Safety Alert
Additional Serious Incidents with Mismatched Hammer Unions
Additional Serious Incidents with Mismatched Hammer Unions
- IADC
- Safety Alert
- IADC Alert 00-15
- Machinery and EquipmentPressure Systems
- Line of fireMechanical failurePressure systems
- Pressure testing
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
This alert describes two drilling-industry incidents involving mismatched 1502 male and 602 female hammer-union components. One released a union and pressure sensor from a mud-pump discharge. During a surface-casing test, another union failed at 1300 psi, below the intended 1500 psi test pressure, striking and seriously injuring a service employee.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Summary
The alert concerns serious incidents involving incorrectly matched hammer unions.
IADC Alert 00-15. Themes: machinery and equipment, pressure systems.