OREANDA-NEWS. November 14, 2008. Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V (KPO) jointly with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MES) hosted the 1st Asset Integrity and Industrial Safety Conference in Aksai, reported the press-centre of KPO.

Representatives of the State Control Committee for Emergency Situations and Industrial Safety of RK MES, international oil companies, national technical institutes and KPO, gathered together to embrace many challenges around safe operations at hazardous industrial facilities of the oil and gas industry.

Opening the Conference, KPO General Director Roger Fox said: “We are very proud that KPO hosts this Conference and work closely with the RK MES in further advancing our oil and gas as well as other sector’s performance in the field of asset integrity and industrial safety”.

“In developing and operating such a technically complex field, safety is a crucial success factor. Our good track record in safety derives from an intense and exhaustive ongoing safety campaign, which involves all the organisation, significant investments, forethought and dedication of our staff”.

The recent successful completion of the world largest single shutdown this year demonstrates that KPO is working in the right direction. All shutdown work scope was completed without any injury, any adverse impact on the environment and ahead of the agreed timescale.

Commenting on success of KPO in HSE performance, Roger Fox noted: “Two main drivers to our safety performance are attention to the human factor and adoption of a Risk management approach to Asset Integrity in strict conformance with international best practice”.

Already this year KPO has provided safety training courses to almost 24,000 people among staff and contractors who support the Venture’s operations. In the last three years KPO has trained a total of more than 60,000 people. This has not only contributed to KPO’s own safety performance but also has enhanced a broader safety culture in the neighboring environment.

In presentation on Current Status of Industrial Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry, Deputy Chairman of the RK State Control Committee for Emergency Situations and Industrial Safety, Victor Vesnin said: ”This 1st Conference is a very important event, which will contribute to better understanding between RK Government and oil companies in safety issues. The tradition of holding such a conference should be continued”.

During 2-days Conference the delegates have discussed such issues as industrial safety legislation of Kazakhstan, its problems and solutions, technical issues like corrosion and inter-casing pressure management.

KPO is internationally recognised for its achievements in HSE performance. Just recently, the company won the DuPont Safety Award, being selected from 34 international companies. At the same time, KPO received the international ISO 14000 Certificate for its Environmental Management System. This is an excellent achievement which further supports KPO’s commitment to environmental protection.