Keith , Gould Thomas
Published: December 2007

Since 1996, International Reservoir Technologies (IRT) and Petroleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) have completed four (4) integrated studies within Block V Lamar, Block VI Lamar, Block V Centro, and Centro Sur Lago Areas of Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. These studies have identified four major and numerous minor "positive flower" structures along confining bends of three major strike slip faults. These flower features provide the structural trap that has accounted for some 623 MMstb of oil production from the Eocene Misoa B and C sands.

Positive flower structures are often dismissed as non-existent and are often interpreted as reactivated normal faults with reverse movement. Although the normal displacement is true on the examples shown in this paper, we will show several examples of bounding arcuate reverse faults that coalesce into a single fault at depth commonly referred to as "Positive Flower" structures.

3D seismic, in conjunction with dipmeters, logs, fluid contacts, engineering tests and production data provided the necessary information to build a detailed, comprehensive and consistent 3D geologic model of these structures. The integration and use of all possible data sources was key to accurately mapping the associated reservoirs.

The studies have led to improved knowledge of the timing and development of flower structures with respect to hydrocarbon migration and trapping. Production continues in these structures and development drilling continues both within the flower structures and to drain oil that has been trapped on the underside of bounding reverse faults. The integrated study approach has lead to optimized development of these complex "Positive Flower" structures, but is also applicable to other structural and stratigraphic regimes.
Advances in Generating and Ranking Integrated Geological Models for Fluvial Reservoir
Authors: Al-Khalifa M. A.
Published: December 2007

Development plans for Oil and gas reservoirs require huge investments. The decision for making these investments is based on many factors among them the reservoir performance predictions. To get reliable reservoir performance predictions, a reliable geological model is need. However, there are a lot of challenges encountered in the process of building a reliable geological. An important challenge is the limited amount of information available to geologists. Another challenge is the non-uniqueness problem, in other words several models can fit the same data and give different future forecasts. Moreover, stochastic modeling methods alone cannot predict accurately lithological distribution. New advances have been made in building and ranking geological models to over come all of these problems.

This paper reviews the current status of integrated reservoir modeling in general and present advances in integrated geological modeling for fluvial reservoir. It covers advances in three important areas: reservoir characterisation of fluvial reservoirs, stochastic modeling and geological models ranking. These new advances have made it possible to generate the best possible geological model to be used in reservoir simulation. The first part focuses on advance in building a fully integrated reservoir characterisation study and exploring the different possible reservoir depositional settings for fluvial settings. In the second part covers advance in the utilization of stochastic modeling such as the use of object oriented algorithms to generate multi realizations that match modern analogs. The third part covers ranking geological models by static and dynamic methods. Static methods include the match of input and output statistics, while the dynamic methods include streamline simulation methods.
Fast Track Development Strategy for New Discovery Adjacent to Giant Producing Gas Field - A Case Study of Vasai East Offshore Field
Authors: Nischal Rajiv , Rai Ramashish , Sood A. K.
Published: December 2007

Asset based functioning in companies has been setting examples of fast track development strategy by combining multi discipline functions. This is especially relevant for development of a marginal field located adjacent to a large gas field, hydro dynamically connected at aquifer level. In the case history of Vasai East field, these aspects are presented here.

3-D seismic carried out in the year 2000 around the existing field provided a lead for possibility of a new structure towards east. The first exploratory well drilled in March 2001 led to discovery of new marginal field Vasai East having oil overlain by large sour gas cap and underlain by large aquifer. The field was delineated by mid 2002 after drilling of four additional exploratory wells. It was also concluded that Vasai East field is separated from main Vasai gas field at hydrocarbon level, but is hydro-dynamically connected through a common aquifer resulting in sub-hydrostatic pressures. Immediately after delineation, fast track development strategy was formulated and a core team was constituted by combining functions of geology, geophysics, reservoir, drilling & well engineering, asset, design and engineering and R&D institutes to workout development plans for the field.

This paper discusses the combined results of a multidisciplinary team for fast track development, technological options, economization of new infrastructures, techno-economic evaluation of different development options. The cost effective development plan with investment of about US$ 200 million was approved by management in shortest possible time for this marginal field.

Since adjoining gas field was being produced at its peak rate, any delay in implementation of this fast track strategy could lead to serious impact of oil recovery of this field. The implementation of this development plan is on fast track execution.
Impact of Pre-stack and Post-stack Seismic on Integrated Naturally Fractured Reservoir Characterization
Authors: Ouenes Ahmed , Robinson Gary , Zellou Abdel M.
Published: December 2007

Naturally Fractured Reservoir (NFR) characterization represents an increased focus for oil and gas companies as it becomes more and more admitted that they represent a substantial part of their portfolio. However the complexity of the understanding of fractured reservoirs, in terms of fracturing mechanism, fracture density, orientation, and the complexity of their management issues (i.e. infill drilling, water production, steam injection, to list few of these issues) pushed several service and integrated companies to tackle the fractured reservoir characterization challenge. Moreover the use of integrated approaches with the help of 3D seismic and new technologies are started to show successful results. This paper will present two technologies where 3D seismic attributes along with geologic and engineering data are being used to characterize fractured reservoirs. The first technology will show how the use of post-stack seismic in an integrated approach, involving high resolution seismic inversion, spectral imaging and static geological modeling, provides an accurate fracture reservoir model that can be applied in the reservoir simulation and development stage. The second technology will highlight the use of pre-stack seismic to actually image the fracture distribution. Application of these technologies is presented on two different fields.
Accelerated History Matching Through Process Independent Scale-up Techniques in a Giant Carbonate Reservoir
Authors: Suzuki K. , Asada J. , Yoshida K. , Nomura M.
Published: December 2007

Although upscaling has been extensively investigated, a quantitative relationship between the multi-million block geological model and the upscaled flow model is likely to be lost during the history match process, primarily due to parameter modification on an upscaled model. In this paper, we propose a new history match procedure combined with an innovative faster upscaling technique.

In the proposed procedure, after each history run, parameter modification for the next run was done on the detailed geological model in close collaboration with geologist. This loop was made possible with a new faster upscaling technique, distinct against the existing method, by adopting empirical correlations of computing upscaled absolute and relative permeabilities. A capillary-limit upscaling technique was applied for the case study, since a target reservoir is capillary dominant.

In the case study, history match was conducted on a sector of an oil-wet carbonate reservoir under waterflooding for 20 years. In each modification, the revised geological model of three million blocks was upscaled to a flow model of 60 thousand blocks in a process independent manner with a scale-up factor of 50. The CPU speed-up factor was approximately 200: 10 days for the detailed model with massive parallel computing and an hour for the upscaled model with a personal computer.

Even with such significant CPU time reduction, it was confirmed that the upscaled model still maintained the simulation quality of the detailed geological model.
Pressure Transeint Analysis of Horizontal Wells in a Fractured Reservoir; Gridding Between Art and Science
Authors: Al-Thawad Faisal , Agyapong Dominic , Banerjee Raj , Issaka M. B.
Published: December 2007

In this paper we demonstrate the power of numerical simulation to match pressure data of complex horizontal wells of different types and reservoir heterogeneities. Analyzing large number of horizontal wells has shown that often there are cases that cannot be satisfactorily interpreted using analytical techniques. It requires more detailed investigation to handle several theoretical and practical challenges that are not normally encountered in analyzing vertical wells. The most important of these challenges are (1) the number of flow regimes in case of homogeneous infinite-acting reservoir, are 3 to 4 namely; early radial, linear, late radial and/or sometimes hemiradial and (2) the reservoir heterogeneity encountered while drilling horizontal wells (i.e. layering, faults/fractures, composite systems, …)

Finding the optimum grid settings necessary to model the flow regimes is by far the most critical aspect of the numerical simulation. Without an optimum grid, pressure response that represents numerical artifact, rather than physics of the problem, can be generated.

Three field cases are presented in this paper; a horizontal well intersecting a finite conductivity fracture, a horizontal power water injector well at the edge of the reservoir and a horizontal close to a finite conductivity fault. An integrated approach was used to match the pressure responses.
3D-All-The-Way™ and F6 Further Development
Authors: Alessio Laurent , Bourdon Laurent , Coca Spencer , Everts Arnout J. , MacArthur John
Published: December 2007

It is well established that working in an integrated team is a more valuable and efficient way of working. But how to ensure that the maximum value is harnessed from those multidisciplinary teams? The approach chosen in Shell Malaysia is to turn the typical sequential study flow pattern from seismicstatic-dynamic-development plan into a truly parallel one. This means: integration through iterations, where the end objective is worked from a 50/50 solution iteratively towards the 80/20 or more. This is what 3D-All-The-Way™ is all about! This paper describes a live example of this way of working applied to the further development of F6, one of the largest gas fields operated by Shell Malaysia in Sarawak waters.

The F6 field is located in the Central Laconia carbonate province, some 180 km offshore form Bintulu. The field has been on production since 1987, and over half of the reserves produced have been drained by 11 slightly deviated wells from its own standalone platform facilities. F6 existing well capacity is coming under threat with regional aquifer rise and localised coning around wells. As a result, further development is required to maintain the capacity at the level required from the supply plan, and to ensure that reserves are protected against the un-even rise of the aquifer in the field. This redevelopment study used the most recent data available, ranging from 3D seismic, to pressure and contact surveillance.

The business value of the 3D-All-The-Way™ approach is (1) speed: as the redevelopment plan and supporting studies are executed in a reduced time-frame (2) efficiency: as from an early stage and continuously through the study work unrealistic subsurface realisations and development options are screened out, (3) quality: the overall robustness of the subsurface work is improved, as every discipline are contributing simultaneously, and at each iteration. Finally, as an added bonus, the teamwork is more enjoyable and crossdiscipline learning is enhanced.

The methodology followed by the F6 further development team is being applied to other Field Development Plans within Shell Malaysia E&P, with the same success, saving time, improving the quality of the models and of the decisions.
Effects of Vertical Heterogeneity on Waterflood Performance in Stratified Reservoirs: A Case Study in Bangko Field, Indonesia
Authors: Permadi A. K. , Yuwono I. P. , Simanjuntak A. J. S.
Published: December 2007

Stratified reservoirs may have different types of heterogeneity in terms of grain size distribution in vertical direction. Geological surveys (i.e. using well logs) have long recognized the existence of fining upward and coarsening upward formations. In this study, such formations refer to as systems with decreasing upward and increasing upward permeability trends, respectively. Many waterflood candidate reservoirs have been found to follow either classification. However, the awareness of including this distribution classification as one of the screening criteria prior to waterflooding has not been established in the oil industry.

A simulation study using a number of conceptual stratified reservoir models has been conducted. The results show that grain size distribution classification should have significant impact on waterflood performance. Each of the two classifications yields different effects on vertical sweep efficiency resulting from different crossflow mechanisms, which consequently gives different waterflood performance. It has been found that the oil recovery from waterflooding a reservoir with coarsening upward formation will always be higher than that from waterflooding exactly the same reservoir but with the opposite classification (i.e. fining upward formation) even though the two reservoirs are of the same level of heterogeneity (i.e. similar values of coefficient of permeability variation). In this study, the degree of heterogeneity effects on recovery were investigated as well as the magnitude of vertical-to-horizontal permeability ratio effects. Also, permeability noise was addressed as the reservoir may contain contrast permeability streaks in between the adjacent layers.

A correlation has been derived based on the simulation results and has been proven to be able to predict simulation results with relatively good accuracy. Validations performed by comparison to actual production from a simple injection scheme (one injector and one producer) in Bangko Field, Indonesia, indicate that oil production rates obtained from the correlation show good agreement with those of production history.