Investigation of Sedco 135F - IXTOC I BLOWOUT

A blowout can be defined as an uncontrollable

release of crude oil and natural gas from either
an oil well or gas well when there is a failure of
the pressure control systems.
This usually begins with a kick (This is the entry
of formation fluid into the wellbore during
drilling operations.
This blowout occurred on the 3rd of June, 1979
on Sedco 135F Triangular Semi-submersible rig.
It was located in Bahia de Campeche, Mexico
and operated by Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).

Semi-Submersible rigs
The rig involved in this was a semisubmersible rig which is usually used in
offshore drilling in water depths of more
than 520 meters which is usually
operated from a floating vessel and is
designed with good stability and
seakeeping characteristics.
This was the worst blowout and biggest
single spill ever to happen in history
releasing over 3,500,000 barrels of oil
and gas.

Indications of a Blowout

When mud weight is less than the formation pore pressure.

Failure to keep the hole full while tripping.
Swabbing while tripping.
Lost circulation.
Mud cut by gas, water or oil.

DETECTION OF THE Sedco 135F - IXTOC I

BLOWOUT
Mud circulation was lost so the decision was made to pull the
drill string and plug the well, they did so without making sure
the hole was full at all times.
Without the hydrostatic pressure of the mud column, oil and
gas were able to flow unrestricted to the surface, which is
what happened as the crew were working on the lower part of
the drill string.

Control Influx
With this method, the well is usually destroyed
within two circulations.
In the first circulation; the influx is usually
circulated out of the hole using the existing
mud.
During the second circulation: the existing mud
is replaced by mud of the required density to
(over)balance the pore pressure.
But in the case of the Sedco 135F - IXTOC I
BLOWOUT, the controlling influx technique
measure was not implied but instead two relief
wells were drilled to relieve pressure and the
well was eventually killed nine months later on
23 March 1980 (Lake, 2006).

CASUALITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES

There were about 167 casualties.

Due to the massive contamination caused by
the spill from the blowout (by 12 June, the oil
slick measured 180km by 80km).
The IXTOC I accident was the biggest single
spill ever, with an estimated 3.5 million
barrels of oil released. It cost Pemex about
100 million dollars to clean up the spills
(Simon, 2000).
The oil had a severe impact on the littoral
crab and mollusc fauna of the beaches
which were contaminated.