API BULL 97-ed.1

Annotation of standard text API BULL 97-ed.1 :

API BULL 97, 1st Edition, November 2013 - Well Construction Interface Document Guidelines

This bulletin provides guidance on information that is to be shared regarding well construction and rigspecific operating guidelines. It is intended to align the lease operators safety and environmental management system (SEMS) with drilling contractors safe work practices (CSWP).

The well construction interface document (WCID) is used to formalize the exchange of information as shown in Figure 1.

NOTE The WCID is not intended to duplicate the health, safety, and environment (HSE) information addressed by the lease operators HSE bridging document with the drilling contractor.

The WCID-SEMS is a bridging document that includes the elements identified in API 75 within the context of well construction activities. It is understood that work processes vary between operators and contractors, which should be honored in the development of the WCID document.

The intent of the bridging document between the lease operators SEMS and the CSWP is to provide:

a) an outline of responsibilities for the lease operators and drilling contractors personnel;

b) acknowledgement that management of change (MOC) and risk assessment processes should be used:

- during well construction activities,

- to address personnel or organizational changes to ensure personnel skill level is sufficient for the applicable position;

c) a vehicle for the drilling contractor to be involved when operational changes and/or conditions are identified that could require a well activity risk assessment;

d) a method to align all parties with regard to drilling HSE standards and applicable regulatory requirements; e) a method of communicating stop work authority.

The WCID-well plan contains the following elements (shown in Figure 1):

a) well design:

- location and environment,

- geological and geophysical;

b) well barrier plan risk identification;

c) well execution plan.

To enhance safe operations, the well plan provides a basis for discussion of well construction equipment, barriers, risks, and the mitigations for those risks.

EXAMPLE Drilling contractor rig-specific operating guideline examples:

a) well control practices:

- shut-in procedures,

- blowout preventer (BOP) configuration;

b) equipment constraints:

- rig capacity;

c) well-specific operating guidelines:

- watch circle.