These Drilling Problems Could Cause an Oil-Field Accident

Drilling for, refining, and transporting oil and natural gasses are complicated and physically grueling endeavors that require the use of dangerous equipment and exposure to toxic substances. One of the most perilous aspects of oil-field work, however, is the drilling process itself. We’ve included a breakdown of some of the most common oil drilling-related problems in Oklahoma and the accidents they can cause.

Drill Pipe Failures 

The outright failure of drill pipes themselves is a very real risk to oil drilling operations. These failures can occur in a number of ways, but most involve:

• Twist-offs, which happen when a drill string is over-tightened and breaks into two pieces;
• Parting, which is caused by excessive tensile stress and usually occurs when a pipe sticks and overpull is applied to compensate;
• Collapsed or burst drill pipes due to excessive pressure, either internal or external; and
• Drill pipe fatigue, which can usually be attributed to cyclic stresses and corrosion and takes the form of micro or macrocracks in the piping.

Fortunately, a lot of these risks can be minimized by reducing stress, managing drilling environments, and properly inspecting. For instance, to prevent drill pipe failure, operators can carefully monitor the amount of chemicals used in drilling to avoid corrosion of the metal pipes.

Borehole Instability 

Another common cause of oil-field accidents is borehole instability. This happens when the hole used in drilling doesn’t maintain a consistent size, shape, or structural integrity. In most cases, these problems are the result of overburdening, earth movement, or water absorption, all of which can cause a borehole to become unstable or even to collapse entirely. Using the proper borehole fluid and hydraulics, calculating the right hole trajectory, and selecting the right mud weight can all go a long way towards preventing borehole instability or collapse.

Lost Circulation 

Other oil-field accidents involving the drilling process occur when the drill bit encounters a natural fissure, fracture, or cavern underground and drilling mud floods into it. This can cause subsurface blowouts, which can have catastrophic results, including the creation of craters, fires, equipment loss, and even operator fatalities. The risk of circulation loss can be reduced by maintaining proper mud weight and using the right formation pressure. Drilling mud can even be treated with lost circulation materials. In the event that lost circulation does occur, operators can seal the affected zone with plugs before a subsurface or surface blowout happens.

Are You Seeking Compensation for Your Oil-Field Accident? 

Frustratingly for victims and their families, many oil-field accidents could have been prevented if the proper care had been taken. If your own loved one was injured while working on an Oklahoma oil-field, you do have legal options. At Levinson Law, P.C., our experienced Tulsa oil-field accident lawyers can walk you through these options, helping give you the best chance of filing a successful legal claim. To get started, call us at 918-492-4433 today or reach out to us via online message.

Sources: 

bsee.gov/sites/bsee.gov/files/tap-technical-assessment-program//008du.pdf

reuters.com/article/markets/currencies/driller-at-center-of-oklahoma-well-blast-has-history-of-deadly-accidents-idUSKBN1FF2KM/