Rig Safety

Randy A. McClay, P.E., CSP

Exran Consulting

What is a Rig Derrick?

Derricks get their name from a hangman
who plied his trade in Tyburn, England
(today a suburb of London), in the 1600s.
Even though Dericks first name is
unknown, his gallows were so distinctive
that everyone began calling any
towerlike structure with cross braces and
girders a Derick. BY the 19th century,
scholars had added a the extra r.
A Primer of Oilwell Drilling PETEX

The Hoisting System

To do the job of
drilling a well
equipment must
include a hoisting
system, such as
shown to the left.

A Primer of Oilwell Drilling - PETEX

Rig Safety Includes

Operations
A topic for another day

Maintenance
Inspection
Repair

API 4G 4.2.1 General

Inspection, maintenance and repair
procedures should be carried out by a
person who, by possession of a
recognized degree, certificate, or
professional standing, or who by
knowledge, training, or experience, has
successfully demonstrated the ability to
solve or resolve problems relating to the
subject matter, the work, or the subject.
Inspectors should be familiar with the
type of equipment to be evaluated.

9.2.1 Name Plate

Masts and derricks should have a
permanent nameplate attached to the
structure indicating the following:
Name of manufacturer.
Model number and serial number.
Rating including static hook load capacity
with number of lines strung to the traveling
block.
If guying is applicable, denote the
recommended guying patterns.

OSHA 1910.181(b)(2)
"New and existing equipment." All
new derricks constructed and
installed on or after August 31, 1971,
shall meet the design specifications
of the American National Standard
Safety Code for Derricks, ANSI B30.61969, which is incorporated by
reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.

ANSI B30.6 Derricks 1969

6-1.2.1 General
Derricks shall be constructed to
adequately meet all stresses
imposed on main members and
components under normal operating
conditions when properly installed
and handling loads not exceeding
manufacturer's load ratings with
recommended reeving.

Collapsed Hydraulic Ram

API RP 4G - Inspection
The objective of these inspections is to
detect defects.
Prompt attention may be required to
determine if it is necessary to remove
the equipment from service immediately
or to conduct the appropriate repair.
Any significant manufacturing defects
discovered should be repaired or
replaced, and reported to the
manufacturer.

API 4G Frequency of
Inspection
The following inspection types and
frequency are recommended.
Inspection Types and
Frequency
Category Daily
Rig Up 2-Year
I
II
III
IV

10Year

Documentat
ion
Optional

Optional
X

Equipment
File
X

Equipment
File

Cross Brace Failure

6.2.1 Category I
Visual observation of the
mast/derrick and substructure by rig
personnel during operations for
indications of inadequate
performance.

6.2.2 Category II
Category I inspection plus a more
thorough inspection of, but not
limited to, load bearing areas and
sheaves for cracks, damage,
corrosion, loose or missing
components and premature wear.
This more detailed inspection should
be performed during rig up
operations.

6.2.3 Category III

A thorough visual inspection of all load bearing
components and members should be conducted
to determine the condition of the mast/derrick
and substructure and documented on the
checklist in Appendix A, B, C, or D as applicable.
The completed (and signed) checklist, as well as
any major repairs completed, are to be
documented in the permanent rig file.
Inspections on well servicing, truck or trailer
mounted masts should include observation of
rig up/rig down operations.

6.2.4 Category IV
A Category III inspection, plus the
equipment is to be disassembled and
cleaned to the extent necessary to
conduct NDT of all defined critical areas.
An ultrasonic thickness test is
recommended on all tubular style (or
closed style) members to test for internal
corrosion. Internal cameras, usually run
on cable, may also be used to visually
inspect for internal corrosion.

8.2 Design & Modification

The designer of modifications to drilling
structures should take into account the
impact of such modifications on operating
capacities, environmental loads, erection
loads, transportation loads, lifting load,
structural overturning and foundation
requirements, and other conditions as may
be applicable. Fabrication associated with
such modifications should be done under
the governance of a qualified quality
assurance program in accordance with the
instructions of the professional engineer.

Modified

4.1.2 User/Owner Procedure

Development
If the manufacturer of the equipment
no longer exists or is unable for any
reason to provide suitable
recommendations, the user/owner
should develop inspection,
maintenance and repair procedures
including utilizing applicable API
recommended practices and
specifications.

THANK
YOU
QUESTIO
NS?