ExxonMobil Subsea Well

Control School
ExxonMobil Development Company
Norman Archibald
International Drilling Schools

1-Introduction

Class Overview

ExxonMobil Surface BOP Equipment Policy

and Procedures
Basic Theory
Kick Handling Procedures
Practical Exercise(s)
ExxonMobil Subsea BOP Equipment Policy &
Procedures
Hands-on Simulator Exercise(s)
Floater Well Control
2-Introduction

Objective
...to provide drilling personnel
with the theory, equipment
fundamentals and procedures
for safely handling unwanted
influxes of formation fluids.

3-Introduction

ExxonMobil Priorities
Safety

of Personnel

Environment

Equipment

Well
4-Introduction

ExxonMobil Kick Handling

Philosophy

Catch em early
Empower the driller to:
conduct flow check
shut-in if positive

Assume kicks are gas

Safety is highest priority
Put most qualified person on the choke
Training for all drilling personnel
5-Introduction

Well Control is like Safety!

In order to be effective, it has
to be a culture.

6-Introduction

Well Control Culture

What is Well Control Culture?
Do we make it a part of our daily
operations?
Does everyone share and understand this philosophy?
7-Introduction

Step Back 5 x 5
1. How will the wellbore / operations be properly
monitored?
2. What can happen or go wrong during this operation?
3. Do I have a plan or the correct procedures for what can
happen or go wrong?
4. Do I have the right equipment and does it work?
5. Have the hazards, procedures and desired response
been communicated to the crew?

8-Introduction

General Guidelines

tty
Be ker
c
Cro

gR
i gs

B
Cr etty
oc
ke
Co
r
ok
bo
Dr
illi for ok
n

1. Know what the hole is doing at all

times.
2. There are no Cookbook answers.

W
Co ell
nt
ro
l

9-Introduction

Whos doing what?

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil

DR
S

ExxonMobil

Ex
x
on
M
ob
il

10-Introduction

Readiness Drills and Crew

Training
Types of Drills
1. Pit Drill
2. Trip Drill
3. Power Choke Drill

How Do You Train Your Crews?

How Do You Coach Personnel?
11-Introduction

Coaching

ExxonMobil

Ask them why? Challenge their

actions/decisions.
Explain the philosophy, the
logic, why we do it that way.
Provide Words of Wisdom.
Pass along Rules of thumb.
Ask questions that you already know the
answer.
Expand normal training and drills to
ensure that how and why is understood.
12-Introduction