2003 Lost Time Injuries Down 26%

Member companies in the Association of Energy Services Companies (AESC) track safety statistics, reporting LTIR (Lost Time Incident Rate) and TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate). Comparing 2003 to 2002 data, the LTIR rate dropped from 3.32 to 2.45 lost time incidents per 100 employees, a 26% improvement. TRIR rates decreased 21% compared to 2002 data. Statistics relate only to the well servicing sector since data are limited for the non-well-servicing sector.

Statistics show that the typical injured employee is between the ages of 30-40, works on the rig floor and sustains injury to the back or hand. Experience level is typically in the 1- to 5-year range. The activity being performed is more than likely to involve working with tubulars tripping tubing or rods.

Excerpted from Well Servicing, March/April 2004. For more information about the program and how your company can participate, contact AESC at 800-692-0771.

Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) reports how a voluntary approach led to a 50% reduction in flaring between 1996 and 2001. An EUB spokesperson says the Board cites the "decision tree analysis" in Guide 60, which details EUB's upstream flaring requirements and is being finalized in 2004, as the main impetus behind the reductions.

Guide 60 requires operators to evaluate whether it is possible to eliminate flaring or venting, to reduce a flare or vent and to ensure that flaring or venting meet technical requirements. It also requires operators to evaluate economic feasibility. The Guide helps operators to determine if it is feasible to conserve, and if so, they must do so.

An essential step in conservation is measuring flared and vented gas volumes. Metering technology advances directed towards small and fugitive emissions are giving operators more tools to help them capture gas, which makes them money and protects the environment.

Excerpted from "Clearing The Air," New Technology Magazine, March 2004, p. 33-36.

BP Reduces San Juan Basin Well Venting by 50%

As a voluntary partner in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Natural Gas STAR program, BP reported how an innovative technology, known as the "Smart Automation Well Venting System," reduced methane venting in the San Juan Basin by 50%. Installed on 2,200 wells, the system saves BP an estimated 4 Bcf per year.

The system combines standard hardware and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with proprietary software developed by BP. On plunger lift wells, the artificial intelligence program allows PLCs to "learn" a well's performance characteristics and adapt the cycle frequency and duration to optimize well performance. The program also works on non-plunger lift, low-pressure gas wells where it minimizes vent volumes by optimizing shut-in periods and reducing venting.

Systems cost about $5,400 per well. Field personnel require training in its use and engineering time is needed to customize the system to each field's producing formations and well parameters. Other similar non-proprietary programs are available.

Excerpted from Natural Gas STAR Update, Spring 2004. For further information on BP's Smart Automation Well Venting System, please contact EPA's Roger Fernandez, phone 202-343-9386 or E-mail fernandez.roger@epa.gov.

DOE-Supported Mississippi Study Outlines NORM Best Practices

A final report, "Evaluations of Radionuclides of Uranium, Thorium, and Radium Associated with Produced Fluids, Precipitates and Sludges from Oil, Gas, and Oilfield Brine Injection Wells in Mississippi," notes that NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials)-enriched barite scales are significantly more radioactive than the brines themselves. Leaching studies suggest that the barite scales, which were thought to be nearly insoluble in the natural environment, can be acted on by soil microorganisms and the enclosed radium can become bioavailable. This suggests that the landspreading means of scale disposal should be reviewed. The investigation suggests 23 specific best practice components, including both work safety and suggestions to maintain waste isolation.

For further information, contact DOE NETL’s John Ford, phone 918-699-2061, E-mail John.Ford@netl.
doe.gov.

Top Under-Utilized Opportunities for Reducing Methane Emissions

Within its Natural Gas STAR program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will save producers money. EPA also encourages partners to report other practices, called Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) that are cost effective. Participating companies have identified nearly 80 PROs. EPA's analysis of 2003 data shows that, even within companies voluntarily participating in the STAR program, not all are implementing the identified PROs.

Within the production sector, the top under-utilized PROs are:

• Install vapor recovery units
• Install plunger lifts
• Install electric compressors/pumps/
  motors
• Install instrument air systems
• Consolidate tank batteries

A listing of these and all other PROs can be found at www.epa.gov/
gasstar/pro/index.htm. Excerpted from article in Natural Gas STAR Partner Update, Spring 2004. View full article at www.epa.gov/gasstar/
pdf/partnerupdate.pdf.

2003 SAFE (Safety Award for Excellence) Winners

Annually, the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) makes awards to companies in different categories whose actions demonstrate their commitment to safe operations offshore. Winners for 2003 are:

• High OCS Activity—Stone Energy Corporation
• Moderate OCS Activity—ConocoPhillips
• Drilling Contractor—Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.
• Production Contractor—Danos & Curole Marine Contractors, Inc.

For more information about the SAFE program and the activities that led these organizations to be winners, visit MMS's website www.mms.gov/awards.