In this section we propose to give the reader background information necessary to:
Of the many tasks involved in deepwater operations, prevention of well control problems requires all out effort. The early establishment and testing of a well-orchestrated emergency response must be given equal attention in the event well control problems arise.
See also: Vertical Intervention Technique to Handle Subsea Blowouts Drilling
It is important to clearly establish the priorities of emergency response well ahead of any potential event. A focus on problem solving should take precedence over philosophical debate on big picture issues. A generally accepted ranking of priorities is as follows:
Risk identification is only the first step taken to accomplish the goal of risk management. This is the process of generating and execution of a plan of action to move identified risks from high risk and low manageability to the opposite sides of the risk identification matrix (See Figure below).
Risks may be general or well/operation specific. One conclusion in risk identification and management may be the decision not to undertake the operation.
Often operators and contractors make it a practice to overreact and then de-escalate their response rather than take a slower, more deliberate response and then risk having to to make up for lost ground or errors.
Each level of response should have its own appropriate sequence of pre-planned responses and resources assigned to it. A suggested outline of materials and responses for each of the three levels of emergency response is presented in Emergency Response Plans.
Emergency response drills provide the following benefits to the organization:
These benefits are discussed further below.
frequency that yesterday's plan may be forgotten, unknown or outdated.
Testing the plan on a periodic basis provides valuable adjustments in approach to emergency response. Emergency response drills should be conducted annually or coincident with major changes in the operation, regulatory expectations or personnel.
A $10 bill was placed in what should have been a frequently used reference manual in the library. Six months later it was still there, perhaps due to honesty, but more likely due to inattention. If there is not a concerted effort to review plans for coping with non-routine events, those plans may be unlearned or forgotten.
following:
A properly planned and executed drill can provide some practice for a task that demands expertise many will never develop experience in.
The drill should involve operator and contractor staff responsible for decision making and providing procedures and plans for the emergency response.
Representatives from the following groups should be aware of their roles in an emergency response drill:
The public will expect accurate and timely information. Conflicting information will need to be corrected or clarified and rumors refuted with fact. Realistic press conferences and interviews with pointed and probing questions should be a part of the emergency response drill. When those responsible for supplying information are consumed with the operation, the process of providing quality information in the right quantity up to management and the media is one of the most difficult challenges facing the emergency response organization.
See also: Deepwater Drilling Emergency Response Plans
- Generate an emergency response plan for deepwater drilling
- Understand the success factors for emergency response in well planning and relief well drilling
- Understand the success factors in a dynamic well kill operation
- Understand the requirements and techniques of spill control
- Evaluate speculative ideas on vertical intervention for well control
Of the many tasks involved in deepwater operations, prevention of well control problems requires all out effort. The early establishment and testing of a well-orchestrated emergency response must be given equal attention in the event well control problems arise.
See also: Vertical Intervention Technique to Handle Subsea Blowouts Drilling
It is important to clearly establish the priorities of emergency response well ahead of any potential event. A focus on problem solving should take precedence over philosophical debate on big picture issues. A generally accepted ranking of priorities is as follows:
- Protection of health and safety of people
- Protection of the environment
- Protection of the physical plant for source control
- Protection of the mineral resource
Risk identification is only the first step taken to accomplish the goal of risk management. This is the process of generating and execution of a plan of action to move identified risks from high risk and low manageability to the opposite sides of the risk identification matrix (See Figure below).
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| Risk Identification Matrix. |
Often operators and contractors make it a practice to overreact and then de-escalate their response rather than take a slower, more deliberate response and then risk having to to make up for lost ground or errors.
Levels of Well Control Emergency Response
For clarity of communication and organization the severity of well control incidents is often broken into three categories:- Level 1 Response >> Least Severe >> Kick control
- Level 2 Response >> More Severe >> Underground blowout
- Level 3 Response >> Most Severe >> Loss of control of the well at the seafloor or surface
Each level of response should have its own appropriate sequence of pre-planned responses and resources assigned to it. A suggested outline of materials and responses for each of the three levels of emergency response is presented in Emergency Response Plans.
Purpose and Value of Emergency Response Drills
Emergency response drills are sometimes viewed as dramatic play-acting. However, a well-conducted emergency response drill provides significant value. The elements and participants necessary for a successful drill require careful consideration.Emergency response drills provide the following benefits to the organization:
- Test assumptions about readiness
- Confirm that communications networks and procedures are working and current
- Indoctrinate new staff to procedures
- Focus thinking on non-routine problems
- Clarify plans and intentions to regulatory authorities
- Demonstrate competence
- Guide improvements to prevention and emergency response
These benefits are discussed further below.
Testing assumptions about readiness
We often presume we have fit-for-purpose plans in place and that all of the parties involved in plan execution are aware of the conditions and needs related to each plan. However, conditions, needs and people change with suchfrequency that yesterday's plan may be forgotten, unknown or outdated.
Testing the plan on a periodic basis provides valuable adjustments in approach to emergency response. Emergency response drills should be conducted annually or coincident with major changes in the operation, regulatory expectations or personnel.
Operational communications networks and procedures
The ability to act swiftly and surely depends on access to accurate phone numbers, fax numbers and other relevant communication channels. Maintenance and testing of the emergency response plan manages the risk of failure in communications down to a more acceptable level.Indoctrination for new staff
An emergency response plan may be a large encompassing document. In the normal course of busy operations the focus is on the crisis of the day, and may not consider the plan which may have prevented the incident, or which can help mitigate the problem.A $10 bill was placed in what should have been a frequently used reference manual in the library. Six months later it was still there, perhaps due to honesty, but more likely due to inattention. If there is not a concerted effort to review plans for coping with non-routine events, those plans may be unlearned or forgotten.
Focus on non-routine problems
The competent and fortunate are not likely to experience enough crises to develop expertise in handling high risk events. Coping with a serious well control problem can involve managing a number of difficulties, including thefollowing:
- Attempting to diagnose problems based on excited, conflicting and baffling reports
- Meeting demands that everything and everyone get 100% attention immediately
- Prioritizing and delegating tasks
A properly planned and executed drill can provide some practice for a task that demands expertise many will never develop experience in.
Clarifying plans and intentions to regulatory authorities
Conflicts in expectations of performance and actions need to be settled before any crisis. Disagreements may arise during an emergency, but disagreements about primary objectives, jurisdictions and methods can be minimized beforehand by the use of drills involving both operators and authorities.Demonstrating and enhancing competence
The actions of the operator in a drill can provide assurance to regulators, shareholders and the public sector that the industry is competent to perform as required.Improving prevention measures and emergency response
Because conditions change, the plan must accommodate change. Furthermore, techniques and technology improve. Emergency response drills and a follow-up debriefing identify the need for change and improvement.Features of a Proper Emergency Response Drill
A well-conducted emergency response drill may initially involve several man months of preparation by staff and advisors experienced in planning and conducting them. The drill should have the following characteristics: |
| Table Features of a well-planned emergency response drill. |
All personnel, contractors and agencies
The drill should involve operator and contractor staff responsible for decision making and providing procedures and plans for the emergency response.Representatives from the following groups should be aware of their roles in an emergency response drill:
 |
| Table Recommended participants in emergency response drill. |
Communication to management, media and public
The public will expect accurate and timely information. Conflicting information will need to be corrected or clarified and rumors refuted with fact. Realistic press conferences and interviews with pointed and probing questions should be a part of the emergency response drill. When those responsible for supplying information are consumed with the operation, the process of providing quality information in the right quantity up to management and the media is one of the most difficult challenges facing the emergency response organization.See also: Deepwater Drilling Emergency Response Plans