Drilling Rig Inspection

Checklist
 Major Drilling Rig Systems
1.Crown block 14.Weight indicator 27.Degasser
2.Mast 15.Driller's console 28.Reserve pit
3.Monkey board 16.Doghouse 29.Mud pits
4.Traveling block 17.Rotary hose 30.Desander
5.Hook 18.Accumulator unit 31.Desilter
6.Swivel 19.Catwalk 32.Mud pumps
7.Elevators 20.Pipe ramp 33.Mud discharge
8.Kelly 21.Pipe rack lines
9.Kelly bushing 22.Substructure 34.Bulk mud
10.Master bushing 23.Mud return line components storage
11.Mousehole 24.Shale shaker 35.Mud house
12.Rathole 25.Choke manifold 36.Water tank
13.Drawworks 26.Mud gas separator 37.Fuel storage
38.Engines and
generators
39.Drilling line
 Drilling Rig Inspection Checklist
• Drilling rigs are found both on-land and offshore.
• These massive and complex integrated units of machinery and infrastructure are leveraged for oil
exploration, drilling, and extraction and require intricate daily management and detailed oversight to
ensure they function correctly.
• At the commissioning stage, drilling rigs undergo inspections for acceptance.
• These usually include inspections of critical systems such as the prime movers that produce energy for
the rig, rig floor testing, blowout prevention control systems review, stack acceptance pressure tests, and
many other detailed audits.
• During operations, routine rig inspections are needed to ensure that equipment, processes, and people
are compliant with regulations and ensure that minimum performance standards are met.
• Let’s explore this theme further to understand some of the critical elements of drilling rig inspection
checklist
 Drilling Equipment Checklist
• Thorough drilling equipment inspections are conducted to ensure optimum working conditions or
repaired if needed. Wear and tear, corrosion, damage, and fraying can cause equipment to malfunction
resulting in downtime, lower productivity, and increased safety risks.
• Usually, inspectors assess equipment in sections or groups, such as the drill floor equipment. This
section would include, for instance, items like drilling instrumentation, man riding winches, survey lines,
casing stabbing boards, etc.
• In addition, inspectors review other similar infrastructure groups such as pipe handling equipment,
drilling subs, well testing tools, pipe racking systems, and pipe spinning wrenches.
• One crucial piece also included in such inspections is the iron roughneck, the hydraulic machinery used
for connecting and disconnecting sections of pipes.
• Critical equipment operates at high stakes, and its optimum functioning is essential for day-to-day rig
operations. During equipment inspections, technicians also review hoisting equipment like the rotary
table, Kelly spinner, traveling block hook, etc. Typical drilling maintenance checklists also include
equipment like the mud system consisting of mud pumps, mud mixing systems, centrifuges, mud
agitators, etc.
• Other equipment, inspected using detailed checklists, include wireline logging equipment, mast
equipment, lifting tools and machines, and equipment related to power generation, fuel handling, loading
hoses, transportation devices, and storage.
 Well Control Equipment Checklist
• Well control equipment refers to the set of systems, tools, and subsystems used in an oil rig to control
the pressure in the wellbore.
• These tools help perform several vital functions, such as separating drilling fluid from formation fluids and
blocking, redirecting, or controlling the flow of fluids coming up from the well.
• They also help identify any unintended flow of formation fluids into the well and help eliminate them from
the wellbore.
• These complex systems include various tools and equipment, which inspectors have in well control of
equipment testing checklists.
• They usually span BOP stacks pressure tests, ram-type preventers, Cameron style hub clamps, the
diverter system, choke manifold used to control well pressure, annular preventers, surface hydraulic
BPO control units, gate valves, etc.
 Drilling Rig Inspection Checklist for Power Plant
• Rigs often employ two power plants with automatic switch-over for operating in various shifts and use
diesel or even waste natural gas to generate energy.
• They are critical in keeping the rig running and ensuring there is no disruption to work, especially since
production downtime can cause considerable losses to rig operators.
• During power plant inspections, technicians check all the power generation components and tools such
as generator sets, including the main diesel generators and backup or emergency generators, air system
refrigeration, etc.
 Rig Inspection Checklist for Electrical Systems
• An assessment of electrical system components includes the main transformer, main switchboards,
phase converters, AC and DC motors, emergency switchboards, etc.
• They also review the primary and emergency lighting systems, batteries, battery chargers, electrical
welding, earthing, electrical outlet cables, alarm systems, and communication systems.
 Rig Inspection Checklist for Mud System
• Mud systems inspections include a thorough assessment of mud pumps and high and low-pressure mud
systems, chemical mixing and handling processes, brine system and bulk system checks, solids removal
and degasser equipment, mud pumps, mud tank system, and cementing system.
• When oil-based mud is used, the inspections cover the earth and shaker area, well-controlled with oil-
based mud and electrical earthing systems.
 Rig Accommodation, Storage, and Other Areas
• Though operations equipment forms the bulk of a rig’s infrastructure, these extensive facilities also
include worker accommodation, general infrastructure, and storage units.
• Therefore, comprehensive rig inspection checklists include workers’ quarters, galley, helideck, fuel
storage, available administration facilities, medical facilities, offices, and stores.
 HSE Checklist
• The Health, Safety, and Environment checklist is designed to help inspectors take stock of how equipped
the rig is to ensure the safety of its workers and reduce risks to their health and wellbeing.
• It also focuses on aspects of operations that can adversely impact the environment.
• Several regulatory bodies outline norms and standards to be adhered to, and inspectors audit systems,
processes, equipment, tools, and even staff behavior on the rig floor to assess the rig’s compliance and
safety readiness.
• Usually, systems like fire detection and control, breathing apparatus, gas detection systems, and
pollution control come under the purview of these audits.
 Workover and Drilling Rig Inspection Checklist for
Offshore Rigs according to API & OSHA
• Under API and OSHA guidelines, detailed inspections are conducted on offshore workover rigs and
onshore rigs to review the drill site/location.
• For example, they check items like a hard hat, safety glasses, or steel-toe shoe usage signs. In addition,
site inspections look at how clean the outhouse is and assess the general level of housekeeping, visitor
tracking systems, safety equipment availability for visitors, correct labeling of vessels, etc.
• Under Training, PPE, and General Safety, inspectors check the status of first aid training provided to staff
and personal protective equipment such as eye protection, hard-toed shoes, gas masks, and gloves. In
addition, the checklist includes how injury reports are handled and whether they are well documented
and reported on time.
This safety inspection also reviews work sections like the mud pump area to see if the mud pump head
and valve covers are securely attached and assess the condition of pumps, hoses, piping, valves, and
other fittings.
• They also check the mud mixing area and mud tanks and pits.
• Likewise, detailed audits are conducted on the rig, such as material handling equipment, usage of
forklifts, the generator area, electrical systems, fire protection systems, fuel, and flammable liquid
storage tanks, pipe rack area, and blowout preventers, derrick, and substructures, etc.
 Rig Safety Equipment Inspection Checklist
• A comprehensive safety HSE audit spans a review of general safety and management protocols, staff
training and awareness programs, and worker accounting.
• They also include safety-related communication mechanisms, emergency plans, first aid availability, and
specific systems and equipment audits to ensure they are all geared to ensure the maximum safety of
workers on the rig.
 Reference
• https://fielda.com/blogs/drilling-rig-inspection-checklist/