Water Based Mud (WBM) systems have been the traditional drilling fluids since the early days of the oil industry. Deeper, hotter wells, more deviated and with increasing well path tortuosity have brought the WBM systems to their limits of economic applicability. 1 Introduction WBM systems are ranging from the classic Water-Bentonite suspension via the highly … Waste Management – WBM and drilling fluid performance

The drilling safety guidelines identify basic elements of a safety programme applicable for exploration, development, or workover operations.   1 Responsibilities Safety is the responsibility of everyone associated with the drilling operation. In order to conduct safe operations, Contractor and Company personnel must clearly understand and effectively discharge their respective responsibilities. 1.1 Contractor responsibilities The … Drilling safety guidelines

Responsibilities for the implementation, supervision, verification and control of drilling operations are listed in the following table: Action Execution Quality Control Provide input to the preparation of the Drilling Programme Drilling Supervisor Operations Engineer Prepare the drilling / completion / workover programme Operations Engineer Senior Operations Engineer Head of Onshore/Offshore Operations     Approval : … Implementation, Supervision, Verification and Control

Producing or conducting well intervention operations in adjacent wells during drilling operations is a potentially hazardous situation.  In simultaneous drilling/production operations a risk management approach is accepted as being the best way to address the problem.   The following table addresses the most critical activities during drilling operations and identifies the risks, mitigating actions and … Simultaneous/ Concurrent Operations

Inspections should be undertaken by the Department Head who will be responsible for managing the relevant contract. An inspection should check that the item complies with relevant regulations or code of practice, but also the state of maintenance of the equipment and the condition of the personnel operating it. Third parties inspections should be arranged … Inspections requirements for drillng operations

Guidelines for preparing security policy and procedures for exploration projets. A Company can be affected by four main types of security problems: general political unrest; organised political unrest/terrorism; “petty” crime in residential areas; serious theft of material/equipment. 1. General political unrest Any action will not be directed specifically at the OPCO. The first approach is … Guidelines for developping Security Policy and Procedures

1 Communication and motivation Are rig site and office based safety meetings minuted? Distributed to all involved/concerned parties? Are identified action items reviewed and formally closed out? Do field supervisors attend the office-based meeting? Do management attend the rig site meeting? Are all contractor representatives invited to attend? Do supervisors and crew have a common … Audit questionnaire

This article presents a summary of the main deficiencies encountered in drilling operations 1 Lifting equipment All equipment used for lifting must have the safe working load clearly marked on it. This essential detail is valid even for consumable items such as slings and shackles. Additionally, lifting equipment should be carefully inspected monthly and thoroughly … Typical deficiencies encountered in drilling operations

Main deficiencies encountered in the safety management system of drilling operations 1 Safety meetings Rig site meetings held on a weekly basis with short ‘toolbox’ meetings subject to operational requirement. 5-10 minute safety briefing before each shift or between each job phase (e.g. tripping and logging or casing running and cementing). Office meetings involving management … Deficiencies in Safety Management Systems

One of the recommendations of the UKOOA was that all UK operators should ensure that all installations contracted to or operated by them have oil mud containment systems in place. The guidelines produced contained an idealised list of mechanical containment methods which should be considered when designing new rigs and installations. The report recognized that … Waste Management – Mud Containment Equipment