Training - The oil and gas industry is heavily populated by mechanical engineers. However, many pipeline and infrastructure incidents are due to ground related causes. If these causes are not identified, then any remediation is akin to taking the wrong medicine; dangerous in itself; but doubly so because the original cause has gone unaddressed. Mis-diagnosis - or mis-identification - can lead to repeated surprises. The oil industry is very well versed with risk and risk workshops. This is not new. However, it's the incorporation of ground engineering that we think benefits the industry.
We offer the following training courses:
1. Geo-hazards; identification, risk assessment and mitigation (avoidance or protection).
2. Landslide identification and management.
3. The geo-mechanics associated with pipe / soil interaction due to external soil force.
The courses are based in Jakarta and held over a 1 to 2 day period.
Geotechnical and Surface Water Site Assessments - At concept and pre-feasibility level. Identification of big-picture hazards and opportunities and seeing how these may affect the project. Development of concept solutions that may require attention at later stages should the project proceed.
This task is critical before scoping specific field investigations or surveys. The work is largely experience based - as no text book will ever have all hazards and opportunities for all locations for all projects.
The work can be based purely on review of existing available information - although is best achieved in combination with a site visit where possible. Existing information can be that associated with the project; although a wealth of publically available information is also available within Indonesia, and this information can be sourced and included. Compilation of information within a GIS database can be provided in order to allow super-imposition of key data sets.
Geo-Hazard Mapping, Risk Assessments and Mitigation Design Advice - We identify and map geo-hazards for both existing and new field developments. Deliverables include geographic delineation of hazards and probability ranking (either qualitative or quantitative). Risk can be assessed for existing fields where hazards can interact with infrastructure. These risks can then be used as a guide for repair or protection work prioritization in order to achieve greatest risk reduction for least cost.
Risk Workshops and Tasking - We have worked in design and construction on almost very mine in Indonesia; we know what goes wrong and what works - we want to share this, and Risk Workshops are an efficient way to "bring out the good oil".
We can attend workshops as a first step in order to provide that initial identification of hazards and opportunities; this is the first step in the process, and is not really in any textbook; it relies on experience. It's this experience that we want to share.
Geotechnical Risk Assessments / Safety Review - At concept and pre-feasibility level. Identification of big-picture hazards and opportunities and seeing how these may affect the project. Development of concept solutions that may require attention at later stages should the project proceed.
Technical Reviews / Third Party Check - We can provide a "reality check" of existing geotechnical engineering documents and recommendations. If the review finds areas where significant savings could be made or risks avoided, then we will identify the point at which the existing work can return to in order to re-assess. We will also review on whether the existing work had identified all possible hazards or opportunities.
Study Team Integration - The value of the individual disciplines is significantly increased by formation of the technical team. Our main activity related to this service is to help ensure that the right basis data is identified and acquired - not more, not less. Scoping. If some is missing, then we help get it, quick smart
Then, even more importantly, we focus on the output format from each group (geotechnical, topographic, environmental, social etc). The output format must be able to be assimilated easily by the designer and by each other group. If it isn't, then we can help summarize it and put it in a format where it can be assimilated; using clear diagrams and GIS and CAD based drawings.
If the output is not ready in time for design, then we help get whatever is available together into a sensible format. Sure, the proponent will want the relevant cautions in place; but, anything is better than starting design without key basis information. We also try to help combine disciplines within the design basis document; but only once each is in a format where it can be easily assimilated.
Precedence Studies - There are not many hard and fast rules for ground engineering outside of soil mechanics and rock mechanics; which themselves are based largely on empirics; ie, fitting relationships to what has been observed and documented - and then using this for design. However, in Indonesia, many developments and ground types fall outside of the empirical limits (which were established in say in the UK or Canada); rendering these methods (by themselves) dangerous.
We believe that observation (and documentation) of other similar developments in similar areas can provide significant value to design otherwise based on "conventional engineering". In a way, we are providing specific relevant experience to the project team in a well documented and backed-up format. We have found that this additional basis to design can help "keep things real"; resulting in pavement thickness optimization, road or drilling location design parameters that work etc. Provided the right engineering interpretations are formed during the inspection; which relies on observation and a sound understanding of the applied forces and the geo-mechanics.
We provide this service for specific elements of a project - or, on a more general basis, for projects themselves. We establish confidentiality agreements between parties where necessary; and gain all relevant permissions.
Siting and Alignment Studies (onshore) - Imagine a processing facility that covers 20 Ha of virgin jungle and requires dumping of soil waste over another 50 Ha off jungle. And, is not geotechnically stable. When, all along, there was a better alternative. So, the facility is incredibly expensive, environmentally destructive, and it is unstable; constituting its own risks and necessitating high maintenance. The Owner's money has not really been well looked after.
We want to help avoid these scenarios - in order to protect the environment, protect the industry, protect the Owner and minimize risks. We strongly believe that we can make a difference on every project we are involved with.
The value of integrated consideration of all engineering and science disciplines is perhaps no better illustrated than during selection of construction sites or transportation corridor alignments. Anything can be built anywhere - but, what are the issues, and how do they rank? We stand a great chance of achieving the lowest cost and lowest risk solution if we consider these points.
For pipeline alignments, counter-intuitively, at the end of the day pipeline and earthworks cost does not count for as much as they are usually given credit for during design. Nevertheless, they need to be considered. Social issues, environmental impact and land ownership can cost more and impact the schedule more than an early wet season can on the earthworks.
We can help provide broad alignment and site selection criteria, can help harness your team members to develop relevant basis information and can even do the entire study, if required.
Tender Reviews - Predict ground related risks and opportunities during the tender process. For both mining and infrastructure components on the projects. This work can involve document review only, although ideally a visit to the proposed development site should be carried out.
There is usually neither the time nor the budget to carry out a lot of engineering survey during the tender process; and hence experience is used in order to "read the ground" as much as possible in order to provide a basis for identification of risks and opportunities. We have had over 15 years of experience in Indonesia doing exactly that.
Earthworks Design Assistance - Direct involvement drawing on significant experience in both design and construction of earthworks in Indonesia. Making sure things are kept real. Setting and then achieving the balance between conservatism and engineered risk. Ensuring that all basis information is documented and incorporated into the design. We can help get the very most out of your project team or we can provide the entire design service.