Diverter improvements help handle shallow gas kicks safely

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5864905

Roche, J

Instead of being treated as a nuisance, the diverter system is beginning to command attention as the safeguard to the lives of rig personnel during the most dangerous phase of drilling. In keeping with this, much American Petroleum Institute committee work has been dedicated to composing new standards for diverter systems. Recent events have heightened the offshore drilling industry's awareness of the risks associated with kicks from shallow, gas-charged sediments. Statistics for the Gulf of Mexico show that a preponderance of blowouts has occurred at shallow drilling depths. A rash of diverter-system problems has led to serious accidents, some involving multiple fatalities. The loss of lives and tremendous monetary losses has received considerable attention and spurred efforts to develop better means for diverting well fluids.

• Research Organization: Hydril Co., Houston
• OSTI ID: 5864905
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 84:6; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
030500 -- Natural Gas-- Health & Safety
ACCIDENTS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BLOWOUT PREVENTERS
BLOWOUTS
CARIBBEAN SEA
DEPTH
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
DRILLING RIGS
FLUIDS
GULF OF MEXICO
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
SAFETY
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
WELLS