DRILLBITS – December 2015
This Month’s Articles
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IADC responds to U.S. Senate Hearing on BSEE Well Control Rule, Arctic Rule; urges further collaboration
On 1 December, IADC issued a press statement in response to the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on both the BSEE well control rule and the Arctic rule.
“At IADC, we welcome any opportunity to work collaboratively and constructively with BSEE and Director Salerno, as we believe in the need for better, more efficient regulation. That is regulation that is fair, fit for purpose, practically implementable and affordable for our industry. That is why we, along with our industry partners, have requested more collaboration with BSEE to ensure that this rule does result in the safety improvements intended, because as currently drafted, the rule could result in unintended consequences which lead to less safe drilling. These issues can be addressed and we hope BSEE will make the changes needed,” said Elizabeth Craddock, IADC Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs. “In addition, IADC appreciates Director Salerno’s comments that drilling in the Arctic can be done safely. As the agency moves forward with the final version of the Arctic rule, IADC encourages BSEE to put forth a rule that enables Arctic development.”
“Oil and gas will continue to fuel our economy and the world’s economy for decades to come. IADC’s mission is to partner with regulators to craft common sense regulations that protect workers and the environment, while also enabling robust development offshore. These goals are not mutually exclusive.”
“IADC thanks Senator Murkowski for holding the hearing and Senators Cassidy (LA), Gardner (CO), Barrasso (WY) and Hoeven (ND) for their participation and support of safe offshore drilling.”
IADC praises House Energy Bill vote
On 3 December, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 which includes amendments adopted to lift the ban on crude oil exports and streamline the LNG permits approval process. The energy package was passed by a vote of 249 to 174. The bipartisan amendments will bolster growth for domestically produced oil and natural gas, which will in turn facilitate job creation. In response, IADC issued a press statement with the following comments:
“IADC thanks the members of the U.S. House for their vote in passing a comprehensive energy measure and urges both chambers to come together in sending an energy bill to the President that facilitates robust energy exploration and production which will bolster employment and provide much needed fuel for our economy,” said Elizabeth Craddock, IADC Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs. “The U.S. needs energy legislation that will enable us to help our allies. The U.S. energy renaissance is not only a game changer for U.S. consumers and domestic manufacturing, but also has geopolitical ramifications. We should not back away from the progress that has been made to ensure our country and allies are energy secure.”
Danielle Blacquiere joins IADC Conference Team
Danielle Blacquiere recently joined IADC’s Conference Team as Conference Coordinator, Eastern Hemisphere.
In her position, she will assist the Eastern Hemisphere Conference Department with IADC events and will provide general support for IADC conference activities in Europe.
Ms Blacquiere has a degree in International Event, Music and Entertainment Studies from the Communications Institute in Tilburg, The Netherlands. She is fluent in Spanish, German, English and Dutch. She can be reached at her IADC email address, Danielle.Blacquiere@iadc.org.
API revision of RP 54 underway
API is currently in the process of revising Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations (RP 54). The RP includes procedures for promotion and maintenance of safe working conditions for employees engaged in rotary drilling operations and well servicing operations, including special services. It applies to rotary drilling rigs, well servicing rigs and special services as they relate to operations on locations.
The meetings are open and participation by IADC onshore contractor members is encouraged. OSHA attends the meetings, viewing the revision as both a future reference document and a major endeavor for industry.
For information about upcoming meetings, please contact Roland Goodman at goodmanr@api.org.
IADC Supply Chain Committee develops suite of supplier metrics
In an effort to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with suppliers, the IADC Supply Chain Committee has created a suite of standard supplier metrics and a scorecard template to align expectations and promote performance improvement throughout the entire procurement to pay process in the drilling industry.
The supplier metrics were evaluated both on the impact to the supply chain process as well as the measurability by both suppliers and drilling contractors. They include:
1) On-time delivery
2) Price variance
3) Lead time management
4) Percentage of overage, shortage, & damaged deliveries
5) Invoice accuracy
6) Qualitative survey
Using the IADC Supply Chain Committee scorecard, drilling contractors are able to input data collected from the metrics, helping to promote consistency on the measurement of key performance indicators by both drilling contractors and suppliers.
Any and all data collected from these metrics is strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than each drilling contractor and its suppliers. The metrics and the scorecard template were developed by the IADC Supply Chain Committee to assist drilling contractors and suppliers in performance improvement discussions.
The metrics document and scorecard can be accessed via the IADC website.
IADC attends STEPS of PA meeting
On 9 December, representatives from IADC attended the STEPS of PA meeting. The Pennsylvania chapter is one of 22 chapters of the National STEPS Network, which is an HSE-driven network whose goal is to share lessons learned.
The meeting was held in State College, Pennsylvania, with approximately 100 members of the STEPS of PA organization in attendance. Mark Denkowski was invited to present on IADC’s WellSharp well control training and assessment program and the Gateway™ program.
The goal for each of the STEPS Chapters is to align with local OSHA personnel to form a closer working relationship between industry and OSHA. OSHA personnel regularly attend chapter meetings across the country to present regulatory updates and give general policy guidance.
Representatives from IADC will return to Pennsylvania to co-sponsor the 27 January meeting in State College. Visit the STEPS of PA website for more information about upcoming meetings.
Drilling Engineers announce 2016 Tech Forum schedule
The IADC Drilling Engineers Committee has announced its schedule of Technology Forums for 2016. The topics, schedule and confirmed locations are:
— Q1: “Data Acquisition and Cybersecurity”, 9 March. Host/location TBD;
— Q2: “Well Life Cycle Design”, 8 June. Host: Weatherford, 11909 Spencer Road, Houston, TX 77041;
— Q3: “Barriers in Well Control”, 7 September. Host: ABS, 15011 Katy Freeway, Ste 100, Houston, TX 77094;
— Q4: ”Innovations in Drilling Safety”, 9 November. Host/location TBD.
DEC encourages submission of abstracts for the forums. Send your ideas to Leslie.Packard@iadc.org or mike.Killalea@iadc.org.
Presentations have been posted from the Q4 2015 Technology Forum, graciously sponsored by GE Oil & Gas. These are available at http://dev2.iadc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/11-November-2015-DEC-Technology-Forum-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
IADC continues to advocate for clarifications to Texas Statewide Rule 13
IADC staff and a select team of contractor technical experts from Independence Contract Drilling, Patterson UTI and Precision Drilling have continued to meet with Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) representatives in an ongoing effort to clarify certain provisions of TRRC Statewide Rule 13.
Statewide Rule 13 is related to well control equipment used by onshore drilling rigs operating in the State of Texas.
The most recent deliberations were completed in early December, with the TRRC agreeing to further examine clarifications applicable for onshore contractor compliance. If accepted, the clarifications are estimated to be posted to the TRRC website Rule 13 FAQ page in early 2016, with a similar posting in IADC media and publications.
Drilling Engineers Committee honors Ben Bloys
Ben Bloys (left), longtime Chairman of the IADC Drilling Engineers Committee and its predecessor the Drilling Engineering Association (DEA), is honored with a plaque presented by Keith Lynch of ConocoPhillips, Mr Bloys’ s successor to the DEC chair. Mr Bloys is a seasoned drilling engineer and serves as Chevron’s Manager of the Chevron-Los Alamos Technology Alliance. Mr Bloys was instrumental in reinventing DEA as the DEC and bringing it fully into IADC. He said that he intends to continue to participate in the DEC.
Accreditation Updates
RigPASS
Competence