Lufeng wins top HSE award

The chief executive’s prize for health, safety and the environment in 2005 was presented on 14 December to Statoil’s Lufeng life extension project in the South China Sea.

According to the jury, purposeful, systematic and long-term HSE work was pursued during this programme for increasing the field’s time on stream.

The Lufeng project was one of six finalists for the award. It was carried out by a multicultural team with no recordable injuries or serious incidents.

New wells and technology are helping to extend Lufeng’s producing life from February 2004 until 2008.

“Despite the challenges faced when working in a multicultural environment, first-class results have been achieved,” the citation for the Lufeng project reads.

“Experience from the work done will be extremely useful for Statoil’s future international commitment.”

The prize was presented at the corporate summit in Stavanger by chief executive Helge Lund, who also chaired the jury.

“To me, HSE is about sensible actions, healthy attitudes and professional hands-on leadership,” Mr Lund observed during the award ceremony.

“Sensible action has to do with thorough maintenance, well thought-through technical planning and design, and compliance with basic rules and procedures.”

He added that healthy attitudes relate to fundamental behaviour, understanding and respect for work processes and procedures. The latter are made to protect people and hardware from damage and must be followed.

“Having rules and procedures is not a goal in itself. They should be as simple and straightforward as possible, and should not be a hindrance to what is also perhaps the most important aspect for HSE – professional, practical leadership.”

Mr Lund noted that HSE is also a competitive advantage for Statoil. “The way we conduct our business in relation to HSE and the wider community is as important as the financial results we create.”

When Lufeng came on stream in 1997, it was the first development outside Norway to be operated by Statoil.

A 75 per cent interest in the field is held by the group through its wholly-owned Statoil Orient Inc subsidiary, while the China National Offshore Oil Company holds the remainder.