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GTL project boasts impressive use and safety figures

SAFE OPERATIONS Oryx GTL recorded about 16-million work hours without a lost-time incident

ORYX GAS-TO-LIQUIDS PLANT The project invests in training, coaching and working with employees

24th October 2014

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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The use rate of the flagship Oryx gas-to-liquids (GTL) project – the joint venture (JV) between South African energy and chemicals group Sasol and Qatari State-owned Qatar Petroleum – increased from 81% to 97% over the past three years.

Speaking at the group’s year-end financial results last month, Sasol acting CFO Paul Victor also noted that the Oryx GTL project, located in the Ras Laffan industrial city, in Qatar, recorded a zero total recordable incident rate (TRIR) over the past three years.

To celebrate the second zero TRIR year, the company held an event for all its employees and contractors at the Qatar National Convention Centre, in Doha, in September 2013.

Energy and Industry Minister and Oryx GTL board of directors chairperson Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada highlighted during the event that achieving zero TRIR confirmed Oryx GTL’s “position as one of the world’s safest energy companies, which is committed to safety, high sustainability standards and environmental responsibility”.

Further, he congratulated Oryx GTL for achieving about 16-million work hours without a lost-time incident.

“Safety is a valuable attribute and a core constituent of our business. It is also an organisational commitment that is aligned with the holistic vision pursued by government under the leadership of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani,” said Al-Sada.

He explained that Qatar’s National Develop-ment Strategy stipulated that Qatar workers should feel safe and secure while in the workplace. The strategy also called for the protection of employees from potential work-induced diseases, injury or death, and for initiatives to deal with the dangers associated with risky jobs.

Further, Al-Sada highlighted that Qatar's commitment to the environment, health and safety was also reflected in the Qatar National Vision 2030, which encourages responsible economic development in a way that preserves the natural environment for future generations.

“With this objective in mind, we must never become complacent when it comes to safety. We should always aim for higher standards to ensure the safety and security of not only our employees but also . . . all contractors, visitors and the communities in which we live and operate.”
Moreover, Al-Sada stressed that “the job is never done” with regard to safety. “Reaching a remarkable safety record, such as the one achieved by Oryx GTL, means that there are other challenges ahead which need to be met.”
Oryx GTL CEO Abdulrahman Al Suwaidi pointed out that the company was proving its commitment to going beyond ensuring no harm occurred in the workplace by inculcating a culture of safety and security in the broader communities in which it operates.

“This requires us to do our best to create such a culture in the minds of our employees and to make them spread this culture outside work to [ensure] an accident-free society,” he added.
Moreover, Al Suwaidi pointed out that Oryx GTL invested extensive hours in training, coaching and working with its employees and contractors to ensure safer working practices and working environments to help embed its safety culture and philosophy of ‘Safety is our way of life’.

“This is part of an organisationwide, zero-compromise approach to safety,” he said.

Al Suwaidi further explained that the road to zero harm was a formal system integrated into every aspect of the business, helping to define and employ best practices to manage health and safety matters.

Additionally, Oryx GTL board director Lean Strauss said at the year-end results presentation that the company was proud of the production achievements and safety record of its JV project, adding that the project served as a model for modern GTL projects worldwide.

He highlighted that Oryx GTL valued incorporated sustainable development, a concept based on a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement in a manner that resulted in zero harm.

The zero TRIR celebration featured several brainstorming contests on health and safety matters, with winners receiving awards.

The celebration also featured an awards ceremony during which all the contributions of contracting company representatives to the Oryx GTL project’s overall operational performances were acknowledged by Al Suwaidi.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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