Safety Alert
Top Drive Unit and Traveling Blocks Fall to Rig Floor
Top Drive Unit and Traveling Blocks Fall to Rig Floor
- IADC
- Safety Alert
- IADC Alert 02-22
- Dropped ObjectsLifting OperationsMachinery and Equipment
- Dropped objectsMechanical failure
- DrillingLifting operations
- Lifting accessories
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
A safety alert describes a travelling block and top drive free-falling during tripping out on a small treble rig. The brake did not halt the fall; the elevators struck the rotary table and stopped it. Nobody was injured, but top-drive damage prompted an eight-day shutdown for investigation, inspections and repairs.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Lifting operations; load lifting; hoisting.
Classifications: Lifting accessories; lifting gear; rigging gear.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
IADC Alert 02-22. Themes: dropped objects, lifting operations, machinery and equipment.