bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raising Environmental Awareness among the Workforce
Authors: Booth M. J. , Shirt P.
Published: December 2007

One of the major challenges facing E&P operators is to raise environmental awareness and understanding among their staff and contractors so that the management of environmental issues becomes an integral part of everyday working. To a large extent this integration has been achieved with safety. Employees know they can contribute directly to the goal of improved safety and workforce involvement has been a major factor in bringing about the improvements in E&P safety performance we have seen in recent years.

In contrast the workforce can feel divorced from the key environmental problems facing the industry. With the important exception of spill prevention they do not believe they can make a significant contribution on issues such as flaring and venting, energy efficiency and the reduction of oil in water. These are seen as complicated problems for management, which can only be solved by major engineering expenditures.

Any successful environmental programme must be based on wholehearted management commitment, a structured programme of engineering upgrades, and continuous operational improvements. But without the involvement of the workforce no programme will succeed in the long term.

The paper examines how a major operator set about raising the levels of environmental awareness and involvement among staff and contractors at all levels in the organisation, both offshore and onshore. This went far beyond a traditional environmental campaign. Management Champion groups were set up to drive improvement in key areas. The offshore staff set up a group to review all operating procedures for their environmental content. An environmental questionnaire was sent out to all members of the workforce to obtain their input.

Workshops were organised to enhance lateral learning and benchmarking was undertaken with other operators and other industries. Environmental Days were held at the major locations. All this was underpinned by a multitude of locally generated activities ranging from simple office initiatives to projects to contribute to sustainable development.
The Implementation of the ISO 14000 Series in the Brazilian Oil Industry
Authors: Amaral Sergio Pinto
Published: December 2007

This paper presents the work of ISO TC 207 to develop the ISO 14000 series of environmental management standards. Efforts, carried out in Brazil, to analyze and comment the proposed ISO draft standards are also explained. Petrobras, the state-owned Brazilan oil company participates in the ISO 14000 process. The strategy of Petrobras for the implementation of ISO 14001, in different business areas of the Company, aiming at environmental certification, is detailed. The initial results of these projects, which are under development, including costs involved, are presented. Also the main characteristics of the Amazon E&P project, our first pilot project, are described. Finally, it is our intention with this paper to encourage other oil companies to implement the ISO 14000 series.
Leveraging Continual Improvement In The Environment And Safety Process
Authors: Trim J.
Published: December 2007

Excellence in performance is a function of the commitment to environment and safety - a value mutually reinforcing efficiency in the corporate mainstream. Environment and safety issues inform the organizing principle and logic and must be merged with the business processes.

The strategies to facilitate continual improvement, usually involve a mix of interventions in the management and/or work systems components. These interventions can be broadly categorized as improvement of the mean, reduction of variation and stabilization.

This paper presents an approach to leveraging the Environment and Safety improvement process by actively engaging the critical success factors, that is, areas of latent failures in the environment and safety management system. The five areas of focus critical to success are: (1) Job Design; (2) Capacity (Competence); (3) Resource Association; (4) Organizational Climate and (5) Coaching.

These critical success factors are used in the application of the interventions and drive the management system. They are therefore applicable in the proactive mode, for example in defining, benchmarking and testing changes in process inputs, and in "fix-as-fail" situations such as in incident investigation and remedy - informed by root cause analysis. These are illustrated by instruments used in interventions and analyses.

Sustained commitment is necessary for success and the effort is facilitated by a cross-functional environment and safety management committee.

Moreover, this beyond-compliance approach demands that the organization be positioned as a learning organization through the involvement of the line and staff functions.

Leading indicators and online measurement to anticipate future performance, signal opportunities and validate the process are discussed.
Outcome of the Expert Meeting on Environmental Practices in Offshore Oil and Gas Activities
Authors: Post F. M. , Tacoma A.
Published: December 2007

An international Expert Meeting on Environmental Practices in Offshore Oil and Gas Activities was organized by Brazil and The Netherlands. This Expert Meeting took place from 17 to 20 November 1997 in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

More than 250 participants from 59 countries and 25 international organizations, including representatives from the offshore industry and environmental organizations, participated in the Expert Meeting.

The objectives of the Expert Meeting were (1) to exchange information and experiences with regard to offshore oil and gas activities in relation to protection of the marine environment, among relevant actors, (2) to capture sound environmental practices, with the aim to enhance environmental performance in offshore E&P activities, (3) to exchange information and experiences on the establishment and implementation of policies, strategies, environmental approaches, systems etc., and (4) to maintain and improve international co-operation, participation and exchange of information and experiences between countries, industry and relevant organisations.

One of the main conclusion of the Expert Meeting was that the concept of "Sustainable Development" in offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation can be made operational in the form of a joint development of environmental best practice guidelines in offshore oil and gas activities, obtained through open discussion between countries, governmental organisations and other interested parties within the framework of regional or local environmental and socio-economic conditions.

Furthermore, it was noted that the offshore oil and gas industry operates in the context of a multitude of social, economic, physical and environmental factors, according to the principles of Sustainable Development and the Precautionary Approach, as articulated in Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The balance between these factors varies from region to region; companies and joint-ventures operate on a global scale in strong world market competition, as well as in the context of global and regional conventions.

It was also concluded that efforts should be made to ensure that similar meetings will take place on a periodic basis in the future, in order to create a forum for the free exchange of information, experiences and ideas between regulators, the offshore petroleum sector, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organisations.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) for E & P Environmental Management Applied to Sensitive Zones
Authors: Sulistiyono Sulistiyono , Dwistiadi Dyan , Widiarso Didik , Dutrieux Eric , Gayte Olivier , GENESTE Philippe , Vidalie Jean-François
Published: December 2007

It is becoming more and more frequent for oil Companies to integrate environmental related aspects in their E&P operations. Due to the extensive nature of such activities, a means of good environmental management of sensitive zones (deltas, mangroves, rain forests, coral reefs, protected areas, etc.) is required.

TOTAL Indonésie, a subsidiary of TOTAL, a French international oil company and one of the production sharing contractors of PERTAMINA, the Indonesian owned state oil company, has developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) for its operation in the Mahakam delta, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with the following purposes: To gain a better knowledge of the delta and monitor its evolution,To manage the physico-chemical data recorded regularly as an integral part of a monitoring program,To have information available for taking decisions in case of any crisis.

The approach adopted within the scope of this project is unique from several points of view.

It is based on the simultaneous considerations of several themes: traditional socio-economic activities (land use and occupation, aquaculture, fisheries, agriculture), the natural environment (flora and fauna) and oil and gas E & P activities. A map of operational sensitivity can be drawn by use of data coming from different sources involving the use of satellite images, allowing the dynamics of the area to be reconstituted over the last years.

The computer tools used are based on the System for Information on the Environment concepts developed by the partners. This method has made it possible to define the techniques for representing spatial discrimination of time referenced data.

Also, within the scope of the Environmental Management Plans that TOTAL is presently establishing, the GIS provides a powerful tool for integrating and managing the environmental site data and a genuine indicator set for production activities and new development ventures. GIS may also be a help for sustainable development of coastal resources, and biodiversity protection, in close cooperation between Total Indonésie and local authorities.
The London Convention, Evolving to More Robust Impact Assessment
Authors: Campbell John A
Published: December 2007

The London Convention, which regulates dumping at sea on a global basis has recently approved a substantial change in its operational processes with the adoption of a Waste Assessment procedure. This new procedure replaces the traditional substance based approach which had been in operation since the Convention entered into force in the mid 1970s. The Waste Assessment Framework (WAF) was adopted by the Consultative Meeting in 1995 and represented a step change in the way in which materials proposed for sea disposal were evaluated. Furthermore, the Assessment Framework has been incorporated into the newly negotiated Protocol to the London Convention, agreed in 1996. Although policy initiatives within the Convention have resulted in prohibitions on a number of waste categories, the Assessment Framework is a cornerstone of the implementation of the Convention. The key elements of the framework are prevention audits, waste categorisation and comparative assessment of disposal alternatives.

The Scientific Group of the London Convention is presently preparing a set of interpretative guidelines for the Annex for each of the waste categories for which disposal at sea is now permitted. A number of countries is taking the lead in this work with the aim of providing a guidance package It is expected that some of these interpretative guidelines will be ready for adoption by the Consultative Meeting, in 1998.
Effective Regulation and Management of HSE Issues in the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria
Authors: Dublin-Green W. F. , Nwankwo J. N. , Irrechukwu D. O.
Published: December 2007

The Petroleum and gas industry is increasingly faced with an array of environment, health and safety issues. Standards with respect to the inter-phase between the industry and the various environmental compartments derive from available and applicable technology in any sector of the industry. Industry operators have evolved to become self regulatory in some instances while in others. they wait to comply with prescriptive regulations and respond to the degree of their enforcement. This paper discusses the emergence and growth of HSE awareness as pioneered by the regulatory department for the Nigerian Petroleum and Gas Industry. The institutional framework for the establishment and management of HSE programmes specific to the industry are discussed. The evolving regulations deriving from the indigeneously styled framework arc juxtaposed with the advancements and achievements over the period of its existence, with special reference to the use and discharge of drilling fluids and other chemicals in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry. Future challenges and anticipated achievements are discussed against the backdrop of global expectations and practices bearing in mind the inherent complexities of a mono-product based developing economy, such as Nigeria's.
Justification of Radiation Monitoring of the Impact on Environment in Production and Treatment of Oil
Authors: Takhautdinov Sh. F. , Sizov B. A. , Diyashev R. N. , Zaitsev V. I. , Antonov G. P.
Published: December 2007

In a number of oil producing regions of the world the production and treatment of oil is accompanied by NORM contamination of well equipment and technological facilities. Radioactivity of seales and oil sludges is caused by presence in them of radium isotopes in the form of radiobarite and products of their decay.

JSC "Tatneft" has developed a system of monitoring over the probable radiation impact on environment on the territory of its activity.

Oil sludges, deposited on oil treatment units, consist of heavy oil fractions and minerals, presented by oxides of silicon, iron, aluminium and a number of other compounds. Average content of radiobarite in oil sludges is 1–2%. Specific activity of radium isotopes achieves 18.5–29.6×104 Bq/kg.

Propagation of decay products of radium isotopes into environment is probable at the expense of radon release or formation of radioactive aerosols, their leaching from sites of temporary storage of oil sludges. Consequently, it is necessary to control the content of radioactive aerosols in atmospheric air and radium isotopes in surface and groundwaters.

Periodicity of determination of radionuclides content in different media depends on temperature variations by seasons, amount of falling precipitations, as well as by the conditions of temporary storage of oil sludges and their amount. The conducted measurements show that activity of radium isotopes in reservoirs or sources of groundwaters, located in the radius of 2–3 km from oil treatment facilities, does not exceed levels, established by sanitary regulations of Russian Federation (Ra-226 - 0.89 Bq/l, Ra-228 - 0.37 Bq/l). Comparison of these data with results of measurements conducted in the middle of 60-s shows that for the elapsed 30 years the average activity of radium isotopes in surface and groundwaters on the territory of JSC "Tatneft" did not change. The activity of aerosols in atmospheric air on the territory of production facilities for oil treatment and settlements also does not exceed safe levels.

The developed system of monitoring and observance of certain safety measures provide content of radium isotopes and products of its decay in the environment within limits, do not exceeding those established by environmental regulations.
Safety Performance Data for the Worldwide Upstream Oil & Gas Industry - 1996
Authors: Cloughley T. M. G. , Thomas I.
Published: December 2007

The E&P Forum collects safety statistics annually on accidents within the worldwide exploration and production industry. In 1996, data were collected from 36 companies and their contractors operating in over 60 countries. The survey, covering over 900 million manhours, is unique in its breadth and size.

Data are collected on fatalities, their causes, lost-time injuries and other injuries and are reported on a frequency basis related to population manhours. Reports are generated for the overall statistics, for contractors and companies separately, for onshore and offshore operations, for exploration, drilling and production activities and for regional performances. In each case, 1996 results are set in the context of trends over the past 10 years derived from previous data collection exercises.

The report is used to appraise safety performance, to establish areas deserving enhanced attention, and for benchmarking.
Inter-Governmental Co-operation in the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Cattini Dominic J. A.
Published: December 2007

This paper provides readers with an insight into the collaborative work being undertaken by North West European regulatory authorities responsible for oil and gas exploration and production activities in the North Sea. The primary focus is on the current co-operative work and its perceived benefits for industry. It is hoped this co-operative work will enable owners and operators of mobile offshore units to move their vessels more freely around the North Sea, with the minimum of bureaucratic "red tape". There are currently two main areas of inter-governmental co-operation, the "safety case" for mobile offshore units and safety training requirements for offshore workers.

Its secondary aim will be to provide a preliminary overview of the work of the North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum multi-national audit team. The first assignment of this team, is an audit of the management system of a mobile offshore drilling unit contractor. With the co-operation of the drilling industry, a candidate, active on four parts of the North West European continental shelf, was chosen. As a consequence, this contractor is therefore required to operate in compliance with four legislatory regimes, namely those of Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway and The United Kingdom. Initial feedback, of the work performed by the audit team, is presented.

By focusing on the problems experienced by mobile offshore unit owners, operators and contractors, when moving their vessels from one jurisdiction to another across the North Sea, it is hoped that this inter-governmental initiative will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory supervision and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
Recent Advances in Oil Spill Dispersant Technology with Emphasis on New Capability to Disperse Heavy Oil
Authors: Lessard R. R. , DeMarco G. , Fiocco R. J. , Lunel T. , Lewis A.
Published: December 2007

The focus of industry and government activities with respect to oil spills is on prevention. Despite best prevention efforts, however, some spills will occur and industry and government must be fully prepared to respond. After 30 years of studies and practical experience, there is now a definitive body of evidence that the use of dispersants to counter the effects of an oil spill can result in lower overall environmental impact than relying on other countermeasures, and for many large spills, it is often the only practical at-sea response technique. This conclusion is supported by numerous international organizations. A number of countries, including the U.S. have recently become more pro-active in supporting and advocating dispersant use. One major reason for this support has been the development of new dispersants with increased capability and improved toxicity characteristics. This paper focuses on new capability to disperse heavy and/or weathered oils such as bunkers. It summarizes the mechanism by which dispersants work, lists their advantages and reviews the results of recent large-scale field tests in the North Sea which conclusively demonstrated the capability of new products to disperse heavy and weathered oils.
Ergonomics and Petroleum Engineering
Authors: Satrun Eugene A.
Published: December 2007

Ergonomics, the art and science of adapting the work environment to fit people, has become increasingly popular in recent years. This has been due to increased news media attention, million dollar federal penalties, process safety management requirements (which include human factors considerations), and greater employee awareness. While correcting past design inadequacies may not always be possible, new installations, repairs, or renovations present an opportunity to create a more "user friendly" environment, often with little extra expense. What this can mean is a reduction in the probability of injury, improved operations (through fewer errors and increased efficiency), and greater employee morale.

Ergonomics includes a broad range of issues including lighting (process and control), operability of controls (accessibility, orientation, operating force), placement and readability of critical gauges, material handling, ladders and walking surfaces, work station design, and employee alertness. Through lack of awareness, inattention to detail, or for many other reasons ergonomic deficiencies continue. Examples may be easy to find like a difficult to access valve that also takes several people to operate, or more obscure like a difficult to read gauge that increases a workers chance for misreading it. Often the cause of an incident may be listed as operator error, but if a good root cause analysis were to be conducted, contributing ergonomic factors may often be found.

This paper will focus on the importance of the engineer in the ergonomic process, design considerations, and resources that are available. An in-house training course entitled "Ergonomic Design Awareness for Petrochemical Engineers," which is currently being developed, will also be reviewed. While not intended to make experts out of participants, this course should help them think more about the broad range of ergonomic considerations and obtain additional resources when needed.
Perceptions of Procedures by Operators and Supervisors
Authors: Hudson P. T. W. , van der Graaf G. C. , Verschuur W. L. G.
Published: December 2007

This paper reports a study carried out on the perceptions of supervisors, technicians and operators of the procedures for seven safety-critical activities. Using a questionnaire in which the subjects rated a variety of attributes, and ranked the different procedures in terms of dangerousness, controllability, susceptibility to violation, a mental model was constructed within which the different procedures can be placed. It was found that there are few differences between supervisors and operators, but where there are these probably relate to the time-scale over which control is exerted. The rated quality of procedures was found not to be related to the perceived susceptibility to violation. One important finding was that, contrary to the expectations of safety management systems designers, concurrent operations were rated as both less dangerous and more controllable. The conclusion is that such techniques can uncover major differences between how the workforce see procedures and how management believes they are being used.
The Use of a Total Quality Management (TQM) Program to Change the Behavior of Rig Personnel for the Development of a Team Work Culture to Enhance Rig Safety Management
Authors: Whitmore A. S. , Stibbs W. G.
Published: December 2007

Sedco Forex is an International Drilling Contractor operating several different types of rig world wide through a decentralized organization with a headcount of approximately 7000 employees. The integration, training and development of indigenous staff to fulfill all senior and junior job positions is a core value of the company. During the past two years a TQM program was launched world wide primarily to help with integration of personnel and to foster a new team work culture. The objective of the program is to achieve a system of continuous improvement that focuses on operational performance and safety of rig operations. This paper will discuss:

■ The importance of adopting TQM principles to ensure that the quality and safety of our operations are continually reviewed and improved for our future success ■ The method of "getting the message across" ■ The reasons why TQM can be useful in encouraging all disciplines to work together towards common goals that will optimize achievement of organizational and personal objectives ■ The stages of development that are necessary to complete the transition from the traditional "reactive" Oil and Gas Exploration and Production industry, into the "proactive" organizational culture that will be required to guarantee success beyond the year 2000 ■ How to positively promote the "active" teamwork culture throughout an organization whilst managing to maintain personal innovation opportunities for everyone ■ The experiences of implementing TQM at Sedco Forex, both in office and rig site environments, in highly regulated and not so highly regulated countries, and the ways of avoiding some of the potential pitfalls.
Quantitative Performance Measure of HSE Management System Effectiveness
Authors: Dujmovich Thomas J.
Published: December 2007

Guidelines were recently issued by the E & P Forum to assist in the development and application of leading metrics. Leading metrics are usually thought of in terms of having predictive value to impending personal injury, property damage and adverse environmental impact. The guideline's focus on leading metrics enables organizations to measure behaviors impacting HSE performance before the adverse event occurs. As the development and implementation of a leading metric system can be complex, it is the intent of this paper to offer direction on how to develop selected metrics. While it is deemed important to have an effective Health, Safety and Environmental System in place, this system also serves as the basis of the "metric tool kit". The "metric tool kit" has seven sections:

Leadership and Commitment Policy and Strategic Objectives Organization, Resources and Documentation Evaluation and Risk Management Planning Imlementation and Monitoring Auditing and Review

These sections compliment E & P Forum Report No. 6.36/210, Guidelines for the Development and Application of Health, Safety and Environmental Systems.

Description of examples of items to measure are included, as well as a description of the systematic approach to quantitatively calculate the metric.
Competency Assurance of Drilling rig Operatives: A Drilling Contractors Approach
Authors: Karmous K. , Clyne N. , McLean I.
Published: December 2007

Drilling Contractors operating Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) have considerable experience of complying with the requirements of Classification Societies and other Industry Standards such as those of API, Lloyds, ABS, DNV etc. These Standards have one common objective which is to demonstrate that a rig's structure and its drilling and well control systems are appropriate for the stated range of foreseeable operating conditions. However, they do not address the demonstration of competency of the rig's operatives.

Apart from some limited requirements with respect to well control, marine responsibilities and emergency training, there has been no official requirement that drilling contractors demonstrate the competency of their crews. Traditionally, drilling contractors and service companies recruited people whom they considered capable of fulfilling certain functions, provided them with training then asked them do the work, initially under supervision of an experienced colleague and subsequently without direct supervision. Whilst this methodology largely remains today's approach to ensuring personnel are competent, it does not adequately provide for the capacity of being able to demonstrate competence.

As the oil and gas industry increasingly adopts the principles of modern health, safety and environmental management, the people element is of greater significance. Clients and industry authorities are increasing their requirements for drilling contractors and service companies to not only demonstrate that their rig and its equipment are fit for purpose, but also that their operatives are able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and motivation necessary to perform the work safely and efficiently and are able to respond appropriately to emergency situations.

This paper provides information on the definition we give to competence and why it is embraced as an important element of modern risk management. It reviews the options available to drilling contractors for demonstrating competence. The paper then discusses the approach adopted by Sedco Forex North Sea Division, an approach which is based on traditional good practices of recruitment, training and performance evaluations, while focusing formal assessment of operatives' competency on health, safety and environmentally (HSE) critical activities.
Occupational (Industrial) Hygiene Programmes Within South American Assets
Authors: Morgan Lynne
Published: December 2007

British Petroleum Exploration (BPX) has over the past four to five years been carrying out extensive exploration work in several South American countries. Numerous health protection programmes have been set up by BPX, to not only meet the requirements of local legislation, but also BP Group's own Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) policy and to be in line with both North American and European HSE developments and demands. This paper will describe the main occupational health hazards encountered, the baseline occupational (Industrial) hygiene assessment, control and training programmes established, and the progress made in BPX's Colombian and Venezuelan assets.

Occupational hygiene activities for both countries were initially undertaken by BPX Colombia's Medical Group, who then drew in safety, environmental, engineering and occupational hygiene specialists such as myself, from not only within Colombia and Venezuela, but also the BP Group at large to expand the scope and depth of the preliminary programmes. In addition, external local expertise from the National Oil Companies, Government Departments, Universities and other specialist contract and manufacturing groups have been incorporated into specific one off and/or on-going projects for both assets. For the past three years plus, BPX Venezuela has been setting up its own HSE Group, with Medical again overseeing the occupational hygiene elements.

Progress has been made with the expansion of both assets own health protection ventures and the general raising of the profile of occupational hygiene nationally and within the BP Group world wide. There is still a lot of work to be done, but advances are being made in many areas and we feel a sound base for future growth in health protection fields has been laid.
Living With Radiation in Oil Fields
Authors: Marei Samy
Published: December 2007

A great concern of the national and international organization is the protection of individuals, society and the environment, including the harmful effect of the dangerous materials.

Radiation cannot be seen or smelled, can only be detected by special equipment, and a high levels may lead to damage of the human body, but with the adequate precautions we can handle it safely and without risk to health. Using radioactive sources in well logging expands to become an indispensable part of formation evaluation. Americium - 241, beryllium, cesium - 137, are used for well logging to measure various formation parameters. Radioactive source is one of the means for measuring water channelling behind casing in the well bore. Indium - 113, iodine 125, iodine - 131, and others are known as tracers in the oil industry. Cobalt - 60, iridium - 192, are also commonly used for radiography and when inspection of welding is required. Naturally occurring radioactive materials "NORM" such as uranium - 238, thorium - 222 have been known to be present in varying concentration in hydrocarbon reservoirs. These "NORM" under conditions can be transferred to the surface and deposited as scales and sludges in flow lines, separators, pumps, filters and other vessels. Radiation is one of the hazards in the oil and gas industry which we have to live with.

The paper objective is not only to provide general guidelines, on how we can manage the radiation in oil fields, but also to show the experience of SUCO in handling this hazard and safe guarding the employees, the public and the environment against the radiation hazard.

The paper will cover the following:

Risk assessment of radiation hazards Equipment for the area survey Area classification (NORM) Personnel monitoring / does limits Radiation waste disposal Recommended training & licenses Rules and legislation
Modular Road, an Access Option for Wetland Environments
Authors: Covarrubias N. , Miura P. , Mayor J. , Urich J. , Guevara O. , Ortega J. , Gómez N. , Duque N. , Asuaje R. , Quiñones R.
Published: December 2007

A significant proportion of the expected oil reserves to be found and produced in Eastern Venezuela, are located on wetlands from the Orinoco River Delta (Monagas and Delta Amacuro States). These environments have complex hydraulic due to the confluence in a very flat topography of mayor drainage and confinements basins of the Orinoco River. Additional complexity is derived from a tidal system with back tides and varying tidal levels according to locations. Furthermore, previous studies have demonstrated that great extensions of these wetlands have several meters of peat accumulations, laid on top of sulphidic marine clays that can generate strong acidification problems if are drained and/or exposed to oxidation. In order to solve this environmental constraints, allowing access without dredging and minimum perturbation of this substrates, a modular road concept was developed and tested in a swamp environment at the Caripito Oil Terminal (Monagas State), that uses a light concrete cylinder and other smaller components as building blocks. The cylinder of 860 Kg. and 0.7 m. of outer diameter has a length of 2.82m. An internal honeycomb structure allows for flotation. In order to test the concept a road of 50 m length was built using 270 cylinders placed over a swamp soil with a resistance of 0,18 Kg/cm2. A truck loaded with 100 ton. was passed over 110 times, and settling rates and road deformation was topographically measured. The road was subsequently dismounted and the cylinder inspected for fractures. No fractures were reported in any of the cylinders.
Minimising Environmental Impact: An Integrated Approach to Waste Management
Authors: Page P. W. , Twynam A. J. , Burt D.
Published: December 2007

Minimizing the environmental impact of drilling operations has been recognized by BP Exploration as critical in maintaining reputation and upholding a commitment of no damage to the environment. One of the critical areas in minimizing impact is the goal of minimizing waste generation at the rig site.

BP Exploration is attempting to facilitate this by adopting an integrated team approach to drilling fluid, solids control and waste disposal services. This integration provides fluids service companies with opportunities to improve their competencies in all aspects of fluids management, viz. fluids selection, optimizing dilution rates and solids control equipment, addressing waste handling processes and waste disposal issues. Since these processes interrelate, waste can be minimized and costs reduced. This approach also challenges conventional ways of working to:

develop consensus goals between all disciplines, contractors, and customer; identify improved ways of working to develop a multidisciplinary team approach; agree performance measures; establish targets and incentive schemes for achieving targets; establish a fit for purpose process monitoring and reporting system that measures performance, capture lessons learnt.

Generally, quality control, processes and tools for monitoring and evaluating the separation and economic efficiency of solids control equipment are poorly understood by the fluids service sector. The paper shows how this integrated approach provides an opportunity to improve this understanding and capture performance data to improve benchmarking standards for incentive contracts.
The Use of Directional Drilling in the Industry's Effort to Minimize Environmental Impact: Block 16 Project
Authors: Vera Juan Sebastion , Galarraga Alex , Cevallos Moises , Choo Dominick
Published: December 2007

Worldwide exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons has been driven into remote and environmentally sensitive areas as other traditional areas are being depleted. Such is the case in the South American nation of Ecuador. Petroleum exploration began in Ecuador in the 1920s when drilling commenced off the coast of Guayaquil. In the 1930s, the activity migrated inland and today, most of it is centered around the Amazon region or "Oriente". The Oriente is a vast area of tropical rain forest which is home to many of the indigenous tribes of Ecuador as well as exotic flora and fauna unique to the world. Because of the sensitive landscape, directional drilling is a technique commonly used by oil companies in the Oriente to enhance their production while leaving the smallest footprint on the environment. The paper discusses in detail the directional drilling techniques used by YPF Ecuador to achieve their development objectives in Block 16. The paper also introduces the technique of horizontal drilling, a step change in directional drilling technique with superior results. Finally, the paper demonstrates why directional drilling is the key to exploration and development while minimizing the impact on the environment.
Improving Environmental Performance: A Nigerian Oil Company's Experience
Authors: Shaw Angela , Ebong Isidore
Published: December 2007

Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (EPNL) is committed to improving its environmental performance. This commitment reflects the increasing importance placed on the environment in society and changing expectations of corporate behaviour. These rapid changes, enabled by the sudden explosion in global communications technology, have been championed by pressure groups which have been influential.

EPNL has made many improvements to environmental performance and internally the environmental department is challenging old practices and priorities as well as educating and training staff in basic environmental awareness. However, many complex, inter-related factors have affected the pace of change including community development, government regulations and funding.

This paper examines these challenges, looks at what is being done to overcome them, and discusses outstanding issues and actions.
International Methods of Evaluating the Discharge of Drilling Fluids in Marine Environments
Authors: Jones Fredrick V. , Hood Cheryl , Moiseychenko Galina
Published: December 2007

Restrictions on the discharge of drilling mud and cuttings around the world are governed by standards, norms, laws and regulations designed to provide protection to the surrounding marine environment. Operations have been ongoing in waters off the American coasts and the North Sea for the longest period of time and both areas have developed the most detailed set of restrictions and testing of both the discharges and the chemicals used in drilling fluids.

Since the late 1970's, offshore operations have expanded throughout the world in Africa, South America, the Middle East, Asia, and in other areas. In many instances these countries have developed their own standards and requirements for discharges either through individual country laws or through international standards (i.e., the Baltic Sea Convention). Methodologies used to evaluate drilling fluids and their discharges include; biotesting (of both whole mud and the individuals chemicals), chemical restrictions and analysis, oil content, biodegradability to name but a few.

How best to evaluate these discharges around the world has become problematic. The cost of testing fluids for each new venture is both costly, time consuming, and in many instances unwarranted. However, each region and country has the right and legal and moral obligation to assure that any industrial activity off their coasts is controlled and the environment proven safe from these activities.

The following paper discusses the various methods and methodologies that have been used around the world to evaluate drilling fluids and their approval for discharges. The paper describes the positive and negative aspects of these methods and compares results from three major offshore areas where operations are currently being conducted: US, North Sea, and Russia. Other area methodologies and restrictions are discussed also. It is hoped this effort will provide both national, international, and regional controlling bodies with scientific data that can be used to develop a standard method of analysis to promote offshore development while safeguarding the marine environment.
NORM Contributes to OHS Risks in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Burrill S. M.
Published: December 2007

The primary focus of most current literature concerning Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is the struggle of regulators trying to gain better control over this material. During the battle to decide who should regulate NORM, related Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks have been overlooked. As a result, worker and public exposures to NORM have not been closely monitored or controlled. People charged with managing OHS risks in the workplace understand that their job is not complete until all occupational risks have been identified, evaluated and mitigated or controlled. Are unknown NORM-related OHS risks acceptable to you, your workers or your company? Once the NORM-related OHS risks have been identified and evaluated, a control program must be developed in order to manage those risks. This control program can be incorporated into the overall OHS program at your company. Only then will your company's liability be reduced for future health effect litigation due to occupational exposure to NORM contamination. Clearly, the radiation exposure risk presented by NORM contamination in the Oil and Gas Industry is an OHS risk and should be managed as such. This paper discusses some of the regulatory drivers which mandate that all OHS risks be controlled and outlines a process by which NORM-related OHS risks can be analyzed.
Driving Towards Self-Regulation
Authors: Kapila S.
Published: December 2007

Demand for oil and gas has increasingly led operators to enter more sensitive environments. Frequently these sensitive environments are located in less developed countries (LDCs). Operators have traditionally misunderstood the degree to which these sensitivities are impacted upon, often leading to inadequate attention being paid to social and environmental issues.

Recently this has been forced to change. Investors, the public and environmental organisations today expect a more transparent, efficiently run and profitable operator who can manage its affairs with increased social and environmental responsibility. In this paper we argue that the onus on achieving this rests on the operator.

LDCs are often financially under-resourced, under pressure to pay off debts while meeting the needs for economic liberalisation, and unable to enforce their already weak legislative framework on their own. Consequently, they are often unable to turn away potential foreign investment.

We discuss the use of ‘critical success factors’ (CSFs), en compassing new techniques based on an HSE MS, as a possible approach to achieving increased corporate social and environmental responsibility and obtaining a publicly endorsed ‘licence to operate’. The implementation of these CSFs is argued as a means of minimising or avoiding potential opposition to the project, gaining consensus form stakeholders, enhancing long-term project success, and increasing overall profits.

We use several examples to demonstrate how selfregulation has led operators to implement CSFs such as adopting a new policy statement, stakeholder participation, social impact assessment, and internal auditing. The paper focuses on one case study in particular, that of a current operation in the Peruvian Amazonian basin, in a region of high bio-diversity and sensitivity.

We conclude that self-regulation enables an operator to take personal responsibility in raising its own standards to provide benefit in the long-term. It can therefore be used as a powerful lever for combined peer and government pressure to set the benchmark for other operators, and may provide the catalyst for change.
Building a Quality Model for HSE Policy Implementation
Authors: Pemberton James B.
Published: December 2007

Focus on execution of quality health, safety and environmental (HSE) processes has been diverted by focus on regulatory compliance and confusing management terminology. Since most of these processes are "behavioral processes", improvement in HSE performance in the oil and gas industry has been dampened. A clear picture of an HSE process is developed and the "model" utilized in development of an overall HSE management system. The HSE policy of the company is utilized as the "road map" in development of the overall system. This visual approach helps in shifting from a "regulatory reactive" to a "process proactive" culture. This graphical model of an HSE process can also be utilized as a link to other business activity processes. A process mindset will be necessary to produce cost-effective HSE packaging and resultant behaviors as the industry enters the next century.
Applications - Risk - Based Corrective Actions for Abandoned E&P Well Sites In Colombia
Authors: Villegas I.
Published: December 2007

This article contains the experiences in developing a specific methodology for waste evaluation and abandonment in earth pits located in an oil production field of a Concession contract in Colombia. The framework in which the methodology was developed was the RBCA-ASTM 1739 – 95 standard, from which the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of impacts on soil and groundwater and the definition of the appropriate corrective actions arising from earth pits that stored drilling and production wastes in oil fields for over 30 years of exploitation were prepared and arranged with the environmental authority.
Prioritizing Risk Reduction Projects
Authors: Robnett C. R.
Published: December 2007

Many companies find themselves struggling to address multiple recommendations from health, environment and safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations. These diverse recommendations for risk reduction compete for limited resources. Without a systematic prioritization tool, inconsistent and inefficient allocation of resources is the likely result. Risk reduction recommendations can be prioritized based on the perceived consequences of the avoided event, the risk of the event, or the risk reduction achieved by the proposal. Prioritization tools in use at Chevron have included voting systems, weighted scoring, multi-criteria utility analysis and decision analysis. We will discuss the development of these tools as well as opportunities we encountered as they were applied.
Harnessing Information Technology and Employee Participation for Improved Risk Management
Authors: Viddal A. H.
Published: December 2007

Schlumberger Geco-Prakla Marine are convinced that a principal issue underpinning the capability to improve operational efficiency is the active involvement of employees in observing, analyzing and reporting losses, unsafe practices and conditions. In order to capitalize on the individual's knowledge and drive the organization towards better business performance, specific programs facilitating employee observation and participation skills were initiated 5 years ago. Information technology has been configured to assist the organization in integrating and disseminating knowledge enabling improvements in designs, techniques and operational practices. Significant observations and risk identifications are reported electronically into a central database. Making safety critical information quickly travel around the company and populating a hazard and activity database, has created an early detection and warning system used by all operating units. The system assists in forming opinions and decisions on exposure reducing strategies. Substantial and active employee participation and systematic use of the reported information, has since 1993 reduced the LTIR from 5.6 to 2.2 per million man-hours (end 1997). The number of annual lost working days per head has been reduced from .26 to .09. Furthermore, the real and potential cost of accidents and losses have been reduced by 65%. During the same period, marine productivity has increased with 112%.