Rebel Testing - Oil Field Services in the Greater Rocky Mountain Region

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The activities involved in Blow Out Prevention and well control are:

Potential Hazard:

Receiving injuries caused by loss of well control.

Possible Solutions:
Appropriate training for tasks performed. Example topics include the following:

Causes of kicks, including detection
Pressure concepts and calculations
Well control procedures
Gas characteristics and behavior
Fluids
Constant bottom hole pressure well control methods
Well control equipment
Regulatory information

Use of appropriate well control equipment including:

Specification
Installation
Maintenance

International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Ensures that well control training schools adhere to a core curriculum developed by industry.

If the mud level increases, it may be a sign that a kick is in progress. On some rigs there is a mud float level gage that will sound off with an automatic alarm if the mud exceeds a pre-specified level.

Potential Hazard:

Loss of well control (blowout)

Possible Solutions:

Keep the mud circulating system in good working order
Check and maintain the properties of the drilling fluid, including proper pit level periodically
Properly train crew in monitoring and well control procedures.
Maintain a properly functioning surface control system.

Blow Out Prevention drills and training sessions must be conducted at least once each week for each crew. These drills may be performed in conjunction with the operational readiness tests and must provide training for each member of the crew to ensure safety at all times.

1. A clear understanding of the purpose and the method of operation of each preventer and all associated equipment.

2. The ability to recognize the warning signs that accompany a kick. If the proposed work involves any slim hole operations, the crew must be alerted to the fact that the warning signs of a kick can develop very rapidly during slim hole operations because of the reduced volume of the annulus. The crew must be continuously alert to any kick signs such as changes in pit volume or hole-fluid flow rate, changes in the physical properties of the hole fluid, and unexplained changes in the drilling rate and/or the pump pressure.

3. A clear understanding of each crew member’s station and duties in the event of a kick while drilling, while tripping pipe, while drill collars are in the preventers, and while out of the hole.

4. A clear understanding of the maximum allowable casing pressure (MACP) and the significance of the pressure for well conditions that exist at the time of the drill or training session.

5. A record of all inspections, tests, crew drills, and training sessions is kept in the daily logs.