News Cuttings

IADC Advanced Rig Technology Committee holds 1st meeting

The new IADC Advanced Rig Technology Committee plans to work toward guidelines and best practices for automated drilling systems, as well as examine standard methods of reporting reliability problems with advanced rig equipment. The committee held its inaugural meeting during the 2008 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference in Orlando, Fla., on 5 March.

Automated drilling systems are increasingly common in today’s rig fleet. However, reliability can be problematic.

The IADC committee will consider a wide range of issues, including:

• Standardization of plug-and-play equipment electrical interfaces.

• Guidelines for competency and HSE.

• Guidance to drilling contractors on appropriate operations for automated systems.

• Developing a database of reliability or failure statistics for key systems, such as drawworks; top drive; pipe handling, both in the derrick and on the rig floor; and the human/equipment interface.

Companies represented at the meeting include Chevron, Grey Wolf Drilling, KCA DEUTAG, Key Energy Services, Maersk Contractors, Atlas Copco, Athens Group, Forum Oilfield, National Oilwell Varco and Weatherford. The committee will meet next during OTC.

Any IADC member may participate in the committee. For details, contact Mike Killalea at mike.killalea@iadc.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

IADC committee ratifies new MPD/UBO definitions

The IADC Underbalanced Operations & Managed Pressure Drilling Committee has ratified new definitions for the terms “managed pressure drilling,” “underbalance,” “underbalanced drilling,” and “underbalanced operations.” Revisions aim to clarify the two types of operations that are sometimes confused by industry decision-makers.

Gavin Humphreys of Stena Drilling, the committee’s new chairman, presided over the first-quarter meeting, held in Abu Dhabi on 26-27 January and hosted by National Drilling Company. New definitions were ratified at the meeting, then announced by Mr Humphreys at the 2008 SPE/IADC Managed Pressure Drilling and Underbalanced Operations Conference, 28-29 January in Abu Dhabi.

Ken Malloy of Stress Engineering presented a paper at the same event, “Managed Pressure Drilling: What It Is and What It Is Not,” to elaborate on the definitions.

Having completed work on a “best practice” document for underbalanced operations, the UBO & MPD Committee has begun to draft a similar guideline for managed pressure drilling. Interested parties should attend the group’s second-quarter meeting, scheduled for 14-15 April in Frisco, Texas.

The newly adopted definitions can be found in the “Completed Documents” section of the UBO & MPD Committee web site. For additional information on committee activities, please contact Ken Fischer at ken.fischer@iadc.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NSC leaders sign UK step change in Safety charter

Leaders of the IADC North Sea Chapter joined the UK’s Step Change in Safety organisation in early February to underline their personal commitment to safety. Step Change in Safety is a cross-industry initiative that seeks to achieve continuous improvement in North Sea oil industry safety standards.

The February event drew about 70 oil and gas company managing directors and senior management. Attendees were invited to sign a charter reaffirming their commitment to Step Change strategies and principles through visible leadership, effective engagement with their workforce, and by promoting effective collaboration in the sharing of best practices and lessons learned.