Next generation well control

This article is a summary of ongoing joint evaluation and study work undertaken by Cansco and one of its primary Customers. The study aims to identify target areas of potential change in how well control is managed at the well site during well service activities.

A Leading Role

Time doesn't change things, people do. A simple, and arguably accurate, statement. However go deeper into the subject of change and things get rather more complex. The momentum required for change is, amongst other things, a function of motivation, but what motivates people at any given time is a science and beyond the scope of this narrative. Suffice to say though that when change is both recognized as a necessity and the rewards are clearly justifiable of the effort involved then people do get motivated, and change does happen.

Recent events in our Industry have forced Companies around the world to re-evaluate how risk is being managed at the well site, realizing that continuing to do things the same way as before may likely deliver the same result, in itself a strong motivation for change. Working hand in hand with our Customers on this challenge it is clear that the standard approach to well control must change, and a new generation of well control specialisation established.

Through our unique position and experience in supplying well control equipment packages and support to well site specialists, Cansco is playing a leading role in establishing Next Generation Well Control.

Integration is Key in Technology Application

Change in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry has been dramatic over recent decades, advancements in technology have enabled greater and more efficient access to hydrocarbon sources considered unreachable just a few years ago. In pushing the boundaries change has been relentless, but not all change has been positive.

New technology has played a big part in well activity performance improvement, but every new generation of well site technology brings a greater requirement for related specialist support. A side effect of new technology is its potential to change traditional well site roles and responsibilities, changes which have to be integrated effectively if acceptable levels of risk to well site personnel are to be maintained. This is a challenge, and the premiums paid for game changing well performance technology can make it even more so.

Maintaining the Safety Bias

The number one priority at any well site is to ensure all work can be managed to a safe outcome. It follows that with an uncontrolled release (blowout) from the well presenting the greatest potential hazard to well site personnel then well control integrity is the most safety critical consideration in the management of all well site activity. To ensure the risks to personnel remain at acceptable levels at all times it should therefore also follow that the level of resources expended on well control reflect its level of safety criticality.  Unfortunately the reflection we see is not always what is should be.

In conventional well activity contract arrangements well control equipment is provided by a main well site contractor, for example the Drilling Contractor for drilling and other through rig well activities. Well control equipment along with other contractor equipment, personnel, services and supplies are generally provided on an all-inclusive day-work contract basis. Whilst equipment specifications and operating standards may be outlined in the day-work contract it is generally left to the main well site contractor to prioritise resources for equipment integrity. Business drivers combine to influence resource priorities, and pressure to ensure all well service time is 'productive-time' can shift priority bias towards so called productive time equipment, for example high pressure mud system, rotary system etc., and activities.

Managing well site safety bias is a responsibility of all parties involved in the well activity. Safety critical priorities must never be compromised, and, ranking number one in the hierarchy of safety critical priorities, well control must remain a primary consideration at all times.

What's Changing

If business as usual allows sufficient potential for well control events with severe outcomes to occur, what needs to change to reduce both the potential for and severity of well control events?

The joint study has earmarked a number of potential areas for change, including:

1)    Well Control Training

a)    Additional emphasis on well control monitoring and data interpretation and verification for all steps of the planned well service activity

b)    Additional emphasis on realistic practical well control drills to re-enforce response skills

2)    Equipment Integrity Verification Audits

a)    Additional emphasis on equipment specification verification at well planning stage

b)    Additional emphasis on practical pre-verification of contractor's well control  equipment and operating standards and practice, with periodic verification audits during contract term

c)    Additional emphasis on response capability for safety critical equipment repair, replacement or supplement 

3)    Contract provisions for Safety Critical Equipment

a)    Additional emphasis on contract terms for safety critical equipment specification, operation and maintenance standards

b)    Additional specific contract terms, including separate commercial terms for safety critical well control equipment

4)    Equipment Supply Role

a)    Additional emphasis on contracting out complete well control equipment packages to a specialist provider (primarily land based application), incorporating relative components of 1, 2 and 3 above.

b)    Additional emphasis on equipment users roles and responsibility for continuous equipment integrity

In addition it is also recognised that as more well projects are being conducted under integrated project management contracts and there is a need for careful transition of well control responsibilities across the parties involved. As in the case of new technology, new contract model application can affect traditional well site roles and responsibilities, and, more critically, risk levels.

Next Generation Contractor

A recent and significant mass has been added to the momentum for change in how well control is managed at the well site. Leading players have already moved forward with efforts to achieve the required level of performance improvement. The right collaborative efforts can be very effective and Cansco is proud to be contributing in the process of change to make things better. Tomorrows solutions are being shaped today, and there is little doubt that Cansco has the commitment and capability to help the industry establish a new, better and safer generation of well control.