In photo, Installation Manager Dingdong Altarejos on-site at MOGP
Over 8 million safe man-hours achieved while powering the Philippines
Since the start of its operations in 2001, the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project has been hailed as one of the most important energy projects in the Philippines. Last September, the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant (MOGP) achieved its 19th year of Goal Zero performance—an impressive feat that is equivalent to 8 million safe man-hours. Achieving Goal Zero entails causing no harm and no leaks across its operations. This means there have been no recordable incidents across personal safety and process safety, two of the key areas which pose the highest risks for the type of activities in the oil and gas industry.
Pioneering the natural gas industry in the Philippines, Malampaya paved the way for a sustainable and secure energy future for the country. To date, it supplies up to 20% of the Philippines’ electricity requirements using indigenous resources, which has since reduced the need for imported oil. Goal Zero has made these accomplishments possible.
“‘Goal Zero’ is the heart and DNA of our operations at Shell,” said Dingdong Altarejos, Shell’s MOGP Installation Manager. “Whether we’re working with customers or on the field, we always think about how to avoid making a negative impact on communities. Though it’s unavoidable that we use up resources from the environment, there is a way to do it responsibly—and that’s what we strive for here at Malampaya.”
Goal Zero is the company’s commitment to causing no harm to people and the environment, with strict control and monitoring of gas leaks across all aspects of their operations. But beyond its operational targets and objectives, ‘Goal Zero’ is a mindset and lifestyle that is ingrained in the work culture across Shell’s workforce — from regular staff and contractors to technical and non-technical crew.
“The greatest challenge when working in gas plants is that you will be faced with situations you can’t fully control. Malampaya has a big responsibility to keep gas flowing on a daily basis, and so there are various components, equipment, and teams that need to work perfectly together,” explained Altarejos. “With ‘Goal Zero,’ there has to be a solid system in place so that we can monitor all moving parts and coordinate our efforts.” He also cited the importance of having meticulous processes for detecting emissions and leaks, as well as documenting every incident to determine areas of improvement.
He admitted, “Shell’s history isn’t perfect, but what sets our safety and sustainability standards apart from other companies is our willingness to learn from past mistakes. We are also open to trying and investing in new technologies. And most of all, we invest in like-minded people who are able to take this safety mindset wherever they go.”
‘Goal Zero’ may require tremendous effort, but it is made sustainable by an organization that is strongly committed to its vision. The groundwork has been laid immensely, and our team now can only hope to pass on the baton,” Altarejos continued. “This success isn’t an overnight thing. We need to continue to nurture it. Hazards evolve, but the vigilance, passion, and commitment must remain. We are already looking forward to the next years of achieving ‘Goal Zero.’”
