Evolution of Technology and Training in Offshore Operations

Abstract

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. This paper was prepared for the 45th Annual California Regional Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, to be held in Ventura, Calif., April 2–4, 1975. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor of the appropriate journal provided agreement to give proper credit is made. Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines. Abstract The leasing of Outer Continental Shelf Lands by the Federal Government, reacting to public pressure, has undergone a significant public pressure, has undergone a significant re-evaluation by the regulatory authorities and potential industry operators to ensure a safe and pollution free concept. The U.S. Geological Survey initiated independent studies by Federal appointed agencies to evaluate the risks associated with the development of offshore oil sources in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands and their studies indicated that space type systems safety concepts could be applied to this venture. The American Petroleum Institute and the Western Oil and Gas Association Offshore Operations Committee developed standards and training criteria responsive to the operating "Orders" now applicable in offshore drilling and producing activities. This paper gives a chronology of events and interaction of interested parties to establish standards and training criteria to preclude any hazard that can be anticipated preclude any hazard that can be anticipated in operating offshore. TEXT In 1973–1974 the oil embargo by the Arab nations dramatically brought to the attention of the citizens of the U.S. our inability to meet fuel demands with domestic crude oil production. production. The potential of hydrocarbon reserves in offshore tidelands and the Outer Continental Shelf has been recognized by the petroleum industry for many years. Production in the Gulf and Western States from platforms and other structures has only been restricted by the existing technology for depth of water and leasing practices by the controlling agency. This release of lands for drilling and production has been complicated by public concern production has been complicated by public concern that environmental protection and ecological considerations would be compromised by the offshore operator. This concern was emphasized through massive publicity by the news media when a blow out occurred in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1969. The public reaction was so manifestly negative to offshore drilling that the governmental agencies took immediate action to tighten the controls and safety considerations associated with this type of drilling and producing operation. producing operation.