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Gulf of Mexico Region

Loss of Well Control – 2006 (1 total)

18-November-2006 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Exploration

Lease:

G12761

Event(s):

Loss of Well Control/Pollution (50 bbl oil based mud)

Area:

West Cameron

Operation:

Drilling

Block:

130

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

Rowan Bob Palmer (Gorilla Rig)

Water Depth:

50 feet

Remarks:  A loss of well control occurred when a gland nut/hold down pin was dislodged and dropped overboard while preparing to test the BOP. The incident occurred 15 hours after the 9-3/8-inch liner cement job. The liner running tool was tripped out of the hole, the casing was tested, and the well circulated to surface with oil based mud. Four gland nut/hold down pins in the wellhead, were used to secure the wear bushing in the wellhead profile needed to be backed out to pull the wear bushing. A rig crew member apparently backed out one of the gland nuts too far, and one gland nut dislodged and fell overboard. This coincided with an unanticipated well flow from an apparent down-hole failure. The well began to flow from the casing valve below the gland nut hole up a hose to the trip tank, and a flow of mud was observed coming out of the glad nut hole. The test plug was pulled, the seals replaced and re-run in an attempt to isolate the cased hole-section below the open gland nut hole. Flow increased out of the casing valve and the gland nut hole to a level that the test plug could not be completely installed. The BOP's were closed with the test plug in the hole, the casing valve was opened to the rig via a hose, and the rig was evacuated without incident. The well was later secured, and a new gland nut/hold down pin was installed. Approximately 50 bbl of 47.5% oil based mud (containing about- 24.5 bbl of mineral oil) was released into the GOM.

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