Safety Alert
Inadvertent Unlatching of Wellhead Connector
Inadvertent Unlatching of Wellhead Connector
- IADC
- Safety Alert
- IADC Alert 05-18
- Structural and Asset Integrity
- Well controlWell integrity
- Wellhead
- Upstream oil and gas
- Subsea
Summary
A semi-submersible inadvertently unlatched a subsea wellhead connector on a recently perforated well. Differential pressure separated the stack and broke the seal, allowing riser fluid levels to equalise with seawater pressure. Reduced hydrostatic pressure permitted crude oil influx; prompt relatching restored the seal and averted a catastrophic well-control and environmental situation.
Classifications: Well control; kick control; loss of well control.
Classifications: Well integrity; well life cycle integrity.
Classifications: Wellhead; well head.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
Recently a semi submersible inadvertently unlatched the subsea wellhead connector on a recently perforated well.
IADC Alert 05-18. Themes: structural and asset integrity.