bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altitude Illness, Peru & Papua New Guinea: A Unique Workplace Hazard
Authors: Hochberg Anthony 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
More than 100 million people visit altitudes up to and higher than 2,500m (~8,000 ft) annually.
There is a developing body of knowledge and accumulated experience with mining companies and construction groups around building and operating mines/LNG facilities at low oxygen / high altitude environments. Much of the knowledge is anecdotal and it is only relatively recently that workplace experiences are being studied more scientifically.
The majority of healthy individuals who relocate without adequate adaptation or a medical management plan will suffer from high-altitude illnesses. For example, up to 80% of high-altitude travellers report sleep disturbances and/or headache. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) represents the most common and usually benign illness, which however can rapidly progress to the more severe and potentially
Test of Analytical Approaches for Assessing Dispersal of Barium Free Drilling Discharges on Seabed
Authors: Ulfsnes A. , MØskeland T. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
During planning of a drilling operation in the North Sea with planned discharges from the top hole section, it was revealed that the drilling location was bordering to a predefined area for sand-eel (Ammodytes marinus). As sand-eel spawning is strongly related to limited habitat, spawning grounds are given high value on the uniqueness, life-historical importance and productivity.
Due to the presence of sand-eel, mitigating measures were implemented to minimize the risk of smothering sand-eel areas by: 1)Use of cuttings Transport System (CTS) in order to lead the discharges away from the defined sand-eel area.2)Use of particle free drilling fluid for minimizing spreading of particles.
As a consequence barite is not included in the drilling mud composition. Barite contains high amounts of Ba and may generate particles with a potential of being transported over long distances. Environmental authorities required documentation of drilling discharges not spreading to the sand-eel habitat. The question is then how one can monitor and document the spreading of barium free drilling discharges on seabed?

Application/Development
Normally monitoring of drilling operations close to vulnerable habitats in Norway is done with an array of measuring techniques, covering turbidity measurements, sediment traps, current measurements and sediment analysis using barium as a tracer. In this case barium was not present in the mud and could therefore not be used as a tracer. A new approach was therefore chosen. This approach included use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), picture analysis, grain size and organic matter analysis from a total of 36 sampling stations.

Results, Observations, and Conclusions
The monitoring approach gave relatively clear results of the dispersion pattern of the drilling discharges. Results were comparable with observations from monitoring of other drilling operations. Especially the SEM approach gave rather clear results, and these findings were supported by the analysis of grain size distribution. The approach used is considered to be relatively cost effective compared to standard monitoring approaches used in Norway.

Significance of Subject Matter
A combination of picture analysis and grain size analysis is an alternative approach for documenting spreading of drill cuttings discharges. It may be a cost efficient alternative in cases where barite is not present in the mud.
Implementation of Best Environmental Practices in an Oil and Gas Company: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Cuenca Isaac Nájera , Sánchez Carmen Santamaria , Roldán Carlos Alberto 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
For a responsible O&G company it is no longer acceptable to follow different environmental performance standards that are based on regulatory requirements that vary from country to country.
Consequently, beyond strict legal compliance, a set of 150 best environmental practices has been established in an effort to prevent and minimize the environmental impact of E&P operations worldwide. This requirement covers the full range of E&P activities (acquisition, exploration, development, production and abandonment), and it contains specific requirements for key environmental aspects, such as biodiversity, noise, air emissions, wastewater and waste management.
A gap analysis was conducted in 15 countries to analyse compliance against the requirement with a global outcome of 11% of cases failing to meet the best practice. This analysis covered all of the activities carried out during normal operations at any worldwide location, onshore and offshore, including joint ventures where the Company was the major shareholder or the operator. The analysis also covered activities carried out on the Company’s behalf by contractors and subcontractors. The study showed remarkable differences in compliance among countries and with regard to lifecycle stages and environmental aspects.
For out-of-compliance situations, a tiered-approach was developed for the visualization, conceptualization, definition and execution of actions to meet the requirements. In cases where the best practice could not be met, a new level of accomplishment based on the best available and economically achievable environmental performance must be proposed. A case study of an onshore oil production facility located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve illustrates the application of this methodology. The application of this requirement, despite the financial and operational impacts on the company, has proven to be an excellent tool for continuous improvement in environmental management and a solid approach to ensure alignment and harmonization of environmental best practices worldwide.
Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Systems: A Comparative Assessment for Select Industry Segments
Authors: Ritter K. , Shires T. M. , Lev-On M. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The recent rapid expansion of natural gas developments and utilization worldwide are bringing into focus the need to improve understanding and characterization of greenhouse gas emission sources, including methane, associated with petroleum and natural gas systems. New production technologies and practices, including those involving hydraulic fracturing, necessitate a thorough review of existing quantification methods for fugitive methane emissions from venting, flaring, and equipment leaks associated with petroleum and natural gas systems and operations.
In the past few years widely divergent estimates have emerged regarding methane emissions from the U.S. natural gas industry sector. Some discrepancies noted by industry surveys have led to a thorough review of newly available information and are leading to the improvement of estimation methods and emission factors associated with activities that comprise natural gas systems. This has manifested itself in the engineering estimations that are used for compiling the national U. S. GHG Emissions Inventory and in the methods used by companies for reporting under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
This paper will present results of a comparative analysis of GHG emissions data, including methane, for key industry segments such as on-shore natural gas production and natural gas processing and their contribution to the so called "petroleum and natural gas systems". The data analyzed will contrast the "top-down" assessments used in developing the U.S. GHG Emissions Inventory with the "bottom-up" estimation of actual emissions as reported under Subpart W of the GHGRP. The analysis will provide a comparison of the estimation methods and evaluation of the contribution of key sources to overall methane emissions.
The ultimate goal of this effort is to incorporate the new information that is becoming available into consistent methods that can be used both for national GHG inventory development and for corporate reporting. Harmonization of these methods is expected to contribute to informing the public debate on natural gas use and its role in mitigating overall GHG emissions.
II&R - What is a Learning Organization?
Authors: Barnes S. , Schlichtmann III J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
An organization’s ability to understand and learn from serious incidents is critical to sustainably and reliably in reducing the occurrence and recurrence of unwanted or unplanned events. The implementation of standardized processes for reporting, investigating, taking preventive action, and sharing lessons learned has demonstrated marked improvements in incident prevention however the occurrence of repeat incidents indicates the need to holistically evaluate the effectiveness of these processes and how they are implemented against the characteristics of a successful learning organization.
For an Exploration and Production (E&P) operating unit to achieve a step change in performance in incident investigation and reporting (II&R) of lessons learned, gaps in how the existing process functions must be strategically identified and measured against a defined future state vision. Evaluation criteria based on six core elements were defined in order to establish the current state of II&R performance as well as the effectiveness of the operating unit as a learning organization. Assessments included internal and external industry benchmarking to better understand best practices in II&R implementation and execution. Using benchmarking data and learning organization characteristics applied to II&R, a future state vision for organization, leadership accountability, people capability, execution, continuous improvement, and culture were developed. The gap assessment between the current state and future state vision enabled the development of tangible actions to be implemented over a 3 year period to provide sustainable improvement actions that support improved effectiveness in II&R and proactive effort towards prevention of incidents and incident recurrence.
Brazilian Deployment of Mobile Effluent Treatment of SBM Contaminated Deck Drain and Slop Water Interfaces From Offshore Drilling Operations
Authors: Cupelo A. C. , Marroquim A. C. , Araruna J. , de Medeiros B. , Moura D. , Gama M. C. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper will discuss a mobile effluent treatment system, which was developed in Norway and recently deployed in offshore Brazil. The system is a specialized two-module slop water treatment unit deployable on any drilling environment. The treatment process uses a combination of chemical and physical processes such as demulsification, flocculation, settling, and filtration to separate SBM and SBM fractions from the slop water into their main components.
Testing was conducted to ensure that the system would have the capacity to treat SBM-contaminated waste to comply with the Brazillian Resolutions for Effluents Discharge (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente Resolutions - CONAMA n° 357/05 and 430/11). The tests involved adjusting the system to operate within the limits established by the local legislation, which establish very conservative concentrations of metals and hydrocarbons, amongst other parameters, that effluents must meet before being discharged in continental or oceanic bodies of water.
The results presented in this paper show that, with minor adjustments, the system can produce an effluent that complies with all necessary parameters for discharge at an offshore location. This prevents significant risks in transport and disposal, as well as the costs associated with them.
This study has shown that the use of such a system is not only environmentally advantageous, but also economically significant as it helps minimize waste and increases drilling fluids reuse and profit margins in drilling operations. In Brazil, the use of this technology has an innovative profile and it is a tool that can contribute to reducing the high volumes of drilling waste that are currently transported onshore for waste disposal. The next step, before operational use of this technology in Brazil, is the agreement of a monitoring plan with the environmental agency.
Fair Dialogue and Co-Creation - A Shift in Stakeholder Engagement and Global Performance of Industrial Projects
Authors: Conraud Thierry , Jammes Laurent , Morales Luis Vera , Cordoba Jesus 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The social and environmental impacts of large industrial projects are increasingly raising concerns from individuals and civil society organizations. Impact assessment studies and risk management plans barely satisfy these external project stakeholders, who put forward the right to have a say on project implementation conditions.
While the analysis and optimization of a project’s techno-economic performance remains the responsibility of the project developer, establishing the conditions for the seamless integration of a project in its human and social environment is a matter of concern for all project stakeholders, and thus requires their engagement through a dedicated and eco-systemic management process. However, views diverge on what engagement means. Current practices are often limited to providing information on project features and listening to stakeholder’s concerns, while the final decisions remain the prerogative of the project developer.
The paper argues that a shift in the stakeholder engagement paradigm is needed to create favorable conditions for social acceptance, thus gaining the so-called "Social License to Operate" and more broadly, fostering image, reputation, exemplarity and global performance.
After a review of the meaning of a "project stakeholder" and "social acceptability", and building on the theories and concepts of social psychology, this paper aims at demonstrating that social acceptance requires fair dialogue with stakeholders and the co-creation of some of the project aspects.
The components of an effective stakeholder engagement strategy are discussed, including engagement modes, focus group composition, the role of experts and the use of different communication vehicles. Dedicated collaborative decision-aid software is presented, which supports dialogue and consensus building.
Methodologies to assess project performance according to selected social, environmental and economic dimensions are used to materialize and present opinions, which can be further discussed in groups to evolve towards more objective assessments and to document general interest, while guaranteeing transparency, inclusiveness, traceability and even spontaneity. Innovative mathematical engines are used to detect, qualify and quantify "weak signals" stemming from perception biases that stakeholders inevitably have when assessing complex issues.
This approach and the results will be illustrated via the example of the El Paso LNG terminal, in the town of Puerto Libertad, Sonora, Mexico.
Wellness Scorecards: Tools for Engagement and Organizational Health Management
Authors: Davis-Street Janis , Ryan Noel , Guy Victoria , Stevens Christina 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Problem Statement: An aging workforce and an increase in the incidence of disabling chronic illnesses may put the workforce at risk. Evaluation of worksite wellness programs and the assessment of an organization's health data provide a means of identifying and addressing the areas at high risk.
Objectives and Scope of Study: This paper describes pilot implementation of a wellness scorecard in multiple business units. The scorecard can determine alignment of programming with wellness best practices and facilitate alignment with specific outcomes that are relevant to the business.
Method: Corporate Health and Medical is piloting a wellness scorecard in a cross-section of business units. An evidence-based approach provides businesses with a standard health report card that can be periodically monitored to provide information on how wellness programming compares to best practices. The scorecard is also used as a communication tool to engage business leaders in discussions about the value of health to the organization and to assess where businesses are currently positioned in the development of a culture of health.
Results and Observations: An overall score or profile is provided based on 4 general categories: leadership engagement and support; workplace policies and environment that support health and wellness; programs that address health and wellness, in terms of design and impact; and assessment of the evaluation approach. Participating locations are also provided with a simple report that describes the degree of implementation of these categories. For organizations with more robust programs, the scorecard provides a tool for monitoring changes in population health and alignment with best practices. For those at the initial stage of developing health and wellness programs, it has utility for engaging leaders around health and wellness. Conclusions: Such scorecards can describe key measures of organizational health and assess implementation of best practices.
Applications: Business units can leverage Corp and local health and medical's expertise around programming, data privacy, legal and policy implications of wellness programs.
Innovations or Technical Contributions: Provides standard processes for management engagement around health and enhances programming that support workforce health and well-being.
Assessing the Actual and Potential Environmental and Socioeconomic Effects of Incidents
Authors: Eggleston Vincent , Hayes Bruce 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Companies that have been reporting safety, regulatory, and environmental incidents for several decades are realizing that traditional metrics such as type of injury, spill volume or lost time are not necessarily the best indicators of the severity of those incidents. In addition, conventional incident reporting methodologies don’t necessarily distinguish between similar types of incidents to draw out the divergent potential effects of the incidents and what companies can learn from them.
ExxonMobil in an effort to address some of the limitations of traditional reporting systems has adopted a "Hurt-Free" approach to safety. This approach has been an effective way to increase awareness and prioritize action on high consequence potential safety events. An analogous approach can be applied outside the safety realm to identify, assess and reduce the potential occurrences of high severity environmental and socioeconomic incidents. While the actual severity effects are typically evident, readily assessable, and contain many learnings, it is the assessment of the potential severity effects that likely contain the greatest opportunity to mitigate future incidents.
It is important that incidents be assessed using a systematic process to ensure comparable and consistent results across projects and geographies while still providing flexibility to adjust for local conditions. To accomplish this, incident definitions and a guidance table have been created to assist assessors to score the actual and potential effects of incidents. The assessor will need to acquire enough information about the setting and the scenario to establish if and how the incident could have been potentially more severe. This important step needs to ensure that the potential severity effects are both realistic and feasible. Each incident can be reported with an actual and potential severity effect value in both the environmental and social areas.
The identification of high potential severity events allows teams to learn from low severity actual incidents to better understand the potential range of effects from incidents and better develop appropriate mitigations to prevent the higher potential severity incidents from occurring.
Actual and potential environmental and social incident effect severity assessments applied on projects and operating assets can assist with:
Assessing incidents for their environmental and social actual and potential severity effects Distinguishing between similar appearing incidents based on the potential environmental and social severity effects Preventing or mitigating higher severity incidents through an effect-based analysis and corrective actions implementation
Monitoring Total Dissolved Hydrocarbons in Seawater around Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities
Authors: Alboussière Marie-Charlotte , Cailleaud Kévin 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The oil and gas industry is committed to provide accurate impact assessment of its activity on the surrounding environment. To achieve this, extensive environmental monitoring needs to be performed on a regular basis around offshore installations. Many tools and techniques have been developed to meet that request. But monitoring trace hydrocarbons in seawater remains challenging. Standard methods require sampling of huge seawater volumes, are limited in terms of deployment flexibility and detection threshold for very low levels of contaminants. Due to variability over time, representativeness of spot sampling is also questioned.
Passive samplers (already used to monitor specific substances in air) have been identified as a promising technique which could provide a number of analytical and practical advantages on standard techniques. However, challenges still remain to apply the technique to aquatic environment, especially in seawater.
Additional research was therefore carried out to ensure validity of the tool for offshore use and total dissolved hydrocarbons monitoring. This paper presents the results of the work conducted to characterize passive sampler operating conditions and hydrocarbon uptake. Laboratory trials were conducted to experiment different types of passive samplers and to demonstrate the method robustness under conditions representative of field use. Practical aspects, including sampler preparation, analysis protocols and sample conservation, were also tested and assessed to ensure field applicability of the technique.
It results that passive samplers do provide a highly sensitive measuring technique and have the potential to be usefully applied to monitor total dissolved hydrocarbons around offshore installations. Benefits include ease of use and ability to collect time-averaged samples over the time of immersion. It thereby allows detection of very low concentrations of substances and resolves issues arising from sampling variability. The technique also provides valuable indications on contaminant bioavailability and chronic exposure of ecosystems, which is key information for environmental risk assessment. As any technique, it presents constraints and limitations which will be presented. Nevertheless the tool offers a valuable complement to standard methods, especially for monitoring seawater in the vicinity of produced water discharges.