DRILLBITS – July 2013
This Month’s Articles
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IADC participates in EU workshop on offshore oil and gas safety
The EU’s Joint Research Center organized a workshop on Offshore Oil and Gas Safety on 4 June, in Stresa, Italy. The event was titled, “Secure oil and gas supply through safer offshore operations,” with those in attendance representing regulatory authorities of the Member States, industry safety experts, the research community and industry organizations, including IADC and OGP.
The workshop provided a forum to exchange experience and expertise on regulatory practices, share knowledge on latest developments in offshore safety technologies and work together toward successful implementation of the provisions of the recently agreed Offshore Safety Directive.
IADC’s John Boogaerdt participated in the event, giving a presentation on IADC’s KSAs project and accreditation programs.
For more information and all of the presentations from the workshop, please visit the EU Offshore Authorities Group website.
For more information, please contact John Boogaerdt at John.Boogaerdt@iadc.org.
IADC checklists receive updates, Mud Pump Record Book developed
IADC is currently updating several existing checklist publications to provide a more user-friendly experience.
The following checklists are in the process of being revised, and will be available for purchase in their new format by September:
- Weekly Safety Meeting Report Form
- Engine Report Form
- Safety topic and Record Book
- Drilling Inspection Checklist
“IADC members have, over time, submitted input on how each of these checklists could be tweaked to provide a more fluid user experience,” said Loretta Krolczyk, assistant director, publication sales. “The newly updated checklists will, for instance, all be printed in a standard legal size and will include additional space for written comments.”
Additionally, IADC is developing the Mud Pump Record Book as a resource for members. The Record Book will be available for purchase in September.
“As more members have expressed interest, IADC plans to have a mud pump book that can be used/modified to member specific mud pumps and associated equipment,” said Rhett Winter, IADC director, onshore operations. “Recording pump maintenance and hours on items such as pistons, liners, oil, valves and seats makes for a safer work environment, helps prevent downtime and is more cost effective.”
To purchase IADC checklists and other publications, please visit the IADC Publications website.
For more information, please contact Loretta Krolczyk at ext. 215 (Loretta.Krolczyk@iadc.org).
BSEE Director James Watson to step down in September
Admiral James Watson, director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), announced on 9 July his resignation from the agency. He has accepted a position as president of the Americas division with the American Bureau of Shipping, where he will begin work on 2 September.
Among his credits, Admiral Watson, who joined BSEE in 2011, reduced permitting times for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico by more than 40 percent during his tenure. He also implemented BSEE’s final drilling safety rule and established a nonregulatory safety culture policy. He is expected to work closely with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on his transition.
In a statement Secretary Jewell said, “Director Watson has served with distinction and has helped implement the most aggressive and comprehensive offshore oil and gas regulatory reforms in the nation’s history. His commitment to safety at all levels and at all times will have deep and meaningful benefits for the men and women of America’s offshore industry who continue to help fuel our domestic energy future.”
IADC participates in EU event focused on unconventional fossil fuels
IADC’s John Boogaerdt, IADC regional director, Europe, attended a stakeholder event hosted by the EU’s Environment Department on 7 June to discuss unconventional fossil fuels.
The department presented the results of a survey of the general public on shale gas conducted between December 2012 and March 2013. Respondents were divided equally across 3 groups:
- Those in favor of developing shale gas in Europe
- Those in favor, but believe strict regulation on the environment, supported at the EU level, is necessary.
- Those against shale gas development
Importantly, the department stressed two key takeaways from the survey results, which include:
- More information on shale gas development and impact is required from trusted sources.
- Member states must take additional legal steps and the EU must develop regulations.
The assembled group of more than 250 attendees, along with an additional 750 participating via web link, represented industry associations, government representatives, press, NGO’s and the public. The group engaged in a lengthy debate, concluding that the general public requires a need to strengthen regulation at the local level.
The EU Commission also requested information and data from all stakeholders on a variety of subjects including water management, disclosure of fracking chemicals, well integrity standards, liability provisions and worker safety, among many others.
For more on the presentations and information shared at the event, visit the EU Environment Department website.
For more information, please contact John Boogaerdt at John.Boogaerdt@iadc.org.
Standards Norway updates key drilling standards
Standards Norway has announced the availability of updated versions of two if its key drilling standards, NORSOK D-010, Well integrity in drilling and well operations, Revision 4, and NORSOK D-002 Well intervention equipment, Revision 2.
The revision of NORSOK D-010 was driven by the Norwegian industry’s need to address the issues stemming from the Macondo incident. Like the newly issued API STD 53, NORSOK D-010 provides guidelines for technical and operational barriers to prevent loss of well control, but tailored to the expectations for operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The standard focuses on establishing well barriers by use of well barrier elements, their acceptance criteria, and their use and monitoring of integrity during their life cycle. The standard also covers well integrity management and personnel competence requirements. The standard does not contain any well or rig equipment specifications.
Supplementing D-010, the revised D-002 is intended to provide common requirements for well intervention equipment across all exploration and production companies and service companies operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. D-002 has been updated to reflect the well barrier terminology in the new D-010, provide expanded requirements for safety heads, update and reduce external references and provide further specification of test requirements for pressure control equipment.
Standards Norway also recently issued a revised NORSOK C-004, Helicopter deck on offshore installations, Edition 2. Updated guidance is provided regarding the environmental effects and turbulence, helideck location, materials and fabrication, limited obstacle sector segment lines, sub-zero condition, helideck lighting, helideck drainage, and passive fire protection.
All of the above NORSOK standards are available for download, free of charge, from Standards Norway’s website.
For more information, please contact Alan Spackman at ext. 207 (Alan.Spackman@iadc.org).
New Zealand adopts new HSE regulations
On 29 May, New Zealand announced the implementation of new regulations that will raise the standard for workplace safety in petroleum exploration and extraction. The Health and Safety in Employment (Petroleum Exploration and Extraction) Regulations 2013 replace the previous 1999 version and came into effect on 30 June.
“IADC actively participated in the consultation for the development of these regulations and is pleased with the final result,” said Alan Spackman, IADC vice president, offshore division. “They are a significant improvement over the 1999 regulations that they replace, reflecting a more modern regulatory approach.”
The regulations strengthen the management of hazards, as well as safeguards associated with well drilling. This includes ensuring well integrity at every stage of an operation by requiring an installation safety case, a well operations notice and a well examination scheme. The new regulations most closely aligned with those in the United Kingdom and Australia.
To access the legislation, please visit the New Zealand government website.
For more information, please contact Alan Spackman at ext (Alan.Spackman@iadc.org).
US Fish and Wildlife Service extends comment period on lesser prairie chicken listing
IADC, along with nine other industry organizations, issued a letter to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding the listing of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.
In the letter, the associations urged the FWS to extend the deadline for a final listing decision by six months to allow stakeholders to comment on the potential impact.
The associations also reiterated their claim that listing the LPS as a threatened species is unwarranted.
Should the lesser prairie chicken be listed, limits on drilling may be placed at well sites in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. This action has the potential to affect IADC members who drill wells in affected areas that are subject to FWS regulations pertaining to the conservation of species and operate in areas identified as a habitat for the lesser prairie chicken.
On 26 June, the FWS informed Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) that it will grant a six month extension on comments before making a final ruling.
For more information, please contact Joe Hurt at ext. 224 (Joe.Hurt@iadc.org).
Accreditation Updates
WellCAP
RigPASS
DIT
Safety Alerts
For the latest safety alerts, visit www.iadc.org/safety-alerts
Alert 13-15: Unexpected movement of cargo basket results in first aid case
Alert 13-16: Whipping of cable (stored energy) results in injury
Reminders
Rigs Receive ISP Certificates
For certificates received since last LTI (in years):
New IADC Members
IADC welcomes 34 new members:
DRILLBITS Volume 23, Number 7
David Williams, Chairman • Stephen Colville, President and CEO • Amy Rose, Editor
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