DRILLBITS – February 2013
This Month’s Articles
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IADC Drilling Manual update currently under way
The IADC Drilling Manual, the definitive rig operations guide, is being rewritten for the first time in 20 years by a dedicated team of highly respected experts.
The new edition, the twelfth, will include guidelines, operating procedures and maintenance for numerous technologies that have evolved over the past two decades, as well as updates on longstanding equipment.
The 12th edition will be issued in both print and electronic formats, both featuring color graphics. The electronic edition will include video clips and animations of drilling operations and equipment.
Fran Kennedy-Ellis, IADC director publishing initiatives has organized the steering committee for the update.
Contributor Don Hannegan, drilling hazard mitigation technology development at Weatherford remarked, “The IADC Drilling Manual has been a valuable resource for drilling decisionmakers for several decades. IADC has engaged a world-class team of subject matter experts to assist in updating the manual to include current state-of-the art of drilling information.”
Shane Lalumandier, operations engineer, Precision Drilling, and a member of the committee, commented, “Through just a little volunteer work, one can impart their oilfield knowledge in an industry-respected published work such as the IADC Drilling Manual to help counter the effects of the great crew change and bridge knowledge gaps.”
Work is currently under way and subject- matter experts are still needed to contribute in the following areas: Rig Personnel, Tubulars, Casing & Tubing, Drill Collars, Subs and Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, Floating Drilling Operations and Equipment, and Special Problems. Young professionals, domestic, and international contractors are encouraged to participate.
The Steering Committee meeting will meet for lunch on March 6 in Amsterdam in conjunction with the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference. A subsequent Steering Committee meeting will be held on March 12 at IADC’s Houston Headquarters at 10 a.m. CST.
Aramco Services Co., Baker Hughes, Cameron, Caterpillar, Chevron ETC, ConocoPhillips, Derrick Equipment Company, DeWardt & Company, Frank’s Casing, GE Oil & Gas, Halliburton, Hamilton, H&P, Insight, Marathon, National Oilwell Varco, Precision Drilling, Repsol, RES Consultancy, Synergy Fluid Services, Smith Consulting, Topco, Tognum America Inc., Transocean, VAM Drilling, Weatherford International, WireCo World Group, as well as faculty from Texas A&M University, LSU and the University of Texas, have pledged support for the project.
Contact Fran at +1 713-600-1887 or (fran.kennedyellis@iadc.org).
New DOI rule on hydraulic fracturing to mandate disclosure of chemicals
The controversial draft rule to regulate hydraulic fracturing that drew much concern and criticism last May, is currently in the process of being revised by the US Department of the Interior.
The announcement from the Bureau of Land Management, on 18 January, did not detail the exact proposed changes, but did clarify that the new rule will still require disclosure of the chemicals companies inject underground, in addition to stringent standards on properly managing wastewater and ensuring wells do not leak.
Oil and gas groups have previously criticized the rule, noting that it would increase the cost of drilling on public lands, complicate the permitting process and duplicate regulations already overseen by the states.
After the announcement was made, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar held a meeting with major oil and gas industry representatives to discuss federal regulatory issues.
The Bureau of Land Management has sent the proposed changes to the White House for review and will invite public comment in the first quarter of 2013.
For more information, please contact Brian Petty at (brian.petty@iadc.org).
Task group formed to rewrite IADC Deepwater Well Control Guidelines
IADC is launching a rewrite of its landmark IADC Deepwater Well Control Guidelines. Louis Romo, BP, is chairing the task force, assisted by Moe Plaisance, Diamond Offshore Drilling
Inc, who serves as executive advisor. Mr Plaisance chaired the task group that published the original guidelines in 1998, and subsequently led the effort to add in 2002 a supplement on unplanned riser disconnects. The Offshore Operators Committee and Minerals Management Service joined in the effort.
“The refresh of the IADC Deepwater Well Control Guidelines comes at a time in which our Industry is undergoing tremendous change,” remarked Mr Romo, who is BP’s segment engineering technical authority-well control. “As such we are grateful to the many industry leaders who have volunteered their time in order to take on this effort, their labor will be of significance for many years to come.”
Under Mr Romo’s leadership, the task force will update the guidelines to address current technology, equipment, and practices. A kickoff meeting was held on 17 January 2013, in Houston.
The following companies have pledged to support this industry-wide effort to update the Guidelines: Anadarko Petroleum, BP, Chevron ETC, Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.,Ensco, ExxonMobil, Signa Engineering, Noble Drilling Services, Inc., Rowan, Seadrill, Shell, Transocean, and TOTAL, as well as faculty advisors from the University of Texas at Austin and Louisiana State University.
For more information, contact Fran Kennedy-Ellis at (fran.kennedyellis@iadc.org).
IADC and allies fight threat to OCS leasing program posed by environmental activist group
The IADC, along with the API, IPAA and the US Oil & Gas Association, joined together in January to dismiss the Center for a Sustainable Economy’s challenge to the Obama administration’s five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program, arguing that the group does not have standing to bring suit.
The CSE, an environmental advocacy group, argued that the administration based the program on incomplete and flawed economic analysis that ignored key cost-benefit criteria. In particular, the group called attention to ultra deepwater leases, which it contends increases the risk of another catastrophic spill.
The offshore leasing program, initiated in August by the Interior Department, will hold 15 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaskan coastal waters.
In a brief to the DC Circuit, the consortium noted that the CSE doesn’t have any members. The brief also stated, “while CSE may have a heartfelt interest in how the government goes about deciding where to engage in offshore oil and gas leasing, and may disagree vehemently with how that was done in the 2012-2017 leasing program,” ultimately, there is nothing in the program that will hurt the CSE’s ability to pursue its political agenda.
For its part, the Interior Department has said it will make parts of the Gulf and Arctic available for new development while adopting an approach that will simultaneously protect environmentally sensitive areas.
Industry organizations have previously said that the program is too restrictive and cuts off access to oil and gas reserves in West Coast waters and the Atlantic Ocean.
For more information, please contact Brian Petty at +1 202-293-0670 (brian.petty@iadc.org).
IADC’s Tom Terrell to retire
Tom Terrell, IADC senior vice president–corporate development, and chief of staff, will retire on 28 February.
Tom joined IADC in 2005 as senior vice president of business development, bringing with him a wealth of oil and gas industry experience that spans more than 50 years. Prior to joining IADC, he spent 15 years as publisher of Oil and Gas Journal. His years of experience include work in publishing, marketing and business experience with oil companies and service companies.
“I’ve been very familiar with every other not-for-profit oil and gas industry association during my career,” Tom said. “IADC is head and shoulders above the rest. I believe that the member benefits we offer, our involvement in the industry and our forward-thinking stance positions the IADC as the best in the industry.”
“Tom has been my rock over the past year, as he has been to the Association for the past eight years,” noted Stephen Colville, IADC President and CEO. “I have leant heavily upon him and he has been a great teacher and counselor.”
Upon his retirement, Tom has plans to spend time with his children and grandchildren and indulge his love of bird hunting.
Jason McFarland will assume the role of vice president-corporate development and chief of staff, and retain his membership and marketing roles.
Well Servicing Comm seeking new members
The IADC Well Servicing Committee seeks to reenergize its operations, and is seeking volunteers. Recognizing the importance of well servicing operations, IADC established the committee in 2011 to provide a space for members to discuss a wide range of topics, including fracking, wirelines, snubbing, coil tubing and salt water disposal.
“We invite all IADC members whose operations fall under the well-servicing umbrella, regardless of size, to join our quarterly meetings,” remarked committee chairman Roe Patterson, Basic Energy.
The group plans to develop quality initiatives, including training programs, workshops, conferences and the review, revision, and/or submission of industry recommended practices to regulatory bodies such as API and local, state and federal regulators.
For more information, please contact Scott Maddox at ext 423 (scott.maddox@iadc.org).
North Sea Chapter discusses priorities at special meeting
Seventeen members and officers of the North Sea Chapter participated in a special meeting on 22 January in Aberdeen.
Members discussed the future work of the NSC and to establish objectives and priorities. Ahead of the meeting, a survey was taken to identify members’ primary interests and key challenges. Many areas of consensus were addressed and it was clear that the role of the NSC is critical to drilling activity there.
Members discussed the need for dedicated technical support and agreed to suggest individuals qualified to represent the group in important industry initiatives. Suggestions will be reviewed at the Chapter’s next meeting on 26 February.
For more information, please contact Jens Hoffmark (jens.hoffmark@iadc.org).
Environmental Conference to feature presentations by Hon. Willliam K Reilly, Jay Hakes and industry leaders
IADC will host its annual Environmental Conference and Exhibition 8-9 April in New York City.
This year’s conference features presentations from some of the most heralded voices in the industry. Jay Hakes, director of the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, Dan Whittle, Cuba Program Director with the Environmental Defense Fund, Bill McCurdy with Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Lee Hunt, IADC president emeritus and president, Lee Hunt LLC, Erik Milito of API and Heather Null of Transocean Offshore Drilling Inc, will speak on various topics regarding environmental stewardship.
Elizabeth “Libby” Cheney, global vice president of environment, health, safety, and social responsibility for Hess Corporation and Alby Modiano, president, United States Oil and Gas Association will each give keynote presentations.
William K. Reilly, administrator of the environmental protection agency under President George H.W. Bush, and cochair of the national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling will give a featured presentation.
For more information, and to register, please visit www.IADC.org.
IADC to participate in Myanmar trade mission
IADC’s Chit Hlaing and Brian Petty will participate in a US Chamber of Commerce led trade mission to Myanmar on 25 February. US-Myanmar Economic Relations: The Path Forward, will bring together senior business executives and government officials from both countries to identify Myanmar’s economic development priorities and objectives, and explore opportunities for expanding US-Myanmar trade and investment.
For more information, please contact Brian Petty at +1 202-293-0670 (brian.petty@iadc.org).
Safety Alerts
For the latest safety alerts, visit www.iadc.org/safety-alerts
Alert 13-01: Fall from V-door results in near miss
Alert 13-02: Lack of coordination during rig-up leads to injuries
Alert 13-03: Hose whiplash results in fatality
Reminders
Rigs Receive ISP Certificates
For certificates received since last LTI (in years):
New IADC Members
IADC welcomes 57 new members:
DRILLBITS Volume 23, Number 2
David Williams, Chairman • Stephen Colville, President and CEO • Amy Rose, Editor
All listed phone extensions are for IADC’s Houston headquarters,
+1/713-292-1945. Fax +1/713-292-1946.
Send comments/questions to Amy Rose at amy.rose@iadc.org.
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