Technology Focus: Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility (August 2011)

Abstract

Technology Focus Offshore-drilling safety and oil-spill prevention and response have taken the lead in discussions, worldwide, as a consequence of the Macondo accident last year. Cap and containment became new key issues. Many initiatives have risen around the world; everybody fears that such an accident may happen in their backyard, if not in the center of their home. Many reports have already been published, and many more are expected to be issued in the coming weeks or months. There has been extensive discussion on this topic at all SPE major conferences this year. But a major accident does not write the whole story, nor does it stop the need for oil and gas. We should not forget that there are many more issues to be addressed by the upstream oil and gas industry. The industry is committed to improve its health, safety, and environment performances. A list of all health, safety, environment, and social responsibility topics that should be considered these days would be too long and may not be useful. To mention a just a few: safety culture, occupational health, security, asset integrity, naturally occurring radioactive material, aging installations, produced-water discharges, chemicals used and discharged, remote sensing (satellite imaging), emission of greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, shale gas, social impact, local content, and sustainable development. I stated last year that the industry—at least petroleum-industry professionals—needs to focus more on technology. We need more-efficient tools, pieces of equipment, and models. I reiterate the same view this year. It is the core for improvement. It is our license to operate that is at stake. Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org SPE 135004 • “Achieving Sustainable Incident-Free Operations Through Managing the Human Factor: A Success Story of Applying E-Colors” by Eli R. Barakat, SPE, Chevron, et al. OTC 21695 • “No-Solvent Oil-in-Water Analysis—A Robust Alternative to Conventional Solvent-Extraction Methods” by Dale F. Brost, Turner Designs Hydrocarbon Instruments, et al. OTC 22009 • “Satellite-Based Ice and Iceberg Monitoring for Offshore-Engineering Design and Tactical Operations” by C. Randell, C-CORE, et al. OTC 21515 • “Deepwater Archaeological AUV Surveys and Photo Capabilities” by Robert A. Church, C & C Technologies, et al. SPE 136576 • “Optimizing Stakeholder Communication Through Institutional and Community Focal Points To Foster a Stable Operating Environment” by Robert Hirst, Yemen LNG Company, et al. SPE 142803 • “Good Practice in Controlling Employees’ Exposure to Noise and Vibration in the Oil and Gas Industry” by Bruce Appleton, Health & Safety Executive, UK.