Page 38: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2013)

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HSEQ

Hercules 265 on fre. Photo: BSEE

Shallow water

Causes for concern

The latest loss of well control incident safety concerns to ratchet up safety worries occurred at

Recent Gulf of Mexico well control incidents have US regulators

Walter Oil and Gas Corp.’s natural gas calling for better safety in shallow water. By Audrey Leon well A-3 at South Timbalier Block 220 on July 23, 2013. “While many consider shallow Completion work had been under- epresentatives from the US Bureau water operations to be less techni- way on a sidetrack well when the of Safety and Environmental cally challenging than those occurring blowout happened. All 44 people on

Enforcement (BSEE), US Bureau of

R in deep water, they are not without board were evacuated. Later that eve-

Lands and Minerals Management, and oil risk,” Watson said. “Offshore workers ning, natural gas from the well ignited and gas industry representatives gathered need to be empowered to take actions a fre onboard Hercules Offshore’s in Houston last month to discuss the to save lives when they see a leading Hercules 265 jackup rig. According to need for improved offshore safety opera- indicator that something is wrong.” a BSEE incident report, the source of tions. The meeting follows three recent

Newly appointed US Secretary of ignition is unknown. No injuries were well control incidents since February the Interior Sally Jewell, who also reported. that occurred in shallow water since attended the meeting, characterized The Hercules 265 sustained con-

February. An earlier event, in November new regulatory reforms put in place siderable damage with the beams that 2012, led to the death of three workers by the department as “aggressive” and supported the derrick and rig foor during maintenance operations.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands “comprehensive.” folded and collapsed over the rig and Minerals Management Tommy structure.

“These recent incidents underscore

Beaudreau, who was in attendance On August 4, drilling began on a the inherent risk in offshore operations at the meeting, mentioned that there relief well using the Rowan EXL-3 and the need for everyone – from the are a few things companies can do to jackup rig. Drilling is expected to con- chief executive offcer to the roustabout increase safety offshore. tinue for approximately 35 days.

– to make safety his or her number one “There are practices relating to the priority,” Jewell said.

drilling operations, well control and

Following the meeting, National A kicking feeling contingency plans that companies On February 5, 2013, Apache evacu-

Oceans Industries Association (NOIA) must share with each other to protect ated 15 workers after experiencing a

President Randall Luthi called this workers and the environment.” kick from an abnormally pressured gas a good start in determining how to

BSEE Director James A. Watson zone during drilling operations at Main minimize the risks of future incidents. urged the industry to avoid compla- Pass Block 295, 50 miles off the coast “It’s clear, he said, “that when it comes cency with regards to safety in shallow of Venice, Louisiana. to offshore operations, safety is safety, water environments. The incident occurred while the whether on the shelf or in deepwater.”

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