Emergency Preparedness for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

Abstract

Abstract Effective emergency preparedness and response benefits from the implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency responses associated with Oil and Gas exploration and production (E&P) and preserve corporate integrity and reputation. Succesful Implementation of the ICS on fires, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism highlight the need to incorporate ICS in all Oil and Gas Incidents such as well blowouts, fires, personnel injuries, pipeline ruptures, spills and uncontrolled releases particularly those associated with the recent onshore shale oil and gas boom, which bring E&P operations close to residential areas. The ICS, developed by the US Forest Services in the 1970s and now used by most first responders, is a standardized emergency management system with proven key concepts that reduce costs, establishes objectives, mitigates environmental and human impacts, reduces recovery time, and preserves corporate image and intergrity. This paper describes the benefits of ICS, and provides recommendations for incorporating ICS into Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), training, practice drills, and actual incidents. It will show how ICS key concepts, such as management by objectives, communications, chain of command, span of control, and unity of command, should be incorporated into ERPs.