The Coastal
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Connection
V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 5 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
2
SLA Star
OGC Sweeps OSHA VPP World Series
STX Biz Report 2
By Mike Cole, Asset Manager
OGC Drilling
inning, the team went twenty for this was no contest from the start.
Success 3 twenty on interviews. After just OGC team leaders are the best in
five interviews, one of the auditors the business. Our auditors quickly
Accepting declared he had never heard such declared, “OGC management com-
Diversity 3 consistent passion for safety, excel- mitment is outstanding. It is both
lence and employee involvement. visible and completely committed
OGC took an early lead thanks to to employee safety.”
Big Fish 4
the OSHA-selected BP staff and
The ninth inning never took place. I
Valued Contract Partners who were
Retirement think we had a ten run rule.
interviewed.
Seminars 4
This leaves only the post-game wrap
The second and third innings were
up, interviews and awards: The first
Winners Are 4 In Game One in the VPP World Se- all about POE. House keeping was
award was the OSHA recommenda-
ries, the South Texas team set the noted as “best in class” by OSHA
tion for Star Site for South Louisiana.
standard and showed what’s pos- during their tours. The auditors had
Comings The second award went to Sam for
sible. They constantly hit safety and to work real hard to score a few
& Goings 5 game MVP; what a performance!
process singles and doubles until points (observations for improve-
The third award was no surprise as
our OSHA partners offered their ment). OGC conceded those points
Our Community 6 handshake and awarded STX the as we knew they would help us in
it went to Gerard as the Series MVP.
How lucky we are to have Gerard.
first BP NAG OSHA Star. In Game the long run. The fourth and fifth in-
His leadership and vision is second
Birthdays & Two, the South Texas team took on nings involved our Health and Train-
to none.
Anniversaries 8 a coaching role that set the table for ing teams. They got worked over
a South Louisiana victory. real hard but came out with even And last but not least was the selec-
more points for OGC. The sixth and tion of the All-Star VPP team. That,
Game Two was a nail-biter. You could
seventh innings were about PSM of course, is each of the BP staff
feel the tension from the play-
documentation, and the team hit and valued contract partners who
ers with the pressure of perceived
three grand slams and a no-hitter worked so hard for this accomplish-
stakes being even higher, BP repu-
with the result being “No OSHA PSM ment. I tip my hat to each of you and
tations seemingly strained, and our
findings!” give my thanks.
first effort at a PSM site audit. Things
looked good for the home team when The seventh inning stretch involved Upon leaving our field of dreams,
we heard a declaration of amaze- an audit of Gerard’s office, and in one auditor noted: “We need a Gold
ment by the first-time visitors that spite of those findings the team VPP Star for sites like these. You
the old ball park (JD Plant) was thirty could still be heard singing “Take me have the top site of the Star Class!”
years old. They couldn’t believe it! out to the old VPP Flag Pole.”
What a game, safety fans!
The players quickly put their pre- The eighth inning was all about
game jitters aside when, in the first Leadership Commitment, and
PAGE 2
OGC’s SLA REGIONAL NEWS
Operations
STX Off-site Business
Center—Another
Meeting Overview:
Star says OSHA
Safe Methods to Further
Audit Team.
Optimize STX Operations
By Gerard A. Brumfield
Our Highlights
The SLA Team’s campaign slogan has been to “Aim For The Star” of The
OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Well team, you delivered and • VPP Star of Excellence
on 19 October 2007, OSHA recommended BP’s SLA Team for the VPP Star. • Peaked at over 40mmcfd
HOORAY! • Several Fields 3–5 year Peaks
• New Faces and Blood
As you might recall, this is OSHA’s top honor for exemplary worksites • No injuries!
with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. • Best in NAG on FLC
Companies in the Star Program have achieved injury and illness rates • Great Well-work Interventions with and without rig
at or below the national average of their respective industries. These • Building Hooper rest ’07 for vigorous
sites are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards. Star • ’08 workover rig program
participants are reevaluated every three to five years, with incident rates • Compression & Runtime last three months increasing
reviewed annually.
Our Priorities
In my view, it is the ultimate team award a worksite can achieve. It is
the result of the Pride, Ownership and Excellence of our entire team of • Incident & Injury Free
BP employees and Valued Contract Partners. You are building a legacy • Compliance with Regulations
of IIF delivery in our workplace and making a difference for generations • People
to come. The OSHA VPP STAR is a prideful accomplishment for OGC and • Everyone treated with Dignity & Respect
recognition very well deserved. • Safe Safe Sound Execution of work
As our IIF and STAR journey continues, I send my thanks and congratu- “Operation SOTO” (Safely Optimizing Texas Operations)
lations to each of our team members. I ask that you continue to keep
safety as your top priority, every day and every job. Your safety, along WHAT IS OPTIMIZING?
with the safety of your coworkers, will always be our top priority. • Increased Runtime of Equipment & Wells
• Reducing Liabilities * Hazard Exposure, Integrity of Equipment
See Ya,
(rented or BP owned), Keeping everything in the pipe.
• Planning (IFP)—Utilizing opportunities to nest jobs, Sharing
Resources
• P&A of wellheads and Idle/Surplus equipment
• Synergies between STX & SLA
• Communications with Houston Support Staff
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Live, Practice, Share IIF behaviors
• Send Grady list of surplus equipment in your work area. Office
& Field!
• Send ideas, e.g., Need more soap dispensers; reduce pressure
bottlenecks; satellite compression; more resources, and of what
type. What else?
After a successful OSHA Audit, SLA has been recommended for VPP STAR. • Plan work to maximize VCP utilization, equipment rentals, and
work that can be nested during planned shutdowns.
• Continue being prudent users of budgeted funds
T H E C O A S T A L C O N N E C T I O N
BP AMERICA | ONSHORE GULF COAST
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5 PAGE 3
OGC Drilling Performance Accepting Diversity is About
Improvement Continues in Willingness to Learn
Challenging Environment By Mike Cole
By Larry Kappmeyer The whole subject of diversity is like talking about politics, but maybe
Wells Program Manager, Onshore Gulf Coast Asset more like politics on steroids. The subject of what is acceptable and
what is not can get real gray once you leave the core “no-no’s” out of
The Challenge: Wells drilled in the Tuscaloosa Trend near Baton Rouge the subject.
have long been recognized for the extreme nature of the HP/HT operat-
ing environment and potential for well control problems. Learning is about enquiry. So with this as a backdrop, let me give some
guidance.
The current focal point, however, concerns drilling the highly abrasive
formations contained within the intermediate and drilling liner sections. When faced with something that you hear or see that makes you uncom-
These sections have historically been a major cause of bit, directional fortable, I suggest the following:
tool and drill string failures.
• Ask yourself if the offending word or actions appears to be inten-
The Intervention: Recent field trials in bit and BHA design have simpli- tional. If you think it is intentional, then involve a team leader to
help work it out.
fied the intermediate section BHAs, removing all directional tools. The
BHA is “super-packed” using an extremely long gauge bit combined • If you don’t think it’s intentional, then confront the individual in a
with two near bit stabilizers. This reduces vibration and stick-slip, thus manner becoming of a professional and let him or her know how
prolonging bit and BHA life. Conversely, the drilling liner sections use you feel. Do this as soon as you can. Do not default to making the
a rotary steerable tool in temperatures up to 320°F to perform required team leader your first stop—only you can best describe your feel-
ings to another person. We are all adults.
directional corrections. Again, this system has shown increased rate of
penetration. • Understand that to err is to be human.
• Ask yourself how many times you may have made an accidental
The Results: These operational changes have resulted in a performance faux-pas on an issue of sensitivity; and how you would like to be
step-change evidenced by a reduction in D/10k from 73 to 40 and dol- treated if it were brought to your attention?
lars-per-foot from 909 to 700. Add to this an increase in foot-per-day of
148 to 252 over the same 2006/2007 time period, combined with a major The above points require self reflection, communication and under-
reduction in rig NPT (non-productive time). standing: areas of improvement for all of us. There’s no magic cook book
The result is a major cost saving. on this subject, folks. We need to learn together.
Our Thanks: These results could not have been achieved without the
close collaboration of the rig-site and office-based teams who contin-
ued to test new methodologies in a cost-focused environment.
Another Great Year for
the Reliable Crew
By Grady Savoie, Sr
Just last week, Reliable celebrated another year without an OSHA Re-
cordable. Everyone in this esteemed group displays HSSE leadership
every day.
To celebrate, the crew enjoyed a boiled shrimp dinner and received a “My Congratulations to the Reliable Team
camouflage bag for the Louisiana sportsmen they are: true “Hazard Hunt-
on another year without an OSHA Recordable.
ers” who deliver the main meal !!!
You’re demonstrating IIF excellence!”
Here’s to another year of safe and sound execution of well work.
—Randy (Jimmy) Comeaux
Here’s to caring for everyone who steps onto your site! BP H&S Coordinator, Onshore NAG SLA
PAGE 4
Business Meetings: AND THE WINNERS ARE
Also a Good Excuse for
August OAA Winner:
A
a Fishing Trip
K
Karl Gaspard
BP folks in South Texas certainly know how to hold a business meet-
ing. An outline of the work issues and progress discussed at the In recognition of his fine performance on the Patin #1
meeting appears in this issue, but here are a few measures of suc- we
wellsite, Pete Kuhlman nominated Karl Gaspard to re-
cess some might find equally important. ce
ceive the August Outstanding Achievement Award.
Ku
Kuhlman writes: “The Patin project has been extremely
difficult from the be
beginning, as it involves building a small facility. Con-
struction started with very little documentation or hard planning. They
Seminars: Planning are awaiting equipment, even now, but still having to run pipe: It’s very
hard to take measurements with nothing there to look at!”
for the Future “Yet, even without the flare system or glycol package, tremendous prog-
By Cecile C Dominque ress has been made. This has been ongoing through the absolute hot-
test months, with temperatures on site of 100-104 Fahrenheit (plus heat
South Louisiana Onshore Gulf Coast employees were privileged to have index) for almost two weeks straight. Despite this challenge, there have
two retirement planning programs held locally. The first was held on been no safety issues. Proper preparations were made to provide shelter,
September 10th at Crawfish Town USA in Breaux Bridge. Amy Wisniewski shade, air conditioned buildings, and other necessary supplies. This is
with BP Benefits presented valuable information for heritage Amoco, typical of Karl’s normal mode: a totally safe operation, and an outstand-
ARCO, and Vastar employees. In addition to reviewing the retirement ing example of P.O.E.
formulas of each heritage company, she stressed the importance of each
employee modeling his or her own pension benefits on Fidelity’s Net Other information in support of Karl’s nomination came from Chris Cronan.
benefits website (www.netbenefits.fidelity.com). A DVD of the presen-
“It appears from Pete’s description that we can consider this success an
tation and handouts are available for anyone that was unable to attend.
example of Karl simply doing his job. Karl is and always has been a key
The second seminar was held on October 25th at the Holidome in Lafay- player in well (facility) hook-ups.
ette for BP employees 45 years of age and older. This seminar was pre-
“But on this particular project, he truly stepped up. It started out as a
sented by Rocky Francis of The Ayco Company. The session was purely
small well hook-up with some facility features (tanks, flare, etc), but has
educational and covered topics ranging from BP retirement benefits to
grown into a bona fide facility. Karl had to multi-task, dealing not only
building an estate planning strategy. This seminar was not recorded, but
with construction, but interacting with the BP Houston Engineering
there are a few handouts and workbooks available.
Group, the CrossTex Engineering Group, and with issues concerning air
Please contact Cecile @ 337-735-5481 to receive available information. permitting. He has also had to help develop and implement SPCC plans,
since this is basically a satellite location.
“Karl has made sure that people and safety were the first and most im-
portant priority. This project has been visited by upper management,
and the way the job was performed (magnificently, with all bases cov-
ered), it was very well received by them. Karl has never been awarded
T H E C O A S T A L C O N N E C T I O N the OAA, and particularly after this project, he deserves it.”
BP AMERICA | ONSHORE GULF COAST
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5 PAGE 5
South Texas TOP GUNS New South Texas
Engineer
By Philippa K . Zimmerman
I am pleased to announce Robert (Robby)
f
McDaniel has joined the Onshore Gulf Robby McDaniel
obby
Coast Asset as a Production Engineer. Robby will be working in the
South Texas team with a focus on the Donna field and well-work oppor-
tunity identification and execution for all four areas.
Robby joined BP in January 2005 with the Arkoma Asset. He recently
Roel Guerra Paul Dannels completed the six-month Alaska PE rotation. Robby has a BS Mechanical
for September for August Engineering and a BA Economics from Rice University. Robby has two
dogs, but more importantly, he is recently engaged.
This move was part of the Challenge Managed Move process and a re-
sult of Justice Diven graduating from Challenge and accepting a position
with the Moxa team.
COMINGS AND GOINGS Please join me in welcoming Robby to the team.
Melvin Holmes Assumes New New OGC
Role as Regional Assessor Engineer
By Elvin F Taylor
Introducing our newest facilities engineer,
I am very pleased to announce that Melvin has accepted the position of Haris McKinley. Haris started work with us
Regional Assessor, working throughout the SPU as of October 1, 2007. on 29 October and is expected to be part
of OGC into third quarter, 2008. Haris McKinley
Melvin reports to Skills Development Team Leader, Mana Roberts. Mel-
vin will be conducting assessments throughout the lower US, Canada,
Haris recently graduated from a dual degree program at Morehouse College/
and Alaska. He will be assessing personnel who work in operations, au-
Georgia Institute of Technology, with degrees in chemical engineering and
tomation, and communication.
chemistry.
Melvin has worked in the Tuscaloosa area for twenty-five years as an
He will be working closely with Maryellen and Sally here in Houston, but I’m
operator, automation and communications technician. His contribu-
going to try to find opportunities for several field visits, so he can learn about
tions have greatly enhanced and improved the data-gathering system
the real world!
in South Louisiana, and more recently in South Texas.
y p y
Please take the opportunity to welcome Haris when you stop by the office in
Melvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and is certified
Houston or if you see him in the field.
in Industrial Electronics Technology. He has continued to grow and de-
velop his technical knowledge.
Melvin and his wife Brenda live in Prai-
rieville, Louisiana. Then have two sons,
Melvin and Mark, and two daughters
Guillory Joins
Melanie and Malorie. OGC Team
Please join me in wishing Melvin much
“I want to personally welcome you
success in his new role.
Ron Guillory
to OGC (aka, ‘Best Place To Work!’).
We all look forward to having you on board.”
Melvin Holmes —Gerard A. Brumfield
PAGE 6
N
NA Gas Staff Tuscaloosa Tee Off 2007:
A
Announcement Final Report
By Mike Cole By James L. (Jamie) McCartney
I am pleased to announce Tijuana Devaul as What a great year it has been to have some fun and raise money for St.
Gu
Gulf Coast Planning and Support Team Lead Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
t
in the Onshore Gulf Coast Asset.
The final round at Squirrel Run was held September 6th with 157 players
As the Gulf Coast Planning an Support Team Lead, Tijuana will be re-
and ready to go. The rain chances were 40% so no one was expecting that
sponsible for production analysis, reserves coordination and will serve a “hurricane” would visit us after only eight holes. The management of
as an interface with the SPU Commercial, Planning, and Reserves and Squirrel Run was nice enough to give us rain checks, so hopefully you
Renewal teams. Tijuana will also supervise a group of technologists sup- can make it back and get your 18 holes in.
porting the entire asset.
The rain could not dampen the spirits of the great fellowship. In Lieu
Tijuana joined BP in 2001 from Texaco as a Drilling Engineer and has held of giving first place to a team, we drew names for those prizes. We also
various engineering roles since joining us. Tijuana is currently a Reser- awarded prizes for “closest to the hole,” and the long drive and putting
voir Engineer/40 Acre Project Coordinator for Wamsutter Major Project contests. Mr. John Helweg of Reliable Production left with the crawfish
Subsurface Group. boiler donated by Louisiana Crane. Louisiana Crane also raffled off a set
of golf clubs, and Mr. Leonard “Doc” Buckner was the lucky winner. Ron
Tijuana has a BS in Chemistry from Jackson State University and a MS in
Williams Construction raffled off a shotgun, and Mr. John Smelker was
Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois.
the winner of that prize.
On a personal note, Tijuana enjoys spending time with her family and
Thank you to all the food vendors: Cameron, Ace Transportation, Ron Wil-
coaching the First Colony Patriots Sophomore Cheerleading Squad.
liams Construction, Superior Energy Services, Production Services Net-
This position was posted electronically. Please join me in welcoming Ti- work, PSC Industrial Services, Wilson Supply, LA Crane, Greene’s Energy
juana and wishing her success in her new role. Group, Perf O Log, Hanover and STS Rentals. I would also like to thank
STS Rentals for providing the golf balls and towels.
Thanks go as well to the many hole sponsors throughout the year, in-
cluding 43 for the final round. Mr. Charles Williams, Chapter President for
OUR COMMUNITY St. Jude, was on hand to receive the ceremonial check.
I announced at the closing ceremonies that we had raised at least
OGC Charitable Donations $31,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I have been receiving
additional checks in the mail this week. BP Foundation has been donat-
Reach Staggering Level ing $10,000 for this great cause over the last four years. I received a call
late yesterday from our BP Foundation Representative who has decided
OGC donating—2007 total to $46,616.00.
“Thank You Jamie and Bolon for the year long work and
leadership.”
—Grady Savoie
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5 PAGE 7
to increase their participation; the BP Foundation will contribute $25,000!
What great news. If I have all of my addition correct, that brings the 2007 STX Running
total to $46,616.00. What can I say other than thank you, thank you!
Strong in NY
We are already planning for Tuscaloosa Tee Off 2008. We will continue
working for the children who look to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi- Marathon
tal for the care they need.
Houston OGC’s very own Phil Trum-
bly made record time by finishing the
New York marathon in 2 hours 58 min-
utes and 5 seconds. Trumbly finished
654th and ran an average 6 minute, 47
The History of the second mile.
St. Jude Golf Tournament Phil has been training diligently for the
past couple of months. Our admiration and congratulations go out to
(This story will appear in the St. Jude Children’s Research
him. What an accomplishment!
Hospital newsletter)
BP America Production Company is part of the international corpo-
ration BP, PLC, based in London. BP America is divided into several
regional assets; ours (the Onshore Gulf Coast Asset, or OGC) covers
South Louisiana and South Texas.
Homecoming Royalty
In 2002, the child of one of our OGC employees was diagnosed with By Kent L Jackson
brain tumors. After receiving initial treatment locally, the family
Our daughter Latisha Noel Jackson was named Ms. Junior to her home-
traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in distant Mem-
coming court at Belaire High school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is
phis, TN. What began as a frightening journey, not knowing what
the second year in a row Latisha has been named to the homecoming
to expect, became nothing short of a miracle.
court. She is 16 years old.
The staff at St. Jude opened their hearts and hospital doors to give
this child a chance at a full life. Today, the young lady is cancer-free
and living the life every teenager hopes to have. We were so deeply
moved by this, as family, friends and co-workers, that in 2004 we
dedicated our yearly golf tournament to St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital. That year we raised over $19,000, and the sum has increased
every year since. In 2007, the total amount raised was $46,416.00.
The employees of BP America OGC, their families and many golfing
friends fully support the quest that Danny Thomas began and St.
Jude helps to achieve: “Finding Cures, Saving Children.”
—James Mccartney, 12 October 2007
With Gratitude for
Our Teachers
South Texas Team By Grady Savoie, Sr
Supporting Good Causes OGC BP donates $500 to employees who have spouses who are teachers.
The funds are used by the teacher for supplies during the school year
Photos courtesy Kim Black to enhance teacher’s ability to present lessons to students. Individuals
accepting on behalf of their spouses are (left to right) Roel Guerra, Todd
STX BP Team making donations in support of the Freer and Hebbronville Schendel, Luis Garcia & Homer Perez (Grady Savoie, Sr. and Gerard Brum-
Fire Departments and the Boy Scouts. field also shown).
BP America
Onshore Gulf Coast
BIRTHDAYS SERVICE
[ DAT E ] ANNIVERSARIES
[ YEARS ]
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Luis Cervantes 4 Kenny Desselle 6 NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Leo Citizen 5 Terril David 14
Mitch Landry 28 Leo Citizen 27
Chris Cronan 5 Kim Black 20
Joel Dugas 26 Kathleen Hadden 9
Gene Devillie 8 Mitch Landry 23
Beth LeBlanc 25 John Bourgeois 8
Jill Rushing 9 Todd Breaux 28
Karl Gaspard 25 Jacque Ritchie 7
Billy Shortner 14 Todd Schendel 31
Paul Dannels 11 Xavier Fonseca 3
Gene Mohler 21
Gordon Raines 8
Shane Debetaz 22
Jill Rushing 3
Kathleen Hadden 22
Darrel Lantz 27
Reminder . . .
DECEMBER 8 This will be the last newsletter of the year.
SLA Annual Christmas Celebration, by invitation only
Capitol Hilton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Happy Holidays!