Spill incident prevention is often a function of an HSE organization, but this is also an increasingly elevated part of the commitment to social responsibility and therefore requiring the focus and resources of an entire organization. A systematic approach is necessary with qualitative and quantitative information to identify efficient ways to reduce the number and severity of spill incidents.

Through “The Four T’s of Spill Incident Prevention – Technical Analysis, Teamwork, Training, Tracking” trends can be developed. Tracking of sources indicate primary containment failure, transfer procedures that did not work, transfer overfills, and storage related spills. The secondary analysis allows for technical innovation. Teamwork between the field operations arises with the development of a spill incident prevention cultures. The ability of the entire operation to apply the general principles discussed on the review sessions or referenced in the scorecards and then bring them into the field is what brings reductions in spill incidents and their severity resulting in further operational benefits as well as positive social responsibility outcomes.

Primary Author:
John Candler
M-I SWACO, A Schlumberger Company
Houston, Texas, USA

Conference Presenter:
Patrick Tyczynski
M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company
Houston, Texas, USA

Co-Author:
Patrick Tyczynski, M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company, Houston, TX, USA