Integration of exploration, drilling and installation activities given regulatory challenges
Roger LewisApache Energy.
The APPEA Journal 54(2) 482-482 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ13055
Published: 2014
Abstract
Coordination and integration of exploration activities, both seismic and drilling, development drilling and offshore installation campaigns is difficult at the best of times. Add to this the regulatory requirements, which included the establishment of NOPSEMA and the associated regulations in January 2012, and the already complex task of executing work efficiently became even more challenging. The paper explores the development and application of an integrated schedule that met the overall business needs as well as key stakeholders (Environment, Exploration, Drilling, Projects and Operations). Factors and constraints that had to be addressed included existing drilling rig and installation contracts with significant associated costs, maintaining project schedules that were sanctioned prior to regulatory changes coming into effect, resourcing levels and an environmental regulatory regime seeking continuous improvement. Individual stakeholders tended to focus on their own areas yet there are schedule inter-relationships with others that had knock on effects. The integrated schedule provided a proactive management tool that was and continues to be used to plan and review key activities in a constantly changing environment.
Roger Lewis is responsible for the delivery of all operated major capital projects undertaken by Apache offshore and onshore on the North West Shelf of Australia. Roger was previously the project manager for the Devil Creek Development Project that came onstream in late 2011. Before joining Apache in 2008, Roger has held a number of senior project management roles on oil and gas development projects including: Origin Energy’s Kupe Gas Project in the Taranaki Basin in New Zealand; Mutineer-Exeter on the North West Shelf of Australia and expansion of the Ballera Gas Plant in southwest Queensland for Santos; and, Brent Delta’s Long Term Field Development for Shell in the UK sector of the North Sea. Roger began his career as a process engineer with Marathon Oil UK, working on the Brae Field developments. After nearly seven years as a project management consultant, he returned to the oil and gas industry. Roger has worked in a number of locations including London, Aberdeen, Brisbane and now Perth on a variety of projects involving fixed offshore facilities, FPSOs, subsea facilities, onshore gas plants and pipelines. He holds a masters of engineering in chemical engineering. Member: Institution of Chemical Engineers and Chartered Engineer. |
