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DRILLBITS – February 2019

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Advocacy

IADC Praises Nomination of David Bernhardt to Lead Department of Interior

On 4 February, U.S. President Trump nominated David Bernhardt to become the next Secretary at the Department of Interior. In response, IADC Jason McFarland issued the following statement:

“IADC welcomes the nomination of David Bernhardt to serve as the next Secretary at the Department of Interior. Given his background and depth of knowledge, coupled with his interim leadership at Interior, we believe that Mr. Bernhardt is deeply committed to managing the development of the tremendous natural resources within the U.S., with a focus on ensuring that work is done in a safe and environmentally sound manner. A robust oil and gas industry contributes significantly to the overall economic prowess of the United States, and the actions of the Department are a significant contributor to that economic success. IADC looks forward to working with the Department and the Secretary on a wide variety of issues, and will continue to serve as an educative resource on all matters that affect the U.S. oil and gas industry.”

IADC Advocacy Division Seeking Candidates for Director of Government and Industry Affairs Position

IADC is currently seeking to fill the position of Director – Government and Industry Affairs. The position will report to the IADC Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs and will be responsible for all domestic federal and state regulatory matters impacting the offshore oil and gas industry and will undertake daily review of the U.S. Federal Register to determine appropriate response strategy for all regulatory and standards activities with potential impact on the oil and gas industry. The successful candidate will also liaise with domestic regulatory authorities and trade association representative and other organizations, and serve as a IADC staff liaison to IADC Committees as assigned.

For more information about the position, and to apply, please contact Liz Craddock, IADC Vice President – Government and Industry Affairs by 8 February at liz.craddock@iadc.org


DRILLERSPAC – Political Action Committee (PAC) of IADC

In the 2018 midterm elections, the IADC DRILLERSPAC supported 14 candidates in Senate and Congressional races, with 13 of those winning their races, a 93% success rate. The next election cycle includes key races in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi and Alaska, among others, and IADC will again be supporting candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting energy and the drilling industry.

The DRILLERSPAC was sanctioned by IADC’s Board of Directors to further IADC’s goal of advocacy engagement with federally elected Members of Congress. DRILLERSPAC is not affiliated with any political party. It is organized and conducted on a voluntary, non-partisan basis. DRILLERSPAC is overseen by the PAC Board of Trustees, which is comprised of 10 members – three from offshore companies, three from onshore companies, two from drilling services companies and two IADC employees. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Craddock at Elizabeth.craddock@iadc.org


Washington D.C. Updates

House:

The House has been busy reorganizing under Democratic Control.  Most of the House Committees have been organized at this point, including the House Natural Resources Committee.  The Chairman, Rep. Grijalva, has laid out his priorities for the Committee:  1) Oversight of the Department of Interior and EPA deregulatory decisions; 2) protecting public lands; 3) protecting the Endangered Species Act.  Expect to see hearings on the horizon regarding climate change and its impact to our oceans and public lands. The House passed a NATO Support Act, as well as a Resolution disapproving of the President’s action to remove certain sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Raise Fairness Act.

Senate:

The Senate has been busy processing amendments to S. 1, legislation showing support for Israel and Jordan.  The Senate is expected to pass this legislation and move next to a Public Lands package of bills that will namely reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, among a slew of other legislative matters.   It has been since December 2014 that a Public Lands package has been enacted.  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a roundtable on the Arctic in January, and heard from experts on a variety of topics, including the lack of a U.S. presence in the area.

White House:

The big news in Washington is the 35-day partial government shutdown that ended with enactment of a 3-week Continuing Resolution (CR) which gives lawmakers an opportunity to solve the impasse or send the Federal government back into a partial shutdown.  The CR expires on Feb. 15th.   During the government shutdown, the Department of Interior continued to process drilling permits.  In other news, President Trump issued an Executive Order sanctioning transactions involving the Madura regime and Venezuelan Government.  He also issued an Executive Order to Buy American — directing the head of each executive department and agency to “encourage recipients of new Federal financial assistance awards to use, to the greatest extent practicable, iron and aluminum as well as, steel, cement, and other manufactured products produced in the United States in every contract, subcontract, purchase order, or sub‑award that is chargeable against such Federal financial assistance award.”  Finally, trade continues to be the top topic in WDC as talks continue with China and other countries over ongoing disputes.



INDUSTRY NEWS

Energy Information Administration Releases Annual Energy Outlook 2019

On 24 January, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Annual Energy Outlook 2019. The report projects that in 2020, for the first time in almost 70 years, the United States will export more energy than it imports, and will remain a net exporter through 2050. U.S. energy export growth is driven largely by petroleum exports including crude oil and products and by additional liquefied natural gas exports.

The Outlook features significant findings including:

  • The United States will continue to see record high levels of oil and natural gas production.
  • S. net exports of natural gas will continue to grow, as liquefied natural gas becomes an increasingly significant export.
  • Increasing energy efficiency across end-use sectors will keep U.S. energy consumption relatively stable, even as the U.S. economy continues to expand.

For more in-depth information and findings, the full Annual Energy Outlook 2019 can be found on the EIA website.


Oil & Gas UK Releases 2018 Environmental Report

On 6 December, 2018, Oil and Gas UK released its 2018 Environment Report, which provides a summary of the UK’s offshore industry environmental performance for 2017. Key findings include:

  • 2017 saw a reduction of 3% in the volume of produced water discharged to the sea during oil and gas production when compared to 2016.
  • Reinjection of produced water increased by 10% on the year, and is at its highest recorded level.
  • Industry’s greenhouse gas emissions contribute around 3% of the total UK emissions, the same proportion as 2016.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions per installation were lower in 2017 than in 2016.

The entire report can be found on the Oil and Gas UK website


IADC Submits Amicus Curiae in Supreme Court Case

In January, IADC submitted an amicus curiae in the matter of Dutra Group v. Christopher Batterton, a Supreme Court case which will decide whether punitive damages are available to seamen filing personal injury claims.

In the amicus brief, IADC argued that rigorous and protective compensation schemes for seamen are already in existence, with Congress implementing and overseeing a wide array of federal agencies, statues and rules regulating operations. The amicus also points out that allowing punitive damages as contemplated by the Ninth Circuit would affect IADC members by having a detrimental impact on uniformity in worker claims, settlement and trial of such claims, contractual obligations and insurance coverage in the offshore oilfield and negatively impacting the economy and consumers in general.

In addition to IADC, The Chamber of Commerce of the USA and International P&I Clubs; the American Maritime Association; the Waterways Council Inc., and the American Waterways Operators also submitted Amicus Briefs on the matter.

IADC’s full Amicus Brief can be found on the Supreme Court website.


U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Announce Campaign to Address Gulf of Mexico Loop Currents

On 18 December, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine announced a research campaign to advance understanding of Gulf of Mexico loop currents and awarded $10.3 million in initial grants. This planned long-term research campaign is intended to improve the understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System. Eight new projects were selected for grant awards through the first funding competition related to the LCS research campaign. The solicitation sought projects that would conduct specific studies or collect particular data and observations identified in the report as short-term needs to assist with the long-term research campaign. Planning for the next funding competition, which will also be directed at advancing the long-term LCS research campaign, is currently underway and expected to open in 2019.

More information can be found on the National Academies website.


EPRINC Releases Report on Mexico’s Petroleum Future

The Energy Policy Research Foundation recently released, “Mexico’s Petroleum Future, Understanding the Economic Value of the New Energy Model”. The New Energy Model refers to the energy reform measures implemented in Mexico over the last few years, and they offer considerable potential to lift oil and gas production, increase employment and deliver technological advances while adding revenues to federal, state and local governments. The report includes findings that point to a substantial rise in crude oil production beginning in 2020 along with the employment of 130,000 workers and 500,000 indirect jobs. It also points out Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s call for more investment directed to existing contracts that comprise the country’s “New Energy model” despite his intention to impose a 3-year halt on new oil and gas bid rounds for further assessment related to national investment concerns.

The full report can be found here.


IADC Invited to Speak to European Commission, European Union Offshore Authorities Group

IADC staff members recently attended two back-to-back meetings in Brussels with the European Union Offshore Authorities Group (EUOAG) and the Directorate of Energy of the European Commission (EC).

Steve Kropla, VP Special Projects and Member Initiatives and Derek Hart, Regional Director – North Sea, both spoke to various topics as part of a review of the EU’s Offshore Safety Directive. Mr. Kropla described the IOGP/IADC BOP Reliability Database (RAPID-S53) as part of the discussion on data resources. Mr. Hart spoke to risk management principles, public participation in leasing new areas, assignment of liability and financial responsibility and deepening the internal market through mutual recognition of mobile non-production installations between Member States.

At a meeting earlier in the day, Jens Hoffmark, Regional VP – European Operations, had provided two presentations to the EUOAG. One provided an update on WellSharp and other IADC activities. The second regarded potential training that IADC might help develop and deliver to European regulators.

For more information, please contact Steve Kropla at Steve.Kropla@iadc.org.


IMO Bunker Delivery Note Amendments Enter into Force as Sulphur 2020 Requirement Looms

Amendments to the bunker delivery note relating to the supply of marine fuel oil to ships that have fitted alternative mechanisms to address Sulphur emission requirements entered into force on 1 January. The amendment enters into force as the shipping industry counts down to January 2020, when the limit for sulphur in fuel oil will be reduced to 0.50% m/m outside emission control areas from the current 3.5%. The new limit under IMO’s MARPOL treaty will have significant benefits for the environment and human health.

More information can be found on the International Maritime Organization’s website.


China Bans Open-Loop Scrubbers

As of 1 January 2019, the use of open-loop scrubber systems are prohibited within China’s Emission Control Areas (ECA) covering inland waters and most of its coastline. Ships fitted with open-loop scrubbers, which discharge wastewater, are now required to burn low-Sulphur fuel while operating in China’s ECAs. This move by China follows Singapore’s earlier decision to also prohibit open-loop scrubbers starting 1 January 2020. Open-loop scrubbers are also banned from use in Belgium, California, Massachusetts and along Germany’s Rhine river.

For more information, please contact Jim Rocco at Jim.Rocco@iadc.org.


Bureau of Land Management Announces Hearing for Drilling in ANWR

On 30 January, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it would hold public meetings in various Alaskan communities, and in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The EIS was made available for public review and comment on 1 December 2018.

The publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on December 28, 2018, officially began the public comment period. The release of the Draft EIS is the next step in implementing the provisions in the Tax Act to establish and administer a competitive oil and gas program for the leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain area within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Congress specifically identified the Coastal Plain for its potential for oil and natural gas resources in Section 1002 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA). Oil and gas from the Coastal Plain is an important resource for meeting our nation’s energy demands and creating employment opportunities for Alaska’s North Slope residents.

The first lease sale will be held after the Final EIS and Record of Decision are issued and will offer not fewer than 400,000 acres area-wide of high-potential lands for bid.

The BLM is seeking feedback on the Draft EIS’s alternatives to inform the Final EIS and the Record of Decision. Substantive comments should include specific details regarding issues or concerns that also provide rationale for the concern or suggestion.

Comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted through March 13. More information can be found on the BLM website.


IADC Houston Chapter Elects New Officers

The IADC Houston Chapter recently elected new Officers during their January meeting. Joe Rausch, Nabors-CanRig was elected to serve as Chapter Chairman; Marc Noel with ICD will serve as Vice Chairman; Matt Eve with PTEN will serve as Chapter Secretary and Brian Townsend with Stellar will be Chapter Treasurer.

The Houston Chapter will host its next meeting on 12 February at the Houston Petroleum Club. For more information about the Chapter and how you can get involved, please visit the IADC website.


Video Webcast Airing 26 March: “Managed Pressure Drilling: Tomorrow’s Drilling Standard is Here Today”

The offshore drilling industry needs efficiency gains and cost savings as never before. Fortunately, managed pressure drilling can provide both cost savings and, just as importantly, enhanced drilling safety. MPD is defined by IADC as an adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure profile throughout the wellbore. The objectives are to ascertain the downhole pressure environment limits and to manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly. It is the intention of MPD to avoid continuous influx of formation fluids to the surface. Any influx incidental to the operation will be safely contained using an appropriate process.

The use of closed-loop systems common to all types of MPD represents a giant step forward from conventional, open-to-air drilling systems.

For nearly two decades, industry has viewed MPD as an exotic, niche technology with limited applications. Now, however, inclusion of MPD systems aboard drilling rigs is increasingly common. Further, whereas in the past the job of running MPD operations was limited to specialized third-party consultants, today drilling crews are gaining competency in MPD.

This virtual panel discussion, sponsored by ABS, brings together an operator, drilling contractor, and classification society to define MPD, detail the benefits in efficiency and safety, explore what makes a rig and crew MPD capable, and provide an outlook for the future of this important technology.

Panelists:

  • Chris Scarborough, Senior Wells Engineer – Well Control & MPD for BP
  • Jay Lancaster, MPD/Well Control Technical Superintendent, Seadrill
  • Josephy Rousseau, Director of Offshore, Exploration, ABS
  • Mike Killalea, IADC & DrillingContractor.org (moderator)

To register for this free webcast, click here. If you have already registered for this event, please be on the lookout for your login email on the morning of 26 March.



ACCREDITATION

IADC to Launch WellSharp Plus

IADC is preparing to launch WellSharp® Plus, a new accreditation program that fully integrates human factors (i.e., crew resource management) into technical well control training and specifically targets experienced personnel.

The primary goals of this new program are to reduce the potential for human error and to contribute to the competence of personnel during drilling operations.

“Now that WellSharp® has raised the bar for well control training,” explains Mark Denkowski, IADC’s VP of Accreditation Operations, “IADC’s members and accredited training providers are embracing this logical next step to address human factors.”

Throughout 2018, a workgroup comprising course designers, human factors experts, and other stakeholders in the upstream O&G worked together to develop a human factors curriculum, program and course requirements, and a new “train-the-trainer” course for human factors instructors.

A greater focus on human factors has emerged as producers/operators, drilling contractors, and service companies seek to address two lessons learned from past well control incidents: The need for 1) training aimed at specifically addressing human-error and 2) training that focuses on problem-solving during the low-probability, high-impact well control scenarios.

As part of their program-development process, the workgroup reviewed the human factors training and best practices from NASA, the US military, and from the airline, nuclear, and healthcare industries. They also considered ongoing efforts at organizations in the O&G industry, such as IOGP, SPE, API, and OESI. These organizations and others have been working to better understand the human element within the operational context, the causes of human error during drilling operations, and the nontechnical knowledge and skills required for maintaining safe, efficient operations.

Rather than creating an isolated human factors course or training module, course designers recognized the value of creating a new model for content delivery—one that emphasizes the specific contributors to human error in the context of well control by fully integrating the technical and nontechnical content.

IADC’s new human factors curriculum aligns with content developed within other industries and by other O&G organizations, particularly IOGP. Although, in reality, much of the content is interconnected, the topics generally correlate with at least one of the following six categories: situation awareness, decision-making, communication, teamwork, leadership, and factors that affect human performance. This last category comprises the human conditions that affect the other five categories, such as fatigue (e.g., sleep deprivation, illness, shiftwork, time of day), stress (e.g., confusion, multi-tasking, conflict, fear), difficulty managing distractions, and cultural differences.

To maximize learning and knowledge retention, WellSharp® Plus instructors are required to meet additional qualification requirements that include successful completion of “train-the-trainer” coursework involving the following: facilitated learning methods, adult learning principles, strategies that appeal to different learning styles, and strategies for delivering and assessing the human factors content.

Facilitated learning methods have been proven to maximize learning by exploiting the human brain’s natural process of learning through experiences, which involves the learner interacting with the subject and then “debriefing”—reflecting on and drawing conclusions about the subject through a guided discussion. During this process, the instructor is the “guide” rather than the “lecturer.” The instructor observes the activity and discussions and then, as needed, asks open-ended questions to guide the learners. The content of the learning can be delivered in a multitude of ways that rarely involve traditional lecture. Studies show that traditional lecture is the least effective way of learning new content.

The format for a WellSharp® Plus course comprises problem-solving through teamwork in which the participants fulfill the different the roles needed to make up a rig crew: driller, assistance driller, supervisor (toolpusher, company man), and other positions. The course uses case studies and simulation to deliver content and to provide the instructors with an opportunity to observe and assess the human factors and technical skills in order to guide a debriefing session following each case study.

Participants must have taken and passed an “upper-level” WellSharp® course (e.g., Driller- or Supervisor-level) in the previous 2 years and then must meet a higher standard in passing the WellSharp® exam immediately before beginning the course. The fundamentals of well control are an essential prerequisite for WellSharp® Plus because the technical content comprises only the more complex well control scenarios.

“This new course will be an important element in what we are calling our ‘Cycle of Competence,’ in which each member of the rig crew can complete position-specific training, competence assessment at the jobsite during operations, continuous learning between the required courses, and then begin the cycle again all throughout his or her career,” explained Denkowski. “Now, we can set our sights on continuous learning, the next logical step.”

The program is expected to begin accepting applications in April 2019. Companies intending to apply may obtain additional information by emailing accreditation@iadc.org.

WellSharp Surpasses 100K-Trained Milestone

WellSharp®, IADC’s well control training and assessment standard, recently surpassed its 100,000-certified milestone. Launched in March 2015, the WellSharp program now comprises 10 drilling operation and well servicing courses, more than 500 instructors, 160 accredited training providers, about 1,100 test proctors, and is offered in 5 languages in 37 countries.

“As a member of the IADC WellSharp Advisory board, it is exciting news to know IADC reached over 100K-certified in the program,” says Fritz Golding, Director of Learning and Development at Noble Drilling. “This is a great accomplishment for the industry as we strive for safer operations and knowledgeable personnel.”

IADC’s President, Jason McFarland, emphasizes that “IADC WellSharp has provided our industry with robust, well-rounded well control training since it was instituted more than three years ago.”

New courses added to the original Drilling Operations Awareness, Introductory, Driller, and Supervisor courses include the following Well Servicing courses: Coiled Tubing, Snubbing, Wireline, Workover, O&G Operator Representative, and a Subsea Supplement. A Well Servicing Introductory and a WellSharp Plus course will be added to the list before the end of 2018, and a Drilling Operations Engineer course will be added in 2019.

The WellSharp Plus course represents a new shift in well control training as it integrates specific aspects of crew resource management (CRM) throughout technical training. In addition, IADC and the industry has now embarked on the next step in this well control standard—a new venture to measure baseline knowledge retention, facilitate continuous learning, and reduce knowledge decay between renewal cycles.

The increasingly comprehensive list of courses is intended to encourage companies to send their personnel to the course that is specifically designed for their position on the rig.

With the goal of improving the program’s credibility and effectiveness, IADC committees and workgroups are using a research- and data-driven approach to improving content delivery while continuing to refine course content and testing protocols.

Matt Parizi, Well Control Training Advisor at Chevron, explains that “reaching this milestone is a significant accomplishment towards Well Control competency and fluency in the Drilling and Completion community across the oil and gas industry. This is the true meaning of an industry-driven effort for well control training.”

Golding added that “WellSharp was developed with the help of industry representatives who saw a need to improve curriculum and delivery standards. Today, the IADC WellSharp program is stronger than ever and I look forward to the next milestone as we see industry fundamentals improving.”

“The overwhelming success of this program is directly attributable to the hundreds of hours of work contributed by IADC members and subject matter experts to revamp our approach to well control training,” explains McFarland. “The industry is certainly safer as a result, and I congratulate all of those who have successfully completed the program.”

The Drilling Industry thrives on hard work, toughness, and self-sufficiency, and the transition to WellSharp certainly called upon those qualities. This effort emerged from two goals: to reduce well control incidents and to “self-regulate”. Over several years, hundreds of volunteers contributed their time and expertise–their sweat-equity, their passion for the industry—to make WellSharp a success.



 

IADC COMMITTEES

IADC Cybersecurity Committee to Host Meeting on 14 February

The IADC Cybersecurity Committee will host its next meeting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 14 February at IADC’s headquarters in Houston. The meeting will primarily feature discussions and work on the Network Segmentation Guidelines and will also include an update on legislative and standardization activities.

To register for the meeting, please click here


IADC Advanced Rig Technology Committee Announces 2019 Meeting Dates

The IADC Advanced Rig Technology (ART) Committee has announced its 2019 meeting dates and is welcoming new participants. Besides its recent meeting on 5 February, the committee will also meet from 9-11am on Thursday, 9 May, at NRG Center, in conjunction with OTC. The group will also meet on the afternoon of Monday, 21 October in Amsterdam, the day before the 2019 IADC ART Conference.

ART also will hold three Spark Tanks this year: 24 April, 7 August and 11 December. These events provide technology entrepreneurs with a new opportunity to pitch their products and ideas to a panel of drilling contractors and operators (“Sharks”). The purpose is to provide insights (“Sparks”) to technology developers into what matters to the intended end users of these innovations. There is sometimes a vast disconnect between a good idea and a great product, and this series will attempt to close that gap. All Spark Tanks are held at IADC’s Houston headquarters. The events are free to attend, but registration is required and space is limited. Call for Abstracts are being accepted for the 24 April Spark Tank until 19 March.

ART’s two subcommittees also will hold monthly meetings at IADC’s Houston office, and each group welcomes new participants from across the industry to join these meetings.

The ART Drilling Control Systems (DCS) Subcommittee continues its work on the vital IADC DDR Plus project and is starting new guidelines around DCS safety features and rig sensor stewardship. Meeting will be held 9-11am on the following dates:

The ART BOP Controls Subcommittee is also welcoming new participants as it works to improve the safety, reliability and performance of BOP controls. Meetings will be held 10am-12pm on the following dates:


IADC Drilling Engineers Committee Announces 2019 Events

Mark your calendars for four half-day Technology Forums this year to be organized by the IADC Drilling Engineers Committee (DEC):
Q1: 12 March, “MPD – Are We There Yet?”
Q2: 26 June, “Drilling Automation – Where Are We and Where Do We Need to Be?”
Q3: 25 September, “Drilling Data – What Is Available? How Good Is It? What Can We Do With It?”
Q4:  13 November, “Contractor Integration – Status and Future of the Integration of Services Provided by the Drilling Contractor”

Agendas for each event will be posted closer to their dates. All events will be in Houston, with locations TBA.

Questions about the DEC can be sent to Linda Hsieh (linda.hsieh@iadc.org).


INDUSTRY RESOURCES

IADC to Introduce DDR Plus

To assist industry transition to more digitally driven operations, IADC introduces IADC DDR Plus™, the new standard in drilling data collection.

IADC DDR Plus™ remains backward compatible with previous versions, while adding additional main operational codes, and creating a highly granular code set architecture. IADC DDR Plus™ is rolling out in both a Wits M L electronic and traditional paper versions.

Learn more at ddrplus.iadc.org.

Is the Caspian Drilling Industry ready for the future?

The Caspian region faces challenges around changing market conditions, workforce development, drilling efficiency, safety and security, and equipment maintenance. To address these issues, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) will host the IADC Drilling Caspian 2019 Conference & Exhibition on 20-21 February at the Hilton Hotel in Baku.

The conference will bring together industry leaders and drilling professionals to discuss challenges and share best practices and experiences. Cutting-edge technology advances, including drilling automation, will be featured, as will case studies of relevant technical achievements. The event will also highlight evolving approaches to safety and training, providing practical information on new tools and processes that can be used to improve HSE performance. It will also provide a unique networking opportunity for those working in the region.

The event is sponsored by Socar AQS; BP; Maersk Drilling; Socar KQIT; KCA Deutag Drilling and Derrick Equipment Company. In addition, the exhibition will give regional and international companies the chance to showcase their services and products.

The complete conference program, conference registration, and more information can be found on the conference website at www.iadc.org under the Events tab. Or, you can contact IADC directly at Europe@iadc.org or at +31 24 675 2252.

Android App for Mission Petrohouse Rolled Out

IADC’s Drilling Matters initiative to educate the public and dispel myths and misconceptions about our industry hit the ground running in 2019, with the roll out of an Android app for its popular online game Mission Petrohouse.

Mission Petrohouse players steer a retro rocket ship through a home and “zap” everyday products created from petroleum to fill the rocket’s fuel tank. The game tracks the number of items zapped, and provides helpful information about each item.

The new app can be downloaded from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iadc.hydrohouse

Drilling Matters is available on line at www.DrillingMatters.org.

For more information about Drilling Matters, contact Amy Rose (amy.rose@iadc.org) or Mike Killalea (mike.killalea@iadc.org).

DrillPad Strives to Help Build Well Control Proficiency

IADC’s Useful Resources web page offers a link to materials designed to help build and assure individual and crew well control competency and proficiency anywhere in the world. The DrillPad Deployment Well Control Drill Trainer Training Template and the companion DrillGuide Example are freely available from the www.iadc.org/useful-resources.

“IADC is pleased to offer these DrillPad resources through our website, and believes that this will be a positive step for the industry,” remarked IADC President Jason McFarland. “IADC has long pioneered and worked to develop industry best practice for training in well control, and DrillPad neatly dovetails with our mission of ensuring safe rigs worldwide.”

The PowerPoint file DrillPad Trainer Training is offered to assist trainers in developing an effective program of well control drills. It includes keys to effective drills, critical skill sets, grading criteria, common pitfalls, and more.

The PDF Well Control Drill Guide provides lists of drills, questions, and attributes within DrillPad. The guide is meant to be used in conjunction with rig-specific well control procedures to conduct and assess performance during well control drills. The objective is to ensure that all members of the rig team with well control responsibilities are aware of their specific responsibilities, possess an understanding of well control commensurate with those responsibilities, and can confidently execute their duties when required.

Each well control drill details the drill type, potential participants, exercises, caution guidance, assessment guidance, questions, skills assessed, and more.

DROPS RP and Gap Analysis Tool Available from IADC

The Useful Resources page on www.iadc.org provides a link to a Recommended Practice to prevent and mitigate dropped objects in oil and gas operations. Dropped objects are a critical safety issue in numerous industries. This Recommended Practice, developed by the DROPS network, intends to set basic requirements for dropped object prevention that can be incorporated into existing companies’ Safety Management Systems (SMS). DROPS is an industry-wide oil-and-gas initiative whose mission is to prevent dropped objects by providing supporting engagement and learning materials, as well as setting industry-recognized best practices. The link also provides access to the DROPS RP Gap Analysis Tool, an Excel spreadsheet.

“Improving industry HSE and training is a major IADC mission,” said IADC President Jason McFarland. “As such, helping industry cut the incidents of dropped objects is important to our members and their employees. We hope that helping our members easily access this DROPS RP

According to DROPS, the RP sets out minimum recommended practices that support the prevention of dropped objects and the development of policies and procedures for company SMSs. DROPS notes that the RP is not intended to be considered the finalized requirements of a company Dropped Object Prevention Scheme (Scheme).

The link to the DROPS RP and Gap Analysis Tool is at www.iadc.org/useful-resources.

IADC ISP Plaques Showcase Company Safety Record

Safety should not be competitive in the drilling industry, but bragging rights always are!

You have worked hard to build an impressive safety record. Your employees pay close attention to ensure that they work safely.

Let your customers know about it. IADC ISP plaques are a stand-out way to ensure the world knows how successful your accident prevention program is.

IADC has two types of ISP plaques available. The Executive Grade: Bronze-tone safety excellence medallion on a red velvet background with gold engraved text on a raised bronze-tone plate. Supreme Grade: Laser engraved text with company name, rig name or number and IADC logo in raised gold lettering. Both plaques include company name, rig name or number with the numbers of years without a Lost time or recordable incident.

IADC acknowledges the rigs in the monthly DrillBits newsletter.

Get extra plaques for the office, rig, and your top employees. Fire those guys up with a well-deserved pat on the back.

IADC ISP plaques are only available to companies participating in the IADC ISP program, the industry’s definitive safety statistics program since 1961.

For more information on ordering plaque please contact Loretta Krolczyk at loretta.krolczyk@iadc.org.

To participate in ISP, please email isp@iadc.org


IADC Lexicon Featured Term for February 2019

The IADC Lexicon (IADCLexicon.org) is a compendium of upstream-related terms, which, unlike conventional glossaries, are official definitions drawn from legislation, regulation and regulatory guidance, standards (global, national and regional), and IADC guidelines. Terms often have multiple definitions from different sources.

This month’s Featured Term is:

“Elephant Hide” (API SPEC 5DP, Specification for Drill Pipe, First Edition, August 2009.) :

Wrinkled outside diameter surfaces of the drill-pipe body caused by the upsetting process.

(click the link to read the full definition on the IADC Lexicon.)


Accreditation Updates

RigPass

  • LEWIS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, USA (CONDITIONAL);
  • ENERGY DRILLING COMPANY, USA (CONDITIONAL);
  • DARK HORSE SAFETY, INC., USA (CONDITIONAL);
  • ASSURED PARTNERS, USA (CONDITIONAL);
  • OFS SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., USA (CONDITIONAL)

WellSharp

  • Al-Kebar Training Center, Saudi Arabia;
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Petroleum Engineering Department, Lafayette, Louisiana;
  • 24 Hour Safety Co WLL, Saudi Arabia;
  • Middle East for Training and Consultation METC, Egypt

DIT

  • AVADHESH ENGINEERING EQUIPMENTS & SERVICES PVT. LTD., Greater Noida, India

Competence

  • Abraj Energy Services Saoc, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman;
  • Shelf Drilling Offshore Holdings Ltd., Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
  • Mideast Integrated Drilling & Well Services Co, LLC (MIDWESCO LLC), Muscat, Sultanate of Oman;
  • Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling (SANAD), Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
  • Deep Well Services, Zelienople, PA


Upcoming Events


Rigs Receive ISP Certificates

For certificates received since last LTI (in years):

  • Atlantica: Delta (3)
  • Perisai Drilling SDN BHD: Perisai Pacific 101 (3);
  • COSL Drilling Pan Pacific Ltd.: COSL POWER (5)
  • COSL Middle East FZE: COSL Superior (1);
  • Essar Oilfield Services India Limited: Essat Wildcat (10)
For certificates received since last recordable incident (in years):
  • Parker Drilling Alaska: Rig 272 (4);
  • Unit Drilling Company: Rig 405 (4)

New IADC Members

IADC welcomes 23 new members:

  • AHMAD AL JAMALI CO. GENERAL TRADING & CONTRACTING, HAWALLY, KUWAIT;
  • AMONY GLOBAL INSPECTIONS LTD, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATES, NIGERIA;
  • CONSOLIDATED DIGITAL PUBLISHING INC, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA;
  • DATA GUMBO, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA;
  • FIRST COMPETENCE LTD, ABERDEEN, GRAMPIAN, UNITED KINGDOM;
  • HI-FORCE CASPIAN FZCO, BAKU, AZERBAIJAN;
  • IGUS INC., EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, USA;
  • INSPECTORS UNION COMPANY, JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA;
  • JACOBSHILL PTY LTD, BEVERLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA;
  • JONES WALKER LLP, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA;
  • MUNSCH HARDT KOPF & HARR, P.C., DALLAS, TEXAS, USA;
  • O&G SAFETY TRAINING (UK) LTD, SWANSEA, WALES, UNITED KINGDOM;
  • ODEKOLE INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS, NIGERIA;
  • PETROBLEND OILFIELD SUPPLIES AND SERVICES, DAMMAM, EASTERN, SAUDI ARABIA;
  • PETROKNOWLEDGE & CONSULTING PKC, QUITO, PICHINCHA, ECUADOR;
  • PLEXUS OCEAN SYSTEMS LIMITED, DYCE, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND;
  • PROACTIVE REAL TIME SYSTEMS (PRTS), THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, USA;
  • QAMAT GENERAL CONTRACTING CO, DHAHRAN, EASTERN PROVINCE, SAUDI ARABIA;
  • QINGDAO HAINUOAO OILFIELD EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING, QINDAO, SHANDONG, CHINA;
  • SOLAS MARINE SERVICES GROUP, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES;
  • VETERGY GROUP, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, USA;
  • WIDE NORTHERN ROAD, ERBIL, KRG, IRAQ;
  • WORLDWIDE SERVICES LTD, PEYRUIS, FRANCE

DRILLBITS Volume 29, Number 2

Kevin Neveu, Chairman • Jason McFarland, President • 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.

To subscribe to Drill Bits, go to www.iadc.org/drillbits.

To change/cancel a Drill Bits subscription, send an e-mail message to
IADC Director – Membership Sharon Thorpe at sharon.thorpe@iadc.org.