ACCUMULATOR DRILL

3.1 Procedure E -5

INTRODUCTION

Shutting-in the well quickly to minimize the size of the influx is a major element of successful well control. Drilling crews can only get proficient in this action through training and practice. The Drilling Foreman should ensure that the Contract Toolpusher administers training in the areas of kick detection and shut-in procedures until proficiency is demonstrated. The training must be repetitive and frequent enough so that shutting-in the well becomes automatic whenever a kick is detected.

The Drilling Foreman can judge the level of crew shut-in proficiency through the use of pit drills and trip drills. These drills should always be coordinated with the contract toolpusher. Proper drills and training can prevent panic and provide for orderly operation if a kick should occur. The following discussions describe how to conduct the drills and provide a basis for crew evaluation.

1.0 PIT DRILLS

The pit drill is designed to simulate an actual kick while drilling ahead and is designed as both a teaching and a testing tool. While drilling ahead, it teaches the drilling crews to be alert for positive indicators of a kick and provides practice in the proper Saudi Aramco shut-in procedures. It also defshut-ines and reshut-inforces the assigned duties of every member of the drilling crew in well control situations. Pit drills are conducted unannounced so that realism is created and so the crews can be observed under actual operating conditions.

Pit drills train the Driller to be constantly aware of the fluid level in the mud pits and the return mud flow, much as the driver of an automobile subconsciously checks his speedometer. This training is expected to prepare the driller to detect a kick at the first surface indication and with a minimum of reservoir fluid influx. He will then be able to take correct preventive action, lessening chances of disaster. Pit drills should be supervised by the Contract Toolpusher and coordinated through the Drilling Foreman.

1.1 Equipment

All equipment required for pit drills is to be installed prior to drilling and kept in good operating condition. A multi-float pit level indicator and flow show device must be available.

A pre-arranged horn or siren signal is an essential part of the pit drill. At the signal, each crewmember must go immediately to his assigned post and execute his assigned duties.

The Drilling Foreman should note the times required (in minutes) for various aspects of the pit drills and record them on the tour report. The number and times for these drills should be relayed to the office.

1.2 Frequency

One or more pit drills should be conducted each day until the crews become proficient;

then at least twice weekly per crew, or more often if deemed advisable by the Drilling Foreman. Pit drills should be held at least one each day on offshore wells, wildcats, and wells where above-normal bottom hole pressure could exist. New drillers should be given special drills and thorough explanation of this practice. It is one of the most important safety measures that can be initiated and followed.

Drills are to be conducted during both routine and special operations. Typical times would be while drilling, shut down for equipment repairs, logging, waiting on orders, circulating, the Driller has gone to eat and is replaced by one of his men, the Driller is talking to someone, or any other time there is open hole and blowout preventers installed.

1.3 Procedure

1) The Toolpusher simulates the kick by raising a float in the mud pits or by raising the arm on the flow show indicator and making a note of the time. The Drilling Foreman should assist in observing the crew and recording completion times.

2) The Driller must detect the kick and sound the alarm. The time of the alarm should be noted. Upon hearing the alarm, all members of the drilling crew should immediately execute their assigned duties.

3) The Driller should prepare to shut in the well using the approved Saudi Aramco Shut-in Procedure While DrillShut-ing. The DrillShut-ing Foreman should be on the rig floor to announce to the driller that the exercise is only a drill and to stop him before he actually closes the blowout preventers. The time should be noted when the driller is prepared to shut in the well.

4) Members of the drilling crew should report back to the rig floor having completed their assigned duties. These duties may include:

Driller

 Shut in the well (simulated)

 Record drillpipe pressure and casing pressure

 Record time

 Measure pit gain

 Check choke manifold for valve positioning and leaks Derrickman

 Weigh sample of mud from suction pit

 Check volumes of barite, gel, and water on location Floor Hand #1

 Check accumulator pressures and pumps

 Check BOP stack for leaks and proper valve positions

 Turn on water jets to diesel exhausts Floor Hand #2

 Assist Driller on rig floor Floor Hand #3

 Assist Derrickman on mud pits

2.0

TRIP DRILLS

The trip drill is designed to train the drilling crews to recognize and respond to kick indications, which occur while tripping pipe. Like the pit drill, the trip drill is useful for both teaching and testing purposes. The pit drill also proves that essential detection equipment is installed and in good operating condition.

The trip drill is supervised by the Contract Toolpusher with the knowledge of the Saudi Aramco Drilling Foreman. All parts of the well control system must be kept hooked up and in good condition, ready for drills.

2.1 Frequency

When a new rig is picked-up, trip drills should be conducted during each trip (both while pulling out and going into the hole) while the bit is up in the casing. When the crew becomes proficient, trip drills should be conducted at least twice weekly per crew, conditions allowing.

2.2 Procedure

1) The Toolpusher simulates the kick by raising a float in the mud pits and making a note of the time. The Drilling Foreman should assist in observing the crew and recording completion times.

2) The Driller must detect the kick and sound the alarm. The time of the alarm should be noted. Upon hearing the alarm, all members of the drilling crew should immediately execute their assigned duties.

3) The Driller should prepare to shut in the well using the approved Saudi Aramco Shut-in Procedure While TrippShut-ing. This will Shut-include spacShut-ing out and stabbShut-ing/closShut-ing the full open safety valve. After the safety valve is installed and the Driller is ready to close the preventers, the Drilling Foreman should announce to the Driller that the exercise is only a drill and that it is not necessary to close the preventers. The time should be noted when the driller is prepared to shut-in the well.

4) Members of the drilling crew should proceed with their assigned duties and report back to the rig floor upon completion. These duties may include:

Driller

 Shut in the well (simulated)

 Record drillpipe and casing pressure

 Record time

 Measure pit gain

 Check choke manifold for valve positioning and leaks Derrickman

 Weigh sample of mud from suction pit

 Check volumes of barite, gel, and water

Floor Hand #1

 Check accumulator pressures and pumps

 Check BOP stack for leaks

 Turn on water jets to diesel exhausts Floor Hand #2

 Stab safety valve. Close safety valve

 Stab inside BOP. Open safety valve

 Assist Driller on rig floor Floor Hand #3

 Assist Derrickman on mud pits 3.0

ACCUMULATOR DRILL

Accumulator drills are designed to verify that the accumulator/closing system is in good working order and that it is properly sized for the particular blowout preventer stack.

Accumulator performance must be proven with an accumulator drill when the blowout preventers are first installed (which verifies proper sizing), and every 14 days thereafter in conjunction with the weekly BOP pressure tests (which checks for hydraulic leaks).

Results of the accumulator drill, including closing times of the rams and annular preventer, and initial final accumulator pressures are to be reported on the Blowout Preventer Test and Equipment Checklist. A notation should also be made on the tour report that an accumulator drill was conducted.

Accumulator drills must be conducted when the drill pipe is not in open hole, but up in the casing. At least one joint of drillpipe must be in the hole for the pipe rams to close on. The Saudi Aramco Drilling Foreman and Contract Toolpusher should witness all accumulator drills, but the Toolpusher is responsible for the actual supervision of the drill. Use the remote station to close the preventers every other drill.

3.1 Procedure

1) Turn off all accumulator-pressurizing pumps.

2) Record the initial accumulator, manifold, and annular pressures.

3) Close all of the preventers (except the blind rams). Substitute a re-opening of a pipe ram to simulate the blind ram closure when applicable. Open the HCR valve.

4) Measure and record the closing times for each preventer with a stopwatch.

5) Record the final accumulator, manifold, and annular pressures.

6) To pass the accumulator test, all BOPs must have closed in less than 30 seconds with at least:

 1500 psi accumulator pressure remaining (for a 3000 psi accumulator)

Note: Equipment that does not meet these requirements either has insufficient capacity, insufficient pre-charge or needs repair. Closing time for annular preventers 20" and larger should not exceed 45 seconds.

7) Observe the remaining pressure for at least 5 minutes to detect any possible am piston seal leaks.

8) Turn the accumulator pump(s) back on. Record the time required to charge system back up (re-charge time).

9) Open BOP’s..

REMARKS:

TEST OF AUXILIARY SYSTEMS AS PER SAUDI ARAMCO WELL CONTROL MANUAL SIZE WT