Application of Real-Time Monitoring of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations: Workshop Report (2015)

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45 APPENDIX B Questions for Discussion General QuesTions for operaTors, drillinG ConTraCTors, and eQuipMenT ManufaCTurers (panels 1, 2, 4, and 5) BSEE [Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement] is interested in establishing minimum requirements for the use of real-time monitoring in its regulations. • Does your company use real-time monitoring for its offshore operations? If not, why? • If your company does use real-time monitoring, what are the critical operations and specific parameters that your company monitors? • Do you believe there are specific types of wells or operations and parameters (for drilling, completions or workovers, or production operations) that always should be monitored with real-time monitoring? • Are there specific criteria or risk thresholds that your company uses to prompt real-time monitoring requirements (e.g., factors such as well or water depth, frontier area, HP/HT [high pressure, high temperature] wells, or well complexity)? • Does your company rely on any automation and predictive software in real- time monitoring? • What role could automation and predictive software tools play in real-time monitoring? • Condition-based monitoring is viewed by BSEE as monitoring the operating condition of critical equipment and using any generated data to predict and proactively intervene when needed. – As such, what role could condition-based monitoring play in real-time monitoring? – Describe how operating equipment using condition-based monitoring could be tailored and/or used for real-time monitoring. BSEE would like to use real-time monitoring technologies to accomplish many of its safety and environmental protection responsibilities. • Real-time monitoring technologies could be incorporated into BSEE’s existing safety and environmental regulations in order to replace or supplement its on-site inspection program.

REAL-TIME MONITORING OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS 46 • How could BSEE leverage such technologies? • Which activities could real-time monitoring supplement or replace? • What opportunities do you see for BSEE to use real-time monitoring to provide timely, functional, and value added inspections? • What would you recommend that BSEE do in the real-time monitoring area? addiTional QuesTions for drillinG ConTraCTors and eQuipMenT ManufaCTurers (panel 5) • What is the scope of your services? • Briefly describe the relationship between your company and an operator. • What level of automation and remote control is appropriate to balance the accountability, responsibility, and operational efficiency between both? • What are your suggested protocols for remote oversight and the established chain of command? How do think this should work? QuesTions for Third-parTy real-TiMe MoniTorinG providers (panel 3) Specific questions: • Describe the role of third-party providers. • How do you interface with industry customers, and how do you view this relationship? • What services do you provide? • How do the services lend themselves toward operational decision making? • What about accountability between the operator and your firm? • What level of automation and remote control is appropriate to balance accountability, responsibility, and operational efficiency? • What are your suggested protocols for remote oversight and the established chain of command? General questions: • Are there critical operations and specific parameters that are typically monitored? • Does your company rely on any automation and predictive software in real-time monitoring? • What role could automation and predictive software tools play in real-time monitoring?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 47 • Condition-based monitoring is viewed by BSEE as monitoring the operating condition of critical equipment and using any generated data to predict and proactively intervene when needed. – As such, what role could condition-based monitoring play in real-time monitoring? – Describe how operating equipment using condition-based monitoring could be tailored and/or used for real-time monitoring. • Real-time monitoring technologies could be incorporated into BSEE’s existing safety and environmental regulations in order to supplement its inspection program. – How could BSEE leverage such technologies? What advice could you give to BSEE? – Which activities could real-time monitoring supplement or replace? QuesTions for Trade assoCiaTions (panel 6) • How would BSEE’s interest in establishing minimum requirements for the use of real-time monitoring affect your general membership? • What advice would your general membership provide BSEE for incorporating real-time monitoring requirements into its regulations? • How can trade associations support efforts by industry and regulator in standardizing each other’s needs? • If the broader offshore industry were to adopt real-time monitoring in exploration and production activities, what is a realistic time frame for where its use is the norm rather than the exception?