Laboratory Management Program

The LaMP was implemented to ensure that the analytical testing and services needs of Atlantic Richfield Company on environmental/remediation projects were consistently met. The LaMP provides and assures sources of high quality analytical data for ARC that are legally defensible and minimizes the total cost of ownership.

Analytical samples submitted to LaMP labs come predominantly from environmental testing associated with underground storage tanks at service stations. LaMP benefits, however, extend to regulated discharges from refineries, chemical plants and exploration and production facilities. Site investigations conducted at ARC facilities follow regulatory program requirements and/or voluntary program requirements.

Overview:

The LaMP consists of a network of approved contract laboratories that supply analytical testing services for ARC’s environmental and remediation programs. It was melded over time from the heritage BP, Amoco and ARCO analytical laboratory programs, representing the best practices from each. The LaMP’s goal is to assure sources of high quality analytical environmental data for ARC that have legal standing and minimize the total cost of ownership. Participating ARC units annually purchase over $11MM in environmentally related analytical services, primarily associated with retail service station underground storage tank remedial activities, but also for regulated discharges and waste disposal activities from refineries, chemical plants, pipeline facilities and upstream facilities working under the auspices of various regulatory or voluntary programs. The Remediation Management function, also known as the Atlantic Richfield Company in North America, sponsors the LaMP. Efforts are underway to aggressively market the LaMP concepts, best practices and the laboratory network to all BP business units in the US and abroad.

Key Network Drivers:

Quality – Assure high quality data of legal standing through a comprehensive laboratory Audit program, a blind or double blind Performance Evaluation program, a Data Validation program, and a Field Audit program. Together these four components, in conjunction with ARC Technical Specifications, are designed to monitor, identify and correct any activity related to environmental analyses that impact data quality and ultimately the legal standing of data.

Service – Achieve world class service delivery through establishing and monitoring key performance indicators, such as on-time delivery and sample/analysis turn-around-times, and establishing service level guarantees with each laboratory supplier. A Self Improvement Reporting process (SIR) provides a clearing-house for common service delivery issues and ensures quick and efficient resolution. This service driver also addresses the key interfaces between ARC, the laboratories and the Alliance Suppliers, particularly on communications and technical issues, and promotes the sharing of best practices and program excellence.

Cost – Minimize the total cost of ownership by ensuring industry best pricing and monitor this performance via laboratory cost summary and pricing analyses reports (e.g. by State), competitive contract bidding and renegotiations, ongoing performance and pricing benchmarking studies, establishment of niche laboratories, negotiating win-win agreements, managing new customer requirements, and promoting and using e-technology for data and financial information tracking, storing and sharing.