Derrick/ Mast and Substructure
Mechanical and Structural Systems Only
Presented by W. Lee Guice
with Guice Engineering Inc.
Covers masts, derricks and accessories
Covers substructures and accessories
Does NOT address much on carriers and ancillary
devices for portable masts, i.e. carrier frame, tires,
anchor points, work platform, guying
Four Inspection Levels:
Cat I is DAILY (no documentation required)
Cat II is at rig- up (no documentation required)
Cat III every 730 operating days (documentation required)
Cat IV every 3650 operating days
Significant weakness in identifying capabilities of
necessary qualifications of craftsmen (particularly
welders) to perform repairs
Good definition of required records
Overlaps with RP 8B on crown blocks and sheaves
and on dead line anchors. 8B has more rigid
requirements and tighter frequencies
Does NOT address draw works or brakes, or rotary
tables and components
Covers:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
rotary tables
rotary bushings
rotary slips
rotary hoses
slush pump components
draw works components
spiders
manual tongs
safety clamps
Four inspection levels:
Cat I is fix it if it breaks
Cat II is fix it if its bent or broken
Cat III is take it apart and look at it
before it breaks
Cat IV is take it apart and conduct
NDE on all load bearing parts before
it breaks
Frequency: Owner or user should develop
his own frequency
Owner or user develops its own
documentation procedure
Validation of qualified personnel is equal to
that required of a fortune teller or palm
reader
Issued in 1995, has not been updated or
revised
Basically covers all drilling and production
mechanical equipment hoisting
equipment, including items also covered
in API RP 4G
Does NOT address top drives or top drive
tracks
Does NOT address mud system
Does NOT address draw works or brakes
Four inspection levels:
Cat I is basically watch it daily during
operation
Cat II is up- close visual inspection
Cat III requires some disassembly and
NDE of critical areas
Cat IV requires removal and disassembly
in controlled environment as well as NDE
Cat IV included repair as per
manufacturers recommendations
Frequency ranges from daily to every
five years, and is defined in Table 1. Most
equipment requires a Cat III every six
months
Documentation required as desired, but
should include records of repairs and of
qualifications of personnel performing
repairs
Covers care and use of wire rope, including drill lines as well
as raising lines, guy lines, etc.
This is very technical document that is usually well- obeyed
in terms of drill line. Compliance for other uses is spotty, and
depends on how well informed and responsible the
equipment operator is
Frequently ignored, particularly by smaller operators, with
respect to guying and other ropes, and in attachment of
clips
There is a significant weakness in designing and using
sheaves for raising line systems, as the usage is completely
off the chart. Sheaves big enough to accommodate the
required lines in terms of strength will not fit the
applications.
This document addresses API compliance
to OSHA requirements as they pertain to
the drilling industry.
It includes fall protection, confined
spaces, etc. each of which has its own
particular requirements.
SUGGESTIONS:
Issue and Publish a monthly list of companies that have current
inspections on all rigs in service
Add (voluntary) verbiage to standard IADC Drilling contract re.
listing of current inspections and status thereof. This calls it to the
attention of the production company.
Establish standards for testing of welders including certification
procedure
Create a table (see attached ROUGH outline) listing
components, standard under which each is addressed
W. Lee Guice, P.E.
