Roar - SPC

A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
July - Sep 2011
Think Tank
How the loading and unloading of
petroleum products is done at PST
p2
ANOTHER AWARD IN
THE BAG
p4
DOWN MEMORY
LANE
p8 DANCE AND DINE –
SHANGHAI STYLE
p13
DRIVING
THROUGH FLOODS

A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
Another Award in the Bag
By Sharon Tan, Corporate Communications
Editorial
Courtesy of DP Information Group
The Group held its first Dinner and Dance (D&D) this August. A
happy occasion combined with the Long Service Awards, it was a
night of wining and dining, with plenty of fun thrown in between.
Mrs Patsy Wong, one of this year’s Long Service Award recipients,
is SPC’s longest-serving employee – with an impressive 40 years of
service. In this issue of Roar, we take a look at Mrs Wong’s journey
in SPC.
and be aware of the global economic challenges surrounding us
today. From imminent threats like the downgrade of the US credit
rating to the debt crisis in Europe to the fear of a global recession,
it is clear that we are now operating in challenging times. We
must, therefore, continue to motivate ourselves, work together
as one integrated team to overcome any business and economic
challenges, and seize any value-adding opportunities for the Group.
Mr Xia Hongwei, Managing Director of PCSG, receiving the award from Mr Teo Eng Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of IE.
For the first time ever, PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
(PCSG) received the Fastest Growing 50 (FG50) Award – a distinctive
honour accorded to Singapore’s 50 fastest-growing companies for
2011. Mr Xia Hongwei, the Managing Director of PCSG, was on hand
to receive the award at the ceremony.
Receiving this award shows the industry’s recognition of PCSG’s
efforts of developing and growing the company in Singapore. Since
its inception, PCSG has gradually built up the trading business and
established itself as one of the largest trading houses in the Asia-
Pacific region. Today, the Group has businesses in trading, processing,
marketing and exploration.
The (FG50) Award ranks Singapore’s top 50 companies that have
attained the highest three-year Compounded Annual Growth Rate
(CAGR), and includes all currently ranked Singapore 1000 and SME
1000 companies.
The FG50 Awards ceremony is organised by DP Information Group
(DP Info), with Ernst & Young Solutions LLP; and supported by the
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Infocomm
Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), International Enterprise
Singapore (IE), SPRING Singapore (SPRING), the Singapore Business
Federation (SBF) and The Business Times.
As we express our appreciation to those who have served with the
company for more than five years, we would also like to welcome
our newcomers. Besides learning about the company through the
sharing sessions by the various departments, the new members
of the SPC family also visited Jurong Bulk Plant, Pulau Sebarok
Terminal (PST) and a service station.
Our cover story in this issue sheds some light on what goes on
behind the scenes at PST. While many of our colleagues have some
common knowledge on PST’s operations, we take this opportunity
to share the painstaking tasks that our colleagues stationed at PST
undertake daily.
As mentioned during the D&D, the Group has had a good financial
performance to date. However, it is important for us to also reflect
I am confident that together with our dedication, commitment
and hard work, we will be able to ride through all these difficulties
together and achieve greater performance for our company.
Foo Jang See
Senior Vice President,
Refining, Crude Supply Trading & Operations
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
Down Memory Lane
By Sharon Tan, Corporate Communications
The date 1 September 1971 is special to Mrs Patsy Wong as it marked
her first day of work at SPC. Forty years later and now ready for her
retirement, she is SPC’s longest-serving employee. In her words, “I
have given my entire youth, as well as my loyal and dedicated services
to one company for four decades – which is indeed a very long time!”
Since her initial days with SPC, Mrs Wong had indeed gone through
a lot with the company as its secretary, and enjoyed a very fulfilling
career. She even moved with the company for a total of four times
(imagine all that packing and unpacking)! Throughout her four decades
in SPC, she supported five out of the company’s seven CEOs.
been lunch partners for a staggering 34 years
– and have gone from being mere colleagues
to lifelong friends.
Mrs Wong retired on 15 September 2011
– and it is now time for her to savour the
next phase of life. Besides minding the
domestic homefront (she has been jokingly
nominated the “Minister of Home Affairs” by Mr Wong),
Mrs Wong is also looking forward to catching up with her personal interests
and doing some travelling.
Thanks for your 26 years (including
15 years during my tenure as CEO) of
loyal and dedicated service in SPC! It has
been a wonderful and happy experience
working with you. May you enjoy
happiness and good health in your welldeserved
retirement!
- Mr Cheng Hong Kok, SPC CEO,
1981 to 1996
Mrs Wong and her husband Mr Darrell Wong
– then and now.
Mrs Wong
with her best
friend in SPC,
Mrs Lisa Tan.
In fact, she was able to witness the many corporate structural
changes, and the comings and goings of top-ranking leaders at SPC.
She also weathered the storms with SPC – going through times when
the company faced many challenges and struggles during the downcycle
periods in the petroleum industry.
Mrs Wong shared that her most memorable moment during her tenure
was the SPC bowling tournament at Jackie’s Bowl in Orchard. Everyone
was bowling when an announcement was made over the bowling
centre’s announcement system to inform former CEO and now Senior
Advisor, Mr Koh Ban Heng to go to the hospital, as Mr Koh’s wife was
about to give birth to their first-born child very soon. Everyone erupted
into cheers and applause upon hearing the happy news.
Needless to say, to have worked in the same company for 40 years
is no easy feat. When asked if she had any advice for her colleagues,
Mrs Wong encouraged all to continue to work hard, work smart, and
get along with your superiors and colleagues.
Given that Mrs Wong had worked in SPC since her youth, it came as
no surprise that she met her husband, Mr Darrell Wong, in SPC too.
Mr Wong was then an Internal Auditor with SPC from 1973 to 1975.
Now, the couple has two grown-up children, and can both enjoy their
golden years.
Besides finding love in SPC, Mrs Wong has also found a best friend
in Mrs Lisa Tan from the marketing department. Both of them have
Patsy is a very reliable and
efficient secretary who works well
with staff of all levels. I wish her
a very happy retirement and good
health. Patsy, my very best wishes
to you and your family with the
Lord’s blessings.
- Mr Koh Ban Heng, Senior
Advisor, SPC CEO, 2003 to 2011
Mrs Patsy Wong receiving her Long Service Awards through the years.
It is truly remarkable that you have spent
your entire career with one company, and that
your tenure spanned four decades. You were
there during SPC’s humble beginnings, and
remained to see it grow to what it is today.
My association with you was the shortest
among the CEOs that you’ve worked with.
Nevertheless, without you I would have been
totally lost. Those small measures of progress
we achieved would have been impossible
without your help. I have occasionally
remarked afterwards, that a certain individual
in Singapore has set the highest standard of
professionalism and courtesy in his or her
field. That individual was none other than you.
Now, I hope you’ll enter a different phase of
your life with the enthusiasm that you have
always been known for.
- Mr Thomas Shiah, SPC CEO, 1996 to 1997
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
How the loading and
unloading of petroleum
products is done at PST
By Sharon Tan, Corporate Communications
While many of us have common knowledge of the operations at Pulau
Sebarok Terminal (PST), SPC’s offshore oil storage terminal, we may not
know the processes that our colleagues go through to load or unload oil
from tankers and barges. With guidance from the PST crew, I made a trip
to PST during a discharge operation to find out more. Each shift at PST
consists of three staff – a supervisor and two technicians, and outsourced
mooring crew. During his shift, each technician is based either at the jetties
or tank farm.
What happens in the control room
The duty supervisor in the control room is the main liaison point for the
vessels, surveyors and vessel agents. His duties are as follows:
a) Lining up the terminal system for receiving cargo
b) Liaising with the cargo officer on the progressive quantity of oil received,
as well as the unloading rate and manifold pressure
c) Preparing all official documents such as Bill of Lading, Certificate of
Quantity, Cargo Manifest, Certificate of Origin and operations time sheet
d) Liaising with the vessel agent for the arranging of the PSA pilot and tug
boats for the berthing and un-berthing of the vessel
Berthing the tanker at PST jetty
The tanker’s size makes it hard to berth at a jetty. During berthing, the
tanker is controlled through helm movements and tug assistance. Two
PSA tugboats help by pushing the tanker in the right direction where
necessary. The berthing and un-berthing maneuvers require knowledge and
skills among the tanker crew, PST technicians and PSA pilot – and great
teamwork with rope-runners and the mooring party.
Securing the tanker
• This requires coordination between the mooring crew and the tanker
crew. From berthing to fully securing the vessel, this whole process may
take up to one hour.
• The bowline and sternline prevent the tanker from going forward and
backward, while the springline and breastline stop the tanker from
moving outwards.
• The cables and ropes from the tanker are pulled ashore using a capstan
(Picture 3), a vertical-axled machine, which rotates and pulls the cables
– so that the crew can hook it to the mooring bollard.
Picture 2: The different
mooring lines that control the
movement of the vessel.
Picture 1: A diagram showing
the terminology of the different
cables and ropes.
Picture 3: The
capstan makes
work easier, as it
rotates and pulls
the cables and
ropes. Workers are
spared the arduous
task of manually
pulling the ropes
themselves.
Conducting operational meeting and safety checks
• The PST technician will go onboard the tanker to conduct these
operational and safety checks:
- Checking the availability of fire hoses and emergency-towing ropes.
- Ensuring that any unused manifolds are securely blinded off (refer to
Picture 4).
- Making sure that the scuppers (an opening at deck level that allows
ocean or rainwater drain off) are plugged (Picture 5). This ensures that
any oil spill will be contained onboard.
- Inspecting the cleanliness of the main deck – with no oil spills and
that emergency-escape routes are not obstructed.
- Conducting pre-discharge meetings with the vessel cargo officer and
other officers to complete the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist.
Taking of oil samples
A surveyor will go onboard the tanker with the PST technician to take
samples of the oil from all the cargo tanks using a zone sampler (refer
to Picture 6). A laboratory report will be generated to determine the
adherence to the contracted fuel-quality specification. These samples will
be kept for three months before being disposed. In the event any dispute
should arise, these samples would be required for testing and verification.
After three months, the samples will be poured back into the PST fuel oil
storage tanks.
Picture 6: A zone sampler is used to draw oil samples from the cargo
tank at the upper, middle and lower levels of the oil.
Determining the oil quantity in the ship cargo tanks
• Another surveyor will also be onboard to measure the oil level in the
cargo tanks, using a gauging tape to record the oil temperature (Picture
7). When lowered, the gauge will extend downward into the tank. Once
the gauging tape reaches the oil, it will emit a constant beeping sound.
• The gauging tape measures the distance from a reference point at the
deck to the point where it first reaches the oil. This measurement is
recorded, after which the surveyor will use it to read off from the tank
calibration table and determine the quantity of oil in the cargo tanks.
The measurements (also known as the “tank dip”) and temperature are
recorded for all cargo tanks on the tanker.
• To detect the presence of free water, the gauging tape is extended to the
bottom of the cargo tank. An erratic beeping sound will be heard if free
water is detected.
• The PST technician will have to be present to bear witness to this
process. The measured quantity of oil is then compared against the
quantity indicated in the load port’s Bill of Lading.
The start of unloading
The mooring crew and the ship crew will connect the loading arms at the PST
jetty to the ship manifold. As the size of the manifold and the loading arm
may be different, a reducer will be fitted onto the manifold to accommodate
the size difference (Picture 8).
Once the pre-discharge meeting is conducted, and the sampling, checking
and paperwork processes are completed, the vessel can then commence
to unload the oil into the storage tanks at PST. The time taken to unload
the vessel depends on the oil quantity and the pumping rate of the vessel.
Picture 8: Loading arms at PST connecting to the manifolds
on the vessel.
During unloading
While unloading is in progress, the PST technician and ship crew will
regularly monitor the mooring ropes, and will tighten or loosen them
according to the changes in tidal conditions and the vessel freeboard.
The technician will also regularly check critical areas (such as the
seafront and jetty area) for any possible leakages and spillages. After
unloading, the surveyor and PST technician will check the tanker’s cargo
tanks to ensure that they are empty (for full discharge) or do a tank dip
(for partial discharge) before retrieving the loading arms and releasing
the vessel. The processes of loading oil from PST to a vessel are similar,
though some above-mentioned processes are carried out only after the
vessel is loaded.
At the tank farm
The duties of the technician at the tank farm include measuring the level
and temperature of the oil tanks, taking oil samples with the surveyor
before and after the vessel unloads, and draining water from the oil tank
if necessary.
The transfer of oil from vessel to terminal (and vice versa) is by no means
an easy task. As the terminal deals with highly flammable products,
taking precaution against fires and explosions, as well as the safety of
all personnel working at the terminal, are of the utmost importance at
all times. This has been an enlightening trip for me.
• About four shackles of cable are used for each mooring point. It is also
preferable (depending on length of the tanker), to achieve a reasonable
spread between the mooring points. These cables and ropes – bowline,
springline, breastline and sternline (Pictures 1 and 2) – then help to
control the movement of the vessel.
Picture 4: Unused manifolds should
be securely blinded off.
Picture 5: Scuppers are
plugged to prevent any oil spill
into the sea.
Picture 7: The gauging tape
measures the distance from a
reference point on the deck to
the point where it first reaches
the oil.
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
Dance and Dine – Shanghai Style
By Jolyn Chong, Human Resource
The members of the Recreational Committee who organised the D&D.
12 August 2011 was a day that many of my colleagues had been
looking forward to. On that day, more than 200 employees
from PCSG and SPC, along with their partners, attended the
first-ever combined Dinner & Dance (D&D) at Pan Pacific
Hotel Singapore. Many employees arrived in style, dressing
themselves up to the theme of “Shanghai Royale Night”.
The early birds were entertained by a multitude of pre-dinner
activities. Many colleagues were seen holding their own
caricatures, paper fans with Chinese calligraphy and photo
cards that had been customised to the theme.
The evening kicked off officially when the Managing Director of PCSG, Mr Xia Hongwei,
gave a welcome speech. Mr Xia took the opportunity to share the company’s financial
results for the first half of the year, and its plans for the future. He also cautioned all of
the recent global economic challenges, urging everyone to work together to ride through
difficulties and achieve a greater performance for the company.
For the first time ever, the Long Service Award (LSA) ceremony was held together with D&D. A total
of 31 LSA recipients received their awards from Mr Xia and Executive Vice President, Mr Adam Xiong.
One such award recipient is Mrs Patsy Wong. With an impressive 40 years of service, Mrs Wong is the
longest-serving employee in the Singapore office. Read more about her on page 4.
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
The D&D was filled with many games and laughter – with the
emcee entertaining everyone present with his jokes and vocal
prowess. In fact, he even managed to engage the employees
both onstage and offstage with games and a mass dance.
Finally, the night was rounded off by the lucky draw that many
were waiting for. It was indeed a memorable evening, and one
where all the staff members thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We would like to extend our thanks to the members of the
Recreational Committee for this well-organised and enjoyable
event, which would not be possible without their hard work
and effort. Here’s to the next one!
The recipients of the Long Service Awards
40YEARS
35YEARS
Orientation
Programme
2011 – A Warm
Welcome
By Gan Dong Lee, Human Resource
Presentations
at level 26’s
conference
room.
For four mornings from 13 to 16 September, 38 new
employees from PCSG, SPC and COSG attended an
Orientation Programme.
Lucky winners are presented with their prizes
20YEARS
The programme is designed to help newcomers gain
an understanding and appreciation of the company’s
various business and service functions – and to meet
leaders from the respective business units.
During the programme, presenters from the
departments like Refining, Crude Supply Trading
& Operations, Products Trading, Exploration &
Production, Chemical & Special Products and
Marketing shared insights on their operations and
management structures. The new employees were
also taken through the specific service roles of
departments such as Health Safety & Environment,
Human Resource, Risk, Legal, Finance and IT.
Managing Director/Chairman & President,
Mr Xia Hongwei with new employees.
Learning about operations at
Jurong East Service Station.
15YEARS
10YEARS
In addition to the presentations, the group went on
site visits to Jurong East Service Station, Jurong Bulk
Plant and Pulau Sebarok Terminal (PST) to get firsthand
experience of the operations in these facilities,
and meet the colleagues stationed in these off-site
offices. During the visit to PST, the group even had
their first encounter with fire-fighting training.
The site visit to Pulau Sebarok
Terminal.
5YEARS
We would like to take this chance to thank all the
presenters and off-site hosts for taking time off their
busy schedules to orientate our new employees. Let
us all extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues!
Going through the drills of fire fighting.
Sharing a light moment at PST.
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
The SPC-MH
team with the
land owners of
Bantuas Village,
at Palaran
District Office.
Driving Through Floods
By Kevin Siak, Marketing
The SPC-MH team with the land owners at Sambutan Sub District Office.
The proposed plan to drill two onshore commitment wells at Samarinda
by SPC Mahakam Hilir Pte. Ltd. (SPC-MH) is going ahead on schedule.
As the preparation for the drilling continues, SPC-MH has successfully
acquired land to construct two well-pads, and access roads for the Naga
Utara and Naga Selatan wells.
The acquired lands are located at Bantuas and Sambutan villages at
Samarinda City in East Kalimantan. Residents had agreed to receive
compensation in return for releasing some parts of their land to SPC-
MH. Instead of taking the planned four months, the SPC land acquisition
team was able to complete the acquisition in three months. Hence, SPC-
MH would like to thank all parties for their assistance in this project –
The Next Phase
of Oil & Gas
Exploration in
Indonesia
By Soekoesen Soemarinda, SPC Mahakam Hilir Pte. Ltd.
especially SPC management from Jakarta and Singapore, the Bantuas
and Sambutan neighbourhoods’ Chairman, Lurah (the urban village head),
Camat (the sub-district head) and the land owners.
The compensation documentation and releasing of property rights for the
Bantuas and Sambutan villages were completed on 23 and 24 August
2011 respectively.
Throughout the project, SPC-MH had also embarked on different
programmes – such as the building of facilities in the affected villages,
which it believes will benefit the local citizens. It also continues to
cooperate with all parties to ensure a successful drilling project.
Flash floods have been occurring in Singapore recently. What
may appear as a heavy downpour can suddenly turn into a
flash flood that catches many people by surprise. As with
all driving emergencies, prevention is better than cure. In
such situations, listening to the radio for the latest flooding
announcements and avoiding these affected areas can help
you avert the situation. But what do you do if you are caught
in a flash flood?
The first thing to remember is: if you can help it, do not
drive through flooded areas – even if it looks shallow
enough to cross. Instead, seek alternative routes. Here
are the reasons why you shouldn’t:
1
About
2
About
3
About
4
Roads
5
Dislodged
6
Floodwaters
15cm of water will reach the bottom of
most passenger cars, causing a loss of vehicle
control and possible stalling.
30cm of water will cause many vehicles
to float away.
60cm of gushing water can carry away most
vehicles – including SUVs and MPVs.
under severe flooding may weaken and
give way under the weight of the vehicle.
objects such as pieces of the kerb,
tree stumps or other flood debris can smash into,
damage and immobilise your car.
can cover concealed potholes,
which you may run a risk of getting stuck into
during the flood.
In the unlikely event that you encounter floodwaters
and have to drive through it, consider the following:
1
Drive
2
Do
3
If
4
5
If
6
If
on the centre of the road. The water level would be the lowest in the
middle, as the edges of the road slope on both sides to drain off water.
your best to estimate the height of the floodwaters by observing the
road signs and kerbs. Stop driving if the water reaches 15cm, when the
water level is higher than the centre of your tyre, or if it reaches up to the
exhaust pipe.
you are driving through floodwaters, drive slowly in low gear. This is to
keep the engine speed (rpm) high so that water is not sucked back into the
exhaust. People who drive manual cars should shift into the lowest gear
and go through the water gently, and at a constant speed. Those who drive
automatic cars should shift into “L” mode or mode “1”.
If possible, follow the path of the car in front.
an approaching vehicle is driving quickly towards you, slow down and
turn slightly away to deflect the waves from hitting your car directly. The
waves created by the other vehicle may enter your vehicle’s air intake at
the front, hence “drowning” your engine.
your car stalls in floodwaters, this means water has most likely entered
its engine compartment. Try not to restart the car, as it could cause further
damage to the engine. Get out of the vehicle and go to higher ground.
If you are able to drive out of the flood, the first thing you should do is to dry
your brakes by using your foot to lightly pump the brakes while driving slowly.
This dries the brake pads, thus ensuring braking efficiency.
As part of your regular maintenance routine, do keep your tyres properly inflated,
and your lights and wipers in good working condition at all times for a safe drive.
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A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Jul - Sep 2011
Bollywood
Veggies
HSE Quiz
Award
Winners
In conjunction with HQ’s Safety Month in June, our HSE team conducted a HSE Quiz. Winners of the
quiz were presented with petrol vouchers by Executive Vice President, Mr Adam Xiong.
This year’s Green Day
was held at Bollywood
Veggies on 9 July, Saturday.
Colleagues attended the
Green Day with their family
members, and were treated
to a tour of the farm, many
games and good food.
Food
Distribution
As part of the corporate
volunteer programme,
some colleagues
joined in the packing
and distribution of
food bags for the
needy at the Redhill
area. The Corporate
Communications team
will continue to look at
more opportunities for
such volunteer activities.
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Editorial:
Corporate Communications
Contributors in this issue:
Sharon Tan, Corporate Communications
Jolyn Chong, Human Resource
Gan Dong Lee, Human Resource
Kevin Siak, Marketing
Soekoesen Soemarinda, SPC Mahakam Hilir Pte. Ltd.
PetroChina International (S) Pte. Ltd.
Singapore Petroleum Company Limited
One Temasek Avenue #27-00, Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192
Tel : 6276 6006, Fax : 6275 6006
www.spc.com.sg
MICA (P) 038/09/2011 Co. Reg No: 196900291N
This publication is printed on paper that is friendly to the environment.