Perforating Fatality OE

Moment
March 2022

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 Wellbore Perforating Fundamentals

Deployment Firing Head Type Safeguards

Method

E-Line Electronic High Power Threshold

Detonators
Perforating Radio Silence
Exclusion Zones

Tubing Mechanical Temperature triggers

Time Triggers
Conveyed (pressure or weight drop)
Pressure Safety Factors
Exclusion Zones

Slickline Digital or Temperature triggers

Pressure triggers
Mechanical Jarring Exclusion Zones

Oilfield Perforating is typically performed with shaped charges composed of

secondary explosives, meaning another source must initiate their
detonation. A blasting cap detonator usually begins the chain reaction and
may be electronically or mechanically activated. Planning a perforating
job involves matching the deployment method with the correct detonator for
the wellbore conditions
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 Fatality – Perforating Gun (Gulf of Thailand)
Description:
March 6, 2022 - Crew was preparing tools
to Perforate a well.
• Perf gun was made up on deck of with
Pressure Activated Firing Head and
lifted into the lubricator.
• Wireline Supervisor made up &
tightened the lubricator to the xmas
tree.
• He signaled Wireline Assistant #1 on the
lower deck to open master valve.
• Upon opening master valve, the perf
gun unintentionally detonated while in
the lubricator.
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Resulting Injuries:
• Wireline Supervisor on upper deck close to
lubricator - fatally injured.
• Wireline Assistant #2 on upper deck – cut
on arm.
• Well Site Representative on upper deck –
bruised leg
Immediate Actions:
Rescue team activated, well & area secured,
operations suspended, all other BU’s notified
and investigation commenced
Immediate Recommendations:
Review current practice of safe areas, exclusion
zones & line of fire.
Review Perf SOPs and confirm safeguards are
in place and being followed.
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 SJVBU – 2019 Unintentional Detonation of
Perforating Gun in BOP
Description:
• After 8 successful perforations on a well
in Cymric, crew was attempting to
perforate the final cement squeeze
interval @ 40’ to abandon the well.
• Pressure was increased to 500 psi to aid
success of opening perforations for
squeeze holes.
• Upon signal from pump operator that
500 psi had been achieved, gun was
detonated while across BOPE.
• No injuries, but significant near miss
incident resulting in loss of well control
and significant cost for damaged
equipment.

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 SJVBU – 2014 Unintentional Detonation of
Perforating Gun While RIH at Shallow Depth
Description:
• Crew was RIH with 20’ link gun to add
perforations to the existing 990’ – 1025’
zone under WH pressure of 180 psi.
• At ~40’ the gun hung up while RIH and
then dropped about 10’ before
unintentionally detonating with no
current being applied to the RED Safe
Detonator.
• Investigation showed that design flaws
and poor quality control were the cause
so this gun type was removed from
circulation & future use.
• No injuries, but significant near miss
incident resulting in loss of well control
and significant cost for well
abandonment and replacement.

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 Perforating RP-13

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