bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Framework For The Environmental Impact Factor For Drilling Discharges - A Proposed Tool For Risk Reduction, Management And Regulation Of Drilling Discharges
Authors: Smit M. G. D. , Frost T. K. , Johnsen S. , Follum O. , Rye H. , Singsaas I. , Bakke K. , Buffagni M. , Falcao-Veiga L. , Garpestad E. , Moltu U. , Skare I. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThrough a joint industry project, initiated by the oil industry, a risk based assessment model was developed, enabling quantification of environmental risk from discharges from drilling operations. This tool, applicable for decision support, establishing cost-effective measures for reducing potential harmful drilling discharges to the marine environment, is a further development of the Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) approach used for the management of discharges of produced water on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The developed EIF for drilling discharges (EIFDD) assesses potential environmental impacts from the discharge of cuttings and drilling fluids. Potential impacts from particulates (e.g. barite) and chemicals in the water column and sediments are assessed. Additionally, potential physical stress from deposition of drilling mud and cuttings on the sea floor are evaluated. Principles for environmental risk assessment as described by the European Commission's Technical Guidance Document (TGD) and Species Sensitivity Distributions were incorporated. One of the main challenges was the application of risk assessment principles to non-toxic stressors, originally designed to evaluate toxic stress,. The EIFDD evaluates environmental risks from oxygen depletion, change in grain size and burial in marine sediments. In order to derive environmental threshold effect values for all stressors an extensive literature study was carried out. Besides that information resulting from decades of environmental monitoring around offshore platforms on the Norwegian Continental Shelf was used for both determination of thresholds and validation purposes. The conceptual framework of this state-of-the-art environmental risk management tool is presented, including the risk assessment principles, and methods to derive exposure and threshold effect values. The use of the EIFDD is illustrated with an example calculation.
Complex Problems - Simple Solutions: GIS Application to a Socially Responsible Hydrocarbon Development in Colombia
Authors: Mejía J. C. , Ravishankar K. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
La Cira Infantas is the oldest and largest oil field in Colombia with a total of 1,700 wells and home to 11,000 inhabitants. Occidental de Colombia, Inc is developing, with partner Ecopetrol (the Colombian national oil company), an IOR project that implies the reactivation/workover of 1,200 wells and drilling of 700 additional wells. Taking into consideration the geologic, technical, social, and environmental complexity of the project and the need to mitigate potential impacts to the community, a Geographical Information System (GIS) was developed that integrates the digital cartography and the satellite images with descriptive and alphanumeric information. The GIS has many uses but in this project, it has been uniquely applied to locate wells and minimize impacts to the community.
The IOR project was conceived in three phases to define the social and technical risks. This paper addresses the challenges of social and technical risks and how the GIS applications facilitated the decision process in minimizing the social/community risks as well as achieve the economic objectives of developing the field.
As a direct result of this work, the project has been able to prevent and mitigate potentially negative impacts to the environment and community by directing the selection of drilling and workover locations, identifying public utility needs, and documenting the demographics to direct specific and suitable social programs. Using this technique, the project is being implemented with careful analysis of the environmental aspects and stakeholders’ interests of each decision. This effort has resulted in the successful integration of social responsibility with the hydrocarbon redevelopment of the La Cira Infantas (LCI) field.
Environmental Considerations for Transferring Offshore Facilities to National Oil Company Operators
Authors: Armstrong Louis , Edmunds Jody L. , Clare Jay B. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
As the governments of developing nations strive to increase indigenous expertise in offshore oil exploration and development, the industry is also dealing with offshore concession (or lease) expirations on older fields that are to revert back to operation by national oil companies for the remainder of the life of the field. Unlike onshore developments, for which property transfer (or asset divestiture) due diligence protocols have been developed (E&P Forum 1996), few if any industry protocols address environmental risk management for the transfer of offshore facilities. Additionally, the longer-term operation of offshore facilities, from equipment/facility integrity, sustainability, and impacts to the environment during the transition period, needs to be considered by the divesting entity, such that national oil company operators have a clear understanding of the development and its future operation.
This paper presents property transfer practices developed for offshore/subsea environmental sampling, including sampling design/program development, sampling protocol, and lessons learned from the implementation of such a sampling program. Additionally, a model for performing a property transfer Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for an offshore development consisting of a wide range of facilities including well jackets, processing platforms, and accommodations platforms is presented.
The results of the environmental sampling and property transfer Phase 1 ESA then provide a baseline to protect the original operator from future claims of subsea pollution or unacceptable environmental operating practices. Alternatively, if subsea pollution is identified, best management practices or safeguards protective of human health and the environment (e.g., fishing restrictions) can be implemented.
Creating a "Sustainability-Minded" Worldwide Environmental Workforce
Authors: Armstrong Louis 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Traditionally, workforce development, worldwide, with respect to environmental parameters has focused on the teaching of environmental laws and regulations by which a company will govern its activities in the environmental arena. The argument is that a company can establish an environmental management system to meet the regulatory and reporting requirements and, thereby, address risks stemming from environmental compliance. However, this form of environmental management is generally reactive and does not reveal much about emerging Best Practices and environmental stewardship as they relate to sustainability. Not that employees do not need to understand the environmental laws that govern operations, rather that they are not taught to develop the institutional capacity within their field to reach beyond rules-based environmental management to achieve sustainable operations.
Worse, in emerging nations, where in large measure the rules have not been written, a tendency exists to rely on a rules-based approach from another country, which can be confusing or inappropriate in the context of a new oil and gas development. Staff will often be left without answers to questions about how to address environmental issues in a way that is sustainable and actually benefits the environment that they are trying to protect.
This paper provides an overview of a strategy based on the premise that employees who understand the environmental impacts and loadings of their operations, as well as the status of the implementation of environmental management practices, and can defend their practices on rational grounds, will be better prepared to respond to emerging environmental sustainability demands and be more cognizant of the benefit or impacts of their actions.
Old Carbon vs. New Carbon in Climate Change
Authors: Ebenhack Ben , Martinez Daniel 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
One of the commonly accepted precepts of the climate change problematique is that biofuels are universally superior to fossil fuels due to a purported closed carbon cycle (CCC) for biomass. Some authors and policy makers refer to ‘new carbon’ having no net impact on climate change, only ‘old carbon.’ This assumption drives some policy planning, yet it begs some important questions. It is clear that, on a geologic time scale, fossil fuels are a subset of biomass. Time, heat, and compaction have transformed raw biomass materials into more homogeneous materials with higher energy densities. At what point, then, is material transformed from an environmentally benign biomass fuel into ‘old carbon’ that is somehow excluded from the CCC? How are the cycle boundaries defined to be closed, in a system in which net biomass growth is lost annually through deforestation – sometimes attributable to harvesting that biofuel?
This paper explores the concept of the CCC for fuel crops, its legitimacy in the context of the real global carbon balance, and its implications for energy choices using ‘new carbon’ sources. A graphical representation of a simple numerical model balance is presented to address this problem. The balance increases in complexity as alternate uses of land and fates of carbon for biomass cropping schemes are included. The time horizons on which carbon balances are most important to the issue of climate change and will be discussed.
The notion will be advanced that energy planning to ameliorates climate change issues will best be undertaken to use combustion fuels based on their lifecycle net efficiencies rather than on a notion of a CCC for some but not for others. We suggest that this is an artificial distinction which should be largely dismissed.
Health Risk Assessment: Improving Quality and Cost Effectiveness by Leveraging People, Processes, and Tools
Authors: Niven K. , de Jong G. , Pedersen C. , Leeffers Gerda 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
To make a step-change in the overall quality and cost-effectiveness of Health Risk Assessments (HRA's) in a multinational oil and gas company, an integrated approach was taken. This involved leveraging best practice and the potential within people, processes and tools to achieve a simplified approach to HRA's. These simplifications include, for example: the HRA becomes the responsibility of a subject matter expert (SME) to produce a standardized deliverable that is fit-for-purpose; "Access once, fix many" appraisal takes place one time at the appropriate level, with no repetition; HRA becomes an iterative process, not a "stand-alone" project, thus ensuring that the HRA remains evergreen and avoiding the need for expensive revalidation campaigns; using IT as a source of standardized process flow with pick lists, global health hazard inventory, data and ‘best in class’ template HRA's. Per geographical region the added value to the businesses of the HRA's was assessed. Preliminary results indicate that a simplified approach to HRA's of this type can significantly increase quality and cost-effectiveness of HRA's, compared to the current approach. We expect the final outcome to be that integrated leveraging of people, process and tools for performing HRA's will create significant cost reduction. Furthermore by using experts, "best in class" templates, and standardized processes, the value of HRA's will improve, leading to better management of Health Risks.
Traveling Healthy is Traveling Safely
Authors: Young Heather 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The health and safety of the business traveler is critically important for the success of the business trip. Considerable resources, both human capital and financial, are expended and ultimately the success of the business trip may be at risk when a business traveler becomes ill or injured. The "Business Travel Process" is a cooperative effort between Chevron Nigeria/Mid Africa and Southern Africa Strategic Business Units (NMASBU/SASBU), Chevron travel services and Chevron Houston Medical Clinic (CHMC) created to identify, to support and provide travel health services. Once business travelers are identified, the "Business Travel Process" ensures employees are medically fit to travel and have destination specific knowledge to travel safely, reducing risk to themselves and others. The "Business Travel Process" begins when Chevron travel service notifies CHMC of an employees travel plans. Chevron Houston Medical Clinic determines if an employee requires a travel health consultation contacts the employee and provides the needed services. During the travel consultation a medical history evaluation and travel health risk assessment is used to provide the employee with individualized travel health education, immunizations and appropriate chemoprophylaxis. Finally, the process includes a customer service evaluation and internal audit of the "Business Travel Process" conducted by CHMC to ensure continued quality and timely travel health services.
This paper will describe the "Business Travel Process" at Chevron with the goal of highlighting the value of developing a formalized process to companies sending employees on international business travel. In addition, a business travel health issue will be described, with lessons learned and identified opportunities for improving in the "Business Travel Process".
Enhancing Decision Making in Critical Operations
Authors: Flin Rhona 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Many critical tasks in oil and gas operations require cognitive skills for safe and efficient completion. Based on recent research on professionals' critical decision making (e.g. Flin et al, 2007; Mitchell & Flin, in press) from applied cognitive psychology, this presentation will examine how experienced workers assess the work situation and make decisions when solving problems during real time operations. The two step process of situation assessment and decision making will be described, contrasting the processes of intuitive and analytical thinking in order to review their strengths and weaknesses. The value of ‘gut feel’ in experienced workers will be discussed with reference to possible ways of developing this skill. Factors impacting decision making (e.g. stress and fatigue) will be outlined. Techniques for training decisions skills are also considered.
Risk Focused and Evidence Based Medical Surveillance (MS) Evaluation Program for Global Use
Authors: Bhojani Faiyaz A. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
This paper addresses the drivers for change, process, expected outcome as well as the opportunities and barriers in the development of a global standardized process and program for medical surveillance and bio-monitoring in a multinational petrochemical company. Utilizing a risk-focused and evidence based approach, it also provides a framework for and an implementation strategy for MS protocols globally as well as identifies mechanisms for cementing the change.
The paper starts with definitions and discussions of medical surveillance and bio-monitoring and highlights key issues with regard to classic historical approaches to MS evaluations such as used by OSHA or other regulatory bodies (comprehensive physical examination, blood counts, liver functions, etc) and the proposed more recent and evidence based methodologies pertinent to medical surveillance, including screening tools and especially bio-monitoring. In addition, it highlights the issues posed by independent silo programs that have evolved over time and generally based on country or regional practices and preferences rather than current evidence based medical practice.
The approach will be highlighted by providing a sample MS protocol of one of the classic hazard (Benzene). Basis current evidence, we will outline the key areas addressed, such as, scope and application, entry criteria, exit criteria, frequency and content of evaluation, key performance indicators (KPI), examiner competency, reporting criteria, reference, etc. and demonstrate which current practices to continue, which new practices to add and the ones to be retired.
Key performance indicators as well as a high level strategy for global implementation will be outlined.
Effective Employee Communications for HS&E Campaigns
Authors: Hay Ruth 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Good communication in any organization is essential. Employees need to be involved in an organization and be able to visibly see what it is doing. The same can be applied to its HS&E function. Because clients are demanding higher and higher levels of awareness of the HS&E culture, it is essential that goals are successfully communicated to employees.
This paper uses theory on communication within an organization to focus on two key elements of a good communication plan: considering all the factors in the communication process and knowing your audience and understanding cultural differences. The paper will also draw on examples of how this has been applied through past HS&E campaigns.
In communication theory, one must consider five fundamental factors to conceive a communication plan: initiator (HS&E professional), recipient (employee), message (the HS&E initiative being promoted), mode (how it is communicated), and effect, which is monitored by changes in employee behavior and HS&E statistics. No HS&E campaign will be successful without understanding that communicating with employees is not simply about telling them what you want them to do; one must consider how that message is sent and received and with what medium.
This communication process is also subject to a sixth factor: noise. The oil and gas industry' biggest noise factor is the international market and its diverse cultures. Present and future behaviors can be influenced by understanding cultures and backgrounds, which is further split into the different ways in which we communicate, and the way in which we tailor the message. What may be a suitable way of communicating with an audience in Aberdeen could cause great offence in Libya. This paper describes the utility of exploring all these factors when developing HS&E messages.
Cabinda Fisheries Assessment: Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building
Authors: Wolinsky Gary , Fançony Preciosa , Abel Alan , Leopoldo Emanuel 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Fisheries are an important resource for communities neighboring Chevron operations in Cabinda, Angola. Threats to these resources can affect local food supplies and economic well-being. Real or perceived impacts from oil and gas operations can create tensions and damage reputation and harm existing relationships with important stakeholders. As a responsible operator, Chevron took concerns about October 2005 fish die-offs seriously, launching a pilot program to evaluate seafood safety and marine phenomena to address community concerns. The program's initial focus was fish tissue and water quality to identify existing contaminant levels in Cabinda Bay to guide future sampling. Later project phases include continued tissue monitoring and monitoring for hazardous algae blooms (HAB). As part of this program, Chevron also engaged local stakeholders in sampling and laboratory analyses with the intent to build partnerships, develop local capacity for environmental monitoring and assessment, and educate the local community about operations and threats to the marine environment.
Chevron engaged fishermen and government officials to better understand the fishery and local concerns. Fish were collected from markets and fishermen. Angolan Fisheries Institute scientists travelled to the U.S. to participate in forensic laboratory analysis of edible fish tissue for trace metals and organics.
Following two sets of sampling and lab analyses, results demonstrated that contaminant levels in fish tissue in Cabinda compare favorably with fish tissue data from around the world. Cabinda Bay fish were within U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety limits for commercially sold fish. Future ongoing tissue sampling and analysis is planned. In addition, because tissue contaminant levels are low, Chevron is examining other stressors in the marine environmenment. For example, HAB monitoring to assess biotoxins presence and effects in the marine environment is also is being developed. This project highlights successful partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building for environmental monitoring in Angola.
Tangguh Responses on the Sensitive Environment
Authors: Ahmad Lidia 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Tangguh LNG Project is a major green field development located within a biologically diverse and ecologically important region, particularly mangrove swamps, which form a fringe around the shore of Bintuni Bay, and occupy much of the large, estuarine mosaic at its head. The Bay is important for subsistence fishing by local indigenous communities and is home for marine mammals including Sousa dolphin, a protected species under Indonesian regulations and red listed under IUCN.
In response to the sensitive environment, Tangguh has taken following actions: Developed a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment following Indonesian regulations and applicable World Bank guidelines. Compliance to ESIA has been subject to internal and external audits.Engaged various stakeholders from early stage of project development and continued the engagement programs throughout project development stages.Taken actions on concerns raised by local communities. Tangguh decided to move location of Combo Dock to avoid a group of rocks considered sacred by community.Minimized project physical footprint. Design optimization reduced project footprint from initial plan of 800 ha to 450 ha.Applied Drill Cutting Reinjection for management of mud and cuttings from 15 gas production wells to be drilled in Bintuni Bay. Tangguh will be the first O&G project in Indonesia to apply DCRI. If Tangguh followed "business as usual" practice for Oil & Gas activities in Indonesia, the mud and cuttings would have been discharged into the Bay.Tangguh has decided to reroute its LNG tankers around the environmentally sensitive area of Raja Ampat Marine Reserve in Papua. The new westward path adds 550km to the tankers' routes. The decision was based on detailed risk assessment which concluded that protection of this globally important marine reserve was paramount and in keeping with BP's Green Values.
The Evolution of a Driving Simulator Program
Authors: Meade D. , Tate D. , Bouwkamp D. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
In Western Canada, a significant portion of fatalities in the oil field can be related to driving events. A major service company has implemented a multifaceted approach to addressing the hazards associated with driving in the oilfield. A key component of the driving program is the driving simulator.
In 2001, this service company purchased its first mobile computerized driving simulators to complement its driving program in the United States. The service company worked with the simulator manufacturer to develop a custom oilfield-specific driving program. The program evolved to include a multitude of scenarios and hazards that drivers are exposed to in field operations.
Implementation of these simulators helped to account for a 50% reduction in automobile incidents and a 70% reduction in high-potential automotive incidents. The operations for this service company in Canada took notice and utilized a driving simulator as part of a pre-winter campaign in the fourth quarter of 2003. During Q1 of 2004, Canadian operations realized the lowest crash rate in its history.
In 2007, the next generation of driving simulator was purchased for dedicated use in this region. New features include the ability to link student driver stations to simulate convoys, the ability of the instructor to interact independently with either or both students, and an enhanced scenario tool box to allow the instructor to craft custom scenarios.
This paper describes evolution in the use of a simulator for driver training in an oilfield environment.