bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges with Free Fall Lifeboat Performance in Rough Weather; Analyses, Improvements and Operational Risk Reducing Measures for Use of Free Fall Lifeboats on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Authors: Myrseth E. , Tronstad L. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Full scale testing and model testing of Free Fall Lifeboats (FFLB) have revealed weaknesses in performance of existing SOLAS certified lifeboats on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The weaknesses vary between the different lifeboat types, but are generally related to safe use in rough weather. It is not possible to perform full scale testing in rough weather conditions, thus new methods for analysis of performance in severe wind and wave conditions have been developed. These analyses have provided new knowledge for design development and safe use of FFLBs.
The analyses of the Free Fall Lifeboats (FFLB) are mainly concerned with the following issues: –Accelerations on the human body (G-forces) during drop–Structural strength, slamming loads and behaviour in submerged mode–Forward motion capability and manoeuvrability after surfacing–Release mechanisms, testing and improvements
The analyses have been compared with new design requirements to FFLB on the NCS. Performance standards for lifeboats on existing offshore units have been established, and limitations for use combined with risk reducing measures have been operationalized for Statoil's units.
The paper will present: –Experiences and lessons learned from testing and analyses of FFLBs–Methods for analyses of performance of FFLBs in various weather conditions–Performance standards for important safety parameters–Operational risk reducing measures implemented to ensure safe operations–Considerations related to modification/change-out of lifeboat systems offshore
The knowledge and solutions developed will improve safety and functionality of FFLBs used in harsh weather conditions. The paper will give examples of how the new knowledge has been operationalized in Statoil.
Training and Reinforcing Non-Technical Skills Using a Team Behavioural Marker Framework
Authors: Crichton Margaret , Moffat Scott , Crichton Lauren 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
This paper presents a team behavioural marker framework that categorises and defines team-based non-technical skills which are then used to observe, record, and debrief team performance. Some oil & gas companies have proactively taken steps to address non-technical skills by introducing training courses, aimed either at individuals or teams. Ideally, such courses incorporate simulator-based exercises so that attendees can put into practise the theories of non-technical skills described in the classroom. Post-exercise feedback, based on a formal behavioural marker framework, of observations of team performance is essential to reinforce non-technical skills. A team behavioural marker framework has been developed from evidence gathered from observations of 25 simulator-based exercises involving drilling teams, each with between eight and 14 team members including Drillers, Assistant Drillers, Toolpushers, Drilling Supervisors, Mud Engineers, Mud Loggers, and Cementers. The observations were classified into four categories: Team Situational Awareness, Teamwork and Communication, Team Decision Making, and Team Workload and Stress Management. Examples from each category were then sub-divided on a four-point scale ranging from ‘exceeds expectations’ to ‘well below expectations’. The framework has subsequently been tested out during observations of simulator-based exercises with drilling teams from different companies and has been found to be a valuable tool for debriefing and feedback purposes. Moreover, due to the opportunity to practise the integration of non-technical skills into tools and techniques, such as Tool Box Talks, Stop the Job, and Safety Briefings, as experienced during the exercises, the skills can be reinforced in the workplace. One of the challenges of improving safety by focusing on individual non-technical skills is that individuals may attend a course and return to the workplace intending to put new tools or techniques into practise. However if there is little understanding or appreciation of the skills by other team members, then such intentions can rapidly fade. One of the major benefits of team-based training, exercising, and debriefing, is that the actual team can reinforce expected behaviours on site. The framework can also be used to review team performance following both routine and non-routine operations.
Exploration Impact Assessment Toolkit: Maximising Efficiency Through Standardisation To Deliver Robust Impact Assessments
Authors: Westfall Shana 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
In many cases, impact assessments (IAs) for exploration activities must be conducted within restricted timeframes, with IA / permitting activities often on the critical path. To minimise the risk of costly delays, while ensuring consistent, robust assessments are conducted in all geographies, Shell commissioned Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to prepare a suite of standard tools to support the IA process for exploration. The objectives of these tools are to: ensure a consistent approach in exploration ventures;avoid the need to start from scratch each time, thus reducing the length of time and costs required to deliver IAs within the short time windows available in exploration;enable informed conversations at early stage with business leaders, Project leads, stakeholders and contractors earlier in the planning process about some of the potential impacts, mitigation and costs; andensure that mitigation measures can be included in contractor specifications.
Considering the objectives, ERM and Shell worked together to identify those elements of the IA process where the most meaningful efficiencies in standardisation could be made. Assessment tools were developed for application to exploration drilling and seismic surveys, taking into consideration any differences for onshore and offshore environments. The IA Exploration Toolkit consists of the individual tools shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 IA Exploration Toolkit Overview
The IA Exploration Toolkit has been used on several exploration projects by Shell so far. Based on the use on these exploration projects, projected benefits from using the toolkit include: IA reports that are of higher quality and quicker to review internally;up to approximately 20% reduction in the cost of the individual IAs; andimproved ability to meet very tight time windows for delivery, while not compromising on quality. It is estimated that using the IA Exploration Toolkit can save approximately one month from the IA delvery schedule.
Significant cost savings are being derived from use of the underpinning tools. For example, the pre-populated regulatory tables have been used to dramatically reduce the time for a regulatory assessment of the differences to international / corporate requirements (from 7 man-days to 1 man-day). The baseline decision trees have the potential to realise further significant savings by enabling early identification of baseline data requirements. For example, this would allow appraisal data gathering to be undertaken during exploration, using vessels mobilised in this phase. These cost savings, as well as the improved consistency in delivery of exploration IAs, demonstrate the value of this standardised approach towards impact assessment in exploration projects.
At-Risk Groups in the Norwegian Petroleum Industry - Analysis of Risk Exposure Using Survey Data
Authors: Heggland J. E. , Øren A. , Kråkenes T. , Tharaldsen J. E. , Dahle I. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
This paper is a synopsis of an already published report by the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA, 2014). It examines the distribution of risk and different HSE aspects, including physical and psychososcial aspects of the working enivironment and safety climate, among different groups in the Norwegian petroleum industry offshore and on onshore installations. The results are based on survey data from 2001/2007-2013 with 60 541 respondents. We find that lower scores on HSE aspects correlates with negative outcomes, such as self-reported injuries at work, sick leave and work related health complaints. This correlation is more pronounced in some identified professional groups, with younger employees, employees with temporary employment, and contractor employees. This indicates that these groups are more exposed to risk than others. Experiencing reorganisations or workforce reductions or redundancies were also strongly correlated to self-reported injuries at work. For at-risk groups scores on negative outcomes follow a negative trend. Not only does risk seem to be unequally distributed among different groups, the differences seem to become more pronounced over time.
Working in Conflict Zones: The Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Example
Authors: Nnadi Vincent G. , Isung Lawrence 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria accounts for the production of oil & gas which provides over 80% of the revenues to the Federal Government. There is the perception that these revenues do not directly benefit the oil bearing communities that continue to lack basic amenities. This contradiction raised issues of equity, access to oil resources, self determination and eventually a struggle for resource control.
The central government, in trying to address the agitations, deployed several measures including the principle of derivation in revenue sharing and much later the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). These measures could not properly address the issues as few resources filtered through to those communities that continue to bear the brunt of oil exploitation most notably environmental degradation.
The struggle increased in intensity with the passage of time and increase in awareness. The youths in the communities became more organized. As they could not see the government, they lunched vicious attacks on what or who they could see – the International Oil Companies or IOCs. The struggle gained popularity in the region and the activists acquired the name of "militants". This led to serious insecurity in the region with kidnappings, pipeline vandalism and consequent disruption of oil & gas output and revenues to the Nigerian Government.
The Relative Success of Three IVMS Implementation Strategies
Authors: Catten Corey , Johnson Casey 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
With 10 years of IVMS implementation experience, we have experimented with various strategies to support and/or operate an IVMS program. We can categorize each engagement into one of three types: customer lead, vendor lead, and embedded lead. We will explain the attributes of each of these strategies and the strategic thought processes underlying each. Next we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each, relative to each other, including a discussion about the strengths we expected, and the actual strengths we observed in retrospect. Finally, we present a high-level look-up table to pick an implementation strategy to match desired objectives based on the type of organization.
HSE Assessment of Contractor Supervisors: An Innovative Approach Based on Performance Audits, Self-Assessment and Metrics
Authors: Rivas Giovanni , Frattini Luca , giusto Manfredi 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
In the oil and gas business incidents are still raising. This is mainly due to the increase of men-hours worked by contractors.
In order to take an action involving leadership of the top and middle management of contractors, the methodology of Performance Audit and focus groups has been applied in some of our affiliate Companies.
The performance audits focus on the weak points of the Company field activities, such as some poor HSE performance in peculiar areas such as Construction. Evidences from metrics such as stop cards show which areas need improvements.
The audit programme implies a preliminary phase where a visit is planned together with two "escorts", coached by hazard spotting specialists. The escorts are two middle managers of the Company (mainly from Operations and Logistics).
On the basis of the safety interventions made, the two escorts prepared a high impact presentation which was delivered to the very top management of the company (CEO).
This methodology was able to make a mutual commitment between the two middle managers (escorts) and the CEO, who took leadership to enhance the HSE performance, after acknowledging it was his own fault (and no other's) if some HSE performances were poor.
The exercise was concluded by a focus group in which all company took consciousness of the issues and committed mutually with the CEO to take leadership at all Company's levels.
The paper illustrates how this methodology achieved the objectives to: Increase Company's leaders' understanding of the real status of HSE within their operations.Make the leaders owning the HSE issues and feeling compelled to act and change. Help intervening in front of unsafe acts.Improve performance.
An Innovative Approach for Stochastic Analysis of Blowout Inventories and Impacts
Authors: Dellarole Edoardo , Bonuccelli Michele , Frattini Luca , Scataglini Luciano , Borello Lorenzo , Petrone Annamaria 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The uncontrolled eruption of a well is one of the most critical accidents that could happen in the oil and gas industry. Thanks to challenging R&D activities and collaborations, eni Upstream and Technical Services has developed and implemented Rainbow, an integrated methodology for blow-out risk analyses. As the Methodology has been applied in a wide range of HSE studies, the database of the analyzed blowout scenarios has been increasing for about 15 years, including for example release rates, total oil spill volumes and impact parameters (e.g. beached volumes for offshore scenarios and rainout area extension for onshore blowouts).
Considering, for example, oil rates (BOPD), they could extend in a range as wide as 5 orders of magnitude, therefore a probabilistic analysis has been performed in order to evaluate the stochastic distribution of the above mentioned impact parameters.
Applying short-cut models included in the Rainbow Methodology, the database of the analyzed blowout events has been integrated in order to include all potential scenarios. Moreover, in order to take into account both the local parameters affecting the well blowout frequency and the different flow paths (i.e. in-well geometry) distribution, a complete frequency assessment has been carried out.
The stochastic distributions of the following parameters have been obtained as results: total spill volume (all the scenarios).extension of impacted areas involved in the oil fallout (for onshore wells).length of impacted shoreline, oil volumes beached and open sea impacted area extension (for offshore wells, considering both underwater and atmospheric releases).
The distribution curves have been clustered distinguishing among: HPHT and normal wells.Subsea and atmospheric.Crude oil and gas condensate wells.
The above information can be useful for several purposes, e.g.: To categorize wells and potential blowouts in a rational risk ranking.To support the Company clustering procedure focused on the cost evaluation of the blowout events.To compare the blowout impact distribution with other accidents associated to hydrocarbon releases in the environment (e.g. tanker/ship, pipeline, storage, etc.)
The comparison between the stochastic distribution curves and some real accidents (including Macondo blowout) occurred in the oil and gas industry is also presented in the Paper.
Aligning Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Impact Mitigation with the Operational Lifecycle of the Nikaitchuq Site (North Slope, Alaska)
Authors: Speranza D. , Gerber V. , Mickiewicz C. , Grande W. , Thomas J. , Hoppe K. , Pedroni P. M. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Recognition and assessment of the dependencies and potential impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) combined with their effective management through targeted action plans, results in significant benefits to an oil and gas company. The benefits are cost minimization, improved access to new resources and reputation enhancement. Operating in a BES-responsible manner is particularly significant when conducting exploration and production activities in sensitive environments like the Alaskan North Slope where eni Upstream, through its affiliate Eni US Operating Co. Inc., is the operator of the Nikaitchuq site since 2007.
In compliance with eni Upstream BES management practice and oil and gas sector guidelines, BES evaluations are integrated along the Nikaitchuq asset lifecycle. Therefore, the BES assessment and impact mitigation are aligned with the project timeline and periodically updated following the evolution of the operations. This approach enables effective management of BES issues from the exploration phase, through development and production, until decommissioning the project. In 2009, during the development phase, a biodiversity assessment and action plan (BAP) was performed in collaboration with Fauna & Flora International (FFI). The BAP was aimed at assessing and mitigating potential impacts associated with the construction of production and processing facilities. When the Nikaitchuq site transitioned to production, there was the need to align the assessment and the BAP with the new project lifecycle phase. The project transition provided a good opportunity to apply newly developed tools that incorporated the most recent BES conservation concepts and international best practices.
This paper illustrates how alignment was achieved and establishes a foundation for the update of the Nikaitchuq BES assessment and the re-design of the BAP from the development phase to the current project lifecycle phase. Relevant changes in the operational, environmental and social context since 2009 were identified; engineering solutions and operational practices implemented to mitigate environmental impacts, and the outcomes of the 2009 BAP monitoring/restoration activities were reviewed and evaluated against the mitigation hierarchy framework.
Based on these, BES features potentially impacted by the present Nikaitchuq operations will be identified and prioritized for inclusion into the updated BAP suited for the current operational phase. Incorporation of the updated BAP into the Environmental Management Plan of the site and its adjustment, based on the monitoring/restoration outcomes, will foster continuous improvement in BES management anddemonstrate that the Nikaitchuq site is operated with No Net Loss/Net Positive Impact on biodiversity.
Hands-Free Implementaion in the Global Supply Chain Operations of an Oilfield Services Provider
Authors: Leong W. F. , Wells M. , Oliver C. , Ross C. , Lancaster D. , Saltz S. , Dunaway P. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The paper details the hands-free implementation journey in the supply chain unit of an oilfield services provider, which includes global manufacturing, logistics, customer service and assembly/maintenance and overhaul (AMO) operations. Challenges in hands-free implementation are presented and examples of some of the successes of the hands-free implementation strategy are highlighted. Hand injury data from 2011 to 2015 is analyzed to provide an overview of the progress of the hands-free initiative in the global supply chain operations. The introduction of the hands-free concept since 2014, which focuses on a three-pronged approach, in addition to the rollout of the Hi-5 Hand Saver concept which defines hands-free operations, will be evaluated qualitatively. Critical programs that support hands-free implementation, such as the Hands-Free Machining program, is reviewed with data relating to the hands-free machining effort used to evaluate the success of the program and in formulating the next evolution of the program. Significant improvement has been observed in reducing hand injuries resulting from machining operations as a result of the Hands-Free Machining program. The hands-free strategy has shown promising results with significant improvement in hand injury incident rates since its introduction. Sustainable hand safety performance can only come about with a holistic combination of hearts and minds, a competent workforce that works safely with their hands, thus providing viable and realistic solutions to working hands-free. The intense focus on hands-free has brought about a paradigm shift in managing hand injury risks in supply chain operations and serves as a worthy model for application in addressing hand injury concerns in other aspects of oilfield operations.
Clean Sea - Underwater Robotic Technology for Environmental and Asset Integrity Monitoring in Deep and Ultra-Deep Water
Authors: Gasparoni Francesco , Aiello Gennaro , Lainati Andrea , Sechi Armando , Maddalena Danilo , Grasso Tiberio , Bruni Federico , Filippini Michele , Miozza Luigi 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Clean Sea is an advanced robotic technology aimed at providing a cutting-edge and highly cost-effective solution to the increasing demand for both environmental and asset integrity monitoring in new and more challenging oil and gas developments, notably deep water and arctic areas.
Clean Sea is built around a unique concept of hybrid, modular and low-logistics ROV/AUV, easily reconfigurable for several applications, including (but not limited to): environmental monitoring tasksautomatic water samplingdetection and accurate localization of hydrocarbon leakages (from flowlines, SPS templates, etc.)seabed acoustic surveysvisual inspection of pipelines, SPS, jacketscathodic protection surveyspipe tracking (buried and exposed)
This (patented) technology originates from a successful R&D project sponsored by eni and eni Norge and carried out by tecnomare between 2011 and 2013. Clean Sea technology was successfully proven over comprehensive trials carried out during 2014 and 2015 in environmentally different sites such as Lake Vattern (Sweden), offshore Hammerfest (Norway), Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan), Sicily Channel and Adriatic Sea (Italy). The successful trials have proven the viability of Clean Sea concept as well as the benefits that this technology will provide to the oil and gas industry in terms of operational flexibility, cost savings, asset integrity preservation, performances, safely operations in critical environments.
Following the successful conclusion of the trials program, Clean Sea is currently transitioning to fully operational deployment, allowing the substitution of traditional ROV-based techniques and costly dedicated vessels. Moreover, the modularity of the system is fully exploited by continuous addition of new functionalities, in pursuit of the strategic evolution of the initial basic concept.
The paper provides an overview of Clean Sea technology and advancements, and explains the basic concept of its operational capabilities. Examples of the most significant results achieved will be provided, including details on the on-going development program. Case studies for Clean Sea operation will also be presented and commented.