but is not limited to, current well condition, stack configuration, connector and well design
limitations, planned capping operations etc., capping a subsea uncontrolled well.
The system is designed for physically ‘capping’ a well in the event of a subsea
incident, and adds an additional level of assurance to the operator’s drilling programme.
For this reason, the WellCONTAINED system is stored in a constant state of readiness,
unassembled. In addition to the physical capping stack, it includes equipment such as
shears for debris removal and a subsea dispersant system.
Preparingpeople
It is essential to ensure that everyone on the team knows what to do when there is a
subsea well containment emergency, or well control issue. Everyone requires training
to become familiar with their initial response roles and responsibilities to protect
their personnel and assets. Wild Well offers a series of documents, tasks, teams,
training exercises and drills unified by a corporate mission statement, a written
emergency preparedness policy statement, and the guidance and support of upper
management.
Regular exercises can be scheduled as part of the WellCONTAINED solution,
in which group analysis of an emergency situation is facilitated in an informal
environment. A ‘tabletop’ exercise is designed for examination of operational plans,
problem identification and in‑depth problem solving. In addition, the roles and
responsibilities of the Crisis Management Team, Incident Management Team and
Emergency Response Team are reviewed. A full‑scale exercise is as close to a real
event as possible. The team will combine the interactivity of the functional exercise
with the field element. The full‑scale exercise will test and evaluate all or most
functions listed in the emergency operations plan, and is a useful tool to evaluate
total co‑ordination among policy makers, co‑ordination officials and field forces.
Emergency preparedness drills are a co‑ordinated, supervised activity employed
typically to test a single, specific operation or function within a single entity. Drills
regarding well control or subsea source control, crisis and incident management and
firefighting can be developed, designed and delivered dependent upon client needs.
Validation of plans, training and response purpose will be observed during the drills,
and the lessons learned will be applied to assist and improve those areas deemed to
need enhancement.
Theartofpreparation
A key component of any operator’s well design begins after asset acquisition and as part
of their exploration/development planning. In addition to the fundamental tasks of well
design should be the full gambit of contingency and risk mitigation for the entire operation
envelope. A major part of that contingency planning is planning for potential well control
and a subsea well containment incident. One of the more critical parts of the SCERP is
logistics particular to their specific operation. Consideration should be given to all aspects
of mobilising the containment system. Wild Well’s logistics personnel are familiar with
the challenges of moving equipment all over the globe. A detailed logistics plan should
be written for each location the operator is working in, as each country has its own set
of challenges in transporting the containment kit through customs and staging at a
pre‑identified shore base that can accommodate the resources needed to meet the needs
of a subsea well control event.
As discussed, the capping stack is only one component of the WellCONTAINED
solution. It comes with a history of subsea well capping experience, a dedicated marine
division staffed with subsea/marine engineers to support offshore firefighting operations,
a dedicated division providing well control advisory/project management services, a
dedicated division providing specialised engineering/analysis services, a world class relief
well group, subsea intervention systems/services and abandonment and a comprehensive
solution from planning, prevention/training, response to recovery. Capping stacks undergo
pressure testing on an annual basis and are on standby in an unassembled state and ready
for deployment.
Manoeuvrability iskey
WellCONTAINED capping stacks require assembly to deploy. Whilst the concept of
having a stack fully rigged up and ready to deploy would seem preferable when rapid
response is a priority, in reality each well control situation is unique. For this reason,
WellCONTAINED is kept in a state of readiness that will allow the company to most
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On
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