Getting to Grips with Human Factors in Drilling Operations

Abstract

Abstract Since the events on Montara in late 2009 and Macondo in 2010, the exploration and production industry has undergone a substantial change in culture and regulation. However, investigations still tend to focus on technological and managerial deficiencies rather than probing deeper into the causes of human error. Nonetheless, facilitated by organisations such as International Oil and Gas Producers Association (OGP), there is a growing desire to understand human and organisational factors that influence potential process safety incidents during drilling and completion operations. A workshop was held in London in October 2014 to define and clarify the underlying ideas about human factors related to the drilling community. The objectives of the workshop were: Introducing the concepts behind human factors and key definitions Highlighting the effects of human factors in drilling operations Operationalising human factors and the impact of the introduction of new technology Implementing training and assessment of non-technical skills Taking human factors into the mainstream of drilling operations Attendees at the workshop discussed the principles underlying the psychological concepts of human factors, such as non-technical skills, cognitive bias, weak signals and chronic unease, as well as socio-technical systems and the impact of automation. Examples of how the influences of human factors may be recognised in routine drilling operations and how biases affect decision-making were examined. Practical applications of human factors techniques were described, along with methods currently being implemented to train and assess non-technical skills. The workshop culminated in a debate about how to operationalise human factors in drilling operations. The main points to emerge from the presentations and ensuing discussions are summarised and references are provided for further reading. Practical tools and insights that can be applied in day-to-day operations are also presented. In conclusion, workshop presenters and attendees, whilst acknowledging the importance of human factors on drilling operations, also recognised the challenges yet to be overcome in implementing human factors principles in the workplace. However, there are some positive signs of growing acceptance and influences. By facilitating open dialogue about human factors in drilling the goal is to encourage progress towards human factors integration being the norm rather than the exception.