| Transporting and rigging up the equipment is the first step in well
servicing operations. After these steps, servicing activities commence.
|
Fig. 1. Servicing rig |
Transporting
Rig |
Fig. 2. Transporting Rig
|
After the drilling rig is
removed, the well site is cleaned and re-leveled for the service
rig. A workover rig is driven or transported to the site and
positioned at the
well.
Potential Hazards:
- Working in unstable or slippery
conditions on the
lease road/drill site.
- Striking fixed objects
such as power line poles.
- Contacting electrical
service lines.
- Being involved in vehicular accidents.
- Getting caught between the rig
and the wellhead.
- Being struck by a moving rig.
Possible Solutions:
- Inspect the route in
advance for adequate
vehicle access and
satisfactory surface
conditions.
- Ensure adequate driver
training.
- Ensure proper vehicle
maintenance.
- Establish and follow a specific procedure for
positioning the rig.
- Use a ground guide
while backing the rig.
- Keep all personnel
clear of the moving rig.
Additional Information:
|
| Rigging
Up Service Rig
|
Fig. 3. Caution - Energized overhead power line
Fig. 4. Birds eye view
Fig. 5. Service rig
|
Before rigging up, guyline anchors are set into
the ground and pull tested. The
service rig is then spotted over the
well.
The truck- or trailer-mounted rig
is stabilized and leveled by manual or hydraulic jacks. All guy lines
are uncoiled and laid out to
remove kinks or knots.
The mast is readied for raising,
then raised and guyed into
place. The derrick emergency escape device is rigged up and the work platform is readied for
service operations. (See Drilling-Rigging
Up)
Potential Hazards:
- Being electrocuted by overhead power
lines.
- Slips, trips, and falls as a result of unstable or slippery
conditions.
- Being caught between
the mast and mast cradle or being struck by or caught in guy
lines and cables
when mast is being raised.
- Being struck by a toppling mast if the carrier shifts.
- Being sprayed with oil
if the hydraulic
cylinder or hoses fail
as mast is being raised.
- Twisting
and falling of the mast if a guy line
or anchor breaks or fails.
- Receiving strains and sprains.
- Getting hand, finger, and foot
injuries during rig up.
- Getting the climbing assist counterweight tangled in the mast.
Possible Solutions:
- Identify all electrical hazards and maintain adequate
clearances. [29
CFR 1910.303 Table
S3]
- Take appropriate precautions to mitigate slip, trip, and fall
hazards.
- Stay clear of the unit
while the mast is being
raised, lowered, or
telescoped.
- Uncoil and visually
inspect all cables before starting
to raise the mast.
Stand to the side of lines
and cables as the mast is
being raised.
- Inspect the well pad
and set additional
foundation materials as
appropriate.
- Inspect all high-pressure hoses and
fittings.
- Ensure that the unit operator
assesses the wind speed
and direction to
determine if the mast
can be raised safely.
- Allow no personnel on the unit, other than the operator
working at the
controls, when raising or lowering the mast. All others stand
clear.
Fig. 6. Installing guy line anchor
|
- Inspect all anchors before rigging up the
mast. Anchors
should meet American
Petroleum Institute (API) specifications for loads
and guying
patterns. (2004
Publications, Programs,
and Services. American
Petroleum Institute (API),
(2004), 1.3 MB PDF,
163 pages.)
- Use proper lifting
techniques.
- Use proper hand and foot placement. See general safety and
health.
- Control the position of the counterweight by maintaining
tension on the guywire to keep the weight away from the mast.
Additional
Information:
|
|
Set
Up the Work Area |
Fig. 7. Rig fall zone
|
The work area is prepared by
setting up all relevant equipment for the job, including the derrick emergency escape
device.
Potential Hazards:
- Being struck by or
caught between equipment.
- Receiving strains and sprains.
- Getting hand, finger, and foot
injuries.
- Slips, trips, and falls.
- Failing to properly install derrick emergency escape device
when personnel may be expected to work in the derrick.
- Getting burned or exposed to respiratory hazards due to ignition of flammable liquids, vapors, and gases.
Possible Solutions:
- Install guardrails as required. [29 CFR 1910.23];
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC),
Recommended Safe
Procedures and
Guidelines for Oil and
Gas Well Servicing.
- Inspect equipment
integrity such as
slings, tongs, and hand tools. [29 CFR 1910.184]
- Train crew to select
and use the proper tools
for the job.
- Instruct workers to
stand clear of suspended
loads.
- Use a tag line to
guide equipment into
position.
- Inspect hoses and
connections before and
after attaching to the
tongs.
- Connect hoses after
the tongs have been
positioned.
- Properly install derrick emergency escape device in accordance
with manufacturer's recommendations.
- Proper equipment type and placement. See Well
Site Ignition Sources.
Additional
Information:
-
Recommended Safe
Procedures and Guidelines for
Oil and Gas Well Servicing.
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC)
- Crane
Operation.
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC), 15 KB PDF, 4 pages.
- Use of
Wooden, Metal and Plastic
(Fiberglass) Portable Ladders.
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC), 17 KB PDF, 4 pages.
- Fall
Protection Systems.
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC), 17 KB PDF, 4 pages.
- Scaffolding.
Association of Energy Services
Companies (AESC), 24 KB PDF, 7 pages.
- 2004
Publications, Programs, and
Services. American
Petroleum Institute (API),
(2004), 1.3 MB PDF,
163 pages.
- 29 CFR 1910.23,
Guarding floor and wall
openings and holes.
OSHA Standard.
- 29 CFR 1910.184,
Slings.
OSHA Standard.
|
|
|
