Process management proving key in oil spill response
BP PLC executives painstakingly examined each part of each step in the “top kill” operation they started May 26 in efforts to halt the flow of oil and gas from a deepwater runaway well. Meanwhile, the public grows increasingly impatient for an end to the oil spill.
The longer it takes to stem the leaking Macondo well in 5,000 ft of water off Louisiana, the more detailed information BP is releasing about the process management behind each option being considered.
On its web site, BP posted illustrations showing a fleet of specialized vessels on the surface standing ready to do the top kill work. Progress at the seabed was monitored via video from numerous remotely operated vehicles. An illustration of subsea activity for the top kill emphasizes the complexity and the safety issues involved in deepwater efforts.
Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for BP Exploration & Production, told reporters that nothing is simple in 5,000 ft of water, and that any individual step can take longer than expected.
“I wish this thing would come to an end and come to an end very quickly,” Suttles said during a May 24 news conference from Robert, La. “I think everyone is very, very frustrated.”
What the public is learning is that nothing in the deepwater oil spill response effort happens instantly. Every decision is being made with much deliberation between BP, scientists, industry experts, and government officials.
So far, testimony from regulatory investigations primarily has involved talk about equipment. But I suspect process management issues also will come into play as regulators and companies figure out exactly what happened so that such an accident can be avoided in the future.
The longer it takes to stem the leaking Macondo well in 5,000 ft of water off Louisiana, the more detailed information BP is releasing about the process management behind each option being considered.
On its web site, BP posted illustrations showing a fleet of specialized vessels on the surface standing ready to do the top kill work. Progress at the seabed was monitored via video from numerous remotely operated vehicles. An illustration of subsea activity for the top kill emphasizes the complexity and the safety issues involved in deepwater efforts.
Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for BP Exploration & Production, told reporters that nothing is simple in 5,000 ft of water, and that any individual step can take longer than expected.
“I wish this thing would come to an end and come to an end very quickly,” Suttles said during a May 24 news conference from Robert, La. “I think everyone is very, very frustrated.”
What the public is learning is that nothing in the deepwater oil spill response effort happens instantly. Every decision is being made with much deliberation between BP, scientists, industry experts, and government officials.
So far, testimony from regulatory investigations primarily has involved talk about equipment. But I suspect process management issues also will come into play as regulators and companies figure out exactly what happened so that such an accident can be avoided in the future.
Labels: BP, deepwater, Gulf of Mexico, Macondo well, oil spill
posted by Paula Dittrick, OGJ Senior Staff Writer at
9:36 AM
2 Comments:
Robert Juler, Juler Group Inc says: I agree that the PSM process is key in the response operations, but what about PSM prior to any problems on the Horizon. Reports regarding testimony in New Orleans indicate process and warnings were ignored. If true, these issues could indicate a problem within the PSM process. Is it MOC? Is it Incident Investigation? Is it company policy? Or is there a hole in the requirements of the PSM process? A hole that eliminates the possibility of override due to production schedule desires, and as many people state "profits." In addition, Executives are indicating that the subsea environment at those depths are presenting challenges not previously encountered. Therefore, I suggest that more time must be taken during the Incident Investigation component of PSM to deal with unprecedented environments, and that simulations and scenario planning become more rigorous.
Godspeed in the Response!
I'm glad Eric holder is coming down to check on oil & gas spill
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-43343-Energy-Policy-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Oil--Gas-market-eyes-Eric-Holder-Gulf-Coast-visit
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