How do you prioritize HSE principles in your drilling engineering practice?

1 Understand the risks

The first step to prioritize HSE principles is to identify and assess the potential hazards and risks associated with your drilling project. You need to consider the geological, geomechanical, and hydrocarbon characteristics of the reservoir, the wellbore trajectory and design, the drilling equipment and systems, the drilling fluids and additives, the personnel and contractors, and the regulatory and social requirements. You also need to evaluate the likelihood and consequences of different scenarios, such as blowouts, fires, spills, leaks, equipment failures, injuries, or fatalities.

2 Implement the controls

The second step to prioritize HSE principles is to implement the appropriate controls to prevent or mitigate the risks identified in the first step. You need to apply the hierarchy of controls, which consists of elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, you can eliminate the risk of drilling into a high-pressure zone by using seismic data and well logs to map the formation pressures. You can substitute a hazardous chemical with a less toxic one in your drilling fluid. You can engineer a blowout preventer (BOP) system to seal the wellbore in case of a kick. You can establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and emergency response plans (ERPs) to guide your drilling team. You can provide PPE such as helmets, gloves, and boots to your workers.

3 Monitor the performance

The third step to prioritize HSE principles is to monitor the performance of your drilling project and the effectiveness of your controls. You need to collect and analyze data on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as drilling rate, bit wear, mud weight, torque, pressure, temperature, vibration, noise, emissions, waste management, incident frequency and severity, near misses, audits, inspections, and feedback. You also need to use tools such as hazard identification (HAZID), hazard and operability (HAZOP), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), root cause analysis (RCA), and corrective action and preventive action (CAPA) to identify and address any gaps or weaknesses in your HSE management system.

4 Learn and improve

The fourth step to prioritize HSE principles is to learn from your experience and improve your drilling engineering practice. You need to review and evaluate the results of your performance monitoring and your HSE management system. You need to identify and share the best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement. You also need to update and revise your risk assessment, your controls, your SOPs and ERPs, your KPIs, and your tools based on the feedback and the changes in the project scope, conditions, or requirements. You need to foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning in your drilling team and organization.

5 Engage the stakeholders

The fifth step to prioritize HSE principles is to engage the stakeholders involved or affected by your drilling project. You need to communicate and consult with your drilling team, your contractors, your clients, your regulators, your suppliers, your partners, and your community. You need to inform them about your HSE objectives, plans, and performance. You need to listen to their concerns, expectations, and suggestions. You need to involve them in your HSE management system and your improvement initiatives. You need to build trust and collaboration with them.

6 Balance the trade-offs

The sixth step to prioritize HSE principles is to balance the trade-offs between the technical, operational, and economic aspects of your drilling project and the HSE aspects. You need to recognize that there are often conflicts and compromises between these aspects, such as between drilling speed and safety, between cost and quality, between production and environment. You need to weigh the benefits and costs of different options and alternatives. You need to make informed and ethical decisions that optimize the overall value and performance of your drilling project, while minimizing the negative impacts on the health, safety, and environment of your drilling team, your organization, and your society.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?