Investigation Report
Lower Annular Damaged During Surface Pressure Testing
08-17-2014 08:30 G27259 MC 79 Incident > $25K / Damage to the Lower Annular / Human Error
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Human factorsMechanical failurePressure systems
- Pressure testing
- Blowout preventerPumps
- Operating and work proceduresOperational supervisionRisk assessmentSafety communication
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
An investigation examines damage to a lower annular during surface pressure testing. Its operating chamber, rated at 3,000 psi, reached at least 10,000 psi while the test pump ran unattended. Findings identify communication failures, testing the wrong chamber, inadequate risk assessment and failure to secure the pump before addressing the engineer.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Blowout preventer; BOP; blow-out preventer.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Operational supervision.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.