Safety Alert
Safety Alert 167 - Retrieval of Back-Pressure Valve Results in Loss of Well Control
Safety Alert 167 - Retrieval of Back-Pressure Valve Results in Loss of Well Control
- BSEE
- Safety Alert
- BSEE Safety Alert 167
- Control of WorkPressure SystemsProcess Safety
- Line of firePressure systemsWell control
- Well intervention
- Valve
- Positive retention and reliable securingPre-use checksWell-barrier testing
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
A workover incident involving back-pressure valve retrieval released wellbore pressure, expelled fluids and blew rotary bushing inserts onto the drill floor, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. Inspection identified debris in the relief groove and a freely moving poppet. Recommendations address killing the well, equipment functionality, insert retention and checking for trapped pressure.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Well control; kick control; loss of well control.
Classifications: Well intervention; workover; well servicing.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Well-barrier testing; well barrier verification.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
BSEE Safety Alert 167. Themes: control of work, pressure systems, process safety.