DROPS Wells Forum - notes for distribution

The first session of the DROPs Wells forum of 2025 focused on learning from incidents and continue to explore the use of technology to prevent and mitigate the impact of dropped objects. The forum facilitator Joachim van der Meulen Expressed his thanks to all the sponsors making this event possible.

Attendance

The forum was attended by over 120 participants, representing a diverse range of companies in the drilling sector including Expro , Velesto Energy Berhad , Abraj Energy, PETRONAS , ADNOC, EnQuest, Saipem, Axess Group , Cenovus, Chevron, 壳牌 , KCA Deutag, NOV, SLB, Borr Drilling , 贝克休斯 , and Oxy , among others.

Introduction / safety moment

Joachim shared a personal story of visiting Taipei. He found this metal flag holder which was severely corroded and hanging by one rusted bolt at the house of his relatives he had been visiting for more than 20 years. The moment he touched the flag holder it broke off. At two stories, The DROPS calculator Would suggest that an object like this would only cause a minor injury. But it is important to note that this is a residential setting and nobody is wearing ppe. The area right beneath is a popular smoking spot for employees working in an office. We can have all the knowledge and experience around dropped objects and still miss hazards which in hindsight should be obvious.

DROPS AI Chatbot

Joachim shared an update on the development of the DROPS Chat bot, a quick demo can be seen below.

Try out the DROPS AI Chatbot at dropsforum.org/chat

Learning from Incidents

Colin Habarow with Shell Australia shared 2 learnings from incidents

1. involved a lifting operation with a failed shackle, which highlighted the importance of carefully inspecting all equipment prior to a lift.

2.Another involved an incident with a Tubular Lifting Device, again highlighting the importance of frequent inspections. Marc Maloney, CRSP, CHSC with Cenovus share the following YouTube video which covers how to inspect these devices.

The presentations from Colin will not be shared publicly.

Preventing Dropped Objects through design review

Ricardo C Freire with Axess Group in Singapore shared how 3D models can be used during the design review to prevent dropped objects. He kindly agreed to record the presentation below.

The presentation outlines how early-stage design assessments using 3D model reviews can identify potential risks before construction and installation. Ricardo introduces a series of measures beginning with high-level drop strategies and asset-specific philosophies that guide the creation of standard procedures. These procedures help determine the criticality of various areas and ensure that risk assessments are based on systematic, data-driven criteria rather than subjective judgments.

Throughout the presentation, he provides practical examples of design improvements that can mitigate hazards. For instance, adding handrails, guardrails, and swing gates in the 3D models can enhance safety. Simple modifications, such as relocating components a few centimeters or rotating equipment, are shown to significantly lower the likelihood of an object falling. The presentation also emphasizes the importance of material specifications, noting that using lighter and more durable technologies—like modern LED lighting—can reduce both the energy stored in elevated items and the overall risk.

Additionally, Ricardo introduces the concept of a reverse drop survey for existing rigs, a methodical approach that involves questioning the design and placement of items already in service. This survey evaluates whether equipment meets current standards and explores opportunities to replace or remove hazardous items altogether.

Questions and Answers

If you have any questions for the speakers, please use the comment section for this article and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible. We also love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Next Forum

The next DROPS Forum will be held on Wednesday 26 February 2025. Please contact Joachim van der Meulen to register.