Jul 29, 2003 12:19 PM
7734 Views
(Updated Jul 29, 2003 12:45 PM)
I am a Merchant Navy man. So just out of the blue, my agent called me and asked if I would like to Command a DRILLING SHIP. I told him never seen one never sailed any before. Know nothing bout this oil drilling stuff. He said ''Good. Go take a shot.'' A soldier of fortune in me readily accepted this challenging assignment.
I joined the ONGC Drill Ship SAGAR VIJAY and worked there for some 4 months. I got all the info I wanted bout ONGC out there on SAGAR VIJAY. On a drill ship, the top man is the TOOL PUSHER. The Captain is overall in charge in so far as the safety of the ship is concerned and has complete over riding authority. The TOOL PUSHER (TP) is an expert in DRILLING OPS. All dept heads report to the TP.
ONGC is the nations largest profit making PSU. They drill for oil on land and sea, in India and abroad. Their production rates are good, drilling strike rate better than International Standards, overheads in control. They have an excellent pool of top quality and professionally competent Managers and Engineers. In areas where they are deficient, they off load to foreign contractors.
ONGC is the life line of our nation, producing oil and gas and meeting approx 40 percent of our nations requirements. Of late, our Bombay High Offshore oil fields are now producing less and less oil and gas. At one time Bombay High was meeting 70 percent of the nations demands. ONGC has therefore diverted vast sums of money for oil and gas exploration and development of new oil fields off the Coast of Vishakhapatnam, ie the GODAVARI OIL Basin and off Goa too.
My ship SAGAR VIJAY was drilling exploratory wells off Rajamundry. The ship was moored with 8 anchors, in a depth of 650 meters of water. The drilling tower is midships goes through the center of the ship upto the sea bed and below (called MOONPOOL AREA) and the drillers go deep down to 2500 mtrs (2.5 kms) from the sea bed. It is a big task and technologically a hugh ask drilling so deep in deep waters. Takes bout 4 to 6 months to drill one well. Daily expenses? INR 40 lakhs approx!
Crew strength is approx 90 men.
A drill ship has the following departments
Marine and sea logistics dept: Responsible for anchoring/de anchoring the ship, positioning to next well head, stability to keep zero deg list and trim at all times. Daily heliocptor operations for tx of passengers, ie the change over crews.( All my responsibility).
Geologists: They analyse the mud/rock samples as the drill bit goes down. They can tell if there is oil or gas nearby.
Chemists: Mixing complex chemicals that are pumped into the well to counter the effects of water pressure and if required 'KILL'' the well if there is a blow out!
Drilling Dept: Drill the well to required depth. Tough guys drill.
ROV: Remotely operated vehicles: To do complex jobs above sea bed.
6.Catering Dept: 24 hours service, 5 Star khanaa.
No alcohol permitted at all.
The ships crew is divided so that drilling operations continues 24 hrs. Duty hrs are a minimum of 12 hrs. Crew changes after 28 days/14 days depending upon the stress levels. Yes, Drill Ship crews are STRESSED.
Drilling is a hazardous operation. Should we encounter trapped gasses, they rise to the surface under great pressure. A BLOW OUT PREVENTER placed on the sea bed is there to cater to this emergeny. Sometimes, the BOP cannot handle the pressure and the Tool Pusher has to decide weather to: Kill the well/inject chemicals or EVACUATE THE SHIP! In BLOW OUT situation, damage caused by fire and explosion is extensive. Sometimes enough to write off the ship.
We have well laid out abandonship procedures to cater for most dangerous situations and mock drills are carried out 3 days in a week, including Sundays. Safety standards are top class and Safety Meetings are held once a week where attendence is compulsory for all except those on most essential duties. Any crew member is welcome to give his suggestions to improve safety standards. Demos in fire fighting eqpt is also done regularly. At times heated discussions are generated. Some challenge existing safety procedures too.
Once, a cyclone approached us. The path of the cyclone was towards my ship. East Coast is notorious for cyclonic storms. All drilling ops had to be stopped and we evacuated 60 percent of the manpower to Vizak.
Another great hazard is H2S gas (Hydrogen Sulphide). In excess of 15 ppm, this gas KILLS human. In Bombay High , H2S is present in unsafe quantities in many wells. Fortunately in the Godavari Basin, we did not encounter this dangerous gas.
Once a well is completed, computerised data is sent ashore to ONGC HQ for detailed analysis to determine if the well is commercially exploitable. The ship then sails off to the next location to drill a new well. I am not at liberty to divulge drilling data as this is a national secret. Only the Chairman of the ONGC can call a press conference and declare the details. Suffice it to say, I was most impressed by the sheer technical competence displayed by the ONGC Engineers and shore side General Managers/DGMs/Rig in Charges.
Reliance Offshore has been drilling nearby to my ship. They struck gas in hugh quantities...so they claim.
I shall continue with this revu in the commments page on another day. Ofcourse, should I get sufficent ''hits' from members. And HR reviews. Queries welcome.
Pros : Great Organisation.
Cons: Oil production and exploration needs to be pushed.
