Articles
High pressure high temperature wells require careful blow-out control. Blow-outs cause huge disasters and can lead to the loss of many lives. The drilling crew in particular are at the forefront of this risk.
However: There are many measures that can be put into place to prevent a blow-out. All crew members are given intensive training as to what to do when there is a blow-out and specialised equipment is available to contain not only the blow-out, but also the resulting fire.
All of these precautions were highlighted when a rig had a blow-out in the 1980s. The cause of the disaster was miscommunication between crew members and as a result more than 160 people lost their lives that day. One of the contributing factors to the disaster is that the rig was originally built and equipped for oil – not for gas which burns at a higher temperature. Had the rig been equipped for gas, many lives could have been saved.
Blow-outs occur when there is an unrestrained flow of gas and oil from the well. This happens if the well is not properly capped, or if there is some flaw in the pipeline. Of course there could also be a myriad of other reasons. The result is always the same: A raging inferno which has the ability to destroy the well, the rig and the people on the rig.
When a blow-out occurs, it is vital that the gas, oil and fire are quickly and effectively contained. This is important not only because of the risk of fire, but also to preserve production and the environment. Should a well start gushing oil, it can dump thousands of barrels of oil in the sea – costing the company millions. If the well is destroyed, the company faces even greater losses due to the lost potential production of the well.
Because of the continuous danger that blow-out pose, the company needs to employ a specially trained team of fire fighters to be on the rig and to fight fires should they occur. All crew members are also trained in the basics of fire fighting and are given specific tasks to do in case of a blow-out. Every member of the crew is well aware of the fact that they are all responsible for each other’s safety.
Despite the danger that blow-outs pose, high pressure high temperature wells are gaining in popularity due to their potential of huge yields. These well are not drilled arbitrarily so the chances of drilling a dry hole are very slim. The drilling crew are highly trained and experienced in drilling HPHT wells and they take every possible precaution to prevent blow-outs and uncontrolled fires.