Equipment engineering technical Integrity Assurance – a game changer for the industry?

However, current regulatory requirements for basic well control training often focus on the individual “passing the exam” rather than gaining a thorough understanding of well control fundamentals. In some cases, well training consists of an on-line exam with no independent verification. This type of “training” can leave rig personnel exposed to a well control incident during actual drilling operations, when rapid, decisive, and appropriate corrective action is crucial.
The use of Drilling and Advance Rig Training simulators is an effective way to improve safety and operational performance through enhanced competence.
Going forward, we see the industry extending the use of simulation training programs. This will increase the number of individuals and crews exposed to a realistic well control incident simulation in a safe and controlled environment.
Rig personnel will then be better prepared for a situation they hope never to encounter – but, if they do, will be able to confidently employ the skills essential to bring a well under control. Nevertheless, the current training simulation system providers will need to broaden the scope of training offered and focus on giving the individual a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of well control.
Process issues
Process is the third and final technical integrity assurance core element. This includes failure mode and effect analysis, system redundancy, independent third party verification and audit, “as-built” status review, and HAZOP revalidation. A
formal “what if” consequence-and-impact assessment is also advisable.
Traditionally, drilling rigs are designed to deal with a single failure scenario;
reviewing the impact of coincident and simultaneous failures and feeding back the findings to complete the design loop will increase the safety of the final system and rig design.
The “independence” and use of a suitably qualified and technically competent third party as part of the review, verification and audit process – at all stages

from pre-concept to start-up – introduces a new challenge process and a demonstration to any client or regulatory body of a robust assurance program.
Over time, on-site modifications can result in key documentation essential for safe operation becoming out of date. However, assurance that all key documentation reflects the real status of the current facilities is feasible via actual detailed site surveys: the resultant output will be accurate “as-is” documentation such as P&IDs, electrical single line diagrams, fire and gas shutdown philosophies, cause and effects charts, and operating and emergency procedures.
While the original design and any major modifications will have undergone a number of HAZOPs, it is good practice to confirm continued safe operations via the revalidation and reassessment of HAZOP criteria as part of a five-year facility review (or more frequently, in the event of significant asset changes). In addition,
it is our opinion that at global level, the industry will lean towards an approach similar to the UK-based Safety Case, and this type of document will need to be in place not only for fixed platform drilling facilities but also for mobile drilling rigs.
As an international drilling facilities engineering organization, RDS constantly communicates with oil and gas operators and drilling contractors across the globe. We have recently seen different approaches in TIA applied to differing operating depths. We have also seen significant variations in how each of the major oil and gas locations view and are dealing with the aftermath of theDeepwater Horizon incident.
As the causes and further consequences of recent events become clearer, we believe it is important for the industry to reach an appropriate level of alignment around our drilling facilities technical integrity practices. Harmonization and execution of these methods will present a significant challenge, but demonstrating a robust assurance program is something we all need to embrace and achieve. The industry is already starting to see a change in the relationship

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