Safety first

The entrance of the Institute of Petroleum Safety. - BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

THE Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a Navaratna public sector undertaking, has established in-house institutes to support core operations in specialised fields, namely, exploration, reservoir management and development, data interpretation, drilling technology, oil and gas technology, engineering and ocean technology, biotechnology, safety, health, environment, maintenance and energy.

The Institute of Petroleum Safety, Health and Environment Management (IPSHEM), dedicated exclusively to occupational health, safety and environment (HSE) training in the petroleum sector, was established in July 1989 and later shifted to Betul in March 1997. The institute was established after a feasibility study was done and a master plan was formulated by Norwegian consultants SikteC A/S, with aid from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and under a bilateral agreement between the Indian government and Norway. It was conceptualised to be a training, research and development and information centre for HSE management in the petroleum sector.

The establishment of the institute embodies the ONGC's commitment to the environment, safer standards of operations through ethical practices and responsible care for ethical business operations, says the Group General Manager Ashok Chakraborty. The site was selected because of the natural marine environment necessary for simulated offshore training.

Around 125 training programmes in different areas are conducted annually, attended by over 2,000 personnel from the ONGC and other oil companies. The institute also undertakes applied research and development; consultancy, data bank and information services; and HSE procedures, utilising the large collection of HSE software.

The Institute has state-of-the-art training facilities. Survival at Sea (SAS) training programmes are conducted on the training vessel "Sagar Prashikshak," currently berthed at Vasco. Exercises such as shallow underwater escape training (SUET), petroleum emergency training simulators (PETS), well-head fire, tank and process fire, liquefied petroleum gas road tanker emergency, heli-deck fire, confined space vessel entry, emergency evacuation and escape training and helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) are regularly carried out. The institute's library has Internet facilities and a vast selection of HSE books, periodicals, journals, CDs and DVDs.

All training programmes are residential and the institute has excellent hostel facilities, with 60 well-equipped air-conditioned rooms. A doctor trained in naturopathy and yoga conducts yoga classes daily.

For environmental preservation and protection, pre-and post-monsoon offshore environmental monitoring is undertaken offshore to study the biotic and abiotic components in and around operational areas. The analysis of samples is done in laboratories, reports are prepared and a database is preserved. An inductive coupled plasma emission spectra-photometer to assess heavy metal content is going to be commissioned.

HSE Learning Parks have been developed to facilitate the gaining of knowledge while enjoying a walk in the scenic environment of the campus. Model centres for safety, occupational health, fire protection and environmental protection have been created for demonstration. Training is conducted using modern methods, including simulation, case studies, role plays, brain-storming, syndicate exercises, mock drills, models, exhibits and e-learning modules. Annually, four HSE fire conferences are organised.

The institute is ISO-9001 and ISO-14001 certified, and OSHAS-18001 certification is at an advanced stage. It has received accreditation from international institutions such as the International Association of Drilling Contractors. The institute has received awards in recognition of its contribution towards promoting safety, health and environmental standards. The Golden Peacock National Award for Training in 2002 and in 2003 and the Golden Peacock National Award for Environment Management in 2004 are among those.

An offshore training vessel is currently under construction and will be commissioned by March 2005. This vessel, to be berthed near the institute, will provide state-of-the-art offshore marine training. Oil Spill Response training is under way, and the construction of the tank has been completed. Electrical safety, process safety, effluent management, LPG Horton sphere, simulation of vapour cloud, BLEVE, emission control systems and a microbiology laboratory are the other facilities planned for the future. The institute has drawn up plans to conduct specialised courses in offshore installation management, H{-2}S safety, advanced risk sssessment, and safety and environmental management.