Industrial Optimisation Framework Development for an Offshore E&P Company

Abstract

Abstract Within the industrial setting, optimisation can be referred to as "improved economic and environmental performance per unit output through more efficient and less wasteful industrial processes and operations." A comprehensive industrial optimisation baseline study and strategy development project has been undertaken within Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), one of the UAE's major oil and gas producing companies operating a concession area in the Southern Arabian Gulf offshore of Abu Dhabi. Unique within the region in its comprehensiveness, the study reviews legislative requirements and factors driving optimisation and the reasoning behind the need to establish an integrated industrial optimisation framework within the company and the challenges in terms of approach, data availability and attitudes that face oil & gas producers. The paper provides an overview of industry "best practices" for optimisation, the drivers behind it and the required elements of a successful industrial optimisation program are described along with developed examples of key strategies, categorised under corporate, energy management, material resources management, and waste management. Also detailed is the assessment of ZADCO's baseline data, the conclusions made and the reasoning behind the renewed commitment for the development in the company towards a more holistic environmental performance assessment approach, rather than focusing on traditional individual aspect performance. It discusses the legislative, policy, financial and environmental rationale behind establishing the optimisation program, and features the process of development of key components of optimisation agreements within the company along with suggested optimisation strategy and model energy management system frameworks and implementation plans.