Investigation Report
Drill String Separated During Drilling and Trapped ROV Tether
08-03-2025 1934 G30876 GB 959 Other Lifting Device (Drawworks), Incident > $25,000
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Dropped objectsMechanical failure
- DrillingROV operations
- Remotely operated vehicle
- Upstream oil and gas
- Subsea
Summary
BSEE investigates drill-string separation during drilling at Garden Banks Block 959. An unforeseen torque event exceeded a double-shouldered connection’s limits, damaging threads and allowing separation. Falling pipe trapped an ROV tether, restricting movement without interrupting wellhead monitoring. No injuries were reported, and the district made no recurrence-prevention recommendations.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: ROV operations; remotely operated vehicle operations.
Classifications: Remotely operated vehicle; ROV; underwater robot.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.