Summary Reader Response Draft 4
The report titled "Utilization of Robotics in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Part II" (Shukla & Karki, 2015) emphasizes the importance of deploying sophisticated systems for safe and efficient oil extraction, given the increasing demand for energy and oil resources. With the development of technology, the record for oil production increased at a staggering amount, estimated at 0.1 Million barrels daily in 2022 compared to November 2019 (Kemp, 2023), delivering clear evidence of increased production efficiency. China has announced a new strategy to increase domestic crude oil production by setting up five specialized Research and Development Centers focusing on amplifying oil recovery. This targets reducing the country's reliance on imported oil while enhancing efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability (Zheng et al., 2022).
One safety concern with rapid oil extraction is a blowout, an uncontrollable discharge of oil from a well, posing the risk of system failure or explosion. The extracting system consisting of the pump, pipe rams, and blowout preventer (BOP) underwent improvements to accommodate for the extraction due to the increasing production required. The BOP regulates pressure concurrent with the Sheer Ram cutting the pipeline to shut the well while the choking system slowly controls the oil flow rate to restrain pressure (Shafiee et al., 2020). Technological advancement and the countless unfortunate incidents contribute to increased efficiency and safety in offshore oil rigs.
One such technological advancement is the BOP. The BOP system is crucial in improving safety and efficiency with increasing oil extraction. Its effectiveness ultimately relies on human operation to skillfully execute and prevent blowouts.
Failures and malfunctions of BOPs not only pose safety risks but also result in substantial financial costs. Upon detecting a BOP or control system failure, drilling operations typically halt to address the issue. On average, downtime in a North Sea rig can amount to approximately $50,000 loss daily. Hence, even marginal enhancements in reliability can yield substantial savings for the operator (Engen & Rausand, 1983). BOP system failures typically lead to injuries, loss of life, economic setbacks, environmental harm, and potential damage to oil reservoirs (Baugh et al., 2011; Joye, 2015). Approximately 65% of blowouts stem from failures within the BOP, whether via the drill string or the annulus. Enhancing the design, reliability, testing, certification, and operation and maintenance (O&M) procedures of BOP systems presents an effective strategy for mitigating blowout risks (Engen & Rausand, 1983).
During standard drilling operations, drilling efficiency depends on oil well (OW) control as the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the drilling fluid within the well (Engen & Rausand, 1983). However, to fully understand how the blowout preventer (BOP) system aids safety, it is crucial to overview the system itself. The BOP system functions as a secondary control mechanism, typically attached directly to the wellhead in configurations known as BOP stacks, which perform a vital role in preventing blowouts (Vujasinovic, 1986). These stacks incorporate several types of BOPs, including ram and annular varieties as well as rotating BOPs. This comprehensive system allows for additional safety measures beyond primary control mechanisms.
Effective OW planning mandates that the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid surpasses the formation pressure by a predetermined safety margin. However, should the primary control be compromised due to a sudden surge in formation pressure or lost circulation, the BOP system comes into play. In the event of an emergency, such as a blowout of formation fluids, the BOP apparatus can swiftly isolate the well and prevent an uncontrollable flow.
Despite implementing all necessary safety features, one drawback of the BOP system is the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. The Deepwater Horizon rig incident stands as an unfortunate example, resulting in the loss of 11 lives, 17 injuries, and 87 days of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico waters. This incident underscores the critical necessity of the BOP system in offshore drilling operations. According to the article by WorkBoat (2014), the malfunction of the blind shear ram hindered its proper function during the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Investigations revealed that delayed reactions from the crew led to the shear ram puncturing the buckled, off-center pipe instead of cleanly cutting and sealing the well's drill pipe. This failure highlights the importance of timely and effective BOP operation in preventing catastrophic blowouts and minimizing the environmental impact of oil spills.
In conclusion, technological progress is vital for safe and efficient offshore oil extraction amid growing energy demands. While improvements in the BOP system enhance safety, incidents like the Deepwater Horizon disaster underscore the need for continued vigilance. Robust safety measures and ongoing technological enhancements are essential to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable oil extraction practices for the future.
References
Engen, G., & Rausand, M. (1983, May 2). Reliability of Subsea Bop Systems. OnePetro. Retrieved from https://onepetro.org/OTCONF/proceedings-abstract/83OTC/All-83OTC/49790
Kemp, J. (2023, November 1). US oil output hits record as producers boost drilling efficiency. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-oil-output-hits-record-producers-boost-drilling-efficiency-kemp-2023-11-01/
Shukla, A., & Karki, H. (2016, January 1). Application of robotics in offshore oil and gas industry— A review Part II. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 75, 661-675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2015.09.013
Vujasinovic, A. N. (1986, September 1). How blowout preventers work. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 38(9), 935-941. https://onepetro.org/JPT/article-abstract/38/09/935/73967/How-Blowout-Preventers-Work
WorkBoat. (2021, January 6). Deepwater Horizon Blowout Preventer failed due to unrecognized pipe buckling, report says. Retrieved from https://www.workboat.com/offshore/deepwater-horizon-blowout-preventer-failed-due-to-unrecognized-pipe-buckling-report-says
Winters, D. C., Roger, E., Eccles, T. J., Daniels, D. E., Chryssostomidi, C., & Bommer, P. M. (Eds.). Macondo well deepwater horizon blowout: Lessons for improving offshore drilling safety. National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/13273/chapter/1#iv
Zheng, X., Shi, J., Cao, G., Yang, N., Cui, M., Jia, D., & Liu, H. (2022, June 1). Progress and prospects of oil and gas production engineering technology in China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 49(3), 519-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1876-3804(22)60054-5
Great! Thanks for the revision, James!
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