Safety is essential to the petroleum field operation.
 
The importance of collecting and analyzing large amounts of data and providing solutions or recommendations based on that data is essential to the oil and gas industry. Accurate analysis is a make or break scenario for field crews and managers alike. Software that automates inspections of existing equipment and throughput while alerting key employees to problems that may arise is the first line of defense for a streamlined oil and gas operation.
 
Oil and Gas: Risky Heavy Industry.
 
The oil and gas industry has to meet stringent federal and state strictures to operate. Environmental, safety and social aspects of field operations cannot be ignored. The regulations can be convoluted in their complexity. Software applications that monitor all aspects of a drilling venture or transfer station simplify all processes while meeting regulatory criteria effortlessly. Even if you don't know how often you should be checking your release valve, the compliance software will, and can perform that task automatically.
 
Safety inspections are the backbone of a field operation.
 
Without them you can be shut down. Whether the shut-down is triggered by an independent inspection that fails, or a faulty mechanism that went unnoticed, the costs associated with a work stoppage are enormous. When you use inspection compliance software you are providing a vanguard against the possibility of failed inspections or machinery. Every aspect of your operation will be monitored and analyzed. Developing problems can be corrected before they turn into a disaster. Inspections can be scheduled according to your circumstances.
 
Software flexibility, a long-term solution.
 
No one wants to pay thousands for inspection compliance software only to have it become outdated within a few months. Regulatory mandates can change overnight; your inspection compliance software needs to respond to those changes just as quickly. Software with a built-in protocol for shifting and adding data blocks effortlessly solves the problem of the ever-changing regulatory atmosphere for the operator. When you can diversify and streamline your software to fit changing needs, you have a flexible application that works with your operation.
 
The four most important tasks of automated inspection software:

1. Manage all the data and information in a high performance operation seamlessly. Analyze that data and pass information on to key people
2. Perform automated inspections of the entire operation or a specific component of it based on the client’s needs. Generate full reports of these inspections.
3. Be flexible enough to meet compliance standards and regulations that change constantly. The need to reconfigure inspection software in the field is continuous, make sure to choose inspections software that has a flexibility feature.
4. Mitigate risk. By applying inspection software to your operation, you reduce risk one thousand fold. Because these solutions are so inclusive and exhaustive in their data collection and analysis, potentially dangerous problems are caught well before they manifest.

 
Get the help you need.
 
The petroleum industry is filled with complexity and regulatory oversight. Not to mention the dangers associated with field operations. Attempting to run your inspections without the help of compliance software is a one way ticket to failure. When you are ready for more information please contact us.

Visitors to public buildings pose a substantial security risk. This affects the oil & gas industry as much as any federal facility. A smart company can reduce that risk, however, by managing its visitors.

Some visitor management systems are "low-tech"; that is, the person signs her name, the time she enters the building, what office/employee she will visit, and signs out when leaving the building - all done using pen and paper.

The most successful visitor management relies on computerized systems to confirm visitor identity, conduct background checks, confirm security clearances and otherwise obtain information with regard to the person that may affect his or her ability to visit or that impacts the company.

To be successful, a visitor management system should combine security checks with access control. The low-tech method used keys, key cards, and badges to limit access to sensitive areas. Comprehensive visitor management systems now use smart software technology and web-based programs able to document a visitor's whereabouts in the building and track building usage by specific visitors. Some include registration through a portal before the visit. This technique helps the business check the identity and security clearance to fast-track the visitor when he arrives. The visitor management process begins several days before the actual visit and isn't completed until after the visit is over and all information analyzed.

For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your visitor management process, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250. We always appreciate the opportunity to share information on systems that can help your business become more efficient and positioned to meet global business standards.

Although injuries are actually lower in the oil and gas industry on average compared to most other industries, there is still much work to be done regarding the focus on safety principles and practice. The recent 3rd Annual Offshore Safety Conference in Houston highlighted practices that all industries, not just those in oil and gas, should implement in an effort to improve the safety culture of their company.

Safety should not be "added on" to an existing company's philosophy or practices. It needs to be at the core of a company's thinking from the very beginning. From the personnel to the processes, the focus should be on safety as a primary component. If management places an emphasis on safety but the production team is actually much more focused on getting things accomplished, the result is an imbalanced approach that can make the company more likely to experience safety issues.

The best time to begin thinking, planning and preparing for the safety practices of that will be put into place during a specific event is before that event actually happens and not after it has already taken place. Being proactive is a much better philosophy than being reactive.

Although it may seem hard to grasp in the highly competitive oil and gas industry, companies need to be more willing to share what they have learned both before and after events regarding safety issues. As a result, all companies will see continued improvement in the area of safety practices. The end result will be a safer work place environment for everyone.

For more information on how Accupoint can help improve your safety management program, please call 800.563.6250 or visit us on the web at www.accupointsoftware.com.

Since 2006, North Dakota’s Bakken region has experienced a meteoric rise in oil drilling. This boom in energy production has fueled economic growth, but it has also come with significant safety concerns and environmental risks. Notably, incidents like the oil pipeline explosion and oil train derailment have cast a shadow over the region’s reputation. In fact, Bakken crude has been involved in at least eight major incidents in the past year.

This uptick in accidents has drawn serious concerns from both the public and regulatory bodies. As one of the most prolific oil-producing areas in the U.S., the Bakken is now under intense scrutiny, with critics pushing for stricter regulations and even calling for the cessation of operations.
Harold Hamm’s Call for Safety in the Bakken
At the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, Harold Hamm, the chairman of Continental Resources Inc., highlighted the need for increased safety measures in the region. Hamm, whose company has been operating in the Bakken for over 25 years, has seen both the progress and the challenges firsthand. His company was also the first to use horizontal drilling in a Bakken well, a pioneering technique that revolutionized oil extraction in the region.

However, despite the advancements, Hamm acknowledged that the Bakken region is now under immense pressure. He noted that the area is in the “crosshairs” of opponents who want to shut down operations. The region’s reputation hinges on minimizing accidents and improving overall safety. Hamm’s call to action emphasizes that one more accident could further fuel opposition and lead to regulatory crackdowns.

Risk Mitigation Through Effective Compliance Management
This situation in the Bakken is not unique to North Dakota; it is a global concern. In regions where industrial operations involve high-risk activities, such as oil drilling and transportation, there is always the potential for accidents that could have devastating consequences. The growing focus on safety and environmental responsibility reflects a collective desire to prevent future incidents.

One effective way to address these concerns is through the implementation of compliance management systems. By adopting a system that tracks and manages compliance requirements, companies can ensure they meet industry standards, maintain regulatory adherence, and, most importantly, mitigate risks.

Accupoint offers solutions that help oil and gas organizations in the Bakken and beyond streamline compliance management. With our platform, you can ensure your organization meets all required safety protocols and environmental regulations, preventing costly fines and ensuring the safety of workers and the surrounding communities.

Protecting the Future of the Bakken and Beyond
As the Bakken continues to play a critical role in the U.S. energy landscape, the industry must prioritize safety, compliance, and risk mitigation. The key to preventing future incidents lies in proactive planning and the use of effective compliance management systems.

​To learn more about Accupoint’s compliance management solutions,  visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800)563-6250.

Increased activity in the Bakken field of North Dakota has sparked greater demand for its crude oil. The Bakken field does not have the pipeline infrastructure to support the transportation of large quantities of crude oil. This region is heavily reliant on the use of rails in order to ship the crude oil to the port facilities on the east coast of the United States.

The increase in rail activity has raised some safety concerns for the oil and gas industry and the surrounding communities. A train carrying Bakken crude oil was involved in an accident last year that killed 47 people. This incident, along with a few others, has brought increased attention to the safety of these rails.

In April, the NTSB hosted a panel on rail safety with attendees including service providers, consultants, manufacturers, and the API. Attendees collaborated to discuss topics such as risk management and emergency responses to spills. The forum provided insight into possible changes and areas for improvement.

In response to the recent safety concerns, the Department of Transportation will require railroads to notify emergency responders when oil shipments travel through their states. Trains carrying more than one million gallons of Bakken crude oil need to notify emergency commissions within 30 days of the shipment. Thought leaders in the industry feel that measures like this will decrease the likelihood of another railroad disaster.

Safety regulations will constantly change and update in the oil and gas industry. To see how Accupoint’s solutions help organizations in the oil and gas industry manage evolving safety requirements visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800)563-6250.