Sphere No.48 (Jan 2020)

Sphere #48 2020 >> 10 after MIDNIGHT The Duty Controller (DC) is on the job as that demand rises. The engineer ensures compressors (compressing gas to a specified pressure in the pipe) are maintaining pressure at the proper levels so that flow rates are consistent. When demand comes off its peak, the pipe system goes into a recovery mode. Then the DC can maintain flow – or stop it completely so that maintenance teams can swing into action, knowing that the DC has created a predictable, stable environment inside the pipe so they can do their job. Two duty call officers – the Control Room Operations Superintendent and the Head of Control Room Operations – provide back-up. They are in turn backed-up by the Dampier Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline Mainline team at the most critical compressor station, Compressor Station 9, north of Perth, Western Australia’s biggest city. Without the DC team, gas delivery and downstream electricity supply could be imperilled for millions on Australia’s western frontier. Night-time on the deep blue sea Husky Energy Inc is another part of the CK Hutchison Group that has to burn the midnight oil to keep a 24-hour operation going. The margin for error when running a massive gas-producing operation in the middle of the ocean is zero. Whether in the North Atlantic or the South China Sea, safety is the top consideration for workers. There are fewer people working at night and many considerations are taken into account regarding man’s natural inclination to be less attentive – that is, sleepier – at night. Night-time production operators and control room operators carefully monitor equipment to ensure nothing is outside of its operating parameters. Night-time procedures are different in order to keep workers safe. Based on studies on fatigue management, night-time activities see a reduced physical workload. Workers are encouraged to conduct ‘walking around’ type activities as motion keeps people sharp. Staff travel in pairs, using a buddy system to check each other’s work and to watch each other for fatigue. They can call in a replacement if they feel too tired. They also have access to the Central Control Room at all times in case they need to call in an emergency. Buddies are on slightly different schedules to ensure at least one member is ‘adjusted’ to the night shift. When a worker starts their night shift, their buddy will be seven days into the shift and therefore already accustomed to working at night. Special projects can also be undertaken during the less busy period. As Anthony Underwood, Superintendent Deepwater Operations, explains, “Having worked at nights for over 20 years, I used to prefer Without the Duty Controller team, gas delivery and downstream electricity supply could be imperilled for millions on Australia’s Western frontier. The buddy system compensates for late-night drowsiness at Husky Energy’s offshore operations.