Section IV

(previously Section III of Oregon OSHA’s Technical Manual)

SAFETY HAZARDS

CHAPTER 1: OILWELL DERRICK

STABILITY: GUYWIRE
ANCHOR SYSTEMS

CHAPTER 2: PETROLEUM REFINING

PROCESSES

CHAPTER 3: PRESSURE VESSEL

GUIDELINES

CHAPTER 4: INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS AND

ROBOT SYSTEM SAFETY

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 1

SECTION IV: CHAPTER 1

OIL WELL DERRICK STABILITY: GUYWIRE

ANCHOR SYSTEMS

Chapter Revision Information:

 This chapter was previously identified as Section III, Chapter 1 in

Oregon OSHA’s circa 1996 Technical Manual. The section number
was modified from Section III to Section IV in March 2014 to provide
uniformity with federal OSHA’s Technical Manual (OTM).
 In March 2014, the chapter’s multilevel listing format was modified
from an alphanumeric system to a roman numeral system.
 In March 2014, several figures were updated for clarity. All content
remains the same.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 2

SECTION IV: CHAPTER 1

OIL WELL DERRICK STABILITY: GUYWIRE

ANCHOR SYSTEMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A. Casual Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
B. Industry Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
C. Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
II. TYPES OF GUYWIRE ANCHORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
A. Manufactured Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
B. Shop-Made Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
III. STABILITY CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
A. Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
B. Guywires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
C. Guywire Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
IV. OBSERVATIONS, DIRECTIONS, and CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . 8
A. Visual Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B. Support Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
C. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
V. BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 3

I. Introduction
Work-over Rigs are mast type devices that vary significantly from crane or other boom (mast)
type equipment. Work-over Rigs experience constant and varying dynamic loading conditions.
They are subjected to various compression forces, along with jarring and wind loading. Other
forces induced by pipe, tubing, etc. being stacked in the derrick and workers aloft on the derrick
platform, as well as an ever-changing number of lateral and vertical forces are also present.
Because of a work-over rig's dynamic environment, the health and safety of the operation is
dependent upon the stability of the rig and its guy anchor system.

A. Causal Factors
There is no specific OSHA standard that addresses the stability of
derricks in the oilwell drilling and servicing industry, see Figure
IV:1-1. But because of the fatality record there is a need for a
guideline detailing the type of temporary stability systems
according to the type of soil and its holding capacity, methods of
installing guywire anchors, integrity of the system, and acceptable
parameters in lieu of actual pull testing should be established.

Investigation into each fatal incident has determined that the cause
of the upset was component failure rather than total system failure.
This clearly illustrates the fact that the integrity of the system is no
sounder than its weakest component.

Figure IV:1-1. Oilwell Servicing Derrick

B. Industry Recommendations
The American Petroleum Institute (API) in its Specification 4E "Specification for Drilling and
Well Servicing Structures" sets forth a "Recommended Guying Pattern General Conditions."

The Association of Oilwell Servicing Contractors. (AOSC) in its publication "Recommended

Safe Procedures and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Well Servicing" recommends the same guying
patterns as are set forth in API Specification 4E.

Though not present in the AOSC publication the API Specification 4E provides a Recommended
Guyline Anchor Spacing and Load Chart. This is discussed in detail in the Guidelines on the
Stability of Well Servicing Derricks.

There has been considerable progress within the industry to design procedures to assure the
integrity of the stability system without the necessity of conducting individual pull tests on each
of the anchors.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 4

C. Application
This chapter is intended to form the basis of a minimum safety guideline, for the use of
Temporary Guywire Anchor Systems on derricks, in the oil well drilling and servicing industry.

Recommended procedures, practices, equipment, and requirements have been developed based
on availability, capability, adaptability, dependability, and reliability of the various types of
systems.

II. Types of Guywire Anchors

A. Manufactured Anchored
There are four basic types of manufactured anchors. The screw or helix anchor, expanding plate
anchor, flat plate anchor, and the pivoting anchor. Holding capacity of these anchors varies;
detailed information on holding capacity, comparison charts with illustrations, and characteristics
specific to each design may be found in Section 2 of the support manual.

When installed in conformance with manufacturer specifications and evidence thereof is

provided, this would satisfy the requirement for individual pull testing.

CAUTION: It should continually be emphasized that the anchor is only one

component of the Rig Stability System (RSS).

Screw- (helix-) type anchors have a direct correlation between anchor capacity and the torque
required to install the anchor. Following the manufacturer's specific recommendations as to
torquing, with proof thereof, is a valid method of determining anchor holding capacity. Torquing
according to manufacturer's specifications is an acceptable nonpull-test method of
determining anchor capacity.

B. Shop Made (In-house Fabricated) Anchors

These anchors should be designed by a registered engineer and conform to accepted engineering
practices. Written procedures shall be established for installation.

These manufactured anchors should be proof tested for structural integrity and holding capacity.
Records shall be maintained of test protocols and holding capacity based on soil type.

Individual pull testing will not be required if anchors are installed in accordance with written
procedures. Proof thereof will be required of installation protocols and proof-tested holding
capacities.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 5

III. Stability Considerations

A. Foundation
The area should be graded, leveled and maintained so that oil, water, drilling fluid, and other
fluids will drain away from the working area.

Safe Bearing Capacity shall be determined from the use of an appropriate table, soil core test,
penetrometer test, flat-plate test, or other suitable soil test. When surface conditions are used to
determine bearing capacity, care must be exercised to insure that the soil is homogeneous to a
depth of at least twice the width of supplemental footing used to support the concentrated load.

Supplemental footing shall be provided to distribute the concentrated loads from the mast and rig
support points. The manufacturer's load distribution diagram will indicate these locations. In the
absence of a manufacturer's diagram, the supplemental footing shall be designed to carry the
maximum anticipated hook load, the gross weight of the mast, the mast mount, the traveling
equipment, and the vertical component of guywire tension under operational loading conditions.
These footings must also support the mast and mast weight during mast erection.

Wellhead cellars present special foundation considerations. In addition to the obvious of

collecting water and fluids that can seep into the ground, cellars also require unique mast
support considerations. These should be analyzed by a qualified person to insure that an adequate
mast foundation is provided.

Small settlements (soil subsidence) at the beginning of rig-up is considered normal. External
guywires should never be used for plumbing the mast. Rig foundations, guywire anchors and
guywire tension should be checked at each tower (shift) change.

B. Guywires
All guywires, as indicated by the manufacturer's diagram, should be in position and properly
tensioned prior to commencing any work. In the absence of manufacturer recommendations, or
where mast manufacturer's recommendations cannot be implemented, the diagram in Figure
IV:1-2 may be used.

Other guying patterns may be used; however, they must be based on sound engineering
principles as determined by a qualified person. These recommendations should be posted on the
mast in a weatherproof container and should state the loading conditions for which they were
prepared. Guywires should be 6x19 or 6x37 class, regular lay, made of improved plow steel
(IPS) or better with independent wire-rope core (IWRC) and not previously used for any other
application. Double saddle clips should be used, and wire rope should be installed in accordance
with the manufacturer's recommendations. In the absence of manufacturer recommendations,
API RP 9B shall be followed.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 6

 Figure IV:1-2. Anchor Location Diagram

C. Guywire Anchors
The mast manufacturer's recommendations shall be followed. In the absence of manufacturer
recommendations the location diagram, Figure IV:1-3, may be used.

Figure IV:1-3. Recommended Anchor Locations

Each zone requires an anchor of different holding capacity. If anchors are located in more than
one zone, then all anchors should be of the capacity required for the greater capacity zone. For
example, if one anchor is located in "ZONE C" and the remaining anchors are located in "ZONE

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 7

D," all anchors shall meet the holding capacity specified in the chart for "ZONE C." See Figure
IV:1-4.

Figure IV:1-4. Anchor Capacity Requirements for Each Zone

Anchor Capacity (Tons)

Zone Double Mast Single Mast Post Mast

A 156 7.0 7.0
B 11.5 5.0 5.0
C 9.0 5.0 5.0
D 7.4 5.0 5.0

Anchor Capacities shown assume the following:

1. Adequate foundation support for mast and carrier.

2. Adequate crown-to-carrier internal load guys.
3. Maximum wind load – 70 mph.
4. Maximum hook load, as described elsewhere in this chapter.
5. Full rod and tubing setback (N/A for Pole unit).

IV. Observations, Directions and Conclusions

A. Visual Observations
There are characteristic visual observations that can serve as indicators of rig stability. They
include, but are not limited to, the following:

 The foundation supports the rig, substructure, and all applied loads while in an
operational mode, without excessive movement. Basically in a level and plumb
configuration.

 No large movement is observable between the mast support structure and the
rotary/setback support structure when the slips are set and the load is removed from the
mast, or vice versa.

 The empty travel block hangs plumb with the centerline of the wellbore and the mast
support structure remains level.

 The mast support structure and/or substructure does not lean to one side more than the
other when the load is applied. The guywire on one side becomes noticeably taut while
the guywire on the opposite side becomes slack.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 8

  The guywire anchor(s) show(s) no visible signs of movement during the loading and
unloading of the system while in operational mode.

The chart presented in Figure IV:1-5 may be used as a guide to the pretensioning of guywires.
This method is commonly referred to as the Catenary Method (guywire sag method).

Figure IV:1-5. Catenary Method

Guywire Sag (inches)

Pole Mast Single Mast Double Mast
Distance Well to Tubing Crown- Tubing Crown- Tubing Crown-
anchor (ft) Board Guy Ground Board Guy Ground Board Guy Ground
Guy Guy Guy
40 - 4 4 4 6 5
60 - 6 8 6 12 8
80 - 10 15 10 17 11
100 - 14 22 14 26 15
120 - 18 32 18 32 21
Pre tension 500 1000 500 1000 500 1000
(Pounds)

B. Support Manual
The support manual, entitled Guideline on the Stability of Well Servicing Derricks, is divided
into work sections and Intended to supplement this chapter. It provides a detailed analysis of
existing guides and standards along with state-of-the-art developments.

Section 3 provides the direction and guidance necessary to evaluate and select the proper system
to assure rig stability.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 9

Section 4 discusses the installation of guywire anchor systems. It is extremely important to point
out that stability is dependent on the entire system, and not on a single component.

In the absence of support documentation or manufacturer specifications, Section 6 sets forth the
criteria for performing effective pull testing. It further identifies what would be acceptable in lieu
of actual pull testing.

C. Conclusion
No set of observations or recommendations should be so restrictive or subjective as to preclude
the use of innovative approaches to derrick stability systems. Properly designed substructures
and base beams have been used effectively and safely as anchorages for guywires.

Engineering calculations based on sound engineering principals may also be used as evidence of
an acceptable alternative to pull testing. Dead weight of equipment, fabricated components
(i.e., padeyes) and other appurtenances are all considerations in determining rig stability.

The derrick manufacturer's specifications and recommendations should be the preferred and
primary means of determining derrick stability.

Guywire anchors, newly installed according to the manufacturer's specifications, may be used
without the requirement for actual pull testing (This would qualify as meeting the criteria as an
acceptable alternative to pull testing). If, however, there is a change in conditions, e.g.,
frozen ground to thawed ground, or if use of the anchor has been interrupted, the anchor shall be
pull tested, with documentation thereof, prior to being placed back in service.

V. Bibliography

American Petroleum Institute (API). 1988. Specification 4E:

Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures.
API: Washington, D.C.
Association of Oilwell Servicing Contractors (AOSC). 1988.
Recommended Safe Procedures and Guidelines for Oil
and Gas Well Servicing. AOSC: Dallas.
International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). 1990.
Accident Prevention Manual. IADC: Houston.
International Association of Drilling Contractors. 1979.
Drilling Manual. IADC: Houston.
Scardino, A. J. 1990. Guidelines on the Stability of Well
Servicing Derricks. Sigma Associates Ltd.: Pass
Christian, MS.

Section IV / Chapter 1 - Page 10