bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Method for Assessing the Quality of Proactive Operator Monitoring POM as a Safety Barrier in Service Company Operations
Authors: McLeod Ronald W. , Novia Mathew , Nonno Lamberto , Acton Sarah , Easton Neil 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In common with every company involved in the global upstream oil and gas industry, oilfield service companies rely to a large extent on front-line operators monitoring key operational parameters in real time, and being willing and able to intervene in the event where signs of potential trouble are detected. Many factors—personal, inter-personal, organizational, and technological—have the potential to interfere with the ability of individuals to perform monitoring tasks to the required standard. This paper presents the results of a study carried out to evaluate the quality of implementation of arrangements supporting proactive operator monitoring.
The study comprised two components elements: i) a review of incidents where operator monitoring played some role, and ii) semi-structured interviews of operator representatives including subjective ratings of monitoring quality. The situating questions allowed operator representatives a chance to reflect on the nature of the monitoring tasks, and their experience of potential disrupting factors, before attending the workshop. A bespoke tool—the Proactive Operator Monitoring Assessment Tool (POMAT)—was developed, enabling assessors to rate the quality of implementation of operator monitoring tasks. The tool is based on ratings on four dimensions (ownership, signals, context, and resilience) comprising a total of eight criteria. Based on the subjective ratings, a Proactive Monitoring Quality (PMQ) score was calculated that indicates how robust the implementation of each operator monitoring task that is relied on as a barrier is thought to be.
This paper describes the method used in the study, and explains the use of the POMAT tool and how PMQ scores are calculated. The application of the method to assess operator monitoring during coiled tubing and tubular cutting and milling operations are used as examples.
The POMAT tool and PMQ score represent novel approaches for evaluating the likely strength of proactive operator monitoring barriers where they exist in corporate bowties to determine if they can in fact be relied upon as an effective, independent, auditable barrier.
Moving Up The Culture Ladder: Creation and Application of Management Methods to Guide Organisations towards Generative, A Case Study
Authors: Hudson T. G. , Hudson P. T. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The paper discusses the novel understanding of the difference between the steps in the IOGP HSSE culture ladder and the methods used in a high hazard operation to effect the change required to move up those steps. The organisation involved has been de-identified.
In the expert report to the U.S. 5th Federal Court Deepwater Horizon case (Hudson 2011), the transitions ascending the cultural steps are described by the sequence "In place – In operation – Effective – Permanent". The authors applied this understanding in a high hazard aircraft engineering operation and discuss the challenges, roadblocks and adaptations required to effect the desired organisational changes. It includes the methods used to gain senior management involvement for the process and the general processes developed to create the understanding within the organisation.
A frequently stated organisational goal is the development of the organisational culture using the HSSE Culture ladder. While the ladder can provide a road map that allows for realistic incremental improvements of the safety culture the actual detailed definition of the measures to be taken can still be challenging. Using the cultural sequence as set out in the report to the court a more understandable path can be forged that allows improvements to be mapped onto current operations, by identifying processes and activities associated with higher steps on the ladder. This enables a clearer definition of the desired goals and assessment of whether those goals have been achieved leading to cultural change. This includes changing or moving on from performance indicators as and when they are fulfilled.
In this case study the organisation achieved advanced cultural behaviours through application of standard management techniques. This includes topics that distinguish more from less advanced cultures such as: Managing Non-compliance, Operational Discipline, Using Standards and Best practises. Improvements in the major lagging Process Safety indicators were gained through the application of this method, demonstrating a marked reduction of major incidents, as would be predicted by a more advanced safety culture.
This paper introduces a number of measures that can be used to effect lasting cultural change within organisations. Use of these methods allows more granular control over the cultural development, which allows more effective and efficient change programs.
The Environmental Management Index EMI - A Proposed Methodology for Environmental Risks and Impacts Management for the Oil & Gas Industry
Authors: Nájera Isaac , Miguélez Juan Ramón , Ostolaza Tomás , Firth Simon , Lauria Mary Lou , Salvador Carlos , Santamaría Carmen 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Oil and Gas companies have developed strategies to mitigate their environmental impacts from routine operations and to prevent accidents with potential consequences for the environment. A significant challenge for assessing potential environmental impacts from routine activities or accidents is the measurement of theoretical environmental consequences on the project area. REPSOL and Advisian have developed the Environmental Management Index (EMI) for the purposes of identifying the relevant environmental aspects (activities) and accidental events that can impact on environmental receptors (e.g., soil, sediments, water, species and habitats), quantifying those impacts (consequences), and establishing a basis upon which consequences can be compared. This approach requires the characterization of the hazard sources (physical and/or chemical) and pathways (including fate and transport processes), and the potential damage to receptors.
By anticipating and quantifying environmental impacts that could result from normal activities and potential accidents, EMI provides decision-makers with a critical tool to: Improve due diligence decisions;Monitor the environmental performance of their activities; andSupport asset managers with assessing potential accidents with environmental consequences.
Following the EMI methodology, damage is expressed in Biophysical Impact Units (BIUs), which represent the extent to which a receptor is affected. The quantified damage in BIUs is then converted into dimensionless Impact Units (IUs) using several modulators, Quality, Availability and Social Value, and Total Economic Value (understood as the degree to which a good or service satisfies individual preferences).
Because IUs are dimensionless, global impacts on receptor types or on all receptors collectively under a variety of scenarios can be compared, and in some cases added and represented graphically to show current impact from a specific asset, oil and gas field, or business unit or the entire company. The EMI methodology can also be used to follow impact evolution or liabilities derived from new acquisitions, and to quantify environmental consequences from accidental events.
The EMI methodology was successfully applied to eight examples: Caribbean Seismic Offshore; Atlantic Drilling Offshore; Caribbean Production Offshore; North-Sea Production Offshore; Arctic Drilling Onshore; Jungle Production Onshore; Unconventional Gas Onshore: Hydraulic Fracturing; and Desert Environment.
Relaunch of the IOGP Recommended Practice for Safety in Lifting and Hoisting Operations 2018
Authors: Lawrie Graeme 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Objectives/Scope
IOGP first published a recommended practice for lifting and hoisting operations in 2006. However, it is clear that lifting and hoisting incidents are still occurring in our industry, so IOGP established an industry task force representing a cross section of operators and service companies to improve and revise the RP to take account of lessons learned over the last 12 years. The Paper will describe the lessons learned and the enhancements to the document.
The Paper will identify through a series of case studies how lifting and hoisting accidents are still occurring and what steps can now be taken to help close these shortcomings.

Methods, Procedures, Process
The Task Force brought together a good cross section of subject matter experts in our industry representing both offshore and onshore activities. The TF met regularly to review fatal accident causes and high potential near miss events to identify deficiencies in the original guidance and to seek to enhance our understanding and knowledge.

Results, Observations, Conclusions
The result is a significant revision to the existing recommended practice. Specific areas for improvement; subsea lifting and dynamic lifting operations (marine conditions). It also looks at best practice associated with lifting over or near live plant. Updated lifting plans, definitions and safety technology.

Novel/Additive Information
The RP is free to all people to download and use, it is not limited to IOGP members. The RP contains many helpful tools that can be implemented at all levels within our industry.
Oil Spill Response Viability Analysis for the Norwegian Continental Shelf Integrated in a Web Based Planning Tool
Authors: Dahlslett H. P. , Aarnes Ø. , Rudberg A. , Gravir G. , Brude O. W. , Lunde S. , Bergstrøm R. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Oil spill contingency planning for a marine environment requires a thorough understanding of metocean conditions that can be expected within the planning area. Oil spill response systems have different resilience, or viability, towards the physical environment encountered at sea. Hence it is important to know the operational limitations of response systems, and how metocean factors may impact on operations.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) contracted DNV GL to perform an Oil Spill Response Viability analysis to quantify the window of opportunities for defined oil spill response systems. A Response Viability Analysis (RVA) estimates the percentage of time that metocean conditions may be favorable, marginal, or not favorable for defined oil spill response systems.
A 10×10 km metocean dataset was established covering Norwegian waters, including a 10-year data series with relevant parameters; wind speed, wave height, horizontal visibility, daylight/darkness, wind chill, structural icing and sea ice concentration. NCA identified 12 relevant response systems for the analysis, and established individual operational limitations for included parameters. The limits defined the response conditions in three categories; 1) favorable conditions, 2) marginal conditions and 3) unfavorable conditions. The analysis was conducted for 3-hour time steps in each grid cell in the study area using a custom code identifying it as favorable, marginal or unfavorable for each of the response systems.
The results were implemented in a web-based tool to make the large amount of data produced by the analysis easily available to the user. Key information in the tool is preprocessed maps showing monthly distribution of each response category for each response system as percentage of time. By clicking on the maps, more detailed information is available for each grid cell. This includes a histogram with monthly viability for the chosen response system. All the response systems are internally ranked by the highest viability for the chosen month, and the limiting factor (if any) is displayed automatically.
Additional features in the tool include a map showing potential change of wave height due to future climate changes, based from another study. The web-tool also includes typical map-tools as well as metadata.
A Greater Protection of Operators 'Occupational Health through the Elimination of Sledge Hammer Use
Authors: Mohamed Saber Mohamed 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
ADNOC Drilling Company is the largest drilling contractor in the Middle East, providing its clients with quality drilling, work-over and well maintenance services, while maintaining the highest safety, integrity and environment standards and implementing the international best practices in terms of quality and enhancing efficient productivity
Being a responsible Company the ADNOC Drilling Company, as part of the Mission statement seeks to ensure the highest standards in Health, Safety & Environment and Asset Integrity. In line with the same, a study has been done to identify the areas of backbone injuries and hammer unions failures on all operating rigs onshore and offshore locations and introduce suitable and convieninent tool with technique for saving the hammer union consumption.
With strong Management support, the project has been implemented in a short period from the time of conceptualization to effective implementation. This shows the commitment of ADNOC Drilling company to meet it's obligation towards protecting the staff safety and thereby contribute in reduction of used materils wastes efforts of the Government of UAE
The objective was to find an alternate tool to be used instead of sledgehammer that used for makeup and break out of pipe connectors named as hammer unions, Hammer unions are critical high-pressure connector for temporary pipe and flow line installation that enable quick make up and break out of pipes. with quick make up and break out pipes and fittings Using at many critical equipment at rig sites such as stand pipe manifold, mud system, HP lines and chock manifold
This to avoid the potential impact of workforce back pain and/or avoiding damaging the equipment., Adnoc Drillining Co. carried out several assessments to avoid the impacts associated with hammer unions. These efforts had resulted in finding alternatives tools to sledge hammer. The company found an innovative solution that eliminates these impacts. The solution was to use an especial wrench to fasten and disassemble hammer unions wherever they are used – without sacrificing speed or wasting precious rig-up time.
Using this special wrench instead of sledgehammer had had resulted in achieving many goals at the same time. It has resulted in a dramatic lower risk of impact injuries to the operator or bystander. In addition, it prevents the risk of flying metal chips. Strain on the operator's joints and back is greatly reduced. Torqueing the hammer union with wrenches also brings additional benefits such as saving the hammer from wear- and- tear. Decreasing the number of unions’ replacement had resulting in saving a considerable amount of money spent parts replacement. Therefore, it is not only safer but also brings economic benefits.
Proactive Operator Monitoring as a Safety Barrier for a Global Service Company
Authors: McLeod Ronald W. , Novia Mathew , Nonno Lamberto 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In the Oil and Gas industry, the critical role that human and organizational factors play in both the safety and the efficiency of its operations is well recognized. This paper addresses the role of a strategic theme of ‘what lies beneath’ adopted to reflect a service company recognition of the importance of understanding and managing the many factors that can lead to loss of human reliability in front-line operations.
A set of bowties, developed in order to identify the barriers that are relied on to protect against the potential for loss of well control, were made available for an independent review. The review was conducted to identify and evaluate the reliance on human performance across a sample of these bowties. The review highlighted how service companies’ safety barriers are critically dependent on interaction and communication with all stakeholders, and how proactive operator monitoring plays a critical role in assuring the safety of operations.
A subsequent study, drawing on knowledge from scientific research as well as experience from many incident investigations, identified how a wide-range of factors—personal, inter-personal, organizational, and technological—have the potential to degrade or defeat the ability of front-line operators to monitor proactively. Further, while a service company might not always have a direct control over the principal hardware barriers relied upon to prevent loss of well control incidents, its activities interact with, or otherwise can influence, the systems that control and maintain primary well control barriers. This paper will therefore discuss the importance of proactive operator monitoring (POM) as a safety barrier, explore some of the mechanisms by which monitoring can be defeated or degraded, and consider the kind of safeguards that might need to be put in place to prevent such degradation.
The paper also emphasizes the need for a shared understanding between a service company and its clients both of the nature and characteristics of the safety barriers that both rely on, as well as the critical importance of communications between the two parties for barriers to be able to function effectively and reliably.
Study on the membrane bioreactor for treating surfactant wastewater
Authors: Ran Zhilin , Zhu Jia , Li Ke , Zhou Li , Xiao Pei , Wang Bing 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The main component of surfactant is linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which is toxic to the ecological environment and can cause serious harm. In this study, some activated sludge was taken from the aerobic and anaerobic tank of a sewage treatment plant in Shenzhen, then cultivated and domesticated in a membrane bioreactor with artificial surfactant wastewater. The start-up phase of the reactor adapted the constant-flux filtration, and the HRT was 12 h. The pH was below 5.5, which needed the addition of NaHCO3 after 6 days to adjust to the more optimal level (pH 6.5–7.5). After operation for 20 days, the start-up of the system was considered successful. At the early stage, the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and LAS were relatively stable, reaching as high as 85.49%–93.31% and 80%, respectively. When the LAS concentration reached over 175 mg/L and the COD declined to about 83%, the removal rate of LAS also significantly decreased. LAS removal rate further decreased to about 60% when the dosage reached 200 mg/L, indicating that the resistance of microorganisms against LAS toxicity was also limited. LAS degradation could have been mainly driven by Dechloromonas, Gemmata, Pseudomonas and Zoogloea in the system.
Sea water desalination and removal of iodine: effect on thyroid function
Authors: Koren Gideon , Amitai Yona , Shlezinger Meital , Katz Rachel , Shalev Varda 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In Israel, about 55% of drinking water is derived from desalination (DSW) which removes all iodine. A recent study from Israel demonstrated high rates of iodine deficiency among school-aged children and pregnant women. There are concerns that low iodine may lead to impaired thyroid function. However, to date, the impact of consuming DSW on body iodine status has not been studied. The objective was to assess whether the increased use of DSW is associated with increased rates of hypothyroidism. Using data from a large health fund in Israel, we compared proportions of patients with higher than normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and lower than normal T3 and T4 levels before and after a massive desalination project became operational in August 2013 in areas with high vs. low use of DSW. Over 400,000 cases were compared in 2010–2013 vs. 2014–2016. Overall, there was no increase in the proportion of individuals with higher than normal TSH levels, or lower than normal T3 and T4 levels. In conclusion, in this population-based study, following the introduction of DSW, there was no evidence of increased incidence of low thyroid function tests, and the trends were similar in both areas highly consuming, or not consuming, DSW.
Adsorbing low concentrations of Cr(VI) onto CeO2@ZSM-5 and the adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics
Authors: Niu Jianrui , Jia Xiuxiu , Zhao Yaqing , Liu Yanfang , Zhong Weizhang , Zhai Zengli , Li Zaixing 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The CeO2@ZSM-5 was prepared by the dipping method. We used ZSM-5 and CeO2 as the carrier and load components, respectively. The aim was to reduce the low concentration of Cr(VI) in simulated wastewater (the concentration of Cr(VI) ranged from 0.2 to 1 mg/L). The characteristics of ZSM-5 and CeO2@ZSM-5 samples were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Characterization results showed that the particle size, BET surface area and pore volume for CeO2@ZSM-5 was around 0.783 nm, 421.307 m2/g and 0.313 m3/g, respectively. In addition, the optimum conditions were obtained by the orthogonal test, and the details were as follows: optimal pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of Cr(VI) and equilibrium time were 3, 5 g/L, 0.6 mg/L and 70 min respectively. The removal of Cr(VI) was 99.56% in these conditions. The pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) onto CeO2@ZSM-5. Isotherm data were treated according to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The results showed that the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model fitted best in the temperature range studied. Adsorption capacity increased with temperature, showing the endothermic nature of Cr(VI) adsorption. The desorption results showed the best recovery of Cr(VI) using 0.1 M HCl.
Comparative Study of the Effects Exerted by N-Valproyl-L-Phenylalanine and N-valproyl-L-tryptophan on CA1 Hippocampal Epileptiform Activity in Rat
Authors: Carletti Fabio , Rizzo Valerio , Gambino Giuditta , De Caro Viviana , Sutera Flavia Maria , Giannola Libero Italo , Ferraro Giuseppe , Sardo Pierangelo 
Published: April 2018

Background:
The research on the improvement of epilepsy therapy is constantly growing. Valproyl-LPhenylalanine
(VPA-Phen) and N-valproyl-L-tryptophan (VPA-Tryp) were synthesized to increase the antiepileptic
efficacy of valproic acid.

Methods:
VPA-Phen and VPA-Tryp were comparatively tested on CA1 hippocampal epileptiform bursting activity
obtained by increasing potassium and lowering calcium and magnesium concentrations in the fluid perfusing
rat brain slices. Each slice was treated with a single concentration (0.2, 0.5, 1 mM) of VPA-Phen or VPA-Tryp.
Both burst duration and interburst frequency, during and after treatment, were off-line compared with baseline
values. For both parameters, either the latency or the duration of drug-induced statistically significant responses
was calculated, as well as the response magnitude.

Results:
VPA-Phen significantly reduced both burst frequency and duration. Comparative analyses show that
VPA-Phen and VPA-Tryp exert almost equivalent actions on both latency and magnitude of the observed inhibitory
effects. The main observed difference between the two tested molecules concerned the duration of inhibitory
effects, since VPA-Phen-dependent actions on both burst rate and duration were significantly shorter than the
VPA-Tryp-induced ones. In addition, in some slices the above reported inhibitory responses were preceded by a
“paradoxical” transient increase, more present at lower drug concentrations.

Conclusions:
Both VPA-Phen and VPA-Tryp exert significant inhibitory effects on hippocampal burst activity
parameters. Although of comparable magnitude, VPA-Phen-dependent effects have a shorter duration than VPATryp-
induced ones. Nevertheless, the present results confirm that the conjugation between VPA and aminoacids
represents a valid tool to improve the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs and, as well as for VPA-Tryp, propose VPAPhen
as a novel VPA derivative with enhanced pharmacological features.