Investigation Report
Drilling Mud Discharge Following Loss of Slip Joint Seal Pressure
05-28-2009 2:50 G19545 KC/291 Pollution
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protectionLoss of containment
- DrillingInspection and maintenance
- Valve
- Alarm managementHuman-centred designLockout and tagoutOperating and work procedures
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
Investigation of a 223.3-barrel synthetic-based drilling mud discharge into the Gulf of Mexico from West Sirius. A hydraulic supply valve left closed after maintenance deprived the telescopic slip joint seals of pressure. The report discusses startup procedure failures, a failed pressure alarm, valve identification improvements and additional alarm-response requirements.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Human-centred design.
Classifications: Lockout and tagout; LOTO; lockout/tagout.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.