Investigation of Loss of Well Control East Cameron Block 23 OCS-G 02853 February 17, 2004, Gulf of Mexico, Off the Louisiana Coast.

摘要

A loss-of-well-control event (LWC) occurred on Dunhill Resources, Inc.s Platform Well No. CA-1, East Cameron Block 23, Lease OCS- G 2853, in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore the State of Louisiana, on February 17, 2004, at approximately 0200 hours. This is a public report of the accident. On February 15, 2004, a lift boat arrived on location to begin well work. Coiled tubing equipment, operated by Contractor personnel, was rigged-up and run in hole. Nitrogen was injected down the tubing to wash and clean out the sand to the target depth of 10,391 feet. As the intended target depth was neared, the well started to flow. Wellhead pressure rapidly rose to 2,300 psig after the choke manifold was closed. At approximately 0200 hours on the morning of February 17, 2004, nitrogen was observed leaking from around the wellhead, below the BOP stack. The rig crew started pumping seawater as the kill fluid, and non-essential personnel were evacuated by 1100 hours. Well Control experts arrived by 1430 hours, and the wellhead pressure was reduced to 0 psig by the next day. There were no injuries and no pollution associated with this LWC. The injection fitting port on the wellhead that is used to inject a plastic energizer for the wellhead seal assembly failed. The failed port, together with a missing wellhead seal assembly, allowed for the LWC.