DNV GL launches shale gas verification service

DNV GL has launched a comprehensive independent shale gas verification service.

The service is based on the provisions of its Recommended Practice for Risk Management of Shale Gas Developments and Operations (RP), regulatory requirements and other publicly available standards.

Independent assessment

The new service will help assure stakeholders that an independent assessment can assist in preventing incidents, reducing operational costs and limiting the environmental footprint of shale developments. Best practices measured in the assessment process include:

• Environmental, occupational and process safety
• Human factors
• Well integrity
• Other elements that may help address low probability, high consequence incidents

Risk identification

The verification process determines whether a comprehensive, transparent risk management approach related to risk identification and mitigation has been implemented to allow sustainable shale project development or expansion.

The verification service may be used by operators, regulators, insurance companies, banks and other oil and gas stakeholders to frame the risk dialogue, based on international approaches to risk identification, mitigation and monitoring best practices.

Shale gas growth

CEO Oil & Gas, Elisabeth Tørstad, commented: “As shale gas and liquids development are experiencing exponential growth in North America, a wide range of operational risks have been realised, including gas flaring, fugitive emissions, rail transport incidents, water management, fracking chemicals, explosions, fires, infrastructure limitations, occupational risks, and asset integrity issues.

“Industry can gain stakeholder acceptance only by implementing best practices and proactive risk management. They need to demonstrate that their development activities can be executed in a safe, responsible and sustainable manner.”

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/13032014/shale_gas_verification_service_launched_69/