RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Since 1994 BP Colombia has worked in onshore exploration and production at the fields of Casanare. Thirteen years of work on spillage prevention have made us built a continuously-growing knowledge about the know-how of spill reduction. Our success has been notable: from more than 150 contained spills (>1liter >1 barrel) during the first years down to 14 in 2007.
1999 was our break-point after 5 years of unsuccessful efforts to reduce contained spills. Three keystones were set in place: EMS, risk analysis and safety practices.
After meticulous monitoring of spillage volumes and analyzing most vulnerable activities, we decided to focus on fluid transfers. Knowledge of the step by step process, studying surroundings and environmental factors that could mean potential impacts, triggered the implementation of safety practices. Disclosure of such practices involved spillage risk analysis which gradually became part of an every-day activity kick-off start conversation. The seeds were sown; at the end of 2001 spills dropped to 120.
As EMS developed, practices became procedures and elements such as lessons learned, checklists and particularly incident investigations were basic tools for a noticeable improvement. The latter being the strongest for understanding root causes of spillages: mostly due to human factor, tools and equipment. Subsequently, people involved in fluid transfer activities were trained and tools and equipment certified.
The most dramatic changes occurred between 2002 and 2003, dropping to 71 and 47 spillages respectively. In 2006, 22 contained spillages, a mind-blowing number, became a reality. Knowledge growth throughout the years has made possible such remarkable success making BP Colombia a world leader in spillage reduction.
Introduction
Onshore oil spillages can cause a range of pervasive impacts over the environment, human health and society. Impacts can be immediate or long term, which depends upon variables such as soil properties, ground surface permeability, water flow characteristics, etc. (Stephens et al., 1996). Immediate impacts include inhalation of toxic vapours, impoverishment of air quality by evaporation and risks of explosion. Long term consequences include water sources contamination, bioaccumulation of toxins, change in soil properties and physical damage to biota, which moreover could affect fish farming and crop growing (Odjuvwuwderhie et al., 2006). Additionally, spillages demand clean up actions that increase operative costs. For instance in the US it has been estimated that an offshore crude oil clean up could cost $14,520.66 per tonne (Schmidt, 2000).
Worldwide corporative policies have been developed in order to prevent spillages, which is a sensible approach to tackle detrimental consequences. BP Colombia adopted this approach; however it has taken thirteen years to succeed.
BP Colombia began working in the 90's on a Joint Venture with its partners ECOPETROL, TRITON, TOTAL, PREUSSAG ENERGIE E INAQU??MICAS, as an operator in the fields of Casanare which include the areas of Santiago de la Atalayas, Chitamena river, Tauramena, Piedemonte and Recetor. At the moment the operation has 2 central processing facilities, 4 main facilities, 123 wells and 406 Km of flow lines, of which 203 Km transport oil, 105 Km transport gas and 71 Km are used for water injection. Crude oil production is currently 90 TBD and gas production 200 mmscfd.