What do you do if a drilling engineering failure occurs and you don't respond effectively?

2 Control the well

The second step in responding to a drilling engineering failure is to control the well and prevent any uncontrolled flow of fluids or gas from the formation to the surface. This can be done by applying the correct well control procedures, such as closing the blowout preventer (BOP), circulating out the influx, or performing a kill operation. Depending on the severity and location of the failure, different methods and equipment may be required, such as pipe rams, annular preventers, choke valves, or kill lines. The drilling engineer should follow the well control guidelines and standards and use the appropriate calculations and simulations to ensure the safety and integrity of the well.

3 Repair the damage

The third step in responding to a drilling engineering failure is to repair the damage and restore the functionality of the wellbore and the drilling equipment. This can involve various operations and techniques, such as fishing, milling, cementing, casing, or sidetracking. The choice and execution of these operations depend on the nature and extent of the damage, as well as the objectives and constraints of the drilling project. The drilling engineer should evaluate the feasibility and risks of each option and select the optimal solution that minimizes the time and cost of the repair.

4 Resume the drilling

The fourth step in responding to a drilling engineering failure is to resume the drilling operations and continue with the original or modified plan. This can require adjusting the drilling parameters, such as mud weight, flow rate, rotary speed, or weight on bit, to optimize the performance and prevent further failures. Additionally, the drilling engineer should monitor the wellbore conditions and the drilling equipment closely and conduct regular tests and checks to ensure the reliability and safety of the operations. The drilling engineer should also document and report the failure and the response actions and learn from the experience to improve the future drilling practices.

5 Prevent the recurrence

The fifth step in responding to a drilling engineering failure is to prevent the recurrence of the same or similar problems. This can be done by identifying and eliminating the root causes of the failure and implementing corrective and preventive measures. These measures can include modifying the drilling design, improving the quality control, enhancing the training and supervision, updating the procedures and protocols, or adopting new technologies and innovations. The drilling engineer should conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of the failure and the response actions and share the lessons learned and the best practices with the drilling team and the industry.

6 Manage the impact

The sixth and final step in responding to a drilling engineering failure is to manage the impact and the consequences of the problem. This can involve dealing with the legal, regulatory, financial, environmental, and social aspects of the failure and the response actions. The drilling engineer should comply with the relevant laws and regulations and report the incident and the actions taken to the authorities and the stakeholders. The drilling engineer should also assess the economic and environmental costs and benefits of the failure and the response actions and take responsibility for the outcomes. Moreover, the drilling engineer should communicate and collaborate with the other parties involved and address any concerns or issues that may arise.

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?