EnviroNews

Issue Number 19

34

WASH WATER MIXING VALVE

as Oil Separation Plants (GOSPs) are a critical part of Saudi Aramcos hydrocarbon production system where incoming crude is separated into gas, oil and water streams. Part of that separation process uses conventional static mixers to mix crude oil with fresh wash water as part of the desalting process. The conventional mixing valve (Figure-1) often consumes large quantities of wash water and chemicals. When a promising new mixing valve the ProSalt mixer system, (Figure-2) came on the market, a team of Saudi Aramco engineers was tasked with testing it at Shedgum GOSP-4. Under the Petroleum Engineering and Development Special Testing Program, a team was formed from the North Ghawar Producing Department (NGPD), the Production and Facilities Development Department (P&FDD), and the Process and Control Systems Department (P&CSD).

Oil-in-water content from the desalter was reduced by about 60%, from 18 ppm to 7 ppm. The salt content remained within specifications throughout the test. Because of this success at Shedgum GOSP-4, Southern Area Oil Operations now plans to expand the use of the subject technology in all of its crude processing facilities. This will enable the company to save about 450 million gallons of wash water a year, thus conserving one of Saudi Arabias natural resources.

Acknowledgements
Team members were Muhammad A. Bayahya and Hussain M. Al-Ghamdi of NGPDs Plant Engineering Unit, Fahad A. Al-Qahtani of P&FDDs Production Technology Applications Unit, and Omar M. Halawani of the Upstream Process Engineering Divisions Oil Production Unit. Additional support came from Shedgum GOSP-4 and the Southern Area Laboratories Division.

Results of the trial were impressive: The wash-water rate was reduced by about 40%, from 50 gpm to 30 gpm, saving more than 10 million gallons of wash water per year in one facility alone. The differential pressure across the new valve decreased by more than 50%, from 15 psi differential to 7 psi differential.

Submitted by Muhammad A. Bayahya, North Ghawar Producing Department.

Figure-1. Conventional mixing valve.

Figure-2. New mixing valve (ProSalt).

35
ENHANCEMENTS OF SAP EH&S-WASTE MANIFEST

Summer 2010

ll Saudi Aramco facilities are required to manifest all their hazardous waste sent for disposal. Hazardous waste is defined as any waste that creates a hazard to the public health or the environment. Waste that is characterized as flammable, reactive, corrosive or toxic is deemed as hazardous waste. Some of the hazardous waste generated from Saudi Aramco includes, but is not limited to oily waste, asbestos, medical waste, and spent or used chemicals. lnitially, manifesting of hazardous waste sent for disposal by company facilities was done manually using the form

attached to GI 430.001 Waste Management. However, over several years, it was noticed during the Environmental Performance Assessment surveys that manual manifesting was not done as expected. In order to address this challenge, it was decided to introduce an online manifesting system through SAP EH&S system. The online manifesting system was launched in May 2006. After some time, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) began collecting feedback from the users of the new system. The users raised concerns about the complexity and the excessive number of fields to be filled out for each waste manifest (Figure-1). For these reasons, the use of the online manifesting system was very low.

Transaction driven. Multi tab screen for data entry

Figure-1. Old system screen: Transaction driven and had multiple tabs for data entry.

EnviroNews
Issue Number 19

36
1. The manifest is a one-page document. The issuer does not need to go to any other page or link. 2. The issuer can create a copy with one-click without repeating the whole process again. This has proven to be very beneficial especially during T&Is. 3. The search tool for the manifest is user-friendly and flexible. The user can search by date, by type of waste, etc. It is believed that the new system, available though the corporate portal, will help Saudi Aramco facilities to dispose of their hazardous waste in an efficient and effective manner.

During 2008, EPD partnered with the Hydrocarbon Applications Department to enhance SAP EH&S-Hazardous Waste Manifest system. As a result, the new user-friendly waste manifesting system was launched company-wide in January 2009 (Figure-2). Since then, EPD has conducted more than 25 sessions of dedicated workshops companywide to demonstrate the new enhancements in the online system. More than 500 users attended these sessions. The main enhancements incorporated into the new manifesting system can be summarized as follows:

Figure-2. The new simplified system screen: Point-and-click functionalities and all data fields are on one screen. The initial screen also has instructions on how to create a waste manifest.

Submitted by Tamim A Buraikan, Environmental Engineering Division, EPD.

37
HOW CAN YOU HELP STOP LITTERING?

Summer 2010

t sounds so simple: Stop littering! The reality is that most people find it hard to give serious thought to this overwhelming problem, and littering is growing as an issue worldwide, every day. Its easy to excuse it as someone elses problem, but until we each, as individuals, make the effort to stop littering, the problem will not decrease one bit. Follow the steps below to stop littering: Step 1 Make the effort to always find a trash can. Walking along the street and just finished your morning cup of coffee (in a styrofoam or paper cup)? Its easy to toss it to the curb as you walk away, but hold on to it and dump it into the next trash can you see, even if its in your office. The same goes for gum, wrappers, old chewing gum and cigarette butts. Step 2 Call out the next friend you see littering. This isnt to say you should make a huge scene, but maybe mentioning that you know of a trash can nearby, or that they should make the effort to find one will prompt them to make the effort themselves.

Step 3 Follow up your good habits by cleaning up after others. Pick up litter when you see it thrown carelessly on the ground. Be careful about picking up sharp objects with your bare hands to avoid infection. Step 4 Keep in mind the fact that it takes years and years for plastic products to break down. Step 5 Conclusion: Do not litter! Help protect your environment.

(For more information, please visit: http://www.ehow.com/how_2170664_ stop-littering.html)

Submitted by Hashem Ghanem, Ras Tanura Producing Department.

How long does litter last ?

Banana peels Up to 2 years

Tin cans

80-100 years

Cigarette butts

1-5 years

Aluminum cans

300-350 years

Newspaper

3-5 years

Auto tires

400-450 years

Plastic bags

10-15 years

Plastic bottles

Indefinitely

Styrofoam

70-80 years

Glass bottles

Indefinitely

EnviroNews
Issue Number 19

38

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MERCURY IN YOUR HOME?

ercury is used in a wide variety of household products, including paint, thermometers, thermostats, batteries, fluorescent lamps, disinfectants, antiseptics, diuretics and preservatives.

These items release mercury into the environment and home when broken, mishandled or disposed. Proper care is important when dealing with mercury-containing products. We can minimize any potential risks associated with mercury in our homes by reducing our use of mercury-containing products and properly disposing of mercury-containing waste. If spilled, mercury absorbs into many household materials while slowly evaporating into the air over time, allowing for exposure. Knowing what products and items contain mercury and handling them properly will limit the risk of mercury exposure. Common products often have a simple and environmentally friendly alternative. Some examples are listed below:

Batteries Before 1980, most batteries used in homes contained mercury. Current mercury batteries are button shaped and are used in hearing aids, watches and other items requiring a small battery. Silver oxide and alkaline batteries are the best alternatives for replacing mercury-containing batteries. Antiseptics - - Mercurochrome is a skin antiseptic used to treat cuts and abrasions. It is not commonly used. Mercury-free alternatives include Neosporin and Mycin. Thimerosal is used in antiseptic creams and as preservatives in pharmaceutical solutions including contact lens solutions. Mercury-free products are substituted, when available. Talk to your pharmacist about alternatives. Blood Pressure Gauges - Home blood pressure gauges contain mercury. An aneroid blood-pressure unit is a mercury-free option.

Thermometers - Mercury is used in thermometers because it expands and contracts evenly with temperature changes. Alternatives to mercurycontaining thermometers include the electronic (digital) or red alcohol thermometers. Household Lamps Fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) and neon lamps contain mercury, often in vapor form. Mercury is released when bulbs are broken or incinerated. Fluorescent lamps are good energy savers, using up to 50 percent less electricity than incandescent lights. Alternatives are labeled as low mercury lamps and often can be recognized by their green end caps.

Mercury-free

Submitted by Francisco Estevez, Environmental Compliance Division, EPD.

39
EPD
AND

Summer 2010

PEDD ANNOUNCE TWO NEW

ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES

nvironmental Protection Department (EPD) and Professional Engineering Development Division (PEDD) are pleased to announce the creation of two new courses designed to raise environmental awareness and understanding. Both courses, ENV 621 and ENV 622, require a minimum bachelors degree in science/engineering, and are suitable for 11+ professional staff. The courses are designed for representatives of EPD, Facilities Planning, Project Management, and for all Environmental Coordinators. There are no pre-requisites.
ENV 621: Environmental Impact Assessment for NonSpecialists

environmental requirements for EIAs as stated in SAEP13: Project Environmental Impact Assessments. The new requirements for environmental screening and scoping are addressed. The course offers exercises to review and determine the EIA categories, as well as requirements for EIA review and submittal for final approval.
ENV 622: Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecosystems Training

This course will be offered twice per year at PEDD training facilities in Dammam. This course is designed to educate and increase awareness in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. It offers direct examples of Saudi Aramco projects to determine the level of difficulty and the environmental category that will be required for the preparation of the EIA. ENV 621 addresses new

This course is offered once per year, and includes both classroom and field instruction. This course is designed to raise awareness of the local Saudi Arabian desert environment. The course provides a basic understanding of land and wetland biodiversity, and explains how plant and animal species fit together to create a local ecosystem. The goal of this class is to protect sensitive desert habitats while still enabling Saudi Aramco to meet development goals. The field day provides the participants with the environmental tools and techniques to identify and quantify environmental habitats, identify migratory and resident animal species, and learn the importance of assessing habitat quality and value.

EnviroNews
Issue Number 19

40

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2010

s part of Saudi Aramco Environmental Awareness Program and in celebration of the World Environment Day 2010, Environmental Protection Department (EPD), in partnership with Saudi Aramco Affairs-WR (SAA-WR), and Public Relations Operations Department (PROD), organized a four-day (June 2-5) environmental awareness campaign and exhibit. The event held in Al-Andalus Mall, Jeddah, with the theme of Help Preserve Our Natural Resources, aimed to raise environmental awareness and encourage environmentally friendly attitudes among the exhibit visitors toward creating an environmentally responsible culture. Participating organizations were SAA-WR, PROD, Marine, Utilities, Central and NA/WR Community Services, and Jeddah Refinery departments as well as several external organizations including the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), Ministry of Agriculture, Royal

Commission Yanbu Directorate, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Geological Society, and Saudi Environmental Society. The event included childrens booklets and videos, awareness literature, and presentations that signified different aspects of environmental protection and environmental health including demonstrations on food safety, tips on recycling, oil spill response, and water conservation. The exhibit also highlighted the Saudi Aramco Environmental Education Initiative, and a number of environmental technologies deployed by the Company in the fields of air quality monitoring, industrial hygiene, radiation protection, and marine protection. This is the first environmental event of its kind to be held in Jeddah, and received an overwhelming response from the general public, adult and young generations alike. More than 150,000 environmental publications and 6,000 childrens educational videos were distributed by EPD to over 15,000 visitors.

41

Summer 2010

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SYMPOSIUM AND ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATORS MEETING

s part of EPD efforts to raise the environmental awareness within Saudi Aramco operating facilities, the first 2010 Environmental Coordinators meeting was conducted at Holiday Inn Hotel, Al-Khobar in May in conjunction with the Industrial Hygiene (IH) Challenges in the Oil & Gas Industry Symposium. The two workshops conducted in parallel focused on the subject of Safety for Industrial Hygienists and on tackling the Mathematical Applications in IH Practice.

The objective of the IH Symposium was to exchange knowledge on recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards in the workplace, and to increase awareness on promoting healthy and safe work environments. The event was attended by more than 200 professionals including over 40 Environmental Coordinators.

EnviroNews
Issue Number 19

42

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP

he first two-day Environmental Stewardship Workshop (ESW) of 2010 was held in June at the R&D Technical Exchange Center in Dhahran. The aim of the workshop was to enhance the awareness of Saudi Aramcos workforce on environmental challenges facing the company and to motivate the participants to further enhance the environmental performance of their own organization. In attendance were over 30 division heads representing a wide range of company departments. The workshop covered various environmental

topics including facility environmental performance index, environmental impact assessments, environmental performance assessment program, air quality, solid and hazardous waste management, groundwater protection, wastewater management, marine protection, radiation protection, environmental health, industrial hygiene, and the Companys carbon management efforts. To date, over 230 mid-level supervisory personnel have successfully participated in the Environmental Stewardship workshops.