Layer | Fill | Outline |
---|
Map layers
Theme | Visible | Selectable | Appearance | Zoom Range (now: 0) |
---|
Fill | Stroke |
---|---|
Collaborating Authors
Europe
Abstract The US OCS frontier areas provide a challenging environment for regulating oil and gas as well as renewable energy safety. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) relies heavily on the use of technology assessment and research to provide safe and environmentally sound decisions. The BSEE continually re-examines current technology and procedures that may be used in the OCS because of the evolving challenges that frontier areas bring. The BSEE collaborates with national and international federal agencies to provide consistency and to ensure that the best available and safest technology is used in the OCS. This paper will look at regulatory improvements made from research conducted post hurricane. It will also highlight post Macondo research that is being pursued by the BSEE for drilling, cementing, and human factors. The results of the research are used in the development of offshore regulations, standards, and inspection policies of more than 3400 OCS facilities and more than 33,000 miles of pipelines. For example, projects were completed which have determined appropriate structural assessment methods that did not exist previously. A new web based system is being used as a tool to ensure that recommendations formed from research findings are used expeditiously. This paper will highlight improvements being made at the new agency formed in the Department of the Interior in an effort to promote safety, protect the environment, and conserve resources offshore through vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement.
- Law > Environmental Law (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Oceania > New Zealand (0.89)
- North America > United States (0.89)
- Europe > United Kingdom (0.89)
- (2 more...)
Abstract The International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) has several subcommittees and workgroups focusing on specific subject areas in order to achieve its overall mission, which includes promoting the conduct of the geophysical industry's business in a professional, safe, and environmentally responsible manner. In 2011, the Association's Sound & Marine Life Workgroup completed an updated version of its Recommended Mitigation Measures for Cetaceans during Geophysical Operations (IAGC 2011a). Several documents have been developed to complement these recommended measures. Among these are the IAGC Recommended Visual Observer Reporting Forms (IAGC 2011b). Numerous countries require the use of visual observers who are responsible for monitoring the presence of marine mammals within defined zones during geophysical operations and implementing procedures to mitigate potential impacts. Various reporting forms have been developed for these observations. IAGC members identified a need to have a standard set of forms that could be used on a global basis to collect and report visual observer data, unless a country stipulates the use of different forms. In addition to streamlining the process for geophysical companies, the use of standardized forms encourages the collection of visual observation data in a consistent manner that facilitates meaningful analysis. A centralized database is being considered for collecting the data, further facilitating objective scientific research on the topic. IAGC has also prepared and published the document Guidance for Marine Life Visual Observers (IAGC 2011c), intended for use by third party visual monitoring personnel such as marine mammal observers (MMOs) or marine wildlife observers (MWOs) operating onboard vessels conducting marine seismic surveys. The document explains the role and responsibilities of the MMO/MWO, the role and responsibilities of the permit-holder and seismic contractor company, lines of communication between all onboard and information on reporting, conflict management, health, safety and environment (HSE) aspects and standards of conduct. These publications are examples of initiatives by IAGC, often working in partnership with other organizations, to minimize potential environmental impacts of geophysical operations and demonstrate the commitment of its members to working responsibly.
- Europe (1.00)
- North America > United States > Illinois > Madison County (0.25)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (0.69)
- North America > United States (0.89)
- Europe > United Kingdom (0.89)
Copyright 2012, SPE/APPEA International Conferenceon Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/APPEA International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production held in Perth, Australia, 11-13September 2012. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/APPEA program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPEcopyright. Abstract The rapid expansion of oil and gas exploration and production into the Arctic Region will require advanced interdisciplinary technical and management approaches toachieve international standards. This paper explores the current status of Arcticexploration activities with a focus on northern Russia, and expands on lessons learned from other Arctic and sub-Arctic projects such as Sakhalin, Shtokman, andBeaufort Sea US and Canada.
- Europe > Russia (0.89)
- North America > United States > Colorado (0.29)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.28)
- (2 more...)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- North America > Canada > Quebec > Arctic Platform (0.95)
- North America > Canada > Nunavut > Arctic Platform (0.95)
- North America > United States > Texas > East Texas Salt Basin > Shell Field (0.93)
- Europe > Middle East > Cyprus (0.93)
Abstract Underwater noise is increasingly being considered a water quality indicator by governments around the world and plays an increasing role in environmental mipact assessments of marine industrial developments. To-date, however, there are no standards for the measurement of underwater noise from petroleum operations, nor for data analysis, nor for reporting. As a result, the quality of many environmental impact assessments is poor, the results are not reliable, data are not comparable, errors (which are hardly ever assessed or reported) are huge, outcomes (e.g. impact zones, imposed mitigation requirements) are arbitrary and costs are as unpredictable as the lottery. The Centre for Marine Science & Technology at Curtin University is currently developing guidelines for underwater noise assessments with support from Chevron Australia. As a first step, we have reviewed international regulation of underwater noise from petroleum operations finding large disagreement in methodology and approaches, criteria and threshold levels, acoustic quantities assessed, and imposed mitigation paradigms. Commonalities include requirements for baseline sound measurements, anthropogenic noise source characterization and monitoring of marine life.
- North America > United States (1.00)
- Europe > United Kingdom (0.68)
- Oceania > Australia > Western Australia (0.28)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (0.47)
- Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > Central North Sea > Moray Firth > Moray Firth Basin > Block 20/1 > Atlantic Field > Captain Sandstone Formation (0.89)
- Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > Central North Sea > Moray Firth > Moray Firth Basin > Block 14/26a > Atlantic Field > Captain Sandstone Formation (0.89)
- Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > Central North Sea > Moray Firth > Moray Firth Basin > Block 13/30 > Atlantic Field > Captain Sandstone Formation (0.89)
- Europe > Russia > Black Sea Basin (0.89)
- Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability > Environment (1.00)
- Data Science & Engineering Analytics > Information Management and Systems (1.00)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Seismic processing and interpretation (0.94)
- Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability > Sustainability/Social Responsibility > Environmental and social impact assessments (0.71)
Copyright 2012, SPE/APPEA International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/APPEA International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production held in Perth, Australia, 11-13 September 2012. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/APPEA program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Limited is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright. Abstract This paper sets out to explain the global methodology developed by Total to improve the reliability of oil spill drift modeling by developing metocean skills in-house. The role of oil spill modeling is not at present considered essential during an oil spill, despite the fact that its advantages have been clearly identified.
- Africa (1.00)
- North America > United States (0.46)
- Oceania > Australia > Western Australia > Perth (0.24)
- Asia > Indonesia > East Kalimantan > Makassar Strait > Kutei Basin > Rokan Block > Mahakam Block > Bekapai Field (0.99)
- Europe > Norway > North Sea (0.91)
- Europe > Netherlands > North Sea (0.91)
- (26 more...)
- Information Technology > Communications > Networks (0.46)
- Information Technology > Architecture > Real Time Systems (0.31)
Abstract As the world moves towards cleaner forms of energy worldwide, gas will have an increasingly important role to play in the future energy mix. From this perspective, there has been growing interest in the relative greenhouse gas (GHG) intensities of a range of fossil fuels, and how various forms of LNG compare to not only coal, but also to renewables and nuclear across their life cycles. These issues are important for energy and GHG policy, especially with developments in carbon pricing. However, until recently there has been little information on the life cycle GHG emissions from Australian fossil fuel exports. This paper helps to complete the picture. Using a wide range of available data from government submissions by industry and the authors’ own project experience, life cycle GHG emissions estimates were developed for LNG derived from conventional natural gas sourced from Western Australia's North West Shelf and Queensland coal seam gas (CSG). A comprehensive assessment of GHG emissions was made for upstream operations, LNG production, transport, regasification, and end-user combustion for electricity generation (assumed to be in China). These life cycle emission estimates were compared to life cycle emissions for Australian black coal exported to China and used to generate electricity. Comparisons were also made with renewables and nuclear. The results show that the life cycle GHG intensity (tCO2-e/MWh) of electricity sent out is highly sensitive to the thermal efficiency of the end-use combustion technology. For most comparison scenarios, natural gas-fired power generation is less GHG intensive than black coal-fired power generation. The differences range from 17% to 56% less intensive for a variety of plant efficiencies. In some cases, coal was marginally less GHG intensive when comparing open-cycle gas technology with ultra-supercritical coal combustion. LNG derived from CSG was also found to be more GHG intensive than conventional gas. Modelling of upstream methane fugitive emission scenarios from CSG (using 100-year and 20-year methane Global Warming Potentials) had little impact on the life cycle GHG intensity rankings, such is the dominance of end-use combustion. When exported to China for electricity production, LNG was found to be 22–36 more GHG intensive than wind and concentrated solar thermal (CST) power and 13–21 times more GHG intensive than nuclear power
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Midstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (0.94)
- North America > United States > West Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Pennsylvania > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.99)
- (5 more...)
Abstract The Shetland Gas Plant (SGP) is being constructed as part of the Total E&P UK operated Laggan-Tormoregas condensate development, locatedto the west of the Shetland Islands. One of the first challenges was the extensive peat covering the onshore site. Total is committed to site restoration at the end of the plant's operating life and the peat has been excavated and stored on site for site restitution. This was considered the best practicable environmental option. The priority has been to ensure the peat remains saturated so that anaerobic conditions are maintained and the peat degradation is minimised. This extended abstract reviews the peat management process: planning, construction of the peat storage, peat handling, and the regulatory requirements for storage and long term monitoring at the site.
- Europe > United Kingdom > North Sea > Central North Sea > Central Graben > Laggan-Tormore Development (0.99)
- Europe > United Kingdom > Atlantic Margin > West of Shetland > Faroe-Shetland Basin > Flett Basin > Block 206/1a > Laggan-Tormore Field > Laggan Field (0.94)
- Europe > United Kingdom > Atlantic Margin > West of Shetland > Faroe-Shetland Basin > Flett Basin > Block 205/5a > Laggan-Tormore Field > Tormore Field (0.94)
Advances in Treating Agents for Oil Spill Response
Nedwed, Tim (ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company) | Tidwell, Amy (ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company) | Buist, Ian (SL Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.) | Belore, Randy (SL Ross Environmental Research, Ltd.) | Canevari, Gerald (Canevari & Associates)
Abstract Oil spill response strategies are designed to minimize environmental impacts to the extent possible. Each response option must be evaluated for operational limitations (e.g., sea state), potential effectiveness, environmental impacts, and applicability given the size, type, and location of the spill, in addition to considering the health and safety of responders. Although mechanical recovery is favored for its ability to directly remove oil from the environment, it is known that for large offshore spills this technology has significant limitations. Historically, only a small fraction of oil spilled offshore has been mechanically recovered due to operational limits (e.g., limited encounter rates, currents, and waves) and the dynamic nature of offshore oil slicks (i.e., rapid spreading and movement). Therefore, industry has worked to develop a range of response tools that can be used together with mechanical recovery to more effectively treat large offshore spills. This paper describes two new treating agent advances developed by ExxonMobil. The first is a new dispersant that testing has shown to be more effective than currently available products on viscous, weathered, and cold oils. Testing has shown that the new dispersant treats conventional oils with 2/3 less product. This coud significantly reduce the amount of chemical introduced into the environment and triple the oil treating capacity of existing delivery platforms. The second advance will support in situ burning. Chemical herders have recently been studied as a tool to enhance the effectiveness of in situ burning in ice. During the course of this research, it has been shown that this technique can be effective in open water as well, given the appropriate conditions. These two technologies are potentially step-change advances for oil spill response. The new dispersant requires less chemical to treat a given volume of oil. Chemical herders for open water could enable in situ burning without fire-resistant booms, which may allow it to become an effective first line response option in certain conditions.
- North America > Canada > Ontario > National Capital Region > Ottawa (0.30)
- North America > United States > Alaska (0.28)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > North America Government > United States Government (0.70)
Abstract Total is committed to reducing the impact of its activities on the environment, especially its greenhouse gas emissions. The group's priorities are to improve the energy efficiency of its industrial facilities, to reduce the flaring of associated gas, to invest in the development of complementary energy sources (biomass, solar, clean coal) and to participate in many operational and R&D programs on CO2 capture, transport and geological storage. It has been involved in CO2 injection and geological storage for over 15 years, in Canada (Weyburn oil field) for EOR and Norway (Sleipner, Snohvit) for aquifer storage. In 20 06, the company decided to invest 60 million euros to experiment CO2 capture, transportation and injection in a deplet ed gas reservoir. The pilot in the Lacq basin, SW France, 800 km from Paris, has been on stream since January 2010. The experimental plant is unique in several respects; by its size (unprecedented worldwide), capturing carbon through a 30-MWth oxy-combustion gas boiler, by the choice of a depleted deep gas reservoir (unprecedented in Europe) located onshore 5 kilometers south of the agglomeration of Pau (around 140,000 inhabitants) and by its scope, operating a fully integrated industrial chain (comprising extraction, treatment, combustion of natural gas, High-pressure steam production, CO2 capture, transport and injection) on the SEVESO-classified Lacq industrial complex. The pilot installations were designed by the Total E&P Research and Development team and are operated by Total Exploration Production France. The project reflects Total's commitment to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. A dedicated plan was devised with the French authorities to monitor the integrity of the injection site and confirm that the CO2 remains trapped in its host reservoir. Its main objectives are to check that no CO2 is leaking upward out of the reservoir though either the injection well or the cap rock, so as to avoid any impact on the groundwater and surface water resources, the biosphere (Fauna and Flora) or human health. This paper details the main technical features of the pilot and the monitoring program spanning subsurface and surface aspects, together with the operational feedback after more than two and half years of operation. Based on the pilot's performance to date, Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) appears to hold promise for use on an industrial scale. This industrial operation will capture and trap around 90,000 tonnes of Carbon dioxide over a 3 and half year period. This quantity is equivalent to the exhaust emissions of 30,000 cars over a 2-year period.
- Europe > France (1.00)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan > Weyburn (0.24)
- Geology > Petroleum Play Type (0.49)
- Geology > Structural Geology > Tectonics (0.46)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > Europe Government > France Government (0.54)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan > Williston Basin > Weyburn Field > Mission Canyon Formation (0.99)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan > Williston Basin > Weyburn Field > Madison Formation (0.99)
- North America > Canada > Saskatchewan > Williston Basin > Weyburn Field > Forbisher Formation (0.99)
- (2 more...)
Abstract Marine Bio-Security is a global concern with significant relevance to the off-shore gas and oil production and exploration sector. An avalanche of legislation and regulation is delivering enforceable laws which compel ship owners/operators to adopt prescriptive procedures, protocols and practices to ensure that ballast water is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced as a major vector for the translocation of non-indigenous marine pests (NIMPS). The other main vector for the translocation of NIMPS has been identified as the wetted hull of commercial and military shipping and includes offshore support vessels, mobile offshore drilling units, crew transfer vessels, barges, landing craft and pipe laying vessels. Hull bio-fouling and associated niche areas are presently under the scientific microscope…and will follow the same path in terms of legislation and regulation. Australia, through its Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) released the "Proposed Australian Biofouling Management Requirements – Consultation Regulation Impact Statement 2011", where at page 39 it, "recommends regulation, because it is more likely to substantively contribute to reducing the risk of non-indigenous marine species establishing in Australia's marine environment, than an alternate education program". And in June 2012, the Federal Government announced the Final Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network, which – once proclaimed under national environmental law – will increase the number of marine reserves from 27 to 60, expanding the national network to cover more than a third of Commonwealth Waters, covering 3.1 million square kilometers that would make up the biggest ocean conservation sanctuary in the world. The 2012 NSW Marine Parks Independent Scientific Audit made numerous recommendations relating to the identification, management and eradication of marine invasive species where it recommended legislative power enabling "Closure" powers across the NSW Marine Park Estate to support management of pest or disease outbreaks. Ultimately, the industry's positive attitude to embracing new and innovative technology will further highlight and enhance its environmental credentials and stewardship in pioneering new ways of dealing with old problems. Marine bio-security in the sector will continue to increase in importance as legislation and regulation drive compliance within the Offshore Oil & Gas exploration and production industry. Improving and maintaining the health of marine eco-systems, demands an innovative environmentally sustainable solution! Australian innovation has delivered a dramatic and viable in-water solution for the reduction and/or elimination of non-indigenous marine species presenting as a bio-security risk. The (patented) process of delivering a ‘thermal shock’ through the encapsulation of heated sea water to the relevant wetted surfaces has proven to deliver a 100% mortality rate.
- Research Report > New Finding (1.00)
- Research Report > Experimental Study (0.69)
- Law (1.00)
- Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Oceania > New Zealand (0.89)
- Oceania > Australia (0.89)
- Europe > Russia > Northwestern Federal District > Komi Republic > Timan-Pechora Basin > Pechora-Kolva Basin > Usa Field (0.89)
- Africa > South Africa (0.89)