bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Body Size and Prey Type on the Willingness of Age‐0 Fish to Forage under Predation Risk
Authors: Parkos Joseph J. , Wahl David H.
Published: July 2010

Ontogenetic diet shifts have been shown to be the outcome of changes either in vulnerability to predators or foraging efficiency for different prey types. More information is needed on how changes in vulnerability and prey value with forager size interact to influence the responses to predation risk. Piscivorous fishes are a significant source of predation risk for many other fish species, but as young of the year (age 0) they themselves are vulnerable to predators. We experimentally compared the foraging behavior of three vulnerable size‐classes of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides with respect to zooplankton, chironomid larvae, and bluegills Lepomis macrochirus when a larger predator was visible and when none were present. The size‐classes of age‐0 largemouth bass represented a documented ontogenetic diet progression from zooplankton to benthic invertebrates to fish. The size of the largemouth bass influenced their consumption rate and amount of foraging activity in the presence of a predator, but prey type did not. All sizes of largemouth bass reduced their foraging time and total consumption when a larger predator was visible except for age‐0 largemouth bass that are typically piscivorous in the wild. Predation risk may affect the ontogeny of piscivory by decreasing the feeding rate on all prey types, changes in vulnerability with size having more influence on risk‐taking than foraging efficiency for different prey types.
Effects of Predator–Prey Interactions and Benthic Habitat Complexity on Selectivity of a Foraging Generalist
Authors: Weber Michael J. , Dettmers John M. , Wahl David H. , Czesny Sergiusz J.
Published: July 2010

Predators typically prefer specific prey types but include others in their diet as a result of opportunistic foraging, prey availability, or foraging costs. Habitat complexity may interact with preferences by altering prey availability and foraging strategies, affecting the preferences and consumption patterns of predators. Yellow perch Perca flavescens is perceived as a foraging generalist and the predominant predator in numerous systems. In the laboratory, we compared the prey selection of yellow perch (230–311 mm) foraging on common Great Lakes prey species—northern crayfish Orconectes virilis, round gobies Neogobius melanostomus, and alewives Alosa pseudoharengus—in simple and complex benthic habitats. Yellow perch selected alewives in both simple and complex habitats. Removal of the preferred prey species resulted in neutral selection for both of the remaining prey species in simple benthic habitat but selection for round gobies and against crayfish in complex habitat. Predator behaviors indicated that alewives were captured efficiently and easily handled whereas round gobies and crayfish were not. The diets of yellow perch in Lake Michigan reflected patterns established in mesocosm experiments. Although prey species were probably not equally abundant in the natural environment, alewives comprised the greatest biomass in yellow perch diets, followed by round gobies and crayfish. Our results indicate that predators typically considered as generalist foragers can have prey preferences and rely heavily on a single prey species as a result of differences in prey vulnerability, profitability, and habitat complexity.
The Effects of a Surgically Implanted Microacoustic Tag on Growth and Survival in Subyearling Fall Chinook Salmon
Authors: Frost Deborah A. , McComas R. Lynn , Sandford Benjamin P.
Published: July 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate a newly miniaturized prototype of an implantable acoustic tag for use in subyearling hatchery Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. In 2003, when the study was conducted, the relatively large size of most acoustic tags limited their use in juvenile fish. We evaluated this miniaturized prototype tag (21 × 7 × 6 mm, 0.9 g in air) for effects on growth, survival, and tag retention. All fish were passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged in accordance with the proposed practical application in which PIT‐tagged fish from known sources were separated from the general migrating population. The PIT tags also permitted tracking of individual fish growth in relation to treatment. We compared growth and acoustic tag retention over 30 d among tagged, sham‐tagged, and control fish. Ratio of tag weight to body weight ranged from 2.6% to 5.9% at tagging. The acoustic tag significantly affected growth (P = 0.001 for both length and weight differences), but no fish died as a result of the tagging. Partial to complete tag expulsion was noted in 37% of the tagged fish after 30 d. Our study showed that impeded growth and tag expulsion may affect the successful use of this tag size in juvenile Chinook salmon. This evaluation led to physical tag modifications that improved biological acceptance by the fish, thus facilitating the tag's use in applied studies. Implanted devices should be evaluated before use to ensure compatibility and to avoid data misinterpretations due to their effects on the fish.
Differing Catchability among Lakes: Influences of Lake Basin Morphology and other Factors on Gill‐Net Catchability of Northern Pike
Authors: Pierce Rodney B. , Tomcko Cynthia M. , Pereira Donald L. , Staples David F.
Published: July 2010

Understanding factors that affect catchability is important for interpreting fish catches from research index netting and comparing fish populations from different habitats. Population density estimates and gill‐net catch rates were compared for age‐2 and older northern pikeEsox luciusin 16 north‐central Minnesota lakes that varied in physical characteristics and northern pike populations. When northern pike density was calculated using total surface area of the lakes, numerous factors appeared to influence gill‐net catchability. Those factors included several lake basin shape metrics, northern pike size structure, and northern pike density, with density dependence in catchability being especially problematic for interpreting gill‐net catches. The critical finding in this study was that calculating density using littoral area rather than total surface area caused evidence of density‐dependent catchability and all other relationships with catchability to completely disappear. Catchability became independent of northern pike density and lake basin shape metrics when density was calculated using littoral area. Correlations with density (calculated from total surface area) and other factors were simply artifacts of underlying interrelationships between the morphology of lake basins, northern pike population characteristics, and density‐dependent processes. Catchability estimates for littoral habitat averaged 0.20 ha/net and ranged from 0.09 to 0.43 ha/net among the lakes. Although the relationship between gill‐net catch and population density indicated that gillnetting could be a useful tool for comparing northern pike populations from different lakes, a predictive model fitted to the observed gill‐net catch rates and population densities from 16 lakes had low precision. Results from this study illustrate the importance of a comprehensive understanding of fish ecology, including spatial habitat use, when interpreting survey results.
Common Carp Distribution, Movements, and Habitat Use in a River Impounded by Multiple Low‐Head Dams
Authors: Butler Steven E. , Wahl David H.
Published: July 2010

The common carp Cyprinus carpio is an introduced species that is abundant in many impounded rivers. We assessed habitat conditions and common carp abundance in three flowing sites and three impounded sites of the Fox River, Illinois, to examine factors that influence the success of common carp in these systems. Radiotelemetry was used to determine long‐term movement and habitat use patterns of common carp among flowing and impounded areas. Impounded areas were wider and deeper than flowing areas and had lower current velocities, smaller substrates, and lower abundances of cover. Common carp were found at all sites during summer, with catch rates being similar between flowing and impounded areas. The proportion of the fish assemblage consisting of common carp was similar between flowing and impounded areas during two of the study years but was higher in impounded areas than in flowing areas during the other two years. Radio‐tagged common carp displayed a variety of movement patterns but used impounded areas most frequently during all seasons. Many common carp were always located in impounded areas, but some individuals moved upstream into flowing areas in spring and summer and returned to impounded areas by fall. Common carp positively selected for intermediate depths and low current velocities. Few consistent relationships were apparent in the use of substrate categories, but common carp selected most strongly for wood cover. Management activities targeting common carp should account for movements of this species among different habitat types and should focus on specific aspects of common carp life history. Dam removal or modification may also lead to declines in common carp abundance in some rivers.
Private Waterfront Householders Catch Less per Trip than other Fishers: Results of a Marine Recreational Survey
Authors: Ashford Julian , Jones Cynthia , Fegley Lynn
Published: July 2010

Marine recreational fishery surveys that estimate catch rate by sampling fishers who use public access often assume that fishers using private access and public access catch the same amount per trip taken. Despite the risk of bias, this assumption has not been tested by comparing private‐access users to the general population of fishers. During a survey of the recreational fishery for blue crabs Callinectes sapidus in Maryland, households from a list of waterfront properties were sampled by telephone at the same time as sampling of households from all coastal counties. Fishers from waterfront households overwhelmingly used private access. Waterfront households often caught a similar amount per month as coastal county households did, but catches for waterfront households were taken during more trips, resulting in catch rates that were 74% lower. Consequently, estimating catch rate by sampling only public‐access users results in a bias towards overestimation of the recreational catch. We strongly recommend that marine recreational surveys test this assumption for frames that only cover public‐access users, especially in regions with substantial private access.
Genetic Diversity and Variation of Mitochondrial DNA in Native and Introduced Bighead Carp
Authors: Li Si‐Fa , Yang Qin‐Ling , Xu Jia‐Wei , Wang Cheng‐Hui , Chapman Duane C. , Lu Guoqing
Published: July 2010

The bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis is native to China but has been introduced to over 70 countries and is established in many large river systems. Genetic diversity and variation in introduced bighead carp have not previously been evaluated, and a systematic comparison among fish from different river systems was unavailable. In this study, 190 bighead carp specimens were sampled from five river systems in three countries (Yangtze, Pearl, and Amur rivers, China; Danube River, Hungary; Mississippi River basin, USA) and their mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene and D‐loop region were sequenced (around 1,345 base pairs). Moderate genetic diversity was found in bighead carp, ranging from 0.0014 to 0.0043 for nucleotide diversity and from 0.6879 to 0.9333 for haplotype diversity. Haplotype analysis provided evidence that (1) multiple haplotype groups might be present among bighead carp, (2) bighead carp probably originated from the Yangtze River, and (3) bighead carp in the Mississippi River basin may have some genetic ancestry in the Danube River. The analysis of molecular variance showed significant genetic differentiation among these five populations but also revealed limited differentiation between the Yangtze and Amur River bighead carp. This large‐scale study of bighead carp genetic diversity and variation provides the first global perspective of bighead carp in the context of biodiversity conservation as well as invasive species control and management.
Homing and Spawning Site Selection by Supplemented Hatchery‐ and Natural‐Origin Yakima River Spring Chinook Salmon
Authors: Dittman Andrew H. , May Darran , Larsen Donald A. , Moser Mary L. , Johnston Mark , Fast David
Published: July 2010

It is well known that salmon home to their natal rivers for spawning, but the spatial scale of homing within a river basin is poorly understood and the interaction between natal site fidelity and habitat‐based spawning site selection has not been elucidated. Understanding the complex trade‐offs among homing to the natal site, spawning site selection, competition for sites, and mate choice is especially important in the context of hatchery supplementation efforts to reestablish self‐sustaining natural spawning populations. To address these questions, we examined the homing patterns of supplemented Yakima River spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha released from satellite acclimation facilities after common initial rearing at a central facility. Final spawning location depended strongly on where fish were released as smolts within the upper Yakima River basin, but many fish also spawned in the vicinity of the central rearing hatchery, suggesting that some fish imprinted to this site. While homing was clearly evident, the majority (55.1%) of the hatchery fish were recovered more than 25 km from their release sites, often in spawning areas used by wild conspecifics. Hatchery and wild fish displayed remarkably similar spawning distributions despite very different imprinting histories, and the highest spawning densities of both hatchery and wild fish occurred in the same river sections. These results suggest that genetics, environmental and social factors, or requirements for specific spawning habitat may ultimately override the instinct to home to the site of rearing or release.
Upper Thermal Limits to Migration in Adult Chinook Salmon: Evidence from the Klamath River Basin
Authors: Strange Joshua S.
Published: July 2010

Temperature‐sensitive transmitters and archival tags allowed precise measurement of adult Chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytscharesponses to high water temperatures and other environmental variables in the Klamath River basin during 2004 and 2005. Mean daily river temperatures upon initiation of upriver migration by adult Chinook salmon after a period of thermally induced migration inhibition ranged from 21.8°C to 24.0°C (mean = 22.9°C). During the first week (168 h) of migration, mean average body temperature was 21.9°C, mean average minimum daily body temperature was 20.6°C, and mean average maximum daily body temperature was 23.1°C. Temperatures above these levels appeared to completely block migration in almost all circumstances. Migration was inhibited at lower mean daily river temperatures during periods of increasing river temperatures than during periods of declining river temperatures. The ability of adult Chinook salmon to correctly gauge the onset of periods of declining or inclining river temperature is a vital mechanism for taking advantage of brief thermal windows for upriver migration. Weather fronts were responsible for periods of declining river temperature, but no precipitation or consistent drops in atmospheric pressure were associated with these weather fronts or with fish movements. The associated decrease in light levels, however, appeared to serve as an indicator of impending reductions in river temperatures for adult Chinook salmon. Changing river discharge had a negligible influence on migration behavior, and hypoxia sufficient to inhibit upriver migration (i.e., dissolved oxygen < 5 mg/L) never occurred during the study. The upper thermal limits to adult Chinook salmon migration as indicated by results from the Klamath River basin are substantially higher than previously reported in the literature and approached or exceeded the highest ultimate upper incipient lethal values determined for any life stage of this species.
Lack of Angling‐Sized Yellow Perch in a Canadian Boreal Lake: Potential Influences of Growth Rate, Diet, and Predation by Double‐Crested Cormorants
Authors: Barks Patrick M. , Doucette Jennifer L. , Somers Christopher M.
Published: July 2010

Fisheries for yellow perch Perca flavescens are economically important in North America, but in many lakes this species does not attain sizes desirable to anglers (total length [TL] > 250 mm). We investigated factors potentially contributing to the lack of angling‐sized yellow perch in Dore Lake, Saskatchewan. This large boreal lake has a long history of exploitation and is subject to current controversy regarding the impact of double‐crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus on its fisheries. We found that yellow perch in Dore Lake attained greater maximum ages (mean ± SD = 7.4 ± 1.0 years) but smaller maximum sizes (215 ± 7 mm TL) than other yellow perch populations. Thus, the lack of angling‐sized yellow perch in Dore Lake is probably the result of slow growth rates rather than short life spans. Double‐crested cormorants preyed heavily on yellow perch, but predation was highly skewed toward much smaller sizes (<100 mm TL) than those preferred by anglers. Stomach contents and stable nitrogen isotopes confirmed that yellow perch in Dore Lake undergo expected ontogenetic diet shifts and become predominantly piscivorous at around age 3. Analysis with stable isotopes also revealed long‐term dietary differences between age‐2 and age‐3 yellow perch captured in littoral versus offshore habitats, suggesting some degree of intrapopulation variability in resource and habitat use among yellow perch in Dore Lake.
Habitat Use during Early Life History Infers Recovery Needs for Shovelnose Sturgeon and Pallid Sturgeon in the Middle Mississippi River
Authors: Phelps Quinton E. , Tripp Sara J. , Garvey James E. , Herzog David P. , Ostendorf David E. , Ridings Joseph W. , Crites Jason W. , Hrabik Robert A.
Published: July 2010

Habitat use by wild age‐0 shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus and pallid sturgeon S. albus was quantified by trawling macrohabitats (i.e., main channel, main‐channel border, island, and artificial structures [e.g., wing dams]) in the middle Mississippi River during 1998–2007 (1,702 trawls; n = 1,507 age‐0 sturgeon captured). Age‐0 sturgeon catch rates were highest around artificial structures and island areas, while main‐channel habitat provided the lowest catch rates. Moreover, size‐selective macrohabitat analyses indicated that small age‐0 sturgeon (i.e., majority < 50 mm total length) were located in channel‐border dike and island side‐channel macrohabitats, while all other macrohabitats were occupied by small and large age‐0 sturgeon. Furthermore, our analyses indicated that age‐0 sturgeon mesohabitat use within macrohabitats was influenced by depth, substrate, and bottom velocity. Low velocity (i.e., ∼0.1 m/s), moderate depths (i.e., 2–5 m), and sand substrate were positively related to age‐0 sturgeon relative abundance. As such, instream habitat modifications that provide the correct combination of macrohabitats with suitable mesohabitats may hold high densities of age‐0 shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon and may improve recruitment success.
Critical Elements of OSHA Regulated Process Safety Management Standard with Emphasis on Mechanical Integrity of Equipment and Process Safety Information
Authors: Laskar Sandipan
Published: July 2010

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) process safety management (PSM) standard set requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes that uses highly hazardous chemicals (HHC) – e.g., chemicals that are toxic, reactive, flammable or explosives (Appendix A of the standard contain the complete list of HHC's). The PSM standards are set for oil refineries and chemical plants. As compared to a refinery, an upstream oil separation process is less complex but recent changes and advancements in oil production as well as separation techniques made process safety a critical component for safe operation of production facilities and gas plants.

This paper proposes a new methodology for ensuring mechanical integrity of equipment - an important element of OSHA 1910.119. Proper documentation of relief system design and design basis is a major step in ensuring mechanical integrity. A key problem in relief device documentation is that the relief device datasheet does not include all of the overpressure scenarios considered in the original device specification. This paper proposes a basic change in the way relief systems are documented - a requirement in order to comply with OSHA 1910.119 and thereby describes a new methodology and a change in documentation to meet OSHA requirements and other industry standards (such as API 520/521, API-RP 75, 14J).

The information presented below is intended to help operators better understand the applicable requirements for production facilities and gas plants, and to develop a plan to meet the industry standards. It is also intended that the information presented below will help in proper documentation and thereby enable a faster response in case of an emergency.
Components of an Integrated HSE Performance Management System
Authors: Cram Robert S.
Published: July 2010

Lord Kelvin famously stated "When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thoughts advanced to the stage of science". So it is with safety performance.

Measuring the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate or the Total Recordable Injury Rate alone tells us nothing useful about an organisation's safety performance. Severity indices provide little more than an indication of how lucky the victims were. Yet still, these are the metrics most often touted as indicators of an organisation's safety successes or failures.

Reality is much more complex. Lagging indicators such as the above offer no insight into where efforts need to be focused within the organisation to achieve safety improvements. They tell us nothing about which part of the operation needs attention and from where lessons can be learned. They present a homogenised snapshot of historical data with no opportunity to drill deeper into how or why the company performed as it did. Even in the most structured organisations, they are fraught with irregularities and uncertainties.

This paper examines an HSE Performance Management system which was designed to bring together all available information and to present it to managers in such a way that weaknesses in the organisation could be identified quickly and the effects of remedial initiatives clearly demonstrated.
Well Integrity Technical and Regulatory Considerations for CO2 Injection Wells
Authors: Syed Talibuddin , Cutler Thor
Published: July 2010

Geologic carbon sequestration may involve injection of large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) into primarily deep saline aquifers for storage purposes or, where feasible, into oil and gas reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery objectives. The literature and experience from industrial analogs indicates that well-bores (active or inactive/abandoned) may represent the most likely route for leakage of injected CO2 from the storage reservoirs. Therefore, sound CO2 injection well design and well integrity, operation and monitoring are of critical importance in such projects. This paper presents design considerations for (1) the construction of CO2 injection wells including down-hole tubular (casing/tubing/packer) and cements, (2) methods to verify that the wells have mechanical integrity (both internal and external) and monitoring approaches applicable to CO2 geo-sequestration in the U.S. and a short discussion of the risks posed by abandoned wells within a storage field and the safety aspect of CO2 wells.
Preventing and controlling endemic diseases in a pipeline construction in Amazon region
Authors: Chimelli Maurício Abi-Ramia , Brito Gilson Alves
Published: July 2010

Preventing and Controlling Endemic Diseases in Amazon Region were identified as the most important action of the work environment. This project was implemented during the URUCU-COARI-MANAUS pipeline construction as a model project to be improved in Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) practices. After discussions with management and other stakeholders, several teams of prevention agents were trained for the project's development. Actions were taken to import HSE knowledge and training to all on site personnel indicated by contractors. The main focus of the actions was on worker's immunization and workplaces fumigation necessary for the project improvement. The validation of the training and implementation of actions was closely monitored by the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Petrobras teams and by the stakeholders. There were 9.000 workers in the middle of Amazon forest during the construction and no endemic diseases infected them. There were 499 confirmed cases of Malaria in workers; however, all of these workers were contaminated before workplaces entrances, ratifying the project's control success. The implementation of this project resulted in one hundred percent (100%) of workers immunized for Yellow Fever, Tetanus, and Hepatitis A and B. During construction, the incidence of Malaria in surrounding communities decreased around thirty percent (30%). Project benefits' include lower accidents rates, because the Brazilian legislation considers as accident, the appearance of endemic diseases in workers, and several new water treatment in surrounding communities in order to prevent water transmissible diseases which are very common in Amazon Region. This project resulted in trained of experts among local, which are now capable of preventing and controlling endemic diseases.
CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery And Geologic Storage: An Overview with Technology Assessment Based on Patents and Articles
Authors: Quintella Cristina M. , Dino Rodolfo , Musse Ana Paula
Published: July 2010

Contextualized overview of the CO2 EOR and its geologic storage, with critical evaluation of state-of-art and technological development through patents and scientific articles, focusing on annual evolution, technology owners (countries, companies, R&D institutions), inventors, annual evolution of the patents portifolia, field projects, company shared technology, IPC codes, technologic trends and fields, miscible and immiscible processes, capture technologies, relationships between the annual evolution of crude oil production, price, patent deposits and articles published, and technologic maturity of geologic storage.

With the high impact on climatic changes, the energy industry is aiming to recover the planet climatic conditions by developing feasible processes. There are a reasonable number of field projects and are several technologic challenges are identified.

The annual evolution of patents for CO2 EOR has the same trend as the other EOR methods, the deposits increase significantly near the petrol crises.

The main technology owners are Texaco, Mobil, Chevron and Shell. In indexed articles, BP, Chevron and Shell are the companies that published more and University of Regina (Canada), is the academic leader.

Most of the CO2 EOR field projects are in the US, being US, Canada and Norway pioneers in carbon sequestration. In the Latin America, Petrobras intends to act on all Carbon Capture and Storage chain. The inventors usually act in several technologic fields.

Texaco, Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Shell invested in alternated injection and surfactants addition. Shell made numeric simulation for miscible and immiscible fluids dislocation. ConocoPhillips studied CO2 correlations for miscibility pressures. University of Regina studied interfacial tension CO2-oil. University of Texas studies foams to change the injection profile.

Over 90% of the patents are miscible processes. Patented capture technologies are adsorption, absorption, ionic liquids, and membranes, MOFs, among others.

CO 2 − baixar   o   2
HSE and Culture in the Petroleum Industry in Norway
Authors: Høivik Dordi
Published: July 2010

The Petroleum Safety Authorities Norway specifies in its regulations that enterprises must have a sound Health, Environment and Safety (HSE) culture. Different approaches are needed to obtain insight in the HSE culture.

This study were conducted in one of the large oil and gas companies in Norway to gain knowledge about factors that affected the HSE culture in the petroleum industry; both onshore and offshore. A special interest was organisational and working environment factors. The aim was to analyse the connections between what employees and managers say about HSE culture and what the company measures in objective HSE data.

Besides interviews to explore the important factors in the HSE culture concept, self-reported data from a company survey were used. It included demographic data and HSE climate items factorized into the factors "Perception of nearest manager", "Confidence in management", "HSE behaviour", "Competence", "Collaboration" and "Procedures". Health and safety performance data from 2004 was analyzed; sickness absence, recordable injuries, serious incidents and undesirable incidents. To study the relation between factors in the self-reported working condition survey and injuries summarized for 2000 to 2004, linear regression analyses were carried out. More than 3000 employees were included in the study.

We found that all the HSE climate factors were negatively associated with recordable injuries, but only the factor "Confidence in management" was significantly negatively associated with recordable injuries. The conclusions were that working and organisational surveys might be used as indicators of risk of injuries. Management style and trust in the manager were important factors for personal injuries.

The study results give answer to the hypothesis that comparing and analysing data from different HSE measurement instruments might give a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the HSE culture.
Using the Six Sigma Road Map in Safety Management: A Case Study
Authors: Rios Virgílio Cavalcanti , Lima Gilson Brito , Sant´Anna Annibal Parracho
Published: July 2010

This paper tries to answer some questions related to decision making based on indicators of HSE. For this intent, a discussion of the Juran Trilogy is followed by a proposal of a Six Sigma Road Map integrated to HSE management. The Road Map's method is then focused on the interaction between the control process (SDCA - Check phase) and the breakthrough process represented by DMAIC (Control phase) with the use of control charts and other statistical tools. In this framework, the control item TRAR (Total Recordable Accident Rate) is presented and analyzed in an Exploration and Production (E&P) unit. The process is characterized graphically and quantitatively in order to obtain the annual average and standard deviation for both TRAR of frequency and severity for the years 2006 and 2008. Significant statistical improvements in TRAR are assessed by combining the use of the statistical tools control charts (U chart), confidence intervals, hypothesis tests and boxplot graphs. The analysis results show a statistically significant improvement in TRAR of frequency and severity from 2006 to the year 2008.
Beyond the License to Operate: Value Creation in Social Investment Through More Effective Public-Private Partnerships
Authors: Khalsa Atma S.
Published: July 2010

Companies in the extractive industries have been engaging for decades in social investment programs to support disadvantaged communities surrounding development projects worldwide, with mixed results. While most recognize these investments as a necessary expense in order to obtain the "Social License to Operate", new mechanisms and practices are emerging to help ensure these investments are both more broadly leveraged and more sustainable, thus delivering a higher return on investment.

For certain projects, the objectives of the social investment programs can often overlap with the goals of international aid / development organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank Group. As such, many companies in the extractive industries are entering into public-private partnership programs with aid agencies and multi-lateral institutions to leverage knowledge and resources to implement more effective social investment programs. At the same time, companies sometimes struggle with the tradeoffs of having to nurture and share decision-making and execution styles through these partnerships.

Based on a literature review of recent industry and donor publications, communications with industry and government actors and experience as an international environmental/social risk consultant and USAID-trained public-private partnership implementer, this paper first documents the business drivers for project level social investment (SI), SI lessons learned, and lessons learned on partnering in the oil and gas industry. To help companies and consultants identify opportunities for increased partnerships, this paper then evaluates the advantages of public-private partnerships for project level social investments and provides guidance for companies looking to enter into a public-private partnership.
The Use of Rain Water in the Drilling and Completion Fluid Manufacturing Process in a Petrobras Operational Base
Authors: da Motta Alberico R. , dos S. Garcia Luis C. , Pereira Victor V. , Soares Cristiane R. , Fonseca Sarah da
Published: July 2010

Taquipe is one of the Petrobras operational bases for the oil exploration and production activities in Bahia. In order to develop its activities Taquipe uses large amounts of water, supplied through wells. The main consumption installations units are: garages, refectory and the drilling and completion fluid manufacturing plant (DCFMP).

The aim of this article is to present a study about the use of rainwater as an alternative source for water supply in the DCFMP.

The methodology used was divided into two stages. The first one was the construction of a hydric balance which was used to identify opportunities for optimising the water and effluent systems.

The second stage was to conduct a study about one of these opportunities found: the use of rain water in the completion fluid manufacturing process. The amount of rain water available was determined by a hydrological study based in the precipitation historical registered in meteorological stations while its quality was found by a sample campaign. The samples were collected in points such as streets, gutters, canals and other drainage devices. The drainage basins inside the base and the runoff coefficients were also considered. The rain water quality was, then, compared to the water necessary for the completion fluid manufacturing process.

Of the three drainage basins studied one was rejected because of the poor water quality. The critical parameters were Calcium, Bicarbonate and Hardness. A rain water system was designed, consisting of rain water reservoirs, pipelines and hydraulic pumps.

This study represents a considerable advance in terms of the most modern principles about water resources. It will make possible to save 11344 cubic meters a year which represent 52% of water consumption in the completion fluid manufacturing process.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Reporting in an Oilfield Services Company—Current Practice and Industry Challenges
Authors: Sealy Ian , Dunlop Johana
Published: July 2010

There are at present a number of industry (e.g. IPIECA/ OGP/API) and non-industry (e.g. CDP, GRI, ISO) initiatives to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting standards for oil and gas exploration and production activities. However, the focus of these projects is on measurement and reporting of direct and indirect emissions from operating companies—little is being done to accommodate the specificities of oilfield service companies within these standards.

Oilfield service company GHG emission profiles and emission intensities are significantly different from those of their operating company clients. Fuel use in road vehicles and in marine vessels and drilling units are likely to be the most significant forms of energy use, and therefore the most significant emissions sources. A large service company may have several thousands of road vehicles, or tens of marine vessels in operation, either owned or contracted. These emission sources are likely to be geographically dispersed and mobile, which when coupled with the number of emission sources can make data collection very challenging. Emissions from fixed facilities will, in comparison, probably be relatively insignificant. This paper examines what is being done at one oilfield services company.

Looking further along the business supply chain, indirect emissions associated with service company activities generally fit into three categories: logistics and business travel; production of materials; and utility services (e.g. electricity supply). Indeed, a conservative analysis suggests that levels of the most significant indirect emissions exceed those of direct emissions for service companies. The absence of a systematic, global GHG reporting practice combined with the dispersed nature of the sources makes the collection of emissions data associated with these services and activities difficult. Additionally the inclusion of service companies with operators in certain indexes makes compromises comparability.
Communicating Environmental Performance: Engaging Internal and External Stakeholder Using a Case Study Approach
Authors: Sealy Ian , Stott Mary Louise
Published: July 2010

Environmental management practice over the past 30 years has generally used systems based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) quality management approach. Internal stakeholders have been engaged in the process through targets or objectives often applied in a top-down manner through the organization.

While this approach continues to be practiced, it has important limitations. First, recognition of local initiatives and achievements can be difficult, especially in large or geographically dispersed organizations. Second, external stakeholders may not accept reaching organizational objectives as an indication of environmental achievement, or best practice. Third, internal stakeholders may not always be sufficiently motivated by a management-by-objectives approach.

This paper describes a program developed to overcome these limitations and examines the importance of communications to further drive environmental performance improvements within an oilfield services company.

Initially sourcing material from established health, safety and environment (HSE) recognition programs and from management recommendations, an environmental case study project was launched. Each case study describes a unique example of an environmental practice that reflects the realities of environmental performance improvements and offers a structured way of thinking about both direct and indirect improvements—challenge, solution/process, results. Topics include resource efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and local compliance programs, among others and increasingly individuals are named to highlight the important role everyone can play.

In order to reach the broadest possible audiences who wish to know about these practices, a wide range of communication channels have been used including internal websites and direct presentations to selected audiences. Case studies are intended for an audience comprising both internal and key external stakeholders.

Two years into the program, as awareness increased, environmental case study contributions have increased from locations worldwide. This has incentivized improved environmental performance by sharing knowledge and indicating direction as well as recognizing individuals and teams. Further, the case study library has shown that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and that the improvement journey is made up of many small steps.
Preventive Observations Tool: Case Study
Authors: Feijó S. V. , dos S. Carvalho P. R. , de A. Rocha G. F. , Lima G. B. , de Souza J. C.
Published: July 2010

Due to the considerable time lost, resources and investments and negative environmental and health impacts, oil companies have developed techniques and methodologies for accidents prevention and analysis caused by unsafe behaviors in the work environments. The companies therefore are connecting its Integrated Management Systems to the Safety process focusing on the human behavior with the main objective of defining procedures to avoid accidents occurrence. The evaluated Company is implementing the Integrated Management System of its activities, based on the accidents prevention concept with focus on the human behavior. Following this direction this work presents an analysis of one of the evaluated Company corporate tools, adopted for the accidents prevention work and details its concepts and objectives. This tool has the main objective of making the workers understand the reason why they developed the unsafe behavior and allows that the professional reaches, together with the observer, the conclusion of which would be the safest way to perform the task, preserving his integrity and the others one’.
Breaking Oil/Water Emulsions to Lower Chemical Oxygen Demand in Washrack Wastewater - A Treatability Study
Authors: Swindle Jay , Wang Shen , Kuznik Leon
Published: July 2010

A treatability study was conducted at an oilfield service facility where wastewater from wash bays is highly-emulsified as a result of pressure washing. The objective was to determine the best on-site treatment strategy to break the oil/water emulsion and reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) to meet the surface water discharge limit at an area where discharging to the publicly owned treatment works (POTW) is not feasible. The study began with bench-scale testing and was followed by field pilot-scale testing. The study evaluated several treatment methods, including physical and chemical precipitation, adsorption by granular activated carbon and powdered activated carbon, biological degradation, electrocoagulation, flocculation by blended clay/polymer products, and chemical oxidations. No single method was found to be effective. The testing also revealed that multi-stage treatments may not be effective if the operational sequence is not proper. However, a feasible and cost-effective solution was discovered by selecting proper technologies in optimum sequence.

The study found that using a biological treatment followed by flocculation with blended clay/polymer products can reduce the emulsified and soluble-phase COD from 2,800 mg/l to less than 100 mg/l. The study included details about the selection of microorganisms and blended clay/polymer products, application rates, retention times, and operational techniques, as well as the handling of waste sludge that results from the process. This optimum combination and sequence also resulted in the least amount of solid waste; and the waste characterization testing demonstrated that the generated sludge is nonhazardous. Other method combinations and operational sequences did not reveal the same level of success or would result in a higher operation and maintenance cost.

The construction of a self-sufficient wastewater treatment system is essential at many oilfield maintenance facilities at remote locations where the POTW are not readily available or are not capable of receiving high COD wastewater. The findings of this study provide a feasible and cost-effective strategy at these facilities where complex wastewater is generated from vehicle and equipment washing, tank cleaning, bilge water, deck cleaning, mop water, and floor drains. The data serve as a design basis of full- scale, on-site systems with effluent directly for surface water discharge or recycle.
HSE Minimum Design Requirements in Oil and Gas Upstream: One Company's Experience
Authors: Scataglini Luciano , Carnevale Paolo , Morganti Matteo
Published: July 2010

To date, Oil&Gas upstream industry has made a wide use of international standards, procedures and best industry practices during the design phase or in case of plant modifications, in order to define proper application of risk assessment methodologies and ensure that all mandatory aspects of health, safety, environment and public safety are fully considered. This framework of "golden rules" shall be regularly updated to reflect the technological progress and the growing expectations from all the Company stakeholders. Eni E&P Division has performed an internal review to establish a standard containing a set of minimum HSE design requirements, aimed at ensuring an equal level of safety for all new installations worldwide, and thus preventing to rely on Risk Analysis as a design tool. With this set of requirements a deviation from best practices, rather than an exception, becomes a "rule", dictated by context and economical constraints. This claims for a need to ensure that all deviations are formally approved, at the right level, before implementation. After the selection of the Design Case Scenario for each project, the standard foresees the identification of Safety Critical Elements (SCEs) as a project requirement. Hazard identification and risk analysis process, as well other tools (HAZID, Risk Register and Asset Register), form the input to the SCEs identification process. The Deviation from a Standard Process is analysed in a structured framework, and is based upon design or modification features. As a first step of the Management of Deviations process, each installation shall be classified, according to its specific Context/Environment and Process Technology applied; in a second step, specific deviations to a Standard Process will be assessed with respect to each specific Design and Context features, according to hierarchical approaches at different level of responsibility (good industry practice, engineering judgment, QRA/CBA, Company values, societal values).
Achieving HSE Targets Under Diverse Workforce
Authors: Al-Kandari Hamad , Garlapati Ashok
Published: July 2010

Kuwait Oil Company is the premier oil & gas Company in the Gulf region involved in exploration and production of oil & gas reserves. The Company established 2030 vision to increase the production capacity by two folds. The also established an intergrated health, safety and environmental management system (HSMES) to achieve 2030 targets in a sustainable manner. The company faces many challenges in implementation of HSEMS. One of the main challenge is the diverse workforce. The company engages number of contractors, who in turn employees Workforce from more than 65 countries around the World. The workforce are highly diverse in nature and comes with different background, different languages, different skill set and it is altogether big challenge for the Company to achieve HSE (Health Safety & Environment) targets. The company adopts variety of methods in implementing the HSE Management by involving this diverse workforce. The speaker is involved in this process and played a key role. The presentation will share Company experience in achieving HSE targets under diverseworkforce. This is part of the best practices sharing among the global HSE community.