Moment
  • Published: 14 Jul 2016
  • Incident ID: 3972

SIMOPS Gas Venting - Safety Moment

Cause & Consequence

  • Other

Other Cause & Consequence

Venting

Backup Contributing Factor

Communication, Control of work

Description of Process

  • You are in charge of an unmanned wellhead platform
  • A drilling rig will be coming alongside in a few months to carry out simultaneous operations
  • What additional hazards might be introduced as a result of the two installations working together?
  • What aspects of your operation might change as a result of the two installations coming together?

Description of Incident

  • On the WHP, a well had stopped flowing and was shut-in
  • To restart the well an operator was asked to vent the topside’s gas from the shut-in well – this routine procedure did not normally need a Permit to Work.
  • The gas vent was located high on the wellhead but close to the attending jack-up
  • The jack-up OIM smelled gas, notified the drill rig control room and all hot-work was immediately suspended and systems made safe

Good Practice Guidance

SIMOPS: Two or more of the following activities: production, drilling, completion, workover, wireline (except routine operations) and major construction operations

During SIMOPS, it is vital that hazards are assessed and the joint safety needs are considered for all operations to avoid a hazard on one installation having an impact on the other(s)

Ensure effective communications are established between control of work authorities

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