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Trunkline The magazine for Woodside people | Q3 2019
Making powerful moves 4
Easing pressure 5
Sea change looms 6
Farewell to respected pioneer 7
Benefits filter through 8
Steeling ourselves for future 9
Greater Enfield hits ‘double century’ 10
17
10
Rising to the occasion 11
Browse completes valuable surveys 12
Innovative seismic for Senegal 13
Cloud cover for geoscience 14
4 Making connections/A GEM of an event
Lunar tapes land at MY
15
16
Editor
Kellie Bombardieri
t: +61 8 9348 6743
Journalists
Mark Irving
Fiona Meiklejohn
Lauren Stepanovski
Administrator
Rachel Aumord
Photography
James Campbell
Design
On the cover
287 Design
Ripper Nippers: Young members of the Port
Printing
Walcott Surf Life Saving Club sport their new
Quality Press
uniforms which mark our extended involvement
with Surf Life Saving Western Australia over the Trunkline is published four times a year by
next five years through the Woodside Nippers Woodside Energy Ltd. Back issues of Trunkline are
Program. available for viewing on the Woodside intranet.
2
Game delivers crucial lessons 17
A day in the life of a . . . resourcing
manager 18-19
Sharing services delivers dividends 20
Upgrade smooths offshore journeys 21
Looking out for each other/Supporting Lifeline 22
Driving the right behaviours 23
Alliance delivers two-way benefits 24
26
Preserving knowledge/Award winner 25
Helping hand for homeless 26
Fond farewell to friends 27
Keeping the tradition safe 28
Festival a symbol of Karratha chemistry 29
21 Keeping country healthy/Out and
about in Broome 30
Moving memorabilia 31
Random Discoveries 32-34
Final Frame 35
Working sustainably is a core value at Woodside. Even the packaging for posted copies of this magazine
has been upgraded (you may have noticed we are now
As our Compass states, we are here for the long term, taking using a biodegradable film).
care to look after each other, our communities and the
environment. Woodside is a bustling place.
You will find numerous examples of this in the following pages… In the past quarter, we achieved first oil on time, budget
from the cover featuring Woodside Nippers in the Pilbara and schedule for our Greater Enfield Project, made steady
through to efforts to enhance the efficiency of plant operations. progress on the Burrup Hub vision and commenced a
seismic survey in Senegal… among many other things.
Consider too the green corridor initiative, in which we are
looking to replace heavy fuel oils with LNG on vessels using the Read on to find out more.
world’s busiest bulk commodity shipping corridor.
Notes on Petroleum Resource Estimates: All petroleum resource estimates in this publication are to be read in conjunction with the Reserves
Statement in Woodside’s most recent annual report, as updated by subsequent ASX announcements available at http://www.woodside.com.au/
Investors-Media/Announcements. This publication may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors associated with oil and
gas businesses.
Trunkline is printed on New Life Recycled coated paper, which is sourced from a sustainably managed forest and uses manufacturing processes of
the highest environmental standards. Trunkline is printed by a Level 2 Environmental Accredited printer. The magazine is 100% recyclable.
3
Making powerful moves
Improved energy • Fuel nozzle performance was con-
tributing to combustion instability.
to provide the necessary power,
the more energy efficient and less
efficiency and greater reliability – that’s
the result of more than 18 months of emissions intensive you become; that’s
review, research and teamwork at It also determined improvements were how reliability can support emissions
Karratha Gas Plant (KGP). needed within the broader organisation. reduction.”
“Our power generation reliability “Basically, we needed to raise the profile Alec says this was only possible because
performance is our best ever at almost of power generation within the business of a cultural change.
99%,” says maintenance engineering and build shared goals with Engineering,
team lead Pete Moar. Operations and Maintenance,” says “Improved relationships and working
asset manager Breyden Lonnie. arrangements between Operations,
More than 220MW of electrical power Maintenance and Engineering has
(enough to power 315,000 average “For example, completing the right created greater levels of understanding
homes) can be generated by KGP’s maintenance was fundamental to of the divisions’ different needs, leading
10 gas turbines, six of which are older improving power generation reliability to enhanced trust,” he says.
heavy-duty industrial turbines, four and this required more than just setting up
newer aero-derivative turbines. maintenance plans: it needed the backlog “This was critical to this improved power
of priority work cleared and Engineering performance.”
The latter boast key advantages over support to Maintenance to ensure the
the former, including higher efficiency correct scopes were prioritised.” Implementation of improvements began
and lower rates of emission (including in earnest from mid-2017.
oxides of nitrogen or NOx), and the Pete notes that when all teams drive
key to lower emissions is premixed fuel reliability improvement, awesome Since then, reliability of the aero-
delivery technology. outcomes are achieved. derivative turbines has increased
by more than 10% and production
Emissions are closely related to flame “When you have your power generation deferment reduced by more than 90%.
temperatures; the higher the flame system operating at high reliability, you
temperature the greater the level gain the confidence to take a proactive Final word to a satisfied asset manager.
of NOx emissions. But higher flame position to shut units down to leverage
temperatures are desirable because fuel efficiency and emissions savings,” “This was true collaboration – not only
they produce greater power. he explains. between Engineering teams but also
with Maintenance, Operations and key
“Achieving this balance requires careful “The fewer machines you have running vendors,” says Breyden.
control of the fuel-to-air ratio, and highly
accurate and complex instruments
and control systems,” explains system
engineer Alec Norman.
“Too much fuel can lead to higher
combustion temperatures and thus
increased NOx; not enough fuel and
you risk flame blow-out and machine
shutdown.”
Problems with these complex
combustion control systems can
result in the turbines “staging-down”
to operate at a lower power rating
(capacity).
This means additional turbines are
needed or there’s an increased risk
of production loss – a less efficient
operation and higher emissions.
In 2017, an in-depth review was
conducted which found several issues
were impacting power generation
reliability and efficiency, including
• Critical instruments needed more
frequent calibration Power people: Alec Norman, Brendan Evans, Darae Emily Jensen and Derek Wingeatt helped
• Complex control systems needed implement recommendations to improve the reliability and efficiency of Karratha Gas Plant’s gas
updating turbines.
4 trunkline | Q3 2019
Planned approach: Pippa Edwards, Tariq Ghori and Craig Travers discuss the successful trial at Karratha Gas Plant to cut fugitive methane emissions.
Easing pressure
Reducing our emissions LNG trains at KGP and has historically “This equates to an annual aggregate
helps the environment and reduces performed with significantly higher saving of up to 490 tonnes of methane
hydrocarbon wastage. fugitive emissions. from the two trains – equivalent to
12,000 tonnes of CO2.”
So the LNG surveillance team has been The trial centred on reducing the
examining how to reduce so-called operating pressure of the amine flash tank That’s the same as taking 2600 cars off
“fugitive” methane emissions from LNG on each train from 650kPa to 500kPa. the road every year.
trains.
Reducing the operating pressure Reducing methane emissions also
Fugitive emissions are hydrocarbons that increases the separation efficiency increases the gas available for sale.
leak or are vented during processing. between methane and amine. This
minimises the volume of methane in Pippa says the Karratha Laboratory and
In May 2019, the LNG surveillance the stack downstream and venting to Operations are to be congratulated for
started a trial to attempt to cut the atmosphere. their collaboration and support.
fugitive methane emissions from the
acid gas removal units (AGRU) on LNG “Some of these operating conditions Following the success with Trains 4 and
Trains 4 and 5 at Karratha Gas Plant. had not been operated at before, 5, similar trials are now underway at
requiring a planned and systematic Trains 1,2 and 3.
Graduate process engineer Pippa approach to ensure operating conditions
Edwards explains that during the acid were safe, sustainable with minimal trip “We’re hoping for similar, if not greater,
gas removal process, some hydrocarbon risk,” Pippa says. success,” she says.
molecules from the feed gas are co-
absorbed into the amine solvent. The trial ran over several weeks and was Lead surveillance engineer Ryan Taylor
monitored closely by panel operators is pleased with the results.
“The AGRU are designed to recover to ensure system stability throughout.
these hydrocarbons into our fuel gas All data was collected daily in manual “Pippa has shown that innovative thinking
system with the assistance of an amine samples by the Karratha Laboratory, and a focus on reducing methane
flash tank,” she explains. once process conditions were steady. emissions at our operating asset can make
a real difference to our environmental
“Unrecovered molecules remain in the Pippa, who ran the trial, says the results footprint,” Ryan points out.
amine solution until they are boiled out were better than expected.
and vented to atmosphere with the acid “She has combined with Operations
gases.” “We found a measurable reduction in to safely test a new operating point
fugitive methane emission of 25% for and help embed a carbon emissions
The AGRU system on LNG5, however, LNG Train 4 and 19% for LNG Train 5,” reduction mindset at KGP.”
is designed differently to the other four she reports.
5
Corridor of power: Chief operating officer Meg O’Neill explains to an AmCham meeting in Perth how the Green Corridor Initiative would reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Sea change looms
Imagine an energy solution Woodside believes there is a growing for LNG-fuelled bulk carriers for up to 27
that could take the equivalent of 1.8 place for LNG as a lower-carbon and million tonnes of iron ore.
million cars in Australia off the road. lower-polluting shipping fuel, and is
planning infrastructure that would The International Maritime Organisation’s
Woodside’s involvement in the Green enable the export of iron ore from the January 2020 deadline for cleaner
Corridor Initiative could see that Pilbara to Asia to transition to a fleet of shipping fuels will see new rules
become a reality, with the use of LNG as LNG-fuelled ships. implemented meaning sulphur content
a marine fuel in the world’s busiest bulk allowed will drop from 3.5% to 0.5%.
commodity shipping corridor. By producing LNG in the Pilbara, near
to where the customer ship would be This upheaval in the market will increase
A study by independent energy supplied with LNG, it avoids the “carbon the cost of shipping fuels and support
and carbon management company miles” associated with transporting owners in deciding to choose LNG for
Energetics found that if Woodside’s LNG to an international port, before it newbuild ships.
LNG were used in iron ore carriers is loaded on to a refuelling vessel to
operating from the Pilbara, life cycle supply the customer ship. Craig says LNG produces almost zero
greenhouse gas emissions would be sulphur or particulate emissions, so
up to 33% lower than if heavy fuel oil Two years ago, Woodside formed would provide full compliance with the
(HFO) were used. the Green Corridor Joint Industry IMO’s 2020 regulations as well as tighter
Project with resource companies BHP, restrictions that may arise in the future.
If all iron ore exports from the Pilbara Fortescue Metals Group and Rio Tinto,
were shipped using LNG fuel instead of and shipping industry participants. “While 0.5% is a big step change for the
HFO, the greenhouse gas savings would shipping industry, this still allows for 500
be up to 5.8 million tonnes of carbon According to Craig Jennings, times more sulphur in the fuel than is
dioxide equivalent per year. opportunity manager Power and New permitted in diesel supplied in Australia
Markets, since then there has been a and most OECD countries,” he notes.
“That saving is equal to taking 1.8 global sea change in attitudes to the
million cars in Australia off the road,” concept of LNG as a marine fuel. Woodside recognises LNG’s share
chief operating officer Meg O’Neill told of the shipping market is still small;
AmCham Australia in July. The bulk shipping sector now has four but it presents the opportunity to
firm orders for LNG-fuelled bulk carriers demonstrate industry collaboration
Meg said technology and innovation had that will operate between the Pilbara at its best, using Australian LNG to
given Woodside a competitive edge in and Korea from 2021. fuel exports of Australian resources
the global race to deliver the next wave exports while supporting a step-change
of LNG. BHP also recently announced a tender reduction in emissions.
6 trunkline | Q3 2019
Farewell to
respected pioneer
Australia’s oil and Sales agreements were signed Upon discharge in 1945, he enrolled at
gas industry has lost a pioneer and with eight Japanese gas and power the University of Melbourne to study
Woodside a hugely respected leader companies to underpin exports, and law, later becoming senior partner with
with the death in September of former construction started on the Karratha a major law firm.
Chairman Bill Rogers AO. Gas Plant’s first two LNG trains.
Board positions, including stints with
He was 93. Contracts were signed for a fleet of LNG AMP and BHP, brought him into the
carriers, work started on a new offshore world of oil and gas, eventually leading
“Bill was a remarkable man who platform and our rapidly growing to the Chair of Woodside.
leaves an incredible legacy,” said chief company opened a new office in Perth’s
executive officer Peter Coleman. centre. In 1998, his outstanding contribution
to the legal profession and oil and gas
“Woodsiders still speak of the need The first cargo of LNG from the NWS industry was recognised when he became
to be resilient, determined and left port in 1989, marking our entry into an Officer of the Order of Australia.
courageous. We know the value of this shipping.
because he led the way. His dedication to education was also
New resource discoveries and facilities praiseworthy.
“He will forever hold a prized position in followed, including the Goodwyn gas
Woodside’s history.” platform and Cossack Pioneer floating In 1992, he became the fifth Chancellor
production storage and offloading of Monash University, and two years
Bill succeeded company founder Geoff (FPSO) facility. later he received an honorary Doctorate
Donaldson as Chairman of Woodside of Laws from the university.
in 1985, and served for 14 years. During By the time Bill stepped down as
that time he steered Woodside along Chairman in 1999, Woodside’s portfolio In 2016, he returned to Monash to view
our journey from small but ambitious and reputation had grown significantly. the Woodside Innovation Centre and
company to Australia’s largest The company had become known for its address students.
independent oil and gas operator. independent, can-do spirit and a plucky
resolve to achieve beyond expectations. Bill’s love of learning and respect for
He took the helm when the North West the pioneering ways of his mother
Shelf (NWS) Project had just begun David William Rogers, the son of John prompted him to set up the Irene Rogers
producing domestic gas and was and Irene Rogers, was born in Sydney (Lowe) Scholarship for Agriculture at the
preparing the trail-blazing move to enter in 1926 and attended Malvern Grammar University of Melbourne.
the LNG market. School before boarding at Geelong
College. In 2013, the fourth LNG tanker in the
Bill’s first year was hectic – not least Pluto fleet – the Woodside Rogers – was
because of a takeover attempt by After school, he enlisted in the army, named in his honour.
Shell – and his first task was to ensure serving as a signalman with the Central
Woodside’s survival before he could turn Bureau Intelligence Corps in New Guinea Bill was father of four – John (dec), Mandy,
his attention to building the company. and the Philippines. James and David – and husband to Jan.
Taking the helm: Bill Rogers steered Woodside for more than a decade as Chairman; right, with wife Jan at the naming ceremony for the Woodside
Rogers LNG carrier in Korea in 2013.
7
Safe hands: Luke Gauci, Lance Hayden, Hailey Norris and Adam Nicholas review the successful collaboration which delivered a safer water handling
module for the Pluto offshore platform. Right, the module's filter coalescer bundle.
Benefits filter through
Continuous improvement in the oil and gas industry,” explains
Lance Hayden, PWH operations
vendor and significantly reduced the
health and safety risk to personnel as
combined with close collaboration
between contractors and Woodside has readiness lead. well as the time taken to execute the
delivered big benefits for Pluto’s future. activity,” says Luke.
“But it did present risks in health and
As production from the Pluto gas fields safety exposure and manual handling to “It means filter changes will take hours
matures, water is expected. those workers carrying out that task.” not days.”
To mitigate the impact of potential A safer alternative was identified, thanks Lance says the costs associated with
water reservoir breakthrough, a water to mechanical engineer Luke Gauci and the change were quite negligible,
handling facility was deemed necessary an enthusiastic engineering team with a considering the frequency of the activity
on Pluto Alpha (PLA) offshore platform. collective mindset of improvement and and life of the asset.
technology.
The Pluto water handling (PWH) module “In fact, if they are selected in other
is scheduled to be installed on PLA in “They helped turn a vision into reality,” projects at the front end engineering
2020, with ready for start up in 2021. Lance says. design (FEED) phase, those extra costs
could be completely negated,” he notes.
Last year, Woodside awarded “The Woodside team worked with the
TechnipFMC a contract for the contractors to influence safety in design Both the contractor and TechnipFMC
engineering, procurement, construction, and guide them to develop a solution are very happy with the design, and
installation and commissioning of the that would not only conform to our the collaboration has produced a great
PWH module and in turn, TechnipFMC engineering standards but still meet sense of accomplishment.
awarded contracts and managed budget and schedule.”
vendors across the globe to build the Gordon Mathwin, general manager
module. New video link technology at Mia production support, points out: “This
Yellagonga helped keep channels open is a great example of how getting the
Initially, the module’s design had to the Malaysian sub-contractor in end users - Operations and Maintenance
the filter coalescer package (which weekly sessions. - involved early when making design
removes oil in water prior to discharging decisions on projects can generate
overboard) located on the extremities of A mindset of ruling out no ideas led to a tremendous benefits, in terms of both
the module, but further review revealed new solution: an interchangeable bundle full lifecycle costs of ownership as well
this position was not possible. arrangement for the coalescer package as health and safety considerations for
and a filter-lifting frame for the solids our people.
Moreover, the original design required filters.
the manual removal of potentially more “Innovation is not always about SMART
than 100 filter elements, each weighing An overhead monorail with electric technology; it can also start with an idea
up to 50kg, every 10 weeks. hoist minimised the amount of manual to improve existing mechanical design
handling required. - not only to improve safety but also
“The initial proposal, including a bolted to reduce OPEX cost in the production
lid arrangement, was a common set-up “Both systems were a world first for the phase.”
8 trunkline | Q3 2019
Steeling ourselves
for future
At first glance there seems little fix” or FAF which maximises value from
inspections.
Inspection Database technology.
to connect fabric maintenance and
Woodside’s ambitious growth strategy, An international benchmarking
but senior vice president North West “It is as simple as adding a coating expedition in March validated (and
Shelf (NWS) and Burrup Niall Myles applicator to inspection teams to coat helped improve) our plans for
points to a critical link. immediately to prevent build-up of preventative corrosion management.
backlog and associated administrative
“One of the keys to the success of the burden,” he says. Ty Chapman, general manager
Burrup Hub vision is that it leverages brownfields projects, has first-hand
existing infrastructure, so we need “We have employed FAF on three assets experience of the project’s successes.
to ensure our assets are capable of already, and with instant success.”
providing a reliable revenue stream to “Its benefits include standardising key
power our ambitious growth portfolio,” “The monetary savings from this single learnings from large external corrosion
Niall notes. deliverable in the year to date is already refurbishment projects and embedding
significant.” these as base business across all of our
“Even more important is that we need to assets,” Ty says.
protect those assets to ensure the safety But FAF is just one of the seven
of people and the environment because deliverables, suggesting total savings “We need to be proactive and eliminate
steel keeps us safe.” will be substantial. the need for life extension projects.
But it needs our help. The remaining six will create further “And being proactive means focusing on
wins with a new Corrosion Management repairing coatings rather than repairing
That’s why a review was instigated in procedure and Dashboard for consistent steel.”
2017 to examine the effectiveness of the performance measurement, a review of
“inspection to maintenance” corrosion the CM organisational accountability, Niall says our Burrup Hub vision is a
management process. revised and automated Integrity cornerstone of our growth portfolio,
Operating Windows (IOWs), Risk Based adding: “Projects such as these involving
That review ultimately launched a Inspection (RBI) updates, a new Area fabric maintenance go to the heart of our
project in 2018 to refine and improve Based Strategy approach, and an ability to leverage existing infrastructure
our ability to manage corrosion in an accelerated plan to standardise new to make that vision a reality.”
effective, timely, comprehensive and
cost-effective manner.
Its aim?
Replace reactive policies and embed
proactive practices into our corrosion
management programs with consistent
and easy-to-use processes employing
proven technology to ensure a minimal
backlog of maintenance jobs.
“Corrosion management is base
business and it’s good business,” asserts
project manager Stuart Bond.
“Our vision is to ensure one consistent,
efficient way of managing corrosion.
And we must ensure that we control
corrosion, not be controlled by
corrosion.”
Leveraging a trial at the Karratha Life
Extension (KLE) project at Karratha
Gas Plant (KGP), the project will be
extending best practice to Woodside’s
two onshore gas plants, NWS Gas
offshore platforms and the Okha and
Ngujima-Yin floating production storage
and offloading (FPSO) facilities.
Stuart explains the project has seven On the front foot: Ty Chapman, Stuart Bond and Andrew Lobb have worked to embed proactive
deliverables, one of which is a “find and practices in corrosion management in place of reactive policies.
9
Greater Enfield
hits ‘double century’
All 12 development wells are were not economically viable on their completions (D&C), the business
complete, subsea infrastructure own,” David explains. partners and logistics to deliver the
installed, and production of the Greater wells, and close collaboration between
Enfield Project (GEP) has started. GEP comprises three fields – the subsea and pipelines and D&C to remove
Laverda Canyon, Norton over Laverda all simultaneous operations delay from
“Our campaign set out to safely deliver and Cimatti oil accumulations – via a the project.”
12 development wells, make a positive subsea tie-back to the Ngujima-Yin.
impact on the local community and Gary Jones, vice president D&C, says he
set new best-in-basin performance The floating production storage and loved the “One Team” approach.
through continuous improvement,” offloading (FPSO) facility returned
reflects drilling superintendent Bob offshore Exmouth in early May after a “Greater Enfield set a new benchmark
Brewin. major refit in Singapore. for collaborative well delivery,” Gary
enthuses.
“And that is exactly what we’ve done”. Performance was outstanding,
according to well delivery manager Jack “The joint team approach to production
GEP will deliver up to 10 MMboe Pearse. attainment, getting the most out of
(Woodside share) a year – a significant the reservoir by steering the wells to
step towards Woodside’s target of 100 “Many operators have delivered wells in maximise reservoir intersection and
MMboe annual production by 2020. the area, but we were the fastest in terms successfully deploying world-first water
of days taken per 1000m of well, which is injection technology, was outstanding.
The wells were delivered 100 days the industry benchmark,” he says.
ahead of schedule, $100 million under “Plus, the experience we’ve gained in
budget, and with zero health, safety “We call this ‘Best in Basin’. drilling long wells in thin reservoirs set
and environment recordable incidents us up for success in similar wells planned
in 2019 – protecting our people, and the “Moreover, we also set an Australian for Senegal.”
environment, next to the world heritage- record with the longest drill bit run of
listed Ningaloo Reef, off Exmouth on 3.5 km, and a world record with the A logistics base was established in
Western Australian’s coast. longest water injector reservoir ever Exmouth, which had the dual benefits of
delivered.” creating local employment and saving
“It’s like scoring a double century,” says on tool rental costs.
lead completion engineer David Kent, “Collaboration was all important to the
adding there were no easy “runs”, either. success of the well campaign,” notes As chief operating officer Meg O’Neill
lead drilling engineer Damon Clarke. says: “It is fantastic to have the drilling
“We had to deal with complex wells and program completed well ahead of
super-thin reservoirs – some as narrow “We enjoyed close collaboration schedule and with strong safety and
as 1m – as well as marginal fields that between subsurface, drilling and environmental performance.”
Well done: Greater Enfield set records while safely delivering a dozen development wells for a project critical for the company’s growth.
10 trunkline | Q3 2019Complex challenges: Extending the life of Okha’s riser turret mooring, top, required the removal of more than 100 cubic metres of degraded foam,
bottom. Steve Meerton and Tom Holland, right, review the lessons learnt from the challenging scope.
Rising to the occasion
Complex and challenging A composite wrap was applied to (PPE) of a full chemical suit and long
work on the Okha floating production the most at-risk J-tubes in the RTM’s line breathing apparatus would have
storage and offloading (FPSO) facility compartment number 8 during the RTM increased an already high heat-stress
has been successfully concluded thanks project of 2018. risk to levels close to unacceptable.
to some outstanding collaboration
between Woodside and contractor This year’s scope aimed at mitigating To devise a solution, project specific
Vertech Group. a possible J-tube leak in compartment heat stress trials were conducted and
number 9 – a completely sealed void the Health Safety Environment and
The Okha is stationed about 135 km space about 10m underwater, 5.5m high Quality function worked with Vertech to
north west of Karratha above the and 98% filled with hardened foam. replicate offshore conditions, personnel
Wanaea oil field. exertion levels, hydration levels and
The foam had been installed to provide PPE.
Its riser turret mooring (RTM), originally buoyancy if the compartment were ever
installed in 1995, is due to reach its 25- breached. These trials determined time limitations
year design life at the end of 2019. and safe PPE requirements for those
The Vertech Group was set the task of working within the RTM, as well as
Extending that life to achieve the end planning how to gain access, inspect developing another 10 health and safety
of field life date of 2031 is one of Okha’s and repair the J-tubes, and Vertech’s recommendations.
top priorities. Tom Holland reports the scope was
extremely complex. When completed, the 2019 scope is
The RTM life extension project began expected to have taken 22 weeks of
in 2016 and in that year corrosion was “Challenges included pre-ventilating mostly 24-hour operations of 22 workers
discovered in the J-tubes. the inhospitable atmosphere in and have resulted in more than 650 km
compartment 9, removing some 113 of walking up and down ladders and
J-tubes are pipes which allow for the cubic metres of hard foam and then consuming more than 20 million litres of
subsea flow lines and umbilicals to run welding a manway and ventilation breathing air.
from subsea to Okha’s oil processing ports,” Tom explains.
modules internally through the RTM. “What Vertech has accomplished on the
Only then could the inspection and RTM project shows how we can achieve
Further mapping the following year refurbishment of the J-tubes be world-class results on complex scopes
revealed the full extent of the corrosion. conducted. when we work closely with quality
contractors,” says Shannon Byers,
“Corrosion in the J-tube is the highest He adds removing the foam was a maintenance superintendent 1FPSO.
risk to the life extension program and challenge because atmospheric samples
if it leads to a complete through-wall had indicated it had degraded over time “Managing the HSE performance during
defect it could pose a threat to the riser and was expelling toxic compounds. this activity has set the bar for how we
column itself,” explains Steve Meerton, should manage high-risk scopes in the
Okha maintenance team lead. Wearing personal protection equipment future.”
11Surveying the scene: Extensive consultation and collaboration internal and external has delivered the Browse development concept an enormous
amount of geophysical, geotechnical and environmental information, including seabed details never seen before.
Browse completes
valuable surveys
The Browse development off GTO drafted the survey’s scope
of work after consultation with
inevitably meant schedule changes
and a variety of seasonal conditions to
the coast of Western Australian
constitutes Australia’s largest untapped internal stakeholders including the contend with,” says Lee Woolhouse,
conventional gas resource: contingent Browse pipeline team, geotechnical, GTO senior surveyor.
resources of 13.7 trillion cubic feet geohazards, marine assurance and
(Tcf) of dry gas and 390 million barrels Health, Safety and Environment. “But notwithstanding the complexity,
(MMbbl) of condensate. the health, safety and environment
Neptune Geomatics won the contract to outcomes were outstanding.”
Little wonder, then, that everything conduct the reconnaissance, geophysical,
involved with bringing those resources environmental and geotechnical surveys Browse subsea and pipelines delivery
online is of mega proportions. to generate sufficient information to manager Patricia Long agrees.
make informed decisions.
For example, almost 1000 km of “From the start, the teams have
trunkline will be needed to transport the In Q4 last year a highly successful rapid demonstrated Our Safety Culture by
gas from fields 450 km off the Kimberly reconnaissance survey, using a vessel- communicating openly about change in
coast to Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) mounted Multi-beam Echo Sounder schedule, speaking up about concerns
onshore. That requires an incredible (MBES), covered 4660 km. and risks, being mindful of the remote
amount of geophysical, geotechnical location of Browse, getting involved
and environmental surveys to acquire “Survey results were assessed in near by attending each mobilisation and
data for its design and approvals. real time onboard by Woodside and crew change, and managing the risks
Atteris, with decisions being made about of fatigue on a small crew for long
In July 2017, the Browse Joint Venture the route and scouting of alternatives durations,” Patricia notes.
engaged our geotechnical operations as the survey proceeded,” explains Alan
(GTO) team to undertake the Browse to Gillen, export pipeline lead. While final data processing is ongoing,
NWS project surveys. preliminary data is of very high quality
This reconnaissance survey confirmed and reveals details of the seabed not
First came a study to catalogue and the concept BTL route was viable seen before.
assess the available data along the and free of major geohazards such as
nominal Browse Trunkline (BTL) route, canyons. Senior vice president Browse Richard
from Scott Reef to the North Rankin van Lent says: “The completion of
Complex. It also enabled the creation of a preliminary these surveys is a great achievement
environment habitat map - important and testament to the leadership and
“But for much of the remote section for a targeted environment survey. collaboration between GTO, Browse
of the route, there was little or no trunkline and the HSE teams.
information available,” says Karl Perry, More surveys followed.
GTO survey operations manager. “It’s an important step on the path to
“The fieldwork has been extremely the start of front end engineering design
Australian company Atteris won the challenging, not only because of the (FEED) by the end of this year and
contract to carry out the trunkline remote location but also because the on the longer journey of bringing the
engineering and route selection. sheer magnitude of the survey work Browse to NWS concept to fruition.”
12 trunkline | Q3 2019seismic Innovative
for Senegal
Woodside’s first A multi-azimuth seismic survey is
analogous to illuminating a theatre
“Currently the subsurface teams are
using 2007 vintage 3D seismic that has
major field activity as operator of our
offshore joint venture in Senegal is a stage with multiple spotlights from only been shot in an east west pattern,”
ground-breaking four-month seismic various angles. Together, they make Greg notes.
survey which began in late July and is the stage much brighter and the results
proceeding smoothly. leave no shadows. “This new 2019 3D multi azimuth seismic
will be shot over the same area only in
Woodside has a 35% interest in the The advanced technology is expected north south directions as well as SW-
Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore to better reveal the complexity of each NE and SE-NW patterns. We will then
and Sangomar Deep Offshore blocks reservoir layer in the field and should have an unprecedented view of how the
(collectively known as the RSSD blocks) enable better targeting of the “sweet reservoir sands have been deposited
where SNE Field is located. The Phase 1 spots” in the planned 2021 drilling and how they are connected.”
development area is situated about 100 campaign.
km south of Dakar, the country’s capital The survey has also been expanded
with water depth exceeding 1 km. “This survey will also provide the basis beyond SNE to cover our offset
for an improved full field reservoir exploration and appraisal areas and is
This seismic survey will enable model and a reliable baseline survey expected to finish mid-November.
optimisation of long horizontal wells for future time-lapse or 4D seismic
to deliver first oil in 2022. It employs monitoring opportunities,” Hasan Data processing will take about nine
the latest geophysical technology explains. Importantly, 4D will also months and the results will keep the
including Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) help locate undrained hydrocarbons, subsurface team busy prior to the
to improve the imaging of the SNE optimise infill wells to ensure drilling of the Phase-1 development
complex reservoirs. maximum recovery, and inform future wells.
development phases.
“We have acquired our first multi- One Senegalese who will be watching
azimuth broadband 3D seismic survey Senegal vice president Greg Mogan the results with keen interest is
in an attempt to illuminate the complex says it will transform our understanding Moustapha Dia who arrived at Mia
subsurface of our giant field from of the many and complex reservoir Yellagonga in May on a three-month
different angles,” principal geophysicist structures located 3 km below the sea secondment from Senegal.
Hasan Sidi says. level.
After graduating from university,
Moustapha honed his skills at an
American oil and gas company
exploring in Senegal onshore before he
joined Petrosen, Senegal’s national oil
company and a participant in the SNE
joint venture.
During the secondment, Moustapha was
exposed to our reservoir management
processes, received training and got
an understanding of the geological
workflows from discovery to
development.
He carried out subsurface
interpretations, seismic interpretations
and reviewed the appraisal wells
to assist with the SNE Phase 1 oil
development well contingency plans.
“Moustapha also was fortunate to
participate in a week-long Queensland
geological field trip - a training
opportunity to understand how
geological analogues are used to
constrain subsurface uncertainty in
Senegal switch: Moustapha Dia from Petrosen, a participant in the SNE joint venture, discusses Woodside’s fields,” says SNE modelling
seismic surveys with principal geophysicist Hasan Sidi during his secondment at Mia Yellagonga. lead Damien O’Rourke.
13Geoscience gathering: Executive vice president Exploration sustainability and global new ventures Shaun Gregory welcomes Trygve Randen from
Schlumberger Software Integrated Solutions to the Geoscience Conference. Right, the conference attracted more than 180 people.
Cloud cover
for geoscience
Woodside has signed a The agreement with Schlumberger was
unveiled at the Woodside Geoscience
and technical professionals to share
technical stories and insights.
ground-breaking alliance with oilfield
services provider Schlumberger. Conference by Shaun Gregory, executive
vice president sustainability, exploration Keynote speaker in the morning was
The partnership centres on DELFI – and global new ventures. Erica Smyth, chair of the National
Schlumberger’s cloud-based cognitive Offshore Petroleum Safety and
environment for exploration and Shaun believes DELFI will help Environmental Management Authority.
production activities. Woodside achieve our growth strategy Erica talked on “Our energy future”,
by reducing time to final investment the demand for mineral resources and
Subsurface technology manager Darryl decision and lowering technical unit the need for an enhanced focus on
Harris says DELFI provides an open costs. recycling.
platform.
Trygve Randen, president of Professor Simon Lang delivered the
“It’s analogous to all the apps on your Schlumberger Software Integrated afternoon keynote address with his
smartphone being able to talk to each Solutions (SIS), spoke at the conference usual passion on his role and areas of
other and access all of the same data,” and declared he was impressed by research as the director of the Centre
Darryl explains. Woodside’s innovative character. for Energy Geoscience at the University
of Western Australia.
“DELFI is set to further our technical “Woodside made the perfect partner
capabilities in evaluating subsurface for DELFI because it has the same Closing presentations, by Tom Ridsdill-
opportunities. pioneering mindset as our company,” Smith, vice president Geoscience, and
Trygve said. Darryl gave an opportunity for them to
“We’ll get access to all Schlumberger’s both reflect on the day, and also to look
programs with unlimited licensing. It’s “Changing the way our industry works ahead and discuss Woodside’s activities
incredible access to Schlumberger’s requires working with an innovative in a rapidly changing and challenging
technology that we haven’t had before.” company like Woodside to push the energy future.
boundaries.”
Principal geologist Stuart King adds: Stratigraphy manager and co-organiser
“It’s a way of managing different The Geoscience Conference has become Neil Marshall says he was very pleased
subsurface geological and geophysical an annual event on the Woodside with the success of the conference and
data sets so that any piece of software calendar and this year’s conference its turnout.
or app can access the well data, seismic was held late August in Perth with the
data and the like that it needs without theme “Technology and innovation in “We had more than 180 attendees and
having to import that data into the app. geoscience”. there were three parallel sessions of
technical presentations delivered by
“A lot of people believe big data, fast It was organised by the geoscience Woodside geoscientists,” reports Neil.
computing and artificial intelligence is technology (GT) and subsurface
the way of the future and that if we are functional excellence (SFE) teams as a “These were 15 minutes each
at the pointy end of that revolution, we forum for all Woodside geoscientists and produced an astounding 58
can gain a competitive advantage.” presentations.”
14 trunkline | Q3 2019Making connections
Setting sustainable digital monitors and meeting connectivity as Chief operations officer Meg O’Neill
foundations and standardising digital part of the Q2 upgrade. says: “The success of our Connected
services and working environments Sites program is underpinned by the
across our operations are key factors in Offshore installation manager Tom fact that ‘our IT just works’ on whichever
ensuring those who work at Woodside Walsh says the team appreciated the Woodside asset you are in the world.
have opportunity to contribute their seamless switchover of work stations
best — wherever they are. while the asset was operating. “Getting this base layer right before we
grow is crucial.”
“Our connected site experience must Meanwhile, as part of the Connected
add value, be front-line focused, flexible Sites program, TechZone has spread its
and reliable to enable our workforce,” wings beyond Mia Yellagonga.
says Cameron Robertson, strategic
technology manager. TechZone, which allows for drop-in visits
by Woodsiders needing IT assistance,
Woodside’s senior leaders have backed now provides coverage to all Burrup
a major new program, Connected Sites, sites and can be found across Karratha
to enable teams to perform to their best Gas Plant, the King Bay Supply Base,
ability with the very best IT equipment. Burrup Materials Facility and Pluto LNG
Plant.
“The aim is to ensure our digital
infrastructure enables our people to Lisa Saunders, Karratha digital lead,
perform today while being future proof says: “They can be seen dispensing
for our growth plans,” explains Scott training, advice and IT support while
Marshall, who kicked off Connected wearing their distinctive purple vests
Sites in his previous role as adviser to with the TechZone brand.”
senior vice president North West Shelf
(NWS) and Burrup. Cameron says that by the middle of
2020 all Woodside assets in the North
Goodwyn was the first offshore asset West of WA and offshore Australia Supporting role: As part of the Connected
to benefit and its workers received will benefit from the first stage of Sites program, TechZone’s assistance has been
new devices including laptops, curved Connected Sites. rolled out across Woodside’s assets.
A GEM of an event
Technology helped “It was quite unlike any other GEM event he had to overcome in his move from
Pakistan to Australia. He talked of his
spread the good word at a July GEM we’ve held,” enthused GEM co-chair
(Gender Equality Matters) event with Fiona Chow. delight and gratitude that Woodside
our video conferencing system Webex provides prayer rooms at KGP.
helping connect Woodsiders at Karratha “Our people used the Webex technology
Gas Plant (KGP) and Mia Yellagonga. to tell their stories and experiences.” Lauren Werchon, a fourth year
instrument electrician (inlec) apprentice,
Entitled Humans of Karratha, the event’s Bilal Saleem, an instrument and controls shared the challenges she faced as a
purpose was to showcase diversity and engineer, described he challenges mature age apprentice and mother. She
connect people. drew a laugh from the audience when
she told of how excited she had been to
have the offshore team cook and clean
“when all I have to do is work”.
Sherry Duhe, GEM sponsor and chief
financial officer, said that in her
extensive travels she had noticed that
“inside, everyone is the same”.
The event was deemed a great success,
with Webex helping bring together a
collection of Woodsiders and helping
them learn a little bit more about each
other.
Doubling up: Thanks to the Webex technology, materials coordinator platforms Carly Wieland
simultaneously addresses the Karratha and Perth turnout of the Humans of Karratha GEM event.
15Lunar tapes
land at MY
One small step for man, one giant “We also wanted to remind Woodsiders NASA’s principal investigator into lunar
leap for mankind. of the struggle required to achieve great dust and is now an adjunct professor
results.” of physics at the University of Western
These famous words, spoken by Australia.
astronaut Neil Armstrong as he took The historic tapes, previously owned by
the first steps by a human on the moon, NASA, were used to capture Professor The tapes, which resemble film reels,
remind us of a significant milestone in O’Brien’s research in moon dust. They were kept by him when NASA no longer
achieving the impossible. were showcased at an event at Mia had use for them.
Yellagonga in July, celebrating the 50th
And Woodside has been able to a secure anniversary of the 1969 moon landing. Brady notes that eventually NASA
a scientific data tape that helped put needed to revisit the lunar dust data.
Armstrong on the moon. “We first came across Professor O’Brien
when Woodside was developing the “The only issue was that the technology
“The moon landing was a significant concepts for the North West Shelf used to read the information on the
achievement that celebrated innovation project in the 1970’s,” says Brian tapes was now extinct,” he says.
and this tape is directly linked to Haggerty vice president innovation
mankind’s greatest adventure,” says capability. “Professor O’Brien’s manager came
graduate geologist Brady Gower. up with a solution to re-engineer an
“Back then, he was the Foundation old piece of technology to read the old
The tape was sold to Woodside by Chairman of the Western Australia tapes and that research is now being
Professor Brian O’Brien, who helped Environmental Protection Authority. used for future space expeditions.”
solve some of the many mysteries of
lunar dust. “More recently, we became aware of The scientific data is now stored
Professor O’Brien’s connection to the electronically - a prime example of
“We bought the tape as it is a symbol of historic data tapes and we invited him innovation.
the efforts of innovation, collaboration along to the event.”
and acceleration to achieve milestones Brady, who helped to organise the
in history,” says Brady. Professor O’Brien was previously anniversary event, highlighted the
event’s significance in the importance
of storytelling and the importance of
sharing our learnings and experiences.
“Revisiting past technology and
learnings to help with future problems is
a key takeaway from this event,” he says.
“Having the chance to meet Professor
O’Brien was an opportunity not to be
missed.”
Both Brians share more than just the
name – they share the same interest in
pioneering the impossible.
“The moon landing anniversary
comes at a time where we’re on the
cusp of scientific and technological
breakthroughs for Woodside,” says
Brian.
“The link to the pioneering spirit and
embracing opportunities ahead, no
matter how hard they may seem, is
something that resonates with all
Woodsiders.”
One of many tapes can now be found in
Over the moon: Brian Haggerty, Brian O’Brien, Brady Gower and Guy Holmes marked the 50th the Technology home zone on Level 20
anniversary of the moon landing with an event in Mia Yellagonga. of Karlak.
16 trunkline | Q3 2019Game on: Left, Imtiaza Maroef and Perrine Lombart learn about Licence to Operate under the guidance of change manager Noelle Loh; right, project
lead Stephen Standley says the board game is best played between people with different roles.
Game delivers
crucial lessons
Boards games don’t have to two teams, plus a game master who is in discussing the proposed questions
be reserved for rainy days on holidays or charge of the answer book. with Maintenance, Engineering and
non-television nights for the kids. regulatory compliance to ensure the
“It’s essentially a learning exercise answers were correct.
A new board game devised at Woodside because you have to get to know each
has a purpose more serious than of the other players and their role in Then a pilot was trialled in Karratha in
accumulating miniature plastic houses regulatory maintenance. July and the game started to be rolled
along Park Lane or avoiding snakes and out in August among Maintenance,
climbing ladders. “So it’s best played with people Operations and Engineering.
who have different roles within the
It’s called Licence to Operate and it aims company.” Six copies of Licence to Operate have
to advance the cause of “regulatory been ordered and the idea is that
required maintenance”. Stephen and his team were looking eventually everybody in those three
at how best to communicate the disciplines will have played it at least once.
Regulatory required maintenance refers importance of compliance and safety
to maintenance activities to be carried but had difficulty landing on the right “This was certainly one of the more
out in order to comply with regulatory formula. engaging and effective learning
obligations specified within an Act of experiences I have undertaken of late,”
Parliament, a regulation or a prescribed Videos and presentations were created reports Karratha Gas Plant operator
standard. but the team wanted participants to Damien Muller who took part in the July
immerse themselves in the scenarios trial.
“The aim of Licence to Operate is to rather than be passive spectators.
generate conversations with your peers “The inclusion of Ops, Engineering
about safety and compliance,” explains “So we thought, how about doing and Maintenance in the session
Stephen Standley, the project lead for something more collaborative, where we certainly helped with each discipline
the Regulatory Maintenance Project can teach people to find the answer with bringing their part in the process to the
which came up with the idea for the the resources that we have created? experience.”
board game. How about making it a collaborative
learning experience,” Stephen recounts. Change manager Noelle Loh developed
“You make your way through the game the game and is happy with the
by answering the questions about our “We were looking at an electronic game feedback.
new regulatory required maintenance but there’s something special about the
framework, and there’s even a jail like in look and feel of a physical board game. “We hope that this experience – excuse
Monopoly.” the pun – is a game changer when it
“We’re very happy with the product.” comes to learning at Woodside, as we
The game takes around 90 minutes to continue to encourage people to adopt
complete and requires three players in A great deal of time was spent new ways of working,” Noelle says.
17A day in the life of a ...
resourcing manager
Helping candidates along business degree – a double major in
human resources management and
people who are passionate about the oil
and gas industry.”
the path to a rewarding career while
simultaneously satisfying Woodside’s accounting.
need for a talented diverse workforce to Outside work, Nicole is an enthusiastic
meet its growth strategy is all in a day’s First job after graduation was as netball player. And she loves to travel.
work for Nicole Magill. recruitment administrator for a company “It’s what I work hard for,” she says with
working on a Woodside contract before a laugh.
Nicole’s role as resourcing manager she moved to Vancouver, Canada, where
both fulfils her desire to help people and she gained experience as a recruitment Below is a typical work day.
utilises her skills in networking. agency consultant – and got a taste for
snowboarding. 7:30am: On the bus ride to work I take
“In the case of graduates, you are the opportunity to check and respond to
essentially setting up somebody’s In 2011 Nicole returned to Australia and some emails on my phone. It makes for a
lifelong career and securing their worked at BHP as a resourcing specialist productive 20 minutes.
future,” she says. on site.
8am: First up is a meeting to discuss
“With more experienced recruits, it’s “I enjoyed it but I wanted to return to updating the team’s structure and
perhaps a little less significant; but the oil and gas sector and the city, and Woodside’s resourcing model. As
you’re still helping support their families after two years I applied for a job as a manager, my role is to focus on the
and fulfil their ambitions.” resourcing adviser at Woodside,” she strategy to ensure we can deliver the
says. company’s needs for its growth strategy.
It’s a far cry from her first calling. To achieve this, we’ve run a production
She began supporting Production’s recruitment campaign to display what
At 17, Nicole moved from her hometown external talent requirements and in Woodside has to offer. It’s the biggest
of Collie in Western Australia’s south 2016 stepped into an acting team lead campaign we’ve run since Pluto LNG
west to study nutrition at university in position. plant came on stream in 2011 and more
Perth. than 5500 applications were received.
The next year, Nicole was appointed We recruit the best global talent – high-
On deciding that career path wasn’t resourcing manager. potential, high-performing diverse
for her, she switched to an office job talent who will be at Woodside for a
combined with studying for a business “I give my team guidance on recruitment long time or will finish their careers
certificate. up to executive level across the whole here. The campaign opened in April
organisation,” she explains. and ran for six weeks with the theme
And she furthered this new-found “growth for us means opportunities for
interest in the corporate world with a “I love being able to connect with you”. We’ve recently completed our
18 trunkline | Q3 2019You can also read
