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Introduction To Land Drilling Operation PDF
Introduction To Land Drilling Operation PDF
Peter Aird..
December 2008 Rev 1
.
The Wee Land Rig Handbook.
The oil and gas industry employs hundreds of thousands of people and is a vital
component of the World economy. Drilling quality, safety, health and environmental
accidental loss control prevention is thus vital to the success of this industry.
This documents intent is to introduce drilling tasks and activities in order persons to be
enabled to identify the common work hazards and risk management controls needed to
reduce, mitigate and prevent accidental loss, unplanned events and personal injuries from
occurring on a day to day basis.
Peter Aird.
December 2008 rev 1.
Introduction
All companies in the oil and gas industry have individual operational
standards, instructions, health, safety and environmental programs.
Disclaimer
This document is not a standard, nor regulation, and creates no new or otherwise
legal obligations. The document service only as an advisory guide, where all
informational contained in content is intended to assist employers and employees
in providing a safe, healthful and environmentally complaint workplace through
effective prevention programs adapted to the needs of each place of employment
tools, equipment, practices and procedures used. .
Health Acts will exist in each specific operating region, location and/or
environment and will require employers and employees to comply with hazard-
specific safety and health standards. In addition, employers must provide their
employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause
equipment failure malfunction, injury, serious loss or physical harm. Employers
can also often be cited for violating statutory rules and regulations if there is a
recognized hazard that they then do not take steps to prevent or abate the
hazard. However, failure to implement such guidelines is not, in itself, a violation.
Table of contents
The Wee Land Rig handbook ............................................................................................. 1
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3
Disclaimer ....................................................................................................................... 4
Table of contents............................................................................................................. 5
Safety and health program .................................................................................. 9
Hot work/Welding................................................................................................... 13
H2S ............................................................................................................................... 20
Release of H2S.............................................................................................................. 21
Drilling.............................................................................................................................. 30
Rigging Up.................................................................................................................... 30
Drilling ahead................................................................................................................ 41
Rotating Systems .......................................................................................................... 48
Rotating Systems .......................................................................................................... 49
Making a connection..................................................................................................... 51
Mud circulating system................................................................................................. 57
Drilling Fluids............................................................................................................... 63
Drilling Fluids............................................................................................................... 64
Tripping in and out........................................................................................................ 66
Casing operations.............................................................................................................. 75
Installing casing tools ................................................................................................... 76
Running casing into the hole......................................................................................... 77
Installing casing accessories ......................................................................................... 78
Circulating and cementing ............................................................................................ 79
Appendices........................................................................................................................ 97
Appendix 1: Physical properties of H2S....................................................................... 97
- Confined Spaces.
- Pressure Vessels.
o Compressed Gas and Equipment.
o Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Ventilation.
Respiratory protection as it relates to oil fields.
Weather conditions
Hot work/Welding
Figure 1: Hot work welding
Hot work is any work that
involves burning, welding,
using fire- or spark-
producing tools, or that
produces a source of
ignition. Welding and
cutting operations are
common to drilling and
servicing operations. Test
for flammable gases in the
work area before starting
any hot work. Potentially
hazardous areas include,
but are not limited to, well
heads, fuel tanks, mud tanks, tank batteries, gas separators, oil
treaters, or confined spaces where gases can accumulate.
Hot work fire and explosive Figure 2: Welding with fire control.
hazards
Workers performing hot work such
as welding, cutting, brazing,
soldering, and grinding are exposed
to the risk of fires from ignition of
flammable or combustible materials
in the space, and from leaks of
flammable gas into the space, from
hot work equipment.
Potential Hazard:
Special Precautions:
Potential Hazard:
Additional References:
Potential Hazard:
Inspect the work area to ensure that all fuel and ignition sources
are isolated by shielding, clearing the area, lockout/tagout,
soaking flammable material with water.
Wear appropriate PPE, such as face shield, leather welder's vest,
and gauntlet gloves. Use cotton or denim clothing.
Provide UV shielding for arc welding where practical.
Inspect welding and cutting equipment before use (arc or gas
welding/burning).
Leak test gas torches, gauges, and hoses.
Review the hot work permit if available.
Ensure the availability of adequate fire watch/fire protection
equipment.
Ensure adequate ventilation from toxic welding and cutting
fumes.
Special Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
Cylinder storage
Figure 4: Properly stored cylinders
Potential Hazard:
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
Ignition sources
There are a number of potential sources of ignition for flammable
gases and liquids on the drill site. It is necessary to provide for a
general ignition safety program which could pre-empt potential
hazards of fire and explosion.
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
H2S
Figure 6: Hydrogen sulfide warning sign:
Note: It is not the intent of this section Warning Hazardous Area is in yellow
to create an H2S contingency plan. letters on a black background. In black
letters on a yellow background, the sign
says Hydrogen Sulfide, Extreme Health
Hydrogen Sulfide or sour gas (H2S) is a Hazard, Fatal or Harmful if Inhaled
Active monitoring for hydrogen sulfide gas and good planning and
training programs for workers are the best ways to prevent injury and
death.
Release of H2S
All personnel working in an area where concentrations of Hydrogen
Sulfide may exceed the 10 Parts Per Million (PPM) should be provided
with training before beginning work assignments.
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
Additional Information:
Potential Hazard:
Being exposed to Hydrogen
Sulfide.
Possible Solutions:
Select materials in accordance with the MR0175/ISO15156
criteria for H2S service.
MR 0175, Metals for Sulfide Stress Cracking and Stress
Corrosion Cracking Resistance in Sour Oilfield
Environments. National Association of Corrosion Engineers
(NACE), (2003, December) [Also ISO 15156, Petroleum
and natural gas industriesMaterials for use in H2S
containing environments in oil and gas production,
International Standards Organization (ISO)].
About MR 0175. Reviewed and approved 15
proposals for change to the standard.
Accumulation of H2S
It is possible for hydrogen sulfide gas to accumulate in any low or
enclosed area, such as a gas venting system, mud system, cellars,
pits, and tanks.
Potential Hazard:
Being exposed to Hydrogen Sulfide.
Possible Solutions:
Provide adequate ventilation for the removal of any accumulation
of H2S.
Implement effective confined space entry program.
Leveling site
The site is leveled (if necessary) with a bulldozer and/or a grader.
Damaging buried
pipelines and cables.
Unpredictable weather
changes can create
unexpected hazards.
Irritant and toxic
plants, pollens, and
other entrained
materials.
Uneven ground may
cause bulldozers to roll
over.
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Wear appropriate
respiratory protection.
Perform a site line location
survey.
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
This is either done by the portable rig that drills the conductor hole or
can be done by the primary rig after rigging-up.
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solution:
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solution:
Transporting equipment
Depending on the location of the Figure 17: Transporting equipment
Potential Hazards:
- At a newly prepared
drill site, the soils may
not be compacted
sufficiently to support
the incoming load. This
could cause the load to
become unstable
- The load may not be secured properly, causing it to shift or the
tie-downs to fail.
- In slick conditions, the truck may slide off the road
Possible Solutions:
Make sure that the access road and drill pad at the drill site has
been properly prepared before attempting to drive on it.
Drive slowly; always being cautious of shifting weight.
Loads should be tied down with proper devices and inspected
before and during transport. General rules for protection against
shifting or falling cargo generally exist and should be consulted.
Always drive with caution, whatever the conditions.
Improperly secured
loads could cause
equipment to slide or
collapse during
unloading.
Possible Solution:
Rigging Up
Rigging up is placing and assembling
the various parts of equipment that
make up the rig, and preparing the
rig for drilling.
Figure 22: Hoisting the drilling mast There are many rig designs, and
this document does not cover
each type individually. This
document therefore focuses on
the common hazards and
solutions that many rig designs
share.
During assembly of the rig,
some equipment may be
handled and set with crane, rig
up trucks, or forklift, depending
Figure 21: Setting up the substructure. on the size of the rig. It should
be noted that overhead
hazards such as high voltage
power lines may be present.
There may be two or more
crews (teams) working
together in the rigging up
process. The rigging up
process includes the following
steps, some of which are done
simultaneously: (See servicing
rigging up.)
Equipping the cellar begins but can be done throughout the rigging up
process. This includes welding on a drilling nipple to the conductor pipe
and attaching a flow line.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Follow established
procedures and best
work practices.
Instruct workers on
proper procedures for
using and installing
ladders.
Use only ladders in
good repair that do not
have missing rungs.
Do not install stairs
with missing or damaged steps. Repair them before installing
them.
Keep walkways clean and free of debris and tripping hazards.
Use proper fall protection.
Place guardrails in place prior to working in elevated areas.
Potential Hazards:
Potential Hazards:
points.
Being struck by crane,
load, truck or forklift
tipping.
Being struck by hammer
when connecting mud line
unions.
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Getting struck or
pinched by, or caught
in between, tubulars being loaded onto racks.
Having feet pinched or crushed when setting up the pipe racks
and catwalk.
Figure 35: V-door, pipe ramp, pipe-rack & catwalk
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
The hazards and solutions are similar to those for rigging up.
Drilling ahead
Handling Tubulars
The pipe is unloaded from trucks onto the pipe-rack. The floor crew
brings pipe from the pipe rack and catwalk, using the cat-line, air hoist
or hydraulic winch, up to the drilling floor and places it in the mouse-
hole. This is done for every connection.
Note: The rig supervisor should hold a pre-job meeting with the crew
to review responsibilities and to coordinate the operations to be
performed.
Potential Hazards:
Preparing the drilling fluid Figure 42: Typical drilling 'Mud' fluid
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
RP54, Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and
Servicing Operations. American Petroleum Institute (API), (1999,
August 1). Includes procedures for promotion and maintenance
of safe working conditions for employees engaged in rotary
drilling operations and well servicing operations, including special
services. Applies to rotary drilling rigs, well servicing rigs, and
special services as they relate to operations on locations.
Accident Prevention Guide. International Association of Drilling
Contractors (IADC).
Drilling Technology Series, Petroleum Extension Service (PETEX),
University of Texas at Austin.
Unit I: The Rig and Its Maintenance
Unit II: Normal Drilling Operations
Unit III: Non-routine Operations
Unit IV: Man Management and Rig Management
Starting Drilling
To start drilling, a surface drill bit is attached to Figure 45: Lowering the drill
bit on a drill collar
a bottom-hole drill collar, which is in turn
attached to heavy weight drillpipe and then
drillpipe until the required length of drillstring**
is run to the bottom of the wellbore where the
kelly is then finally made up and attached.
Drill Collars
Drill-collars DC as illustrated in figure 36 are heavy,
large diameter pipe.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers as presented in figure 37 are used to keep
the drill string in the centre of the hole. A bit will
always be of a larger diameter compared to the drill
collars. Stabilizers can also be sized and shaped for
directional drilling needs to allow the drill string the
ability to follow a certain build or drop in angle bend
as a result in change of RPM and weight on Bit.
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe Figure 48: Heavy weight drillpipe (HWDP)
Drill Pipe
Drillpipe constitutes the longest section
of the drill string and serves two primary
functions i.e.
1. Provides a conduit for the drilling
fluid (mud), to be able to
transport the mud from surface
down to the bit.
2. Allows transmission of rotation
power via a rotary table or top
drive to drillstring, ultimately
allowing the bit to be rotated so
drilling can ensure.
The drill pipe used is also dependent on the diameter of the hole and the tensile
strength required. The wall thickness of drill pipe is quite small, 1/2. This does
leave much material to cut thread in, so therefore both end of the pipe are fitted
with special threaded end. These ends are called a tool joint.
Potential Hazards:
- Being struck by the tongs, the make-up chain, or pipe.
- Being caught between collars and tongs, spinning chain, and
pipe.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
See slips, trip and falls in general health and safety section.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Bits
Bits can be of different designs, depending on their purpose. The roller cone bit
illustrated in figure 40 is a milled tooth type with tungsten carbide insert cutters.
PDC bits as illustrated in figure 42 i.e. Poly-crystalline diamond compact bit are
also used to provide more durability as illustrated above.
Figure 49: Roller Tri-cone bit
Figure 50: Pumping through bit at surface
All these components are now on Figure 52: Top drive system 'TDS'
Making a connection
Preparing to break out the pipe Figure 56: Setting the drillstring slips into the
rotary table bushings
The driller stops the drill string from
rotating, and hoists the drill string
with the draworks until the kelly is
out of the rotary table. The driller
then shuts down the mud pump(s).
The floor hands set the slips around
the joint of pipe. The tongs are then
latched onto the tool joints above
and below the connection.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards: Figure 57L Breaking out drillpipe using the rig tongs
Implement an effective
spinning out pipe
procedure:
Personnel other than tong
operators stand outside
the tong swing radius
when breaking pipe.
No one should stand in
the red zone Ref. fig 37
Use proper tong latching
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Use a mud bucket to direct mud down into the rotary table.
Close the mud saver valve on the kelly (if present).
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Never step over a jerk chain and stay clear of spinning chain
when a connection is being made.
Keep hands away from end of stump or inside of pipe.
Keep feet and legs away from underneath tongs when the pipe is
being stabbed.
Use proper tong latching techniques and hand and finger
placement on tong handles.
Never stand or walk under suspended loads.
Resuming drilling
The driller starts the pump and Figure 64: Lowering the kelly bushing into the
rotary table to resume Rotary Drilling Operations
picks up off the slips. The drill
crew then removes the slips. The
driller lowers the string until the
kelly drive bushing engages the
master bushing. Once the
bushings are in place, the driller
begins rotating the drill string,
lowers the bit back to bottom,
and continues making hole.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Mud pits
Mud Pits can be seen as plain storage tanks. They have a couple of
connections to various suction lines (described later on) and a couple of
return lines. They are also fitted with big mixers which will prevent the barite
from falling out.
Barite is the weighting material used for increasing the mud weight.
Charge pumps
Charge pumps are connected to the mud pits and provide mud to the mud
pumps. Charge pumps are needed since a gravitational feed directly from the
pit will not provide the mud pumps with sufficient flow.
Standpipe hose
The standpipe hose connects the standpipe to the top-drive or kelly.
Drilling fluid flow path Figure 69: Fluid flow through bit
As illustrated in the circulating system the and wellbore annulus
drilling fluid is pump via the mud pits,
circulating lines down the drillstring through
the drilling assembly and eventually exiting out
of the bit. Here, the bit is fitted with nozzles of
a specific size. Nozzles clean the bit and the
bottom of the wellbore thereby increasing the
efficiency and effectiveness of the cutting
removal process by jetting the cuttings from
the bit and bottom of the well.
On top of the BOP low pressure piping is fitted. A funnel shaped piece
is fitted at the top and serves as a guide for the tools which are
lowered into the well. This is also Figure 71: Drilling mud exiting the surface flowline
called the Bell Nipple.
The liquid mud passes through the screens and is recirculated back to
the mud tanks from which mud is withdrawn for pumping down-hole.
The drill cuttings remain on top of the shale shaker screens; the
vibratory action of the shakers moves the cuttings down the screen
and off the end of the shakers to a point where they can be collected
and stored in a tank or pit for further treatment or management.
Additional mechanical
processing is often used in
the mud pit system to further remove as many fine solids as possible
because these particles tend to interfere with drilling performance.
This mechanical equipment usually belongs to one of three types:
The Drill pipe is brought to the drill floor by use of a winch or pipe
handler. This is an automated piece of equipment. On manual rigs pipe
was pulled up the floor by use a tugger and placed onto the drill-string
by hand.
The new joint is placed on top of the drill-string and will be made up
with the manual rig tongs or with an automated roughneck
Tripping out
Setting the slips
The floor crew sets slips around the drill stem.
Figure 80: Setting the slips
Potential Hazards:
Getting fingers or
other body parts
pinched between
slips or slip handles
and rotary table.
Receiving muscle
strain from improper
lifting technique.
Possible Solutions:
Use proper stance and slip lifting techniques. Slips have three
handles and should be lifted jointly by more than one person.
Potential Hazards:
Figure 81: Kelly set in its rat-hole in
- Release of excess drilling mud readiness to trip pipe
resulting in skin contact, loss of
footing, etc.
Possible Solutions:
Being struck by the kelly if the pullback line unhooks when kelly
is being pulled toward the rat-hole.
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Potential Hazards:
Working in the monkey board Figure 83: Climbing derrick ladder to monkey-board
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Moving pipe to racking area Figure 86: Moving pipe to set back area
Potential Hazards:
Tripping in
The sequence for tripping in to a well is as follows
Elevators raised
Tripping In -- Latching Elevators to Top of Stand
Moving pipe to rotary
Pipe is made up
Slips are pulled
Slips are set
Elevators are unlatched
Process repeated for all stands
Pickup kelly and attach to drill string
Break circulation, and
Resume drilling
Potential Hazards:
Figure 87: Looking up to latch elevators to stand from the monkey board
Potential Hazards:
Being struck by or
caught between
tubulars and other
objects during movement (such as being struck by tubulars
being tailed into the rig floor).
Experiencing strains and sprains from maneuvering tools.
Falling from work platform and/or stabbing board.
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
The first line of defense in well control is to have sufficient drilling fluid pressure in the
well hole. i.e. keep the wellbore full of the correct drilling fluids at all times.
During drilling, underground fluids such as gas, water, or oil under pressure (the
formation pressure) opposes the drilling fluid pressure (mud pressure).
If the formation pressure is greater than the mud pressure, there is the possibility of a
blowout. What could then result is presented I the figure below.
Figure 95: An example where well control has been lost on an oil & gas well.
When, for any reason, the well starts to flow the second barrier will
help us to control the well en to re-establish the primary barrier.
The well-control equipment must enable the driller to shut in the well
and to change out the drilling fluid with drilling fluid of a higher mud
weight all to be done in a controlled manner.
Incase the well start to flow the mud will flow to surface in two ways.
1. Through the drill string.
Figure 97: IBOP
2. Through the annulus.
Figure 96: Kelly valve
To shut of the drill string we
have a float down in the
string, the IBOP and the
Kelly Valve on the Top-
drive.
1. Annular Preventer
2. Fixed Bore Pipe Ram
3. Variable Bore Pipe Ram
4. Blind Ram
5. Shear Ram
Figure 98: Annular preventer
Additional Information:
Figure 100: Schematic of the circulating system: The drill bit, drill collar, annulus, drill pipe, kelly and
swivel are depicted in the upper right. Drilling mud flows through the mud return line (center) upon its
return to the surface from the hole to the shale shaker (upper left), then to the adjacent de-sander, de-
silter and degasser back to the mud tank (upper left). Mud passes through the suction line, and the mud
pump (center) circulates the mud through the discharge line (above), the stand pipe (upper right)
through the rotary hose (right) and the swivel (lower right), back to the kelly and into the drill pipe.
Additional Resources:
- Standards. American Petroleum Institute (API).
o RP 53, Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling
Operations. Second Edition, (2006, May). Provides
information that can serve as a guide for installation and
testing of blowout prevention equipment systems on land
and marine drilling rigs (barge, platform, bottom-supported, and
floating). This is the recommended specification for the
installation, use, and maintenance of this equipment.
Possible Solutions:
- Wear appropriate personal
protective equipment (such as hard
hats, work gloves, safety shoes,
and eye protection)
- Implement injury awareness
training (such as dropped objects,
working from heights)
- Use appropriate fall protection.
- Ensure workers are aware of the slipping and falling hazards.
- Monitor for potential hazards (H2S, methane, O2 deficiency).
Maintenance activities
Proper maintenance prevents Figure 106: Welding Operations
premature equipment failure,
which may cause injuries or
fatalities. Drilling equipment is
subjected to stress and
vibration during operations.
Maintenance is a necessary
and ongoing activity on the
drilling site.
Rig floor
Maintenance activities include inspecting, adjusting, and servicing on
equipment such as draworks, rotary, catheads, tongs, air hoists, and
wire rope.
Potential Hazards:
Potential Hazards:
- Wear personal
protective equipment
(such as hard hats,
work gloves, safety
shoes, and eye
protection)
- Use proper
lockout/tagout
procedures.
- Seek assistance when
moving awkward and
heavy guards and
covers.
- Maintain all machinery
free of leaks by regular
preventive
Figure 107: Engines, compound and draworks
maintenance and
repairing when necessary.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Receiving injuries to
face and eyes from
flying chips when
cutting wire rope.
Possible Solutions:
hose connections,
pop-off valve, shale
shakers, belts, and
guards.
Potential Hazards:
Being caught
between, or
struck by
equipment.
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Engines
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Wear appropriate
personal protective
equipment.
Potential Hazards:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazard:
Possible Solutions:
Potential Hazard:
Appendices
Appendix 1: Physical properties of H2S
A.1 Physical Data