[BITList] Halliburton rig worker acknowledges missing signs of well blowout as BP trial continues

Thu Mar 14 21:51:21 GMT 2013

Frank,

that was my experience with most US companies..................money was god, how potentially dangerous operations were carried was irrelevant to PROFIT/BONUS.
The problem is that no independent is powerful enough to be listened to when they opine or reveal or express potentially unsafe working conditions and possible dangers- they will be dismissed and that company no longer employed. [This applied to ABS and the US Dept of Oil Things whose inspectorate was castigated for their incestuous relations with the drilling and oil companies].These effin cowboys think they know everything and as we see from this disaster – they don’t. 
Any one on the rigs who does not go with the party line is dismissed.
The office wallahs in houston think they know everything and would never even entertain advice or info from rig hands. In fact they probably have a degree and have spent a couple of months on or near a rig – consequently, they know it all.

The US drilling business is a very incestuous and unhealthy environment where everyone is in CYA mode. 

I agree entirely with you about the Japanese work environment, I have nothing but praise for them.

Colin

From: FS 
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 10:49 AM
To: BitList 
Subject: Re: [BITList] Halliburton rig worker acknowledges missing signs of well blowout as BP trial continues

Colin
I did two hitches with Transocean, like a lot of the American companys it was run by the bean counters which meant we parted company when I found that I couldn't run a competent maintenance and repair program material requests were not filled, the rig supt and managers where only interested in their bonus payments for coming in under budget needless to say the rig was painted very nicely but the equipment and cables were rotten under the paint, I told them it was an accident waiting to happen the Engine room caught fire shortly after much to their surprise The Japs by contrast were old fashioned and made sure one had the equipment and spares to keep the rig in tip top order if you so desired 
frank

On 3/14/2013 9:49 PM, x50type wrote:

  “a disregard for the safe operation of the vessel”
  “gross lack of crew training”
  ct
  The report found that the drilling rig was equipped with an electronic safety system designed to alert the rig crew to hazardous gas and automatically shut down certain vessel equipment to keep gas from igniting, but "reckless conduct by Transocean" allowed its crew to override the automatic functions "despite its failure to train the crew members responsible for monitoring and responding to the alarm system in a worst-case scenario."

  The result was that hydrocarbons reached the deck of the rig, and "a complete loss of vessel power occurred, followed by at least two explosions and an uncontrollable fire at sea."

  "A marine surveyor would find the overridden system rendered the vessel unseaworthy," the report concluded. 

  He also said the rig's blowout preventer had not been recertified in nine years, "was not in compliance with federal regulations and was in a state of disrepair that affected its performance." 

  That violated Cameron's preventative maintenance program, Mineral Management Service requirements and American Petroleum Institute recommended procedures, the report said.

  "It was clearly not reasonably fit for its intended purpose, had been in this condition for some time, and, along with gross lack of crew training, rendered the (Deepwater Horizon) unfit for its intended service, a condition that apparently existed for years prior to the casualty," the report said.

  Webster, whose testimony will continue on Thursday, said that Transocean had shown "a complete lack of maintenance, ongoing maintenance, planned maintenance. In fact, a disregard for the safe operation of the vessel." 

  Halliburton rig worker acknowledges missing signs of well blowout as BP trial continues

  Joseph Keith, a mud logger for Halliburton's Sperry Sun unit, testified Wednesday in the 11th day of the BP trial that he took a smoke break and missed a "kick" of natural gas an hour before the April 20, 2010 blowout of BP's Macondo well and the explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. And a marine safety expert testified that rig owner Transocean and its crew violated...

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