INDUSTRY NEWS
Comparative Study Indicates Reduction in Probability of Human Error by 94%
Safe Influx, the only provider of Automated Well Control technology, has released the results of a comparative human factors analysis for the use of automated well control against traditional well control methods carried out by Marex Marine and Risk Consultancy.
Automated Well Control, designed by Safe Influx, is a system that fully automates influx detection and shut-in sequences whilst drilling. By examining the opportunities for human error/failure to impact upon the successful identification and shut-in of an influx, the study demonstrates that automated well control could achieve 94% reduction in the probabilities of human failures, which could lead to either a potential loss of well control, or 96% chance of reducing the shut-in influx volume.
Recently, a comparison analysis between the two methods was performed. To help the experts accomplish the study, the identification of performance influencing factors (PIFs) and definition of failure were established. Two types of failure were identified: failure to recognise/respond to an influx and safely shut-in by closing the appropriate BOP, and delay in influx recognition and closure of the appropriate BOP.
Throughout the process, a Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach was used to provide the basis for subsequent quantitative assessments of human reliability, and the Success Likelihood Index methodology was applied to quantify the human error probabilities (HEP).
The process began by defining the scope of the two methods and a range of failure modes. This was followed by identification of the task steps involved in each method, identification of the human failure modes associated with each task step, identifying the PIFs associated with each human failure mode and qualitatively rating the quality of each PIF.
Human Factors in Well Control Well control incidents are predominantly caused by human factors. The driller has multiple demands on his attention, often with competing drivers; therefore, his behaviour is influenced by a wide range of factors. In this study, six PIFs were found: distractions, workload, time pressure, fatigue, training and competence and staffing levels.
The results of the quantification of the HEP indicate a significant reduction in the HEP associated with both the failure to shut in on an influx and a delay in shutting in on an
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www.sosmagazine.biz October 2020
influx, when automated well control is applied. A reduction in the overall number of task steps required, elimination of situation evaluation type of activity from the well shut-in process, considerable reduction in the driller’s cognitive workload and significant reduction in the time pressures on the driller were some of the benefits that became evident from the qualitative part of the analysis.
Bryan Atchison, Managing Director at Safe Influx, said: “Automated Well Control has been developed to dramatically reduce the industry exposure to human factors in the area of well control. The novelty of this study is the exploration of the reduction in human error probability if a fully automated well control system is used. This analysis significantly enhances the knowledge in the upstream petroleum industry using recognised methods to quantify the benefits of automating this safety critical process.”
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