SINTEF REPORT

TITLE

SINTEF Technology and Society

Safety and Reliability Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies,
2006
Address: NO-7465 Trondheim,
NORWAY
Location: S P Andersens veg 5
Telephone: +47 73 59 27 56
Fax: +47 73 59 28 96
AUTHOR(S)
Enterprise No.: NO 948 007 029 MVA

Per Holand, ExproSoft

CLIENT(S)

Multiclient
REPORT NO. CLASSIFICATION CLIENTS REF.

STF50 F06112 Restricted Espen Fyhn Nilsen, Statoil

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Unrestricted 504016 77/0

ELECTRONIC FILE CODE PROJECT MANAGER (NAME, SIGN.) CHECKED BY (NAME, SIGN.)
\\Phantom\es201016\BLOWOUT\TEKST 2006\Annual
report 2006 final.doc Per Holand Lars Bodsberg
FILE CODE DATE APPROVED BY (NAME, POSITION, SIGN.)

2006-10-05 Lars Bodsberg

ABSTRACT

This report is based on the 2006 Version of the SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database. The report gives
an overview of offshore blowout and well release characteristics and frequencies.

Blowout data from the US Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, the Norwegian waters, and the UK
waters from the period 1980-01-01 until 2005-01-01 have been focused on.

KEYWORDS ENGLISH NORWEGIAN

GROUP 1 Marine Technology Marin Teknikk

GROUP 2 Offshore Offshore
SELECTED BY AUTHOR Risk Risiko
Blowout Utblåsning
Frequencies Frekvenser
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 3

PREFACE

This report is based on the SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database, version 2006. The intention of
the report is to give an overview of blowout/well release characteristics and frequencies, and not
to analyse and evaluate the different blowout types. The format of the report is similar to the
report that was issued last year.

Appendix 1 to the Users Manual (and also the Help file) for the SINTEF Offshore Blowout
Database list criteria used for the database fields in general. The Users Manual/help file has been
updated to reflect some recent changes in the database categorizing.

Some key updates from 2005 version

Exploration wells
Exploration wells have now been separated in Appraisal wells and Wildcat wells in the
exposure data after 1980 for the areas US GoM OCS, UK waters, and Norwegian waters. The
exploration blowouts and well releases have also been re-categorised to reflect this change.

To differ between the Wildcats and Appraisal wells the following were assumed;
- For Norwegian waters the NPD classification has been used as it is.
- For the UK waters all wells classified as Exploration wells are regarded as Wildcats,
while the wells classified as Appraisal wells are of regarded as Appraisals.
- For the US GoM OCS a different approach has been used. All exploration wells drilled in
certain areas are numbered from 1 and further, where well number 1 is the first well
drilled. For the US GoM OCS all exploration wells numbered as 1 have been regarded as
Wildcats, while all the other wells are regarded as Appraisal wells. This may be
inaccurate, but this will likely lead to an underestimation of no. of Wildcats compared to
no. of Appraisal wells for the US GoM OCS.

Exposure data
The general exposure data has been updated also to include the 2004 exposure data.
Exploration Wildcat wells vs. exploration Appraisal wells have been given some more focus.
The water depth related exposure data has also been updated. This year also data from the UK
waters has also been included.

Deleted Blowouts
No blowouts have been deleted from the database this year.

New Blowouts
Six new blowouts/well releases have been added to the database (ID547 – ID552). They were
observed for the following countries and years:
• US GoM OCS, three incidents, they were from 1994, 2003 and 2005
• Australia, one incident from 1991
• US GoM NOT OCS, one incident from 1998
• Azerbaijan, one incident from 2005
Page: 4 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Edited Blowouts
Twenty-four blowouts/well releases have been significantly edited. Table 0.1 shows where and
when these blowouts/ell releases occurred.

Table 0.1 Edited blowouts and well releases

Incident Id Year of
Country
Number occurrence
207 Norway 1981
350 Norway 1985
431 Norway 1996
532 UK 2001
503 US/GoM not OCS 1999
192 US/GoM OCS 1980
197 US/GoM OCS 1980
217 US/GoM OCS 1981
237 US/GoM OCS 1983
265 US/GoM OCS 1984
269 US/GoM OCS 1985
324 US/GoM OCS 1989
386 US/GoM OCS 1991
369 US/GoM OCS 1993
390 US/GoM OCS 1993
425 US/GoM OCS 1996
420 US/GoM OCS 1997
460 US/GoM OCS 2000
463 US/GoM OCS 2000
476 US/GoM OCS 2001
502 US/GoM OCS 2001
518 US/GoM OCS 2002
544 US/GoM OCS 2005
545 US/GoM OCS 2005
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 5

LIST OF CONTENTS
PREFACE..............................................................................................................................................................3

1. ABOUT THE DATABASE ..............................................................................................................................7

1.1 PARTICIPANTS ...............................................................................................................................................7
1.2 DATABASE STRUCTURE .................................................................................................................................7
1.3 IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS ..............................................................................................................................9
1.4 CATEGORY AND SUB-CATEGORY .................................................................................................................10
1.5 PHASE OF OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................11
1.6 NORTH SEA STANDARDS .............................................................................................................................11
2. OVERVIEW OF BLOWOUTS/WELL RELEASES INCLUDED IN THE DATABASE........................13
2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................13
2.2 DATA QUALITY ...........................................................................................................................................13
2.3 OVERVIEW OF COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN THE DATABASE .......................................................................14
2.4 DURING WHAT OPERATIONAL PHASES DO BLOWOUTS/WELL RELEASES OCCUR? .......................................16
2.5 NO. OF BLOWOUTS/WELL RELEASES PER YEAR ...........................................................................................17
3. BLOWOUTS VS. WELL RELEASES..........................................................................................................19

4. OVERALL BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE EXPERIENCE......................................................................21

4.1 BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE VS. FLOW MEDIUM ............................................................................................21
4.2 BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE VS. FLOW-RATES ...............................................................................................22
4.3 SEVERITY ....................................................................................................................................................22
4.4 IGNITION OF BLOWOUTS/WELL RELEASES ...................................................................................................22
4.5 BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE DURATION.........................................................................................................24
4.6 BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE FLOW-PATHS AND RELEASE POINTS ..................................................................25
4.7 BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE CAUSES .............................................................................................................29
4.8 OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES WHEN BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE OCCURS ...................................................33
4.9 EXPLORATION WILDCATS VS. EXPLORATION APPRAISAL WELLS .................................................................36
4.10 BLOWOUTS FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA EAST COAST, THE NETHERLANDS, AND US/CALIFORNIA OCS...37
5. “NORMAL” DRILLING AND PRODUCTION EXPOSURE DATA .......................................................39
5.1 DRILLING EXPOSURE DATA .........................................................................................................................39
5.1.1 US GoM OCS .....................................................................................................................................39
5.1.2 United Kingdom .................................................................................................................................41
5.1.3 Norway ...............................................................................................................................................41
5.1.4 The Netherlands .................................................................................................................................44
5.1.5 Canadian East Coast..........................................................................................................................45
5.1.6 US Pacific OCS ..................................................................................................................................46
5.1.7 Australia .............................................................................................................................................47
5.1.8 Denmark .............................................................................................................................................47
5.1.9 Compiled Drilling Exposure Data......................................................................................................48
5.2 PRODUCTION EXPOSURE DATA ...................................................................................................................50
5.2.1 US GoM OCS .....................................................................................................................................50
5.2.2 United Kingdom .................................................................................................................................50
5.2.3 Norway ...............................................................................................................................................51
5.2.4 US Pacific OCS ..................................................................................................................................52
5.2.5 Compiled Production Exposure Data.................................................................................................53
6. VARIOUS EXPOSURE DATA .....................................................................................................................55
6.1 WELL DEPTH RELATED EXPOSURE DATA ....................................................................................................55
6.1.1 US GoM OCS Wells............................................................................................................................55
6.1.2 Norwegian Wells ................................................................................................................................57
6.2 WATER DEPTH RELATED DRILLING EXPOSURE DATA .................................................................................58
6.3 SHUT-IN WELLHEAD PRESSURE RELATED EXPOSURE DATA ........................................................................62
6.3.1 US GoM OCS Drilling Wells..............................................................................................................62
Page: 6 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

6.3.2 Norwegian Drilling Wells .................................................................................................................. 64

6.3.3 US GoM OCS Wells in Production.................................................................................................... 65
6.4 PRODUCTION RATES AND GAS OIL RATIO DATA, US GOM OCS................................................................ 66
6.4.1 Production Rates ............................................................................................................................... 66
6.4.2 Gas Oil Ratio ..................................................................................................................................... 68
6.5 WORKOVER FREQUENCY EXPOSURE DATA ................................................................................................ 69
6.6 WIRELINE FREQUENCY EXPOSURE DATA.................................................................................................... 70
6.7 COILED TUBING AND SNUBBING EXPOSURE DATA...................................................................................... 71
7. OVERALL BLOWOUT/WELL RELEASE FREQUENCIES .................................................................. 73

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 77
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 7

1. About the Database

1.1 Participants

The SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database was initiated in 1984. By the end of 2005 the following
companies were sponsoring the database:

- Norsk Hydro a.s.

- Statoil
- Total E&P Norge
- Shell Research Limited
- BP Norge
- Safetec A/S
- Scandpower Risk Management AS
- DnV
- Chevron Energy Technology Company
- Lilleaker Consulting a.s
- Eni Norge AS
- ConocoPhillips Norge

1.2 Database Structure

The blowout database resides in a Microsoft Access 2000 data file named blowout.mdb. The
main programming tool used is Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The Seagate Crystal Reports version
8.5 is used for making all the reports from the program.

The SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database includes blowout/well release descriptions, drilling and
production exposure data for certain areas in the world.

Blowout/ well release descriptions

The database contains 51 different fields describing each blowout/well release. The various
fields are grouped in six different groups. They are:

1. Category and location

2. Well description
3. Present operation
4. Blowout causes
5. Blowout Characteristics
6. Other

Category and location

Includes information related to the incident category (blowout vs. well leak), offshore
installation such as location, operator, installation name and type, and water depth.
Page: 8 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Well description
Includes well and casing depths, last casing size, mud weight, bottom hole- and shut in pressure,
GOR, formation age and rock type.

Present operation
Includes the phase (exploration drilling, development drilling, workover etc.), the operation
presently carried out (for example casing running) and the present activity (for example
cementing)

Blowout causes
Include external cause (stating if an external cause contributed to the incident), loss of the
primary barrier, loss of the secondary barrier (describing how primary and secondary barrier were
lost) and human error. It should be noted that the field regarding human error in general holds
low quality information. Human errors are frequently masked. A field named North Sea standards
highlights if the development of the blowout could have been avoided if North Sea type
equipment had been used (for instance in other parts of the world a blind shear ram is not
required in surface BOP stacks)

Blowout characteristics
Twelve fields are included comprising flow-path, flow medium, flow-rate (low quality), release
point, ignition type, time to ignition, lost production (low quality), duration, fatalities,
consequence class, material loss and pollution

Other
In the Other screen five fields is included, they are: control method, remarks (includes a
description of the incident, data quality (includes an evaluation of the source data quality), last
revision date and references.

Exposure data
The various areas represented with exposure data area shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Overview of exposure data included in the database

Country Drilling exposure data Production exposure data
US GoM OCS Yes Yes
Norway Yes Yes
United Kingdom Yes Yes
The Netherlands Yes No
Canada East Coast Yes No
Australia Yes No
US Pacific Yes Yes
Denmark Yes No

Search possibilities and reporting facilities

Almost any type of search may be performed to select specific blowout /well release event types.
Search criteria may be established by selecting predefined codes, specific numeric values,
specific free text, or any combinations of these. The predefined codes are spelled out to ease
understanding.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 9

The database program counts and presents the events satisfying the search criteria. The selected
data may be viewed, printed or copied to separate files for further analyses, for example by
database or spreadsheet programs.

The exposure data and the blowout data are not linked. Blowout frequencies can therefore not
directly be established.

1.3 Important Definitions

The following main definitions have been utilised when categorising the blowouts/well releases
in categories and sub-categories.

Blowout definition
NPD came up with a blowout definition in their proposal for the new regulations.
(“Aktivitetsforskriften, eksternt høringsutkast av 3.7.2000, høringsfrist 3.11.2000”).

Med utblåsing som nevnt i denne paragrafen første ledd, menes formasjonsfluid som strømmer ut
av brønnen eller mellom formasjonslagene etter at alle definerte tekniske brønnbarrierer eller
operasjon av disse har sviktet.

Translated to English the definition will be:

A blowout is an incident where formation fluid flows out of the well or between
formation layers after all the predefined technical well barriers or the activation of the
same have failed.

The definition does however not seem to have become a part of the final new NPD regulation,
but remains the database blowout definition.

Well release definition: The reported incident is a well release if oil or gas flowed from the well
from some point were flow was not intended and the flow was stopped by use of the barrier
system that was available on the well at the time the incident started.

Shallow gas definition: Any gas zone penetrated before the BOP has been installed. Any zone
penetrated after the BOP is installed is not shallow gas (typical Norwegian definition of shallow
gas).

All shallow gas incidents in the database have at the extent possible been categorised according
to the typical Norwegian definition of shallow gas. This definition is not relevant for all US GoM
incidents because:

US GoM OCS reservoirs vary highly in depth. Some reservoirs were as shallow as 200
meters.
For some incidents they had sat a full BOP stack, but had now intention to use it because
it would likely cause a blowout outside the casing and a possible crater.
For some incidents they had drilled very deep without running an extra casing string and
the BOP.
And for some incident they had used a combination of a BOP and a diverter.
Page: 10 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Further, for many of the incidents the description of the incident in the sources is insufficient, and
some assumptions have to be made. A general comment is that it is not easy to categorise all the
incidents in shallow and deep incidents because of the above.

1.4 Category and Sub-category

The categories and subcategories utilised when classifying the incidents in the SINTEF Offshore
Blowout Database are shown in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2 Main categories and subcategories for the incidents in the SINTEF Offshore Blowout
database
Main Category Sub category Comments/Example
Blowout (surface 1. Totally uncontrolled flow, from a Totally uncontrolled incidents with surface/subsea
flow) deep zone flow.
2. Totally uncontrolled flow, from a Typical the diverter system fails
shallow zone
3. Shallow gas “controlled” subsea Typical incident is that riserless drilling is performed
release only when the well starts to flow. The rig is pulled away
Blowout 4. Underground flow only
Blowout (underground 5. Underground flow mainly, limited The limited surface flow will be incidents were a
and well flow) surface flow minor flow has appeared, but typical the BOP has
release been activated to shut the surface flow
Well release 6. Limited surface flow before the Typical incident will be that flow is through the
secondary barrier was activated drillpipe and the shear ram is activated
7. Tubing blown out of well, then the Typical incident occurring during completion or
secondary barrier is activated workover. Shear ram is used to close the well after
the tubing has been blown out of the well.
Diverted well 8. Shallow gas controlled flow All incidents were the diverter system functioned as
release (diverted) intended.
Unknown Unknown Unknown may be selected for both the category and
the subcategory

The list of sub-categories, shown in Table 1.2, may be extended if found appropriate. One option
will be to split the sub category for Well release further down to highlight incidents with an
ignition potential.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 11

1.5 Phase of operation

Each of the blowout/well releases in the database is categorised in the phase of operation they
occurred. Table 1.3 shows the pre-set codes used for phase of operation.

Table 1.3 Phase of operation

Description Remarks
COMPLETION Activities associated to well completion activities
DEV.DRLG Development drilling
EXPL.DRLG Exploration drilling, includes wildcats and appraisal wells
PRODUCTION Production, injection, closed in wells
UNKNOWN DRLG When it is not known whether it is DEV.DRLG or EXPL.DRLG
UNKNOWN Unknown
WIRELINE Wireline operations in connection with a production/injection well, not wireline
operations carried out as a part of well drilling, well completion or well workover
WORKOVER Workover activities, not including wireline operations. Snubbing and coiled tubing
operations

1.6 North Sea Standards

The intention with the field North Sea Standards is to identify blowout/well release incidents that
likely would have been prevented in North Sea operations because the procedures or equipment
utilised when the incident occurred are different from North Sea equipment or procedures.

Table 1.4 presents the coding used for this field.

Table 1.4 North Sea standards

Description
Yes
No, no shear ram
No, BOP not North Sea standard
No, two barrier principle not followed
Sometimes not relevant, BOP removed to install casing seal
Unknown
Not evaluated
Page: 12 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 13

2. Overview of Blowouts/Well releases Included in the Database

2.1 Introduction

The SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database does per January 2006 include information about 524
offshore blowouts/well releases that have occurred world-wide since 1955.

The number of blowouts/well releases related to the different periods is presented in Table 2.1

Table 2.1 Number of blowouts/well releases related to the different periods

Period No. of blowouts/well releases
1950-ties 9
1960-ties 54
1970-ties 114
1980-ties 176
1990-ties 112
2000 - 2006 65
Total 530

Blowouts/well releases that have occurred in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01 in US GoM
OCS, UK, and Norway are focused on. Blowouts/well releases that have occurred after 2005-01-
01 are not included in this report at all. Blowouts/well releases from before 1980 and the rest of
the world are only briefly included.

The database structure and coding are presented in "SINTEF Offshore Blowout Database,
Version 4.0”, User's Manual, September 2006” and the help file for the database program.

2.2 Data Quality

SINTEF's intention is to collect data from all occurring blowouts. However, it is a fact that many
blowouts/well releases occurring in this period have never been recorded in the database. This
because, public sources, which are the main source of information for blowouts/well releases
occurring outside US GoM OCS, and UK, and Norway, do frequently not describe blowouts/well
releases with small consequences. Therefore, several blowouts/well releases are believed to be
missing from the database.

It is SINTEF's belief that from 1980-01-01 most blowouts occurring in the US Gulf of Mexico
(GoM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the UK, and Norway have been included in the database.

The quality of data related to blowouts occurring after 1970-01-01 is significantly better than the
data from before 1970. However, for many blowouts the quality still is low because proper
descriptions of the incidents are lacking. Blowout information is frequently hidden from the
public.
Page: 14 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

For each of the blowout/well release records in the database the quality of the source material is
given. Table 2.2 shows an overview of the data quality for the blowouts/well releases that have
occurred in the period 1980-01-01 – 2005-01-01.

Table 2.2 Quality of blowout/well release data source material

Quality of blowout/well All blowouts except US GoM OCS, Only US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian
release data source UK, and Norwegian blowouts in the blowouts in the period 1980-01-01 –
material period 1980-01-01 – 2005-01-01 2005-01-01
Very good 7 55
Good 9 44
Fair 19 51
Low 32 39
Very low 72 20
Total 139 209

2.3 Overview of Countries Represented in the Database

In Table 2.3 shows an overview of the number of blowouts and well releases for the countries
represented in the database.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 15

Table 2.3 Overview of countries represented in the database

50- 60- 70- 80- 90- 1Jan 00 - later than
COUNTRY Total
ties ties ties ties ties 31 Dec 04 1 Jan 05
ANGOLA 1 1
AUSTRALIA 2 1 1 1 5
AZERBAIJAN 3 1 4
BRAZIL 3 1 4
BRUNEI 2 1 1 4
BURMA 1 1
CABINDA 1 1 2
CANADA EAST 2 2
CANADA NORTH 1 2 3
CHINA 1 1 1 3
CONGO 1 2 3
DENMARK 1 1
DUBAI 2 1 3
EGYPT 3 2 5
EQUATORIAL GUINEA 1 1
ETHIOPIA 1 1
GABON 1 1
GERMANY 1 1
INDIA 3 5 8
INDONESIA 4 11 2 4 21
IRAN 1 4 7 1 13
ITALY 1 1 1 3
LIBYA 1 1
MALAYSIA 1 2 3
MEXICO 2 6 2 1 11
NETHERLANDS 1 1
NIGERIA 3 3 2 1 9
NORWAY 3 13 10 2 28
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1 1 2
PERU 2 2
PHILLIPPINES 1 1
QATAR 2 2
SAUDI ARABIA 1 3 1 5
SOUTH KOREA 1 1
SPAIN 1 1
TAIWAN 2 2
THAILAND 2 2
TRINIDAD 4 1 1 2 8
UK 4 1 8 11 4 28
UNKNOWN 1 1
US 1 1 2
US/ALASKA State 1 3 1 5
US/CALIFORNIA OCS 1 1 3 5
US/CALIFORNIA state 2 2
US/GOM NOT OCS 2 5 17 7 9 5 45
US/GOM OCS 6 30 58 77 52 32 4 259
USSR 2 6 8
VENEZUELA 3 1 4
VIETNAM 1 1
YUGOSLAV 1 1
Total 9 54 114 176 112 60 5 530
Page: 16 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

2.4 During what Operational Phases do Blowouts/Well Releases Occur?

In Table 2.4 and Table 2.5 no. of blowouts/well releases have been related to the operational
phases.

Table 2.4 No. of blowouts/well releases experienced during different operational phases
(including all blowouts/well releases until 2005-01-01)
PERIOD Dev. Expl. Unk. Compl- Work- Produ- Wireline Un- Total
drlg drlg drlg etion over ction known
Before 1980 43 75 1 12 18 20 3 5 177
24.3% 42.4% 0.6% 6.8% 10.2% 11.3% 1.7% 2.8%
1980 to 2005-01-01 87 123 7 21 52 36 8 14 348
25.0% 35.3% 2.0% 6.0% 14.9% 10.3% 2.3% 4.0%
Total 130 198 8 33 70 56 11 19 525
24.8% 37.7% 1.5% 6.3% 13.3% 10.7% 2.1% 3.6%

Table 2.5 Area specific overview of no. of blowouts/well releases experienced during different
operational phases (including all blowouts/well releases 01-01-1980 - 2005-01-01)
AREA Dev. Expl. Unk. Comp- Work- Production Wire- Un- Total Total
drlg drlg ** drlg letion over External No ext. line known excl. ext.
cause* cause* cause*
UK, and Norw- 7 25 2 3 6 1 1 3 48 47
egian waters 14.6% 52.1% 4.2% 6.3% 12.5% 2.1% 2.1% 6.3% 100.0%
US GoM OCS 50 46 12 31 6 9 5 2 161 155
31.1% 28.6% 7.5% 19.3% 3.7% 5.6% 3.1% 1.2% 100.0%
Rest of the 30 52 5 6 15 10 9 12 139 129
world 21.6% 37.4% 3.6% 4.3% 10.8% 7.2% 6.5% 8.6% 100.0%
Total 87 123 7 21 52 17 19 8 14 348 331
25.0% 35.3% 2.0% 6.0% 14.9% 4.9% 5.5% 2.3% 4.0% 100.0%
* External causes are typical; storm, military activity, ship collision, fire and earthquake.
** One of the Expl. drilling blowouts in the "rest of the world” was caused by volcanic activities

When reading Table 2.5, it is important to note that the most thorough data is from the US GoM
OCS, UK, and Norway.

In the US GoM OCS they have experienced a relatively high no. of blowouts/well releases during
development drilling compared to exploration drilling. This is explained by the fact that in US
GoM OCS they are drilling relatively more development wells than exploration wells, compared
to UK and Norway. Further, the relatively high no. of well workover blowouts/well releases in
US GoM OCS area does indicate that the number of workovers in that area is high. It should,
further, be noted that external loads caused approximately 50% of the production blowouts.
External causes are discussed in Section 4.7, on page 29.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 17

2.5 No. of Blowouts/Well releases per Year

In Table 2.6 shows a year-to-year overview of no. of blowouts/well releases for US GoM OCS,
UK, and Norway in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01.

Table 2.6 Year to year overview of no. of blowouts/well releases for US GoM OCS, UK, and
Norway in the period 1980-01-01 – 2005-01-01
Year Dev. Expl. Drlg Un- Comp- Work- Production Wire- Un- Total
Drlg App- Wild- Un- known letion over External No ext. line known
raisal cat known drilling cause* cause*
1980 2 1 2 1 2 1 9
1981 2 2 5 2 11
1982 5 1 4 1 11
1983 7 2 3 1 1 14
1984 1 6 1 8
1985 2 2 6 2 12
1986 1 1 2
1987 1 2 1 1 2 1 8
1988 1 3 1 1 6
1989 4 5 2 3 2 1 17
1990 3 2 2 3 1 11
1991 4 1 3 1 1 10
1992 2 1 1 1 3 8
1993 2 2 1 5
1994 1 1 1 1 4
1995 1 1 2 4
1996 1 2 2 1 6
1997 3 4 2 2 11
1998 3 1 1 1 2 1 9
1999 3 2 5
2000 3 2 3 1 1 1 11
2001 3 1 1 1 4 1 11
2002 2 1 1 1 1 6
2003 1 1 1 1 1 5
2004 1 2 2 5
Total 57 24 45 2 2 15 37 10 7 8 2 209
* External causes are typical; storm, military activity, ship collision, fire and earthquake.
Page: 18 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 19

3. Blowouts vs. Well Releases

As explained in Section 1.4 on page 10 the incidents in the database has been categorised in
blowouts and well releases.

When excluding the blowouts with external causes the database includes 202 blowouts/well
releases for the US GoM OCS, Norway and UK in the period January 1980 until January 2005.

Table 3.1 shows an overview of the no. of blowouts/well releases within the main phases of
operation, categories and sub categories.

Table 3.1 Overview of the no. of incidents within the main phases of operation, categories and
sub categories for US GoM OCS, Norway and UK blowouts/well releases in the period
Jan. 1980 until Jan. 2005
According to North
Incident Dev. Expl. Unk. Compl- Work- Prod- Wire- Un-
Sub category Sea standard? (See Total
category drlg drlg drlg etion over uction line known
Table 1.4 page11)
Shallow gas "controlled" Yes 6 1 7
subsea release only Total 6 1 7
No, no acoustic backup
1 1
BOP control system
No, no shear ram 1 3 5 7 16
No, two barrier
1 1 2
principle not followed
Totally uncontrolled flow,
Sometimes not
from a deep zone
relevant, BOP removed 2 1 1 4
Blowout to install casing seal
(surface Unknown 1 2 3 1 7
flow) Yes 4 15 3 9 6 3 40
Total 8 22 9 20 6 4 1 70
No, BOP not North Sea
1 1
standard
Sometimes not
Totally uncontrolled flow,
relevant, BOP removed 1 1
from a shallow zone
to install casing seal
Yes 21 16 1 38
Total 22 17 1 40
Total 30 45 1 9 20 7 4 1 117
Underground flow mainly,
Blowout Yes 1 2 3
limited surface flow
(undergro
Underground flow only Yes 3 5 1 1 10
und flow)
Total 4 7 1 1 13
Diverted Shallow gas controlled flow
Yes 16 9 25
well (diverted)
release Total 16 9 25
Limited surface flow before
the secondary barrier was Yes 5 8 1 5 10 2 4 35
activated
Well Other Yes 1 1 2
release String blown out of well,
then the secondary barrier Yes 1 1 7 9
is activated
Total 7 9 1 6 17 2 4 46
Unknown Yes 1 1
Unknown
Total 1 1
Total all 57 71 2 15 37 10 8 2 202
Page: 20 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 21

4. Overall Blowout/Well Release Experience

4.1 Blowout/Well Release vs. Flow Medium

Table 4.1 shows an overview of the blowout/well release flow medium for the different incidents.
Only US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian incidents in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01 are
included.

Table 4.1 Blowout/well release flow medium for US GoM OCS, UK, and Norway in the period
1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01
Incident Dev. Expl. Unk. Comp- Work- Prod- Wire- Un- Total
Flow medium
category Drlg Drlg Drlg letion over uction* line known
Condensate, Gas (deep) 2 4 1 7
Condensate, Gas (deep), water 1 1
Gas (deep) 2 15 8 10 2 37
Gas (deep), Mud, Water 1 1
Gas (deep), Water 1 1
Oil 1 1
Oil, Gas (deep) 2 1 1 4 3 2 13
Oil, Gas (deep), H2S 1 1
Blowout Oil, Gas (deep), Mud 1 1
(surface flow) Oil, Gas (deep), Water 1 1 2
Shallow water 1 1
Shallow gas 18 17 1 36
Shallow gas H2S 1 3 4
Shallow gas, Water 1 3 1 5
Shallow, unknown fluid 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1 3
Water 1 1 2
Total 30 45 1 9 20 7 4 1 117
Condensate, Gas (deep) 1 1
Gas (deep) 2 4 6
Blowout Oil, Gas (deep) 1 1 2
(underground Shallow gas 1 1
flow) Unknown 1 1 2
Water 1 1
Total 4 7 1 1 13
Shallow gas 14 7 21
Diverted well Shallow gas, Mud 1 1 2
release Shallow gas, Water 1 1 2
Total 16 9 25
Gas (deep) 1 1
Unknown
Total 1 1
Condensate, Gas (deep) 1 1
Condensate, Gas (deep), water 1 1
Gas (deep) 2 3 1 6
Gas (deep), Methanol 1 1
Gas (deep), Mud 2 1 3
Gas (gas lift gas) 1 1
Gas (trapped gas) 1 1
Mud 1 1 2 1 5
Well release
Oil 1 1
Oil, Gas (deep) 1 1 8 1 11
Oil, Gas (deep), Mud 2 1 3
Oil, Water 1 1
Shallow gas 1 2 3
Shallow gas, Mud 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1 3 1 7
Total 7 9 1 6 17 2 4 46
Total 57 71 2 15 37 10 8 2 202
* Blowouts caused by external loads are excluded (storm, military activity, ship collision, fire and earthquake).
** Stems from a blowout outside the casing from a shallow zone during production
Page: 22 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

4.2 Blowout/Well Release vs. Flow-rates

The blowout/well release flow-rates from the actual incidents described in the database are poorly
documented. For some blowouts flow-rate figures exist, but for most blowouts they do not exist.

The database has, however, three fields that describe the flow-rates during well tests for the
actual well or close by wells. These fields are Gas volume, Oil volume and Water volume.

Flow-rates are important figures in risk and environment analyses. To establish a realistic
distribution of flow-rates to expect for specific fields, field specific productivity data should be
compared to blowout/well release experience with respect to remaining restrictions in the wells
during the blowout/well release situations. For several blowouts/well releases there are
significant flow restrictions that will reduce the flow.

4.3 Severity

The blowout/well release database contains a specific field describing blowout/well release
severity. The quality of the information in this field is relatively low. These data are therefore not
presented in this report. However, it should be noted that most of the blowouts/well releases do
cause relatively small damages.

4.4 Ignition of Blowouts/Well Releases

In Table 4.2 and Table 4.3 experienced data related to ignition of blowouts/well releases are
presented. Only incidents from the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01 have been included. It has
been chosen to separate US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well releases from the rest
of the world. Blowouts caused by external loads (storm, fire etc. are not included)

Please note that it should not be differed between ignition probability for an oil blowout/well
release and a gas blowout, because for oil blowouts the volume of gas blowing is very high
compared to the volume of oil blowing.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 23

Table 4.2 Experienced ignition for US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well releases in
the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01. Blowouts caused by external loads (storm, fire
etc.) are not included
Immediate Delayed ignition
Deep or No
PHASE ignition 5 mins – 1 hour – 6 hrs – Total
shallow ignition >24 hrs
(<5 mins) 1 hour 6 hrs 24 hrs
Blowout (surface flow)
Deep 5 2 1 8
Dev.drlg
Shallow 16 2 2 1 1 22
Deep 16 2 4 22
Expl.drlg
Shallow 22 1 23
Unknown drlg Shallow 1 1
Completion 6 2 1 9
Workover 15 1 1 1 2 20
Production 7 7
Wireline 4 4
Unknown 1 1
93 9 3 2 7 3 117
Total
79.5% 7.7% 2.6% 1.7% 6.0% 2.6% 100.0%
Blowout (underground flow)
Deep 3 3
Dev.drlg
Shallow 1 1
Expl.drlg Deep 7 7
Production 1 1
Unknown 1 1
13 13
Total
100.0% 100.0%
Well release
Deep 5 5
Dev.drlg
Shallow 1 1 2
Deep 7 7
Expl.drlg
Shallow 2 2
Unknown drlg Deep 1 1
Completion 6 6
Workover 16 1 17
Production 2 2
Wireline 4 4
44 2 46
Total
95.7% 4.3% 100.0%
Diverted well release
Dev.drlg Shallow 16 16
Expl.drlg Shallow 8 1 9
24 1 25
Total
96.0% 4.0% 100.0%
Unknown
Expl.drlg Deep 1 1
1 1
Total
100.0% 100.0%
All blowouts/well 175 11 4 2 7 3 202
releases 86.6% 5.4% 2.0% 1.0% 3.5% 1.5% 100.0%
Page: 24 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.3 Experienced ignition for rest of the world (US GoM OCS, UK, and Norway are not
included) blowouts/well releases in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01. Blowouts
caused by external loads are not included.
PHASE No ign- Ignited blowouts Total
ition Immediate ign- Delayed Unknown
ition (<5mins) ignition
Development drilling 15 11 4 30
Exploration drilling 35 8 5 3 51
Unknown drlg 2 1 2 5
Completion 1 4 1 6
Workover 8 4 3 15
Production 5 1 3 9
Unknown 6 3 3 12
Total 72 32 18 6 128
56.3% 25.0% 14.1% 4.7% 100.0%

If comparing Table 4.2 and Table 4.3, far more ignited blowouts/well releases in the material for
the "rest of the world". The main reason is probably that from "rest of the world" blowouts with
small consequences are more seldom reported.

4.5 Blowout/Well Release Duration

In Table 4.4 the experienced blowout/well release duration is presented. Only US GoM OCS,
UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well releases in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01 have been
included. Blowouts caused by external loads (storm, fire etc.) are not included.

It should be noted that bridged or depleted are listed as primary cause for regaining well control
for 30 out of the 45 exploration drilling Blowout (surface flow), and 13 of the 30 development
drilling Blowout (surface flow).

For the diverted well releases (both exploration and development drilling) bridged or depleted
are listed as primary cause for regaining well control for 13 out of the 25 well releases.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 25

Table 4.4 Blowout/well release duration for US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well
releases in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01. Blowouts caused by external loads
(storm, fire etc.) are not included
Shallow 10min < T Q 40min < T Q 2 hrs < T 12 hrs < T 2 days < T T>5 Un-
Phase T Q10 mins Total
or deep 40min 2 hrs Q 12 hrs Q 2 days Q 5 days days known
Blowout (surface flow)
Deep 1 2 1 1 1 2 8
Dev.drlg
Shallow 3 2 4 4 4 5 22
Deep 1 2 6 4 4 5 22
Expl.drlg
Shallow 1 2 4 2 7 4 3 23
Unknown drlg Shallow 1 1
Completion 1 3 1 4 9
Workover 1 4 8 2 4 1 20
Production 4 1 1 1 7
Wireline 1 2 1 4
Unknown 1 1
1 2 7 17 29 20 22 19 117
Total
0.9% 1.7% 6.0% 14.5% 24.8% 17.1% 18.8% 16.2% 100.0%
Blowout (underground flow)
Deep 1 1 1 3
Dev.drlg
Shallow 1 1
Expl.drlg Deep 1 1 4 1 7
Production 1 1
Unknown 1 1
1 1 1 7 3 13
Total
7.7% 7.7% 7.7% 53.8% 23.1% 100.0%
Diverted well release
Dev.drlg Shallow 2 3 4 3 1 1 2 16
Expl.drlg Shallow 1 1 4 2 1 9
2 4 5 7 3 2 2 25
Total
8.0% 16.0% 20.0% 28.0% 12.0% 8.0% 8.0% 100.0%
Well release
Deep 2 3 5
Dev.drlg
Shallow 1 1 2
Deep 5 1 1 7
Expl.drlg
Shallow 1 1 2
Unknown drlg Deep 1 1
Completion 5 1 6
Workover 9 1 1 2 4 17
Production 2 2
Wireline 2 2 4
25 2 1 3 2 1 12 46
Total
54.3% 4.3% 2.2% 6.5% 4.3% 2.2% 26.1% 100.0%
Unknown
Expl.drlg Deep 1 1
1 1
Total
100.0% 100.0%
Total all blowouts/well 28 8 13 28 35 23 30 37 202
releases 13.9% 4.0% 6.4% 13.9% 17.3% 11.4% 14.9% 18.3% 100.0%

4.6 Blowout/Well Release Flow-paths and Release Points

In Table 4.5 – Table 4.7 the experienced release point vs. the final blowout/well release flow
paths for the various phases of operation are presented. Only US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian
blowouts/well releases in the period 1980-01-01 – 2005-01-01 have been included. Blowouts
caused by external loads (storm, fire etc.) are not included.
Page: 26 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.5 Release point vs. final flow-path for drilling shallow gas blowouts and well releases
Final flow-path Through Through Under-
Incident main Through Outside Un-
drill outer ground Total
type Release point annulus casing known
string annulus flow
Blowout (surface flow)
Diverted, BOP valve outlet 1 1
Diverted, subsea - outside casing 1 1
Diverter syst.leak 1 1 2
Diverter syst.leak - line eroded 1 1
Diverter syst.leak - line parted 2 2
Diverter syst.leak - main divert 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 2 1 3
From wellhead 7 7
Development Subsea - outside casing 3 3
drilling Subsea wellhead 1 1
shallow gas Blowout (surface flow) total 7 10 4 1 22
incidents Blowout (underground flow)
From wellhead 1 1
Blowout (underground flow) total 1 1
Diverted well release
Diverted 14 2 16
Diverted well release total 14 2 16
Well release
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 1
From wellhead 1 1
Well release total 1 1 2
Dev.drlg total 22 13 4 1 1 41
Blowout (surface flow)
Diverter syst.leak 2 2
Diverter syst.leak - line eroded 3 3
Diverter syst.leak - line parted 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 1
Drillfloor - top of drill string 1 1
From wellhead 1 1
Exploration Subsea - outside casing 4 4
drilling Subsea crater 1 1
shallow gas Subsea wellhead 8 8
incidents Unknown 1 1
Blowout (surface flow) total 1 14 2 5 1 23
Diverted well release
Diverted 9 9
Diverted well release total 9 9
Well release
Subsea wellhead 1 1 2
Well release total 1 1 2
Expl.drlg total 1 24 3 5 1 34
Unknown Blowout (surface flow)
drilling Subsea wellhead 1 1
shallow gas Blowout (surface flow) total 1 1
incidents Unknown drlg total 1 1
Total all shallow gas incidents 1 47 16 9 1 2 76

Most shallow gas blowouts/well releases have their final flow-path through the well bore
annulus. The flow is either diverted without any problems, the diverter system fails, or the flow is
released through the subsea wellhead.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 27

Table 4.6 Release point vs. final flow-path for “deep” drilling blowouts and well releases
Incident Final flow-path Through Through Through Under-
Through Outside Un-
main Release point drill test outer ground Total
annulus casing known
type string string annulus blowout
Blowout (surface flow)
Drillfloor - choke manifold 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 1
From wellhead 2 2 4
Subsea - outside casing 1 1
Unknown 1 1
Develop- Blowout (surface flow) total 5 2 1 8
ment Blowout (underground flow)
drilling No surface flow 3 3
deep Blowout (underground flow) total 3 3
Well release
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 2 3
Subsea - outside casing 1 1
Unknown 1 1
Well release total 1 2 1 1 5
Total 1 7 2 2 3 1 16
Blowout (surface flow)
Bop valve outlet 1 1
Diverter syst.leak - line parted 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 2 1 3
Drillfloor - top of drill string 1 1 2
From wellhead 2 3 5
Shaker room 1 1
Subsea - outside casing 5 5
Subsea BOP 1 1
Subsea BOP (choke line flexible) 1 1
Subsea crater 1 1
Subsea wellhead 1 1
Explor- Blowout (surface flow) total 1 10 4 7 22
ation Blowout (underground flow)
drilling No surface flow 5 5
deep
Subsea - outside casing 1 1
Unknown 1 1
Blowout (underground flow) total 1 5 1 7
Well release
Diverted 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 3 3
Drillfloor - top of drill string 2 2
Drillfloor - tubing valve 1 1
Well release total 2 1 4 7
Unknown
Unknown 1 1
Unknown total 1 1
Total 3 1 14 4 8 5 2 37
Well release
Unknown
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 1
Drilling
Well release total 1 1
deep
Total 1 1
TOTAL ALL DEEP 3 2 22 6 10 8 3 54

Through annulus is the most common final flow-path for both exploration and development
drilling “deep” blowouts/well releases. Forty percent of the deep drilling blowouts/well releases
was flowing through the annulus. Ten incidents came outside the casing, causing subsea releases.
One of them also ignited when the gas reached the surface. In general subsea releases are more
frequent for exploration well blowouts than for development well blowouts. This was also
observed for the shallow gas blowouts. Ten incidents only caused underground flow. Probably
more of these incidents occur than reported in the database.
Page: 28 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.7 Release point vs. final flow-path for completion, workover, production and wireline
blowouts and well releases
Through Through Through Through Through Outside Under- Total
Final flow-path
Phase coiled drill tubing annulus outer casing ground
Release point
tubing string annulus blowout
Blowout (surface flow)
Drillfloor - drill pipe valve 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 1
Drillfloor - top of drill string/tubing 3 2 5
From x-mas tree (choke body) 1 1
Mud room 1 1
Comp-
letion Blowout (surface flow) total 4 4 1 9
Well release
Drillfloor - through rotary 3 3
Drillfloor - top of tubing 2 2
Shaker room 1 1
Well release total 1 2 3 6
COMPLETION TOTAL 5 6 4 15
Blowout (surface flow)
BOP valve outlet 4 4
Drillfloor - through rotary 2 2
Drillfloor - top of drill string 4 4
Drillfloor - top of tubing 1 2 3
Drillfloor - tubing valve 1 1
From wellhead 1 1 2
From x-mas tree 1 1
Mud room 1 1
Subsea - outside casing 1 1
Work-
over Unknown 1 1
Blowout (surface flow) total 1 5 3 9 1 1 20
Well release
BOP valve outlet 1 1
Drillfloor - through rotary 1 8 9
Drillfloor - top of drill string 1 1
Drillfloor - top of tubing 2 2
From above x-mas tree 1 1 2
From x-mas tree 1 1 2
Well release total 6 11 17
WORKOVER TOTAL 1 5 9 20 1 1 37
Blowout (surface flow)
From wellhead 1 1 1 3
From x-mas tree 1 1
Subsea - outside casing 1 1
Subsea crater 1 1
Subsea x-mas tree 1 1
Prod- Blowout (surface flow) total 3 1 1 2 7
uction Blowout (underground flow)
No surface flow 1 1
Blowout (underground flow) total 1 1
Well release
From x-mas tree 2 2
Well release total 2 2
PRODUCTION TOTAL 5 1 1 2 1 10
Blowout (surface flow)
Drillfloor - wireline stuffing box/BOP 1 1
From above x-mas tree 2 2
From x-mas tree 1 1
Blowout (surface flow) total 3 1 4
Wire-
line Well release
From above x-mas tree 2 2
From x-mas tree 1 1
Unknown 1 1
Well release total 4 4
WIRELINE TOTAL 7 1 8
Blowout (surface flow)
From wellhead 1 1
Blowout (surface flow) total 1 1
Unknown Blowout (underground flow)
No surface flow 1 1
Blowout (underground flow) total 1 1
UNKNOWN TOTAL 1 1 2
Total 1 10 27 25 4 3 2 72
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 29

Most blowouts during completion result in flow through the tubing or the drill string/work string.
It is important to note that for several of these blowouts the BOP stack did not include a blind-
shear ram (Table 3.1 on page 19). With a blind-shear ram these blowouts could have been
stopped at an earlier stage, and they would in many cases not have been categorised as a blowout.
It is not mandatory to use blind-shear rams in US OCS surface BOPs.

The normal flow-paths for workover blowouts/well releases are either through the drill
string/tubing or through the annulus. It is important to note that for several of these blowouts the
BOP stack did not include a blind-shear ram (Table 3.1 on page 19). Further, the drill
string/tubing blowouts are mostly released from the top of the drill string/tubing hanging in the
rotary table slips. Annulus blowouts do mostly come through the rotary.

Wireline blowouts typically flow through the tubing and the release point is above the X-mas
tree.

Eight of the ten production blowouts came to the air in the wellhead/X-mas tree area. The last
two came outside casing at the sea bottom, one of them caused a crater.

4.7 Blowout/Well Release Causes

Normally to experience a blowout, at least one primary and one secondary barrier have to fail.
For drilling, workover and completion blowouts the primary barriers are usually the hydrostatic
pressure from the mud column and the secondary barrier is the mechanical barriers, either subsea
or on the installation. For production wells the primary and secondary barriers are mechanical
barriers.

It should be noted that when drilling in shallow zones there is normally only one blowout barrier.
The installations do, however, have means for forcing the gas away from the installation. In this
report those means are treated as a secondary barrier.

The blowout database does contain fields for describing the blowout/well release causes, i.e. why
were the primary and secondary barrier lost?

Further, the database contains one field that describes whether the blowout/well release was
"caused" by an external load. Out of the 209 blowouts/well releases from US GoM OCS, UK,
and Norway in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01, seven were "caused" by an external load
(Table 2.6, page 17). It is, however, important to note that an external load normally only ruins
the topside barrier. To experience a blowout, the downhole barrier also has to fail. So an external
load will not be the single blowout cause. Typically the external load ruins the wellhead/X-mas
tree barriers of an active well, and the downhole barrier fails to activate or is leaking.
Page: 30 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.8 shows an overview of blowouts caused by external loads.

Table 4.8 Overview of blowouts caused by external loads for US GoM OCS, UK, and Norway in
the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01
Water Oper- External Flow-
Phase Activity Primary barrier Secondary barrier
depth (m) ation cause medium
6 A8.X-mas tree failed
Closed C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure
Prod- Well Ship (leakage between tubing Oil, Gas
in gas (Not enough surge to close
uction closed in collision head flanges and master (deep)
well valve)
valve)
143 C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure &
A8.X-mas tree failed (all
Prod- Produc- Fire/- C4.Tubing to annulus Oil, Gas
Gas lifting trees failed due to topside
uction ing oil explosion communication, equipment or (deep)
fire)
nipple failure (5 to 6 wells failed)
12 C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure
Prod- Produc- Regular Ship A8.X-mas tree failed (due Oil, Gas
(not installed?)
uction ing gas production collision to collision) (deep)
10 C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure
Prod- Produc- Regular A8.X-mas tree failed
Storm (Assumed, may also have been Oil
uction ing oil production (damaged by storm)
a tubing annulus communication)
13 C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure
Prod- Produc- Regular A8.X-mas tree failed
Storm (Assumed, may also have been Oil
uction ing oil production (damaged by storm)
a tubing annulus communication)
10 C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure
Prod- Produc- Regular A8.X-mas tree failed
Storm (Assumed, may also have been Oil
uction ing oil production (damaged by storm)
a tubing annulus communication)
15 Prod- Produc- Regular B4.Wellhead failed
Storm C5.SCSSV/storm choke failure Oil
uction ing oil production (hurricane damage)

Table 4.9 and Table 4.10 show the different causes for loosing the primary and secondary
barriers, as reported in the database.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 31

Table 4.9 Primary barrier failure causes listed in the database for the US GoM OCS, UK, and
Norwegian blowouts/well releases in the period Jan. 1980 - Jan. 2005
Cate- PRIMARY BARRIER FAILURE Dev.drlg Expl.drlg Unk. drlg Comp- Work- Prod- Wire- Unk- Total
gory Deep Shal. Deep Shal. Deep Shal. letion over uction line nown
Too low mud weight 2 3 3 2 3 13
Annular losses 1 1 2 1 1 6
While cement setting 3 9 4 2 1 19
Trapped gas 1 1
Too Swabbing 6 2 3 2 4 17
low Gas cut mud 2 2 4
hyd. Improper fill up 1 1 2
head Disconnected riser 1 1 2
Unexpected high well pressure 1 3 5 1 10
Reservoir depth uncertainty 1 1 2
Cement preflush weight too low 1 1
Unknown why 1 3 2 4 1 1 12
Blow- Poor cement 1 1 1 1 4
out
(sur- Formation breakdown 1 1 2
face Stripper bop failure 1 1
flow) Snubbing equipment failure 4 4
X-mas tree failure 1 1
Tubing to annulus tubing leakage 1 1 2
communication equipm./nipple 1 1 2
SCSSV/storm choke failure 1 4 5
Well test string barrier failure 1 1
Wireline stuffing box failure 1 1
Wireline lubricator failure 2 2
Packer plug failure 1 1
Tubing plug failure 1 1 2
Unknown 1 1 2
Total no. of primary barrier failures 8 23 23 23 1 9 20 7 4 1 119
Incidents with two prim. barrier failures 1 1 2
No. of blowouts (surface flow) 8 22 22 23 1 9 20 7 4 1 117
Too low mud weight 1 1 2
Too
Blow- low Annular losses 1 1
out hyd. While cement setting 1 1
(under- head Unexpected high well pressure 1 1 2
ground Unknown why 1 2 3
flow) Tubing leakage 1 1
Unknown 2 1 3
No. of blowouts (underground flow) 3 1 7 1 1 13
Too low mud weight 1 2 3
Too Annular losses 4 1 5
Divert- low While cement setting 3 1 4
ed hyd.
well Swabbing 9 9
Head Unexpected high well pressure 1 4 5
release
Unknown why 1 1
Total no. of primary barrier failures 18 9 27
Incidents with two prim. barrier failures 2 2
No. of diverted well releases 16 9 25
Too low mud weight 1 1 2
Annular losses 1 1
Too Drilling into neighbour well 1 1
low Trapped gas 1 5 6
hyd. Swabbing 1 1 1 3 2 8
Head Gas cut mud 1 1
Unexpected high well pressure 3 1 1 5
Unknown why 1 1 1 3
Poor cement 1 1 2
Coil tubing failure 1 1
Well Snubbing equipment failure 2 2
release X-mas tree failure 1 1
Tubing burst 1 1
SCSSV/storm choke failure 2 1 2 5
Well test string barrier failure 1 1 2
Wireline lubricator failure 1 1
Packer plug failure 1 1
Other 2 1 3
Unknown 1 1 2
Total no. Of primary barrier failures 5 2 7 2 1 6 19 2 4 48
Incidents with two prim. barrier failures 2
No. of well releases 5 2 7 2 1 6 17 2 4 46
Un- Unknown 1 1
known No. of unknown incidents 1 1
Total 16 41 37 34 1 1 15 37 10 8 2 202
 Page: 32 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.10 Secondary barrier failure causes listed in the database for the US GoM OCS, UK, and
Norwegian blowouts/well releases in the period Jan. 1980 - Jan. 2005.
Cate- SECONDARY BARRIER FAILURE Dev.drlg Expl.drlg Unk. drlg Compl- Work- Prod- Wire- Unk- Total
gory Deep Shal. Deep Shal. Deep Shal. etion over uction line nown
String safety valve failed 1 1 2 4
String safety valve not available 1 1 2 4
Failed to stab kelly valve 1 3 3 7
SCCSV/storm choke failed 1 1
X-mas tree failed 1 4 2 7
Failed to close BOP 1 1 1 2 6 11
Diverted - no problem 1 1
Failed to operate diverter 3 3
Diverter failed after closure 7 1 8 16
Drilling without riser 1 5 6
Disconnected riser 1 1
Annulus valve failed 1 1
Not sufficient frictional backpressure 1 1
BOP failed after closure 2 1 5 1 9
Blow-
out (sur- BOP/diverter not in place 3 4 3 1 1 12
face Wellhead failed 1 1
flow) Casing head failed 1 1 2
Tubing to annulus communication 1 1
Poor cement 3 3 6
Casing valve failure 1 1
Wellhead seal failed 1 1 2
Inner casing failed 1 1
Fracture at csg shoe 2 4 6
Casing leakage 1 4 1 1 2 9
Formation breakdown 1 1 2
Not relevant 1 1
Not relevant - only one barrier present 1 2 1 2 6
Unknown 1 1 1 3
Total no. of secondary barrier failures 8 24 25 25 1 10 20 7 4 1 125
Incidents with two sec. barrier failures 2 3 2 1 8
Blowout (surface flow) total 8 22 22 23 1 9 20 7 4 1 117
Failed to close BOP 1 1
Diverted - no problem 1 1
Blow- Fracture at csg shoe 1 1 1 3
out Casing leakage 2 1 3
(under- Formation breakdown 1 1 2
ground Unknown 1 3 1 5
flow) Total no. of secondary barrier failures 3 2 8 1 1 15
Incidents with two sec. barrier failures 1 1 2
Blowout (underground flow) total 3 1 7 1 1 13
Divert- Diverted - no problem 16 9 25
ed well
release Diverted well release total 16 9 25
String safety valve failed 1 1 2
String safety valve not available 1 1
Failed to stab kelly valve 2 1 3
Wireline bop/lubricator not installed 1 1
SCCSV/storm choke failed 1 1 2
X-mas tree failed 1 1 1 3
Coiled tubing stuffing box failed 1 1
Failed to close BOP 2 1 1 2 1 7
Diverted - no problem 1 1
Well Drilling without riser 1 1
release Not sufficient frictional backpressure 1 1 1 6 9
BOP failed after closure 1 1
Wellhead failed 1 1
Wellhead seal failed 1 1 2
Outer casing failed 1 1
Fracture at csg shoe 1 1
Not relevant 1 1 2 4
Other 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1 1 4
Well release total 5 2 7 2 1 6 17 2 4 46
Un- Unknown 1 1
known Unknown total 1 1
Total no. of incidents 16 41 37 34 1 1 15 37 10 8 2 202
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 33

4.8 Operations and Activities when Blowout/Well Release Occurs

In Table 4.11 to Table 4.16 an overview of the operations and activities in progress when the
blowouts/well releases occurred is presented for the various operational phases.

The data is from the US GoM OCS, UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well releases in the period
1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01.

Table 4.11 Operations and activities in progress when the shallow gas blowouts/well releases
occurred
Casing Other/unknown
Operation Drilling activity Total
running operations
Unk. Unk.
Activity Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Total
drlg drlg
BLOWOUT (SURFACE FLOW)
Actual drilling 2 10 1 2 10 1 13
Well suspended 1 1 1
Tripping out 6 2 6 2 8
Out of hole 1 1 1
Coring 1 1 1
Milling (and reaming) 1 1 1
Cementing casing 1 1 1 1 2
Wait on cement 9 2 9 2 11
Install BOP 1 1 1
Nipple down BOP 1 1 1
Changing equipment 1 1 1
Wait on weather 1 1 1
Unknown 1 2 1 1 2 3 5
Total no. of activities 9 17 1 11 3 3 3 23 23 1 47
No. of blowouts listed with two activities 1 1 1
No. of blowouts (surface flow) 9 17 1 10 3 3 3 22 23 1 46
BLOWOUT (UNDERGROUND FLOW)
Wait on cement 1 1 1
No. of blowouts (underground flow) 1 1 1
DIVERTED WELL RELEASE
Actual drilling 2 5 2 5 7
Tipping out 8 1 8 1 9
Circulating 1 1 1
Casing running 2 2 2
Cementing casing 1 1 1
Wait on cement 3 3 3
Unknown 1 1 2 2
No. of diverted well releases 11 6 5 1 2 16 9 25
WELL RELEASE
Actual drilling 1 1 1
Tripping out 1 1 1
Leak off test 1 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1
No. of well releases 1 1 1 1 2 2 4
TOTAL ALL SHALLOW INCIDENTS 21 24 1 17 4 3 6 41 34 1 76
Page: 34 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.12 Operations and activities in progress when the “deep” drilling blowouts/well releases
occurred
Drilling Casing Other/unknown
Operation Total
activity running operations
Unk. Unk.
Activity Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Drlg Dev. Expl. Drlg Total
Blowout (surface flow)
Actual drilling 1 10 1 10 11
Tripping out 3 3 3
Out of hole 1 1 1
Casing running 1 1 1
Cementing casing 1 1 1
Wait on cement 3 4 3 4 7
Install bop 1 1 1
Nipple down BOP 2 2 2
Actual well test 1 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1 1 2 3
Pull wireline 1 1 1
Total no. of activities 2 15 4 8 2 1 8 24 32
No. of blowouts listed with two activities 2 2 2
No. of blowouts (surface flow) 2 15 4 6 2 1 8 22 30
Blowout (underground flow)
Actual drilling 3 3 3 3 6
Unknown 1 3 4 4
No. of blowouts (underground flow) 3 4 3 3 7 10
Well release
Actual drilling 4 4 4
Tripping out 1 1 1
Gravel pack 1 1 1
Circulating 1 1 1
Pulling casing 1 1 1
Pull/drill out well plugs 1 1 1 1 2
Actual well test 1 1 1 1 2
Maintenance surface equipment 1 1 1
Unknown 1 1 1
Total no. of activities 4 2 1 6 1 5 7 1 14
No. of blowouts listed with two activities 1 1
No. of well releases 4 2 1 5 1 5 7 1 13
Unknown
UNKNOWN 1 1 1
No. of unknown incidents 1 1 1
TOTAL ALL DEEP INCIDENTS 9 21 4 6 3 10 1 16 37 1 54

Table 4.13 Operations and activities in progress when the completion blowouts/well releases
occurred
Operation Running well Well testing Circulating Perforating Coiled Other/
Total
Activity equipment incl.prepare tubing unknown
Blowout (surface flow)
Tripping out 2 2
Circulating 1 1
Killing 1 1
Perforating 1 1
Gravel pack 2 2
Other, bleed off pressure above SCSSV 1 1
Unknown 1 1
No. of blowouts(surface flow) 3 2 1 3 9
Well release
Tripping out 1 1 2
Tripping in 1 1
Flow check 1 1
Perforating 1 1
Gravel pack 1 1
Maintenance well equipment 1 1
Total no. of activities 1 2 1 1 2 7
No. of well releases listed with two activities 1 1
No. of well releases 1 1 1 1 1 6
Total no. of incidents 4 1 2 2 1 5 15
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 35

Table 4.14 Operations and activities in progress when the workover blowouts/well releases
occurred
Pulling Running Well
Operation Installing Aban-
well well testing Circu- Snubb- Coiled Perfor-
equip- don Total
equip- equip- incl. lating ing tubing ating
Activity ment well
ment ment prepare
BLOWOUT (SURFACE FLOW)
Tripping out 2 2
Tripping in 1 1
Out of hole 1 1
Circulating 1 1 2
Pulling casing 1 1
Cement squeeze 1 1
Set well plug 1 1
Pull tubing 1 1 2
Perforating 1 1
Gravel pack 1 1
Cleaning well 1 1 2
Coiled tubing operations 1 1
Snubbing in 1 2 1 4
Unknown 1 1
Total no. of activities 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 1 2 21
No. of blowouts listed with two activities 1 1
No. of blowouts (surface flow) 5 1 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 20
WELL RELEASE
Circulating 1 1
Install BOP 1 1
Pull/drill out well plugs 1 1
Nipple down x-mas tree 1 1
Snubbing out 2 2
Pull tubing 6 1 7
Acidizing 1 1
Run coiled tubing 1 1
Coiled tubing operations 1 1
Changing equipment 1 1
No. of well releases 7 2 2 2 1 3 17
Total no. of incidents 12 1 4 1 2 5 5 2 5 37

Table 4.15 Operations and activities in progress when the production blowouts/well releases
occurred
Operation Producing Producing Producing Closed in gas/- Unknown Total
Activity oil condensate gas condensate well
BLOWOUT
Regular production 1 3 1 5
Failure diagnosing 2 2
No. of blowouts 1 3 2 1 7
BLOWOUT (UNDERGROUND FLOW)
Failure diagnosing 1 1
No. of blowouts (underground flow) 1 1
WELL RELEASE
Regular Production 2 2
No. of well releases 2 2
TOTAL NO. OF INCIDENTS 1 2 3 3 1 10
Page: 36 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.16 Operations and activities in progress when the wireline blowouts/well releases
occurred
Operation Rigging up wireline Running wireline Total
Activity equipment operations
BLOWOUT (SURFACE FLOW)
Run wireline 2 2
Pull wireline 1 1
Logging 1 1
No. of blowouts 4 4
WELL RELEASE
Changing Equipment 1 1
Run wireline 2 2
Unknown 1 1
No. of well releases 1 3 4
Total no. of incidents 1 7 8

The blowout listed with “Unknown” as Phase was a Blowout (underground flow) with no
information related to operation and activity.

4.9 Exploration Wildcats vs. Exploration Appraisal Wells

The exploration wells for the US GoM OC, UK waters and Norwegian waters have now been
categorized in exploration wildcats and exploration appraisal wells. Table 4.17

Table 4.17 Exploration wildcats and Exploration appraisal wells in the database for the US GoM
OCS, UK, and Norwegian blowouts/well releases in the period Jan. 1980 - Jan. 2005

Main category Shallow or deep Exploration well type No of incidents

Deep Appraisal 9
Wildcat 13
Blowout (surface flow) Appraisal 8
Shallow Wildcat 14
Unknown 1
Blowout (surface flow) total 45
Blowout (under-ground flow) Deep Wildcat 7
Blowout (underground flow) total 7
Appraisal 2
Diverted well release Shallow
Wildcat 7
Diverted well release total 9
Appraisal 3
Deep Wildcat 3
Well release Unknown 1
Appraisal 1
Shallow
Wildcat 1
Well release total 9
Unknown Deep Appraisal 1
Unknown total 1
Total all exploration incidents 71
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 37

4.10 Blowouts from Australia, Canada East Coast, The Netherlands, and
US/California OCS

Exposure data from from Australia, Canada East Coast, The Netherlands and US/California OCS
has been included in this report (Section 5). The associated blowouts and well releases are,
however, not included in the previous chapters of the report. Table 4.18 and Table 4.19 list key
data for the observed blowouts in these areas in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01.

Table 4.18 Key data for blowouts observed blowouts/well releases for the Canadian East Coast,
Dutch waters, and Australian waters
Id_no 405 259 266 268 548
Country Netherlands Canada East Coast Canada East Coast Australia Australia
Phase Production Expl.drlg Expl.drlg Production Expl.drlg
Category Blowout (surface Blowout (surface Blowout Blowout (surface Blowout
flow) flow) (underground flow) flow) (underground flow)
Sub category Totally uncontrolled
Totally uncontrolled Underground flow Totally uncontrolled Underground flow
flow, from a deep flow, from a deep only flow, from a deep only
zone zone zone
Date 15-May-83 22-Feb-84 20-Sep-84 17-Dec-84 07/02/1991
Flow medium Gas (deep) Condensate, Gas Gas (deep) Oil, Gas (deep) Gas (deep)
(deep)
Ignition type NO NO NO NO NO
Duration days 10 10 270 10 Unknown
Loss of primary C3.Tubing to annulus C14.Casing plug A8.Too low hyd. C4.Tubing to A15.Too low hyd.
barrier communication - failure (HP zone head - unexpected annulus com- head - unknown why
tubing leakage isolating bridge plug high well pressure munication -
broke at 5200 equipm./nip-ple
meters) failure (assumed)
Loss of D2.Casing leakage B1.Failed to close D2.Casing leakage D2.Casing leakage D3.Formation
secondary BOP (First annular, (assumed) breakdown
barrier obstruction in
BOP,then S/R,- to
little power to cut,
then acoustic close
failed)
Operation P2.Producing gas D4.Well testing D1.Drilling activity P1.Producing oil Unknown
(preparing to test
shallow zone)
Activity P1.Regular B1.Circulating A7.Fishing P1.Regular Unknown
production production
Data quality Fair Very good Fair Very low Low
Page: 38 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 4.19 Key data for blowouts observed blowouts/well releases for the US California OCS
Id_no 449 475 482 539
Country US/California OCS US/California OCS US/California OCS US/California OCS
Phase Workover Workover Dev.drlg Workover
Category Well release Well release Well release Blowout (surface flow)
Sub category Limited surface flow Limited surface flow Shallow gas controlled Totally uncontrolled
before the secondary before the secondary flow (diverted) flow, from a deep zone
barrier was activated barrier was activated
Date 7-Mar-98 19-Nov-00 24-Mar-01 18/11/2004
Flow medium Gas (deep), Water Oil, Water Mud Gas (deep)
Ignition type NO NO NO NO
Duration days Unknown Unknown 0.0104 0.1042 (2.5 hrs)
(15 mins)
Loss of primary A15.Too low hyd. head C13.Tubing plug failure A10.Too low hyd. head A10.Too low hyd. head
barrier - unknown why - annular losses - annular losses. (Stop
pumping for 30 minutes
for removal of lock
down pin)
Loss of secondary Not relevant Not relevant B10.Diverted - no B4.Wellhead failed
barrier problem (removed lock down
pin)
Operation W1.Pulling well W1.Pulling well D1.Drilling activity W3.Installing
equipment equipment equipment
Activity A2.Tripping out D6.Pull/drill out well Unknown G4.Maintenance
plugs surface equipment
Data quality Fair Low Good Very good
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 39

5. “Normal” Drilling and Production Exposure Data

The exposure date in this section of the report includes yearly well drilling and no. of wells in
production for some specific areas. The offshore drilling wells are from Norway, UK, US GoM
OCS, East Coast of Canada and the Netherlands. The production data stems from Norway, UK,
and US GoM OCS.

The format of the exposure data varies for the different areas.

5.1 Drilling Exposure Data

5.1.1 US GoM OCS

The drilling exposure data for the US GoM OCS stems from a computerised list of all wells
drilled (/1/). A version from August 2006 was used for this report. The file includes information
on borehole activities such as drilling activity, counts on the number of boreholes completed, and
number of shut-in's. Additional information includes the lease number, well name, and spud date,
the well class, surface area/block number, well depths, and statistics on well status summary. Per
August 2006 the data-file includes information from more than 46000 wells drilled all time in the
US GoM OCS.

The number of wells drilled in the US GoM OCS area is presented in Table 5.1.
Page: 40 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 5.1 Number of drilled wells in US GoM OCS area

Exploration wells
Development wells
Wildcat* Appraisal* Total
Spud All wells Side- All wells Side- All wells Side- All wells Side-
year Completed Completed
inc. tracked inc. tracked inc. tracked inc. tracked
wells** wells**
sidetracks wells sidetracks wells sidetracks wells sidetracks wells
1980 129 4 232 19 361 23 104 807 79 529
1981 147 8 190 13 337 21 99 870 98 571
1982 190 20 202 21 392 41 112 838 83 560
1983 177 13 204 26 381 39 112 762 116 511
1984 327 33 229 26 556 59 161 755 131 511
1985 295 28 216 39 511 67 147 662 120 439
1986 149 16 106 16 255 32 77 433 93 286
1987 196 23 200 28 396 51 116 448 84 301
1988 302 34 230 45 532 79 154 452 101 302
1989 220 31 235 38 455 69 132 511 101 348
1990 276 34 214 32 490 66 141 566 180 377
1991 164 21 166 19 330 40 98 430 127 285
1992 106 14 109 14 215 28 57 329 103 223
1993 175 20 170 39 345 59 98 570 202 385
1994 217 26 200 34 417 60 120 589 221 379
1995 187 31 189 50 376 81 110 675 293 431
1996 249 38 190 49 439 87 127 697 308 463
1997 272 52 249 70 521 122 153 837 430 565
1998 268 81 228 100 496 181 149 641 381 446
1999 200 55 170 70 370 125 121 662 367 462
2000 223 53 217 52 440 105 146 937 602 659
2001 229 56 182 56 411 112 123 852 544 531
2002 173 43 135 35 308 78 112 633 358 337
2003 200 62 154 57 354 119 114 539 306 309
2004 198 55 164 66 362 121 132 553 300 322
Total 5269 851 4781 1014 10050 1865 3013 16048 5728 10530
* To differ between Wildcats and Appraisal wells the following has been assumed; All exploration wells drilled in certain areas
are numbered from 1 and further, where well number 1 is the first well drilled. For US GoM OCS all exploration wells
numbered as 1 have been regarded as Wildcats, while all the other wells are regarded as Appraisal wells. This may be
inaccurate, but this will likely lead to an underestimation of no. of Wildcats compared to no. of Appraisal wells for the US
GoM OCS
** In the 2000 version and earlier versions of this report the number of completed wells as listed in the source file was used
directly for this column. Closer investigation showed that when a production well is abandoned it would be re-categorized to
abandoned. This will lead to an underestimation of number of completed wells. To adjust the figure to a more correct
number 30 % of all exploration wells and 70% of all development wells are assumed to be completed each year for the
whole period 1980 – 1999. These figures stems from the average in the period 1992 – 1997.

As seen from Table 5.1 many of the US GoM wells are side-tracked. The wells in the Gulf of
Mexico are primarily side-tracked for deflecting the direction of the borehole to encounter an
alternate target horizon or potential productive interval at a selected aerial location. Deviation of
a well bore to bypass junk in the hole is not classified as a side-track.

Quite a number of wells in the Gulf of Mexico are completed in producing intervals at subsea
depths between 1000 feet and 10 000 feet. In areas where the geology and formation pressures
have previously been established, such development wells are routinely drilled in from 1 to 10
days, due to the unconsolidated nature of the formations at depths above 10 000 feet.

It should further, be noted that the drilling period for many of the US GoM wells is of very short
duration. If looking at all the wells (1980 – 2002);
• Approximately 25 % of the development wells were drilled in less than 10 days.
• Approximately 19 % of the exploration wells were drilled in less than 10 days.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 41

5.1.2 United Kingdom

The drilling exposure data for UK is based on "The Energy Report, Volume 2, Oil and Gas
Resources of the United Kingdom", Department of Trade and Industry 1994 – 2001, and
Department of Trade and industry web page (http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/information) for the
past years. The number of wells drilled in the UK area is presented in Table 5.2.

Table 5.2 Number of drilled wells in UK offshore sector

Exploration wells
Development wells
Year Wild cat Appraisal
All wells inc. Sidetrack- All wells inc. Sidetrack- Total All wells inc. Sidetrack-
sidetracks ed wells sidetracks ed wells sidetracks ed wells
1980 32 22 54 122
1981 48 26 74 137
1982 68 43 111 118
1983 77 51 128 95
1984 106 76 182 108
1985 93 64 157 133
1986 73 40 113 85
1987 69 63 132 124
1988 93 3 84 14 177 167 6
1989 94 2 89 14 183 155 12
1990 159 7 65 11 224 124 16
1991 107 1 79 19 186 144 19
1992 74 2 57 16 131 167 27
1993 51 1 59 12 110 162 28
1994 62 3 37 10 99 202 48
1995 60 7 38 12 98 244 42
1996 72 3 40 7 112 261 68
1997 61 2 35 12 96 257 78
1998 47 4 33 17 80 276 89
1999 16 2 20 3 36 230 90
2000 26 3 33 11 59 216 81
2001 24 2 36 18 60 282 106
2002 16 2 28 10 44 249 122
2003 26 2 19 9 45 204 79
2004 29 3 34 12 63 166 68
Total 1583 49 1171 207 2754 4428 979

5.1.3 Norway
The drilling exposure data for Norway is based on the NPD Borehole list as published on the
Internet (http://www.npd.no).

NPD has from 2001 changed the well naming. This is also reflected in their borehole lists
published on the Internet.

The tables presenting number of drilled wells in earlier versions of this report have been based on
the number of wellbores. A wellbore is now categorized as;

• Initial well bore

• Re-entry
• Sidetrack
Page: 42 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Earlier another category named technical sidetrack also was included. This category is not used
anymore. The practical effect is that the number of wells drilled has been reduced. NPD wellbore
categorizing is described (http://www.npd.no/regelverk/r2002/B_og_b_betegnelser_og_klassifisering_e.htm)

The number and type of development wells are presented in Table 5.3. Table 5.4 presents the
exploration wells drilled in the Norwegian area alongside the total number of development wells
and the type of well bore. Table 5.5 shows the number of Norwegian wells drilled within each
main NCS area

Table 5.3 Norwegian development wells drilled

Production Injection Obser-
Spud Gas/- Other/- Other/- All
Oil/- Water/- vation
year Oil Gas conden un- Total Water Gas un- Total wells
gas gas
sate known known
1980 20 6 26 2 2 28
1981 8 5 13 1 2 3 16
1982 12 6 18 3 2 5 23
1983 14 1 15 6 3 9 24
1984 16 10 26 7 1 8 34
1985 25 11 36 10 2 12 48
1986 37 4 41 7 2 9 50
1987 25 13 38 9 1 10 48
1988 38 4 42 12 1 13 55
1989 44 3 47 16 3 19 66
1990 35 4 39 19 2 21 60
1991 48 2 50 12 1 13 1 64
1992 55 7 62 15 1 16 8 86
1993 68 7 1 76 15 3 18 11 105
1994 70 6 2 78 25 4 29 13 120
1995 58 11 3 72 19 3 1 23 14 109
1996 84 20 3 107 9 6 1 16 20 143
1997 72 19 1 92 5 10 1 1 17 26 135
1998 87 10 97 14 8 1 23 19 139
1999 89 8 1 98 17 3 6 26 25 149
2000 111 15 2 3 131 14 10 1 25 29 185
2001 123 13 2 138 15 4 2 2 23 39 200
2002 105 9 2 116 15 6 2 2 25 26 167
2003 111 7 2 2 122 12 2 6 5 25 18 165
2004 96 4 1 6 1 108 10 4 14 16 138
Total 1451 203 4 8 22 1688 287 82 19 16 404 265 2357
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 43

Table 5.4 Number of drilled wells and type of well bore in Norwegian offshore sector
Drilled Exploration wells Development
year Appraisal Wildcat Total Initial Multi- Side- Total
Initial Re- Side- Total Initial Re- Side- Total explor- lateral track develop-
entry track entry track ation ment
1980 10 1 11 26 5 31 42 27 1 28
1981 15 1 16 24 3 27 43 16 16
1982 13 1 1 15 35 2 37 52 21 2 23
1983 8 2 10 32 32 42 21 3 24
1984 13 2 15 33 4 1 38 53 31 3 34
1985 20 1 21 30 2 32 53 47 1 48
1986 10 2 1 13 24 5 1 30 43 35 15 50
1987 11 3 1 15 24 3 27 42 36 12 48
1988 8 2 3 13 18 18 31 46 9 55
1989 5 4 2 11 21 3 24 35 47 19 66
1990 8 4 2 14 26 6 32 46 43 17 60
1991 11 7 2 20 33 3 1 37 57 52 12 64
1992 10 5 15 27 2 1 30 45 65 21 86
1993 7 4 11 19 4 1 24 35 75 30 105
1994 2 3 1 6 17 3 1 21 27 78 1 41 120
1995 10 1 4 15 22 3 25 40 73 36 109
1996 7 1 2 10 21 1 22 32 91 52 143
1997 8 1 4 13 33 4 5 42 55 81 1 53 135
1998 6 3 2 11 15 3 18 29 90 3 46 139
1999 6 1 1 8 12 1 3 16 24 95 54 149
2000 4 2 6 18 3 21 27 107 6 72 185
2001 5 2 4 11 24 3 1 28 39 93 18 89 200
2002 2 2 3 7 11 1 3 15 22 73 18 76 167
2003 6 2 2 10 12 2 2 16 26 59 32 74 165
2004 4 4 8 10 10 18 60 28 50 138
Total 209 50 46 305 567 63 23 653 958 1462 107 788 2357
Page: 44 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 5.5 Norwegian drilled wells separated on main NCS area

Exploration wells Development wells
Spud Total all
year Barents North Norwegian Barents North Norwegian wells
Total Total
Sea Sea Sea Sea Sea Sea
1980 2 39 1 42 28 28 70
1981 3 38 2 43 16 16 59
1982 4 43 5 52 23 23 75
1983 6 29 7 42 24 24 66
1984 10 36 7 53 34 34 87
1985 8 29 16 53 48 48 101
1986 4 22 17 43 50 50 93
1987 5 23 14 42 48 48 90
1988 4 21 6 31 55 55 86
1989 5 27 3 35 66 66 101
1990 3 33 10 46 60 60 106
1991 3 46 8 57 64 64 121
1992 3 37 5 45 84 2 86 131
1993 2 25 8 35 94 11 105 140
1994 22 5 27 107 13 120 147
1995 1 31 8 40 104 5 109 149
1996 24 8 32 131 12 143 175
1997 36 19 55 118 17 135 190
1998 22 7 29 113 26 139 168
1999 13 11 24 117 32 149 173
2000 4 12 11 27 154 31 185 212
2001 4 21 14 39 167 33 200 239
2002 17 5 22 149 18 167 189
2003 20 6 26 145 20 165 191
2004 12 6 18 1 115 22 138 156
Total 71 678 209 958 1 2114 242 2357 3315

5.1.4 The Netherlands

The drilling exposure data for The Netherlands is based on information from the Dutch Ministry
of Economic Affairs. The information is available on Internet: (http://www.nitg.tno.nl). The
number of wells drilled in the Dutch Continental Shelf is presented in Table 5.6.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 45

Table 5.6 Number of drilled wells on the Dutch Continental Shelf

YEAR Exploration wells Development Total all
Exploration Appraisal Total wells wells
1980 26 5 31 7 38
1981 15 17 32 5 37
1982 35 10 45 20 65
1983 31 12 43 15 58
1984 26 7 33 24 57
1985 36 7 43 35 78
1986 25 5 30 15 45
1987 22 5 27 13 40
1988 21 5 26 21 47
1989 23 5 28 17 45
1990 29 6 35 14 49
1991 43 2 45 18 63
1992 19 1 20 15 35
1993 13 1 14 17 31
1994 10 2 12 10 22
1995 5 3 8 16 24
1996 24 5 29 6 35
1997 21 10 31 13 44
1998 17 3 20 13 33
1999 12 2 14 6 20
2000 6 6 12 9 21
2001 15 4 19 12 31
2002 16 3 19 13 32
2003 7 4 11 13 24
2004 11 2 13 6 19
Total 508 132 640 353 993

5.1.5 Canadian East Coast

Table 5.7 shows the number of wells drilled on the Canadian East Coast. Before 1980
approximately 225 wells were drilled. (http://www.gsca.nrcan.gc.ca/BASIN/DEMO/basin-f.cgi).
There has in addition been drilled approximately 160 well in the Northern areas all time. No
detailed data has, however, been made available from this area. Some drilling activity is also
carried out on the West Coast of Canada.
Page: 46 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 5.7 Number of drilled wells on the Canadian East Coast

Year Exploration Development Total
Explora- Deli- Total Devel- Gas Water Cutting Service Total devel-
tory neation exploration opment injector injector injector & relief opment
1980 12 6 18 18
1981 13 5 18 18
1982 19 2 21 21
1983 20 5 25 25
1984 25 5 30 1 1 31
1985 23 15 38 1 1 39
1986 13 5 18 18
1987 4 6 10 10
1988 9 5 14 14
1989 2 2 2
1990 1 1 1
1991 4 4 4 1 5 9
1992 7 7 7
1993 11 11 11
1994 1 1 6 6 7
1995 1 1 3 3 4
1996 2 2 3 3 5
1997 4 4 6 6 10
1998 1 1 2 20 5 3 28 30
1999 6 4 10 26 6 4 1 37 47
2000 9 5 14 33 1 4 38 52
2001 9 5 14 13 2 5 20 34
2002 7 5 12 21 2 10 33 45
2003 7 2 9 20 1 7 28 37
2004 2 1 3 18 4 10 32 35
Total 194 77 271 191 21 43 2 2 259 530

5.1.6 US Pacific OCS

Table 5.8 shows the number of wells drilled on the in the US Pacific OCS area. The data stems
from MMS pacific division.

Table 5.8 Number of drilled wells in the US Pacific OCS area

Year Expl. wells spudded Dev. wells spudded Total
1980 10 40 50
1981 14 50 64
1982 27 58 85
1983 38 44 82
1984 19 45 64
1985 6 39 45
1986 5 34 39
1987 4 39 43
1988 3 29 32
1989 4 15 19
1990 17 17
1991 8 8
1992 5 5
1993 21 21
1994 25 25
1995 19 19
1996 31 31
1997 29 29
1998 19 19
1999 11 11
2000 13 13
2001 16 16
2002 21 21
2003 18 18
2004 20 20
Total 130 666 796
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 47

5.1.7 Australia
Table 5.9 shows the number of wells drilled on the in Australian waters. The data stems from
Geoscience Australia. Geoscience Australia is the national agency for geoscience research and
geospatial information.

Table 5.9 Number of drilled wells in Australian waters

Exploration
Development
Wildcat Appraisal Total all
Year
Original Side Original Side Total Original Side wells
Total Total Total
hole track hole track hole track
1980 15 3 18 2 2 20 6 1 7 27
1981 13 13 5 5 18 16 16 34
1982 42 5 47 4 4 51 12 12 63
1983 41 3 44 4 4 48 29 29 77
1984 29 3 32 12 12 44 42 1 43 87
1985 23 23 18 18 41 18 18 59
1986 20 20 7 7 27 19 19 46
1987 9 1 10 6 6 16 21 21 37
1988 27 5 32 9 1 10 42 13 13 55
1989 32 10 42 10 4 14 56 26 1 27 83
1990 46 8 54 19 6 25 79 18 6 24 103
1991 34 5 39 6 4 10 49 17 5 22 71
1992 28 3 31 13 2 15 46 14 1 15 61
1993 36 1 37 14 3 17 54 18 3 21 75
1994 28 6 34 20 1 21 55 28 6 34 89
1995 32 2 34 23 2 25 59 32 8 40 99
1996 34 9 43 15 15 58 34 4 38 96
1997 39 1 40 19 2 21 61 81 14 95 156
1998 61 5 66 10 1 11 77 41 8 49 126
1999 45 5 50 9 9 59 35 3 38 97
2000 60 10 70 4 4 74 22 3 25 99
2001 48 3 51 10 10 61 24 7 31 92
2002 31 4 35 16 3 19 54 26 8 34 88
2003 44 5 49 16 16 65 32 12 44 109
2004 36 36 14 4 18 54 41 7 48 102
Total 853 97 950 285 33 318 1268 665 98 763 2031

5.1.8 Denmark
Table 5.10 shows the number of wells drilled on the offshore Denmark. The data stems from The
Danish Energy Authority.
Page: 48 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 5.10 Number of drilled wells offshore Denmark

Exploration and
Year Development Sum
appraisal
1980 1 7 8
1981 4 9 13
1982 5 18 23
1983 14 13 27
1984 8 15 23
1985 14 18 32
1986 7 3 10
1987 8 3 11
1988 3 13 16
1989 4 9 13
1990 2 15 17
1991 6 14 20
1992 11 15 26
1993 2 30 32
1994 2 15 17
1995 1 16 17
1996 4 13 17
1997 8 15 23
1998 6 23 29
1999 9 17 26
2000 12 17 29
2001 15 29 44
2002 9 27 36
2003 8 24 32
2004 10 23 33
Total 173 401 574

5.1.9 Compiled Drilling Exposure Data

Table 5.11 below is based on Table 5.1 to Table 5.4, and shows compiled offshore drilled wells
in Norway, UK and US GoM OCS. Table 5.12 is based on Table 5.6 to Table 5.10 and shows
compiled offshore drilled wells in the Netherlands, Canada East Coast, Australia, US Pacific
OCS, and Denmark.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 49

Table 5.11 An overview of offshore drilled wells in Norway, UK, and US GoM OCS
Year Expl. US Dev. US Expl. UK Dev. UK Expl. Dev. Expl. Total Dev. Total
GoM OCS GoM OCS Norway Norway
1980 361 807 54 122 42 28 457 957
1981 337 870 74 137 43 16 454 1023
1982 392 838 111 118 52 23 555 979
1983 381 762 128 95 42 24 551 881
1984 556 755 182 108 53 34 791 897
1985 511 662 157 133 53 48 721 843
1986 255 433 113 85 43 50 411 568
1987 396 448 132 124 42 48 570 620
1988 532 452 177 167 31 55 740 674
1989 455 511 183 155 35 66 673 732
1990 490 566 224 124 46 60 760 750
1991 330 430 186 144 57 64 573 638
1992 215 329 131 167 45 86 391 582
1993 345 570 110 162 35 105 490 837
1994 417 589 99 202 27 120 543 911
1995 376 675 98 244 40 109 514 1028
1996 439 697 112 261 32 143 583 1101
1997 521 837 96 257 55 135 672 1229
1998 496 641 80 276 29 139 605 1056
1999 370 662 36 230 24 149 430 1041
2000 440 937 59 216 27 185 526 1338
2001 411 852 60 282 39 200 510 1334
2002 308 633 44 249 22 167 374 1049
2003 354 539 45 204 26 165 425 908
2004 362 553 63 166 18 138 443 857
Total 10050 16048 2754 4428 958 2357 13762 22833

Table 5.12 An overview of offshore drilled wells in Canada East Coast, the Netherlands, Australia,
US Pacific OCS, and Denmark
Year Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev. Expl. US Dev. US Expl. Dev. Expl. Dev.
Dutch Dutch Canada Canada Aust- Aust- Pacific Pacific Den- Den- total total
E. Coast E. Coast ralia ralia OCS OCS mark mark
1980 31 7 18 20 7 10 40 1 7 80 61
1981 32 5 18 18 16 14 50 4 9 86 80
1982 45 20 21 51 12 27 58 5 18 149 108
1983 43 15 25 48 29 38 44 14 13 168 101
1984 33 24 30 1 44 43 19 45 8 15 134 128
1985 43 35 38 1 41 18 6 39 14 18 142 111
1986 30 15 18 27 19 5 34 7 3 87 71
1987 27 13 10 16 21 4 39 8 3 65 76
1988 26 21 14 42 13 3 29 3 13 88 76
1989 28 17 2 56 27 4 15 4 9 94 68
1990 35 14 1 79 24 17 2 15 117 70
1991 45 18 4 5 49 22 8 6 14 104 67
1992 20 15 7 46 15 5 11 15 77 57
1993 14 17 11 54 21 21 2 30 70 100
1994 12 10 1 6 55 34 25 2 15 70 90
1995 8 16 1 3 59 40 19 1 16 69 94
1996 29 6 2 3 58 38 31 4 13 93 91
1997 31 13 4 6 61 95 29 8 15 104 158
1998 20 13 2 28 77 49 19 6 23 105 132
1999 14 6 10 37 59 38 11 9 17 92 109
2000 12 9 14 38 74 25 13 12 17 112 102
2001 19 12 14 20 61 31 16 15 29 109 108
2002 19 13 12 33 54 34 21 9 27 94 128
2003 11 13 9 28 65 44 18 8 24 93 127
2004 13 6 3 32 54 48 20 10 23 80 129
Total 640 353 271 259 1268 763 130 666 173 401 2482 2442
Page: 50 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

5.2 Production Exposure Data

5.2.1 US GoM OCS

The production exposure data for US GoM OCS is shown in Table 5.13. The data is based on
MMS Ogor A files from 1986 – 2006 (/1/). These files list the well individual activity for each
month. It was selected to use the data from December each year. All the production wells listed
with production in December are counted as active wells.

Table 5.13 Producers in the US GoM OCS area.

Year Oil production Gas Total Water injection Gas injection
Flowing Gas lift Total production production (active or inactive) (active or inactive)
1980 NA NA 3165 3023 6188 107
1981 NA NA 3260 3106 6366 121
1982 NA NA 3412 3223 6635 143
1983 NA NA 3539 3243 6782 187
1984 NA NA 3688 3355 7043 219
1985 2695 1101 3796 3229 7025 327 100
1986 2523 1206 3729 3239 6968 327 88
1987 2461 1284 3745 3311 7056 320 105
1988 2382 1361 3743 3364 7107 327 100
1989 2230 1270 3500 3429 6929 311 91
1990 2283 1246 3529 3682 7211 320 89
1991 2206 1339 3545 3580 7125 323 80
1992 2195 1311 3506 3346 6852 325 80
1993 2216 1326 3542 3458 7000 315 72
1994 2228 1286 3514 3483 6997 307 72
1995 2189 1258 3447 3430 6877 305 70
1996 2016 1424 3440 3444 6884 294 61
1997 2002 1434 3436 3467 6903 270 52
1998 1936 1364 3300 3315 6615 261 51
1999 1712 1538 3250 3282 6532 248 50
2000 1723 1590 3313 3308 6621 246 45
2001 1523 1716 3239 3217 6456 225 34
2002 1327 1782 3109 2993 6102 207 27
2003 1160 1926 3086 3043 6129 205 30
2004 1060 1539 2599 2804 5403 199 35
Total - - 85432 82374 167806 6439 1332

5.2.2 United Kingdom

The production/injection exposure data for UK is shown in Table 5.14. The figures are valid for
the number of wells that have been in service for the listed year. The data from before 1991 is
based on well data systematically collected in the SINTEF study "Reliability of Well Completion
Equipment" SINTEF report STF 75 F92019, "Development of the Oil and Gas resources of the
United Kingdom" 1980, 1992 and 1993 edition, North Sea Field Development Guide, 4th edition,
OPL and coarse assumptions where well data are missing. The data is therefore not exactly
correct. The data from 1991 to 1999 is based on statistics from Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
HSE has now stopped reporting this information on an individual well basis. They now report the
production data for each field. Deal Data Registry for UK Offshore Oil & Gas
(http://www.ukdeal.co.uk/) reports individual well information, but the quality of information is
variable, and the data cannot be used.

The department of Energy was contact in October 2004, but is no longer collected by the
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 51

Department and has not in fact been collected since 1999. All they could suggest was that the oil
companies that operate the field or well could be approached and requested for data. This will be
a too time-consuming task. The exposure data for 2000 - 2003 has therefore been estimated.

Table 5.14 Producers and injectors in the UK waters

Year Production wells Injection wells Total wells
Oil Gas/con Total Gas Water Total
1980 291 249 540 10 92 102 642
1981 318 252 570 11 104 115 685
1982 349 256 605 13 116 129 734
1983 399 258 657 17 140 157 814
1984 448 266 714 22 170 192 906
1985 456 298 754 21 194 215 969
1986 525 322 847 27 206 233 1080
1987 558 355 913 29 218 247 1160
1988 550 390 940 35 217 252 1192
1989 575 419 994 35 227 262 1256
1990 599 474 1073 37 249 286 1359
1991 844 344 1188 68 350 418 1606
1992 918 502 1420 68 363 431 1851
1993 968 549 1517 66 369 435 1952
1994 1041 598 1639 62 399 461 2100
1995 1131 703 1834 60 413 473 2307
1996 1215 695 1910 69 428 497 2407
1997 1252 725 1977 68 434 502 2479
1998 1160 713 1873 58 369 427 2300
1999 1118 678 1796 37 345 382 2178
2000* 1027 726 1753 37 345 382 2135
2001* 953 714 1667 37 345 382 2049
2002* 943 696 1639 37 345 382 2021
2003* 867 685 1552 37 345 382 1934
2004* 777 640 1417 37 345 382 1799
Total 19282 12507 31789 998 7128 8126 39915
* Data are no longer available from HSE. The number of wells in production has been assumed to be relative to
the UK annual oil and gas production. Injection wells remain unchanged.

5.2.3 Norway
Table 5.15 shows the production/injection exposure data for the Norwegian waters. The figures
are valid for the number of wells in service per December 31 the listed year. The data is from the
NPD Annual reports 1980 – 1999, and for the year 1999 and later the data stems from the NPD
Borehole list as published on the Internet (http://www.npd.no).
Page: 52 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 5.15 Production/injection exposure data for the Norwegian waters

Year Producers Injection/- Suspended/- Total
Oil Cond Gas Other/- Total observation closed
unknown in/plugged
1980 84 29 47 160 8 23 191
1981 89 34 48 171 11 26 208
1982 114 35 47 196 13 24 233
1983 113 32 53 198 17 37 252
1984 128 31 61 220 23 42 285
1985 145 29 61 235 32 60 327
1986 160 38 64 262 41 71 374
1987 176 41 60 277 41 102 420
1988 201 43 65 309 59 110 478
1989 235 38 48 321 74 151 546
1990 258 33 31 322 88 191 601
1991 285 31 33 349 109 207 665
1992 324 29 30 383 116 247 746
1993 371 31 32 434 136 280 850
1994 385 32 34 451 163 357 971
1995 434 35 24 493 180 409 1082
1996 494 33 53 580 189 459 1228
1997 519 31 62 612 194 544 1350
1998 535 25 64 624 211 649 1484
1999 746 25 83 854 259 549 1662
2000 787 25 85 897 259 701 1857
2001 813 21 95 929 266 833 2028
2002 820 32 101 953 257 1030 2240
2003 849 30 97 976 261 1111 2348
2004 848 32 97 7 984 264 1244 2492
Total 9913 795 1475 7 12190 3271 9457 24918
Note! NPD stopped listing the number of wells in production in the annual reports in 1999. From 1999 the no. of
oil producers seems high, and the no. of closed in/suspended wells seems low, compared to the earlier years.

5.2.4 US Pacific OCS

The production exposure data for US Pacific OCS is shown in Table 5.16. The data is based on
MMS Ogor A files (/1/). These files list the well individual activity for each month. It was
selected to use the data from December each year. All the production wells listed with production
in December are counted as active wells.
 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 53

Table 5.16 Producers in the US Pacific OCS area.

Year Oil production Gas Total Water injection Gas injection
Flowing Gas lift Total production production (active or inactive) (active or inactive)
1986 262 79 341 20 361 79 6
1987 280 81 361 20 381 84 6
1988 284 83 367 16 383 88 4
1989 293 79 372 13 385 83 4
1990 305 72 377 19 396 83 4
1991 321 65 386 20 406 84 5
1992 340 49 389 19 408 84 4
1993 337 54 391 20 411 88 4
1994 322 79 401 17 418 93 4
1995 300 104 404 17 421 94 6
1996 287 118 405 13 418 84 7
1997 289 107 396 17 413 87 9
1998 285 100 385 19 404 93 13
1999 264 100 364 18 382 93 14
2000 264 103 367 16 383 83 15
2001 255 105 360 17 377 74 11
2002 257 120 377 16 393 97 11
2003 256 122 378 15 393 98 12
2004 251 121 372 15 387 100 14
Total 5452 1741 7193 327 7520 1669 153

5.2.5 Compiled Production Exposure Data

Table 5.17 is based on Table 5.13, Table 5.14 and Table 5.15, and shows overall production data
for the Norway, UK and US GoM OCS. The figures are valid for number of wells in service per
December the listed year. Note that it has been selected not to included data from the US Pacific
OCS.

Table 5.17 Overall production data for the US GoM OCS, UK, and Norway based on Table 5.13,
Table 5.14 and Table 5.15.
Year US GoM OCS United Kingdom Norway Total
Production wells Inject- Production wells Inject- Production wells Inje- Production wells Inject-
Oil Gas/- Total ion Oil Gas/- Total ion Oil Gas/- Total ction Oil Gas/- Total ion
cond wells cond wells cond wells cond wells
1980 3165 3023 6188 107 291 249 540 102 84 76 160 8 3540 3348 6888 217
1981 3260 3106 6366 121 318 252 570 115 89 82 171 11 3667 3440 7107 247
1982 3412 3223 6635 143 349 256 605 129 114 82 196 13 3875 3561 7436 285
1983 3539 3243 6782 187 399 258 657 157 113 85 198 17 4051 3586 7637 361
1984 3688 3355 7043 219 448 266 714 192 128 92 220 23 4264 3713 7977 434
1985 3796 3229 7025 427 456 298 754 215 145 90 235 32 4397 3617 8014 674
1986 3729 3239 6968 415 525 322 847 233 160 102 262 41 4414 3663 8077 689
1987 3745 3311 7056 425 558 355 913 247 176 101 277 41 4479 3767 8246 713
1988 3743 3364 7107 427 550 390 940 252 201 108 309 59 4494 3862 8356 738
1989 3500 3429 6929 402 575 419 994 262 235 86 321 74 4310 3934 8244 738
1990 3529 3682 7211 409 599 474 1073 286 258 64 322 88 4386 4220 8606 783
1991 3545 3580 7125 403 844 344 1188 418 285 64 349 109 4674 3988 8662 930
1992 3506 3346 6852 405 918 502 1420 431 324 59 383 116 4748 3907 8655 952
1993 3542 3458 7000 387 968 549 1517 435 371 63 434 136 4881 4070 8951 958
1994 3514 3483 6997 379 1041 598 1639 461 385 66 451 163 4940 4147 9087 1003
1995 3447 3430 6877 375 1131 703 1834 473 434 59 493 180 5012 4192 9204 1028
1996 3440 3444 6884 355 1215 695 1910 497 494 86 580 189 5149 4225 9374 1041
1997 3436 3467 6903 322 1252 725 1977 502 519 93 612 194 5207 4285 9492 1018
1998 3300 3315 6615 312 1160 713 1873 427 535 89 624 211 4995 4117 9112 950
1999 3250 3282 6532 298 1118 678 1796 382 746 108 854 259 5114 4068 9182 939
2000 3313 3308 6621 291 1027 726 1753 382 787 110 897 259 5127 4144 9271 932
2001 3239 3217 6456 259 953 714 1667 382 813 116 929 266 5005 4047 9052 907
2002 3109 2993 6102 234 943 696 1639 382 820 133 953 257 4872 3822 8694 873
2003 3086 3043 6129 235 867 685 1552 382 849 127 976 261 4802 3855 8657 878
2004 2599 2804 5403 234 777 640 1417 382 848 136 984 264 4224 3580 7804 880
Total 85432 82374 167806 7771 19282 12507 31789 8126 9913 1634 11547 3271 114627 96515 211142 19168
Page: 54 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 55

6. Various Exposure Data

This section includes various exposure data. It should be noted that this exposure data does not
include information from the complete period 1980 – 1999. Limitations related to the exposure
data are explained where the data is presented. The exposure data presented in this section covers
the following:

1. Well Depth Related Exposure Data

• US GoM OCS Wells
• Norwegian Wells
2. Water depth related drilling exposure data
• US GoM OCS Wells
• UK Wells
• Norwegian Wells
3. Shut-in Wellhead Pressure Related exposure data
• US GoM OCS Drilling Wells
• Norwegian Drilling Wells
• US Wells in Production
4. Gas Oil Ratio Related Exposure Data
5. Workover Frequency Exposure Data
6. Wireline Frequency Exposure Data
7. Coiled Tubing and Snubbing Exposure Data

Data from the US Mineral Management Service (MMS) and NPD has formed the main input to
this section.

6.1 Well Depth Related Exposure Data

6.1.1 US GoM OCS Wells

The information in this sub-section stems from the MMS Borehole file (/1/). The drilling vertical
depths for the exploration and development wells in the US GoM OCS are presented in Figure
6.1 and Figure 6.2. Approximately 0.8 % of the exploration wells and 1.3% of the development
wells were not listed with a True Vertical Depth (TVD). These wells are not included in Figure
6.1 and Figure 6.2.
Page: 56 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Exploration wells, US GoM OCS (1980 - 2004)

10000

9000

8000

7000
TVD (meter)

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percentage distribution

Figure 6.1 All exploration wells drilled in 1980 – 2004 listed with true vertical depth

Development wells, US GoM OCS (1980 - 2004)

12000

10000

8000
TVD (meter)

6000

4000

2000

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percentage distribution

Figure 6.2 All development wells drilled in 1980 – 2004 listed with true vertical depth
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 57

6.1.2 Norwegian Wells

For Norwegian wells True Vertical Depth (TVD) of wells is not available for neither exploration
nor development wells drilled before 1995. Measured Depths (MD) is, however, available. For
most exploration wells the MD is a good approximation for the TVD. For development wells the
MD will not be a good approximation.

Figure 6.3 shows the true vertical depth for production wells drilled in the period 1995 – mid
1998. Figure 6.4 shows the measured depth for development wells drilled in the period 1980 –
2004. Figure 6.5 shows the measured depth for exploration wells drilled in the period 1980 -
2004. The data shown in Figure 6.3 stems from the NPD Daily Drilling Report system, Figure
6.4 and Figure 6.5 stems from the NPD well files as published on the Internet.

True vertical depth, production wells,

(mainly drilled in 95 - mid 98)

5000

4500

4000

3500
TVD (m RKB)

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percentage distribution (total 478 wells)

Figure 6.3 True Vertical Depth, Norwegian production wells

Page: 58 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Development wells, Norwegian waters (1980 - 2004)

12000

10000
Measured depth (m)

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percentage distribution

Figure 6.4 Measured depth for development wells 1980 – 2004

Exploration wells, Norwegian waters (1980 - 2004)

9000

8000
7000
Measured depth

6000
5000

4000
3000

2000
1000

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Percentage distribution

Figure 6.5 Measured depth, Norwegian exploration wells 1980 – 2004.

6.2 Water Depth Related Drilling Exposure Data

The past years some deepwater blowouts have occurred. This section presents the water depth
related drilling exposure data. Table 6.1 and Table 6.2 present the water depth specific no. of
exploration and development wells drilled in the US GoM OCS.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 59

Table 6.1 Exploration wells drilled in the US GoM OCS vs. water depth (/1/)
Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m)
Spud year 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 600- 1000 – 1500- 2000- Un- Total
<50 >2500
100 200 400 600 1000 1500 2000 2500 known
1980 206 121 17 10 2 1 4 361
1981 190 101 25 9 8 4 337
1982 264 87 18 8 5 10 392
1983 248 79 28 16 7 1 2 381
1984 318 126 36 29 23 13 1 10 556
1985 249 111 56 44 23 22 6 511
1986 124 54 32 17 15 13 255
1987 212 92 45 16 10 11 4 2 2 2 396
1988 288 99 57 27 23 23 4 1 2 8 532
1989 238 100 46 16 19 23 4 1 8 455
1990 261 107 49 15 13 31 8 2 1 3 490
1991 168 90 24 19 4 15 6 1 3 330
1992 99 87 13 8 2 2 1 3 215
1993 180 91 37 10 11 6 2 8 345
1994 225 105 25 13 5 27 9 2 6 417
1995 179 97 31 17 14 21 8 2 7 376
1996 207 107 28 20 9 29 25 5 2 7 439
1997 229 117 39 27 20 24 51 5 4 5 521
1998 228 120 23 16 30 33 35 8 1 2 496
1999 148 97 18 7 14 27 25 26 7 1 370
2000 215 90 18 9 12 35 34 9 16 2 440
2001 165 58 26 18 7 39 55 24 16 3 411
2002 148 48 8 7 12 23 25 17 17 3 308
2003 176 62 17 9 8 19 29 21 6 7 354
2004 173 45 18 19 8 22 27 21 17 12 362
Total 5138 2291 734 406 304 459 353 147 92 27 99 10050

Table 6.2 Development wells drilled in the US GoM OCS vs. water depth (/1/)
Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m)
Spud year 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 600- 1000 – 1500- 2000- Un- Total
<50 >2500
100 200 400 600 1000 1500 2000 2500 known
1980 363 327 60 37 20 807
1981 480 274 73 29 14 870
1982 451 293 62 19 13 838
1983 447 226 56 21 12 762
1984 434 234 54 19 14 755
1985 302 255 53 33 2 17 662
1986 173 169 50 32 1 8 433
1987 247 117 41 34 3 1 5 448
1988 206 142 53 29 14 2 6 452
1989 237 153 57 44 14 2 4 511
1990 254 165 97 24 19 1 6 566
1991 181 132 87 11 7 3 9 430
1992 172 82 28 34 1 8 4 329
1993 293 187 41 35 4 1 9 570
1994 294 198 37 28 5 2 1 24 589
1995 327 221 55 25 15 5 1 26 675
1996 338 220 70 33 7 19 10 697
1997 408 278 61 23 26 24 4 1 2 10 837
1998 322 181 62 34 11 11 16 1 1 2 641
1999 300 219 43 29 11 27 24 5 1 3 662
2000 446 300 49 41 8 21 60 9 2 1 937
2001 418 225 69 35 17 23 36 23 6 852
2002 303 146 21 34 9 24 76 11 9 633
2003 306 91 33 20 8 18 48 12 1 2 539
2004 329 105 33 15 8 15 13 16 19 553
Total 8031 4940 1345 718 189 206 278 81 41 2 217 16048

Table 6.3 and Table 6.4 present the water depth specific no. of exploration and development
wells drilled in Norwegian waters.
Page: 60 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 6.3 Exploration wells drilled in UK waters vs. water depth (http://www.ukdeal.co.uk/)
Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m)*
Spud year 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 600 – 1000 - 1500 - Total
< 50
100 200 400 600 1000 1500 2000
1980 15 49 2 1 3 1 71
1981 2 30 58 2 2 94
1982 23 44 65 2 1 135
1983 34 42 76 2 154
1984 47 73 89 4 5 218
1985 43 45 81 4 6 179
1986 29 40 62 2 133
1987 43 39 69 2 153
1988 58 46 86 2 192
1989 58 44 96 2 200
1990 60 53 130 2 3 248
1991 49 60 102 1 3 215
1992 29 47 68 1 5 150
1993 31 35 51 6 123
1994 39 26 27 3 11 1 107
1995 32 32 30 5 7 3 109
1996 29 34 48 3 2 3 1 120
1997 22 23 53 1 5 1 105
1998 15 23 39 3 2 82
1999 9 11 20 1 1 1 43
2000 9 12 31 1 3 2 1 59
2001 9 22 34 1 1 2 69
2002 10 16 20 1 1 2 50
2003 12 18 13 3 2 48
2004 11 16 38 3 1 3 72
Total 703 846 1435 44 63 24 12 2 3129
* Note that the numbers of wells are 12% higher than in Table 5.2, page 41 because different sources of
information have been used.

Table 6.4 Development wells drilled in UK waters vs. water depth (http://www.ukdeal.co.uk/)
Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m)*
Spud year 50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 600 – 1000 - 1500 - Total
< 50
100 200 400 600 1000 1500 2000
1980 9 11 129 149
1981 12 10 127 149
1982 14 18 105 137
1983 15 14 75 104
1984 26 15 81 2 124
1985 39 16 93 2 150
1986 35 3 60 98
1987 41 20 82 143
1988 56 32 87 175
1989 58 14 83 1 1 157
1990 41 14 67 2 1 125
1991 47 37 68 1 153
1992 58 31 81 5 175
1993 35 26 108 3 172
1994 58 36 110 1 2 207
1995 91 37 134 3 265
1996 29 67 175 5 11 287
1997 26 53 170 9 4 262
1998 37 64 173 12 7 293
1999 42 51 130 1 12 236
2000 35 36 148 5 5 229
2001 34 39 203 5 12 293
2002 42 47 151 5 13 2 2 262
2003 39 43 110 3 8 2 205
2004 15 33 106 10 3 167
Total 934 767 2856 69 83 6 2 4717
* Note that the numbers of wells are 6% higher than in Table 5.2, page 41 because different sources of
information have been used.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 61

Table 6.5 and Table 6.6 present the water depth specific no. of exploration and development
wells drilled in Norwegian waters.

Table 6.5 Exploration wells drilled in Norwegian waters vs. water depth
Spud year Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m) Total
50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 600- 1000 – 1500 –
<50
100 200 400 600 1000 1500 2000
1980 9 13 20 42
1981 8 22 13 43
1982 18 19 15 52
1983 6 14 22 42
1984 12 12 29 53
1985 3 16 34 53
1986 5 13 24 1 43
1987 4 16 19 3 42
1988 9 7 13 2 31
1989 11 14 9 1 35
1990 19 12 15 46
1991 21 13 22 1 57
1992 10 11 23 1 45
1993 10 11 14 35
1994 1 4 12 10 27
1995 6 25 9 40
1996 7 5 19 1 32
1997 13 19 19 1 1 2 55
1998 4 11 11 3 29
1999 3 5 15 1 24
2000 1 7 16 2 1 27
2001 1 16 19 2 1 39
2002 2 10 7 1 1 1 22
2003 6 11 7 2 26
2004 1 8 9 18
Total 1 193 322 413 16 5 7 1 958

Table 6.6 Development wells drilled in Norwegian waters vs. water depth
Spud year Number of wells drilled within water depth range (m) Total
50 - 100 100 - 200 200 - 400 400 - 600
1980 21 7 28
1981 10 6 16
1982 5 18 23
1983 9 15 24
1984 13 21 34
1985 12 36 48
1986 25 25 50
1987 25 23 48
1988 35 20 55
1989 34 29 3 66
1990 27 25 8 60
1991 31 23 10 64
1992 25 50 11 86
1993 31 48 26 105
1994 38 40 42 120
1995 26 43 40 109
1996 26 61 56 143
1997 29 42 64 135
1998 28 47 64 139
1999 16 60 72 1 149
2000 18 79 88 185
2001 26 89 85 200
2002 26 73 67 1 167
2003 30 66 69 165
2004 31 51 56 138
Total 597 997 761 2 2357
Page: 62 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

6.3 Shut-in Wellhead Pressure Related Exposure Data

All data for the US GoM OCS wells stems from (/1/). Only data for wells that are completed as
producers are included.

For the Norwegian wells the main source of information has been a list of HPHT wells from
NPD combined with the NPD Borehole list.

For the UK wells no pressure related data is presented.

6.3.1 US GoM OCS Drilling Wells

The shut-in wellhead pressure exposure data for drilling wells (both development and exploration
wells) are all based on the first production well test carried out on the well.

In US GoM OCS many exploration wells are completed as producers (see Table 5.1). It should
also be noted that many development wells are not completed as producers, because they are dry.

Since the shut-in wellhead pressures have been recorded more frequent the last 5 to 10 years than
the previous years it was selected to only include data from wells that have been spudded after
January 1988

Development drilling
There were in total 1417 development wells listed with a shut-in wellhead pressure on the first
well test after completion.

In Figure 6.6 the development wells shut-in wellhead pressures have been plotted against the well
depth.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 63

Development wells
Shut-in pressure v.s. well depth, sorted

24000
22000
20000
Well depth (feet)/Shut-in

18000
16000
pressure (psi)

14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Cumulative percent

Shut-in test pressure (psi) True vertical depth (ft) Expon. (True vertical depth (ft))

Figure 6.6 Development wells shut-in wellhead pressures plotted against well-depth

Exploration drilling
There were in total 508 exploration wells listed with a shut-in wellhead pressure on the first well
test after completion.

In Figure 6.7 the exploration wells shut-in wellhead pressures have been plotted against the well
depth.
Page: 64 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Exploration wells
Shut-in pressure v.s. well depth, sorted

24000
22000
20000
Well depth (feet)/Shut-in

18000
16000
pressure (psi)

14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cumulative percent
Shut-in test pressure (psi) True vertical depth (ft) Expon. (True vertical depth (ft))

Figure 6.7 Exploration wells shut-in wellhead pressures plotted against well depth

When looking at Figure 6.7 it is important to note that the number of wells drilled is based on
only the exploration wells that have been completed as producers and listed with a well test with
a positive pressure. If looking at the Mobile area, 33 exploration wells have been drilled to more
than 20000 feet (6100 meters) in the period 1980 - 1996. These wells are likely all HPHT (more
than 10000 psi) wells. In the Destin Dome Blocks six wells have been drilled in the same
formation as the Mobile wells. In the Pensacola one well has been drilled.

In addition 401 exploratory wells have a well depth between 16000 – 20000 feet. By reviewing
the test pressures for development wells drilled in the same block and evaluating shut-in test
pressure and the well spud dates, at least 57 of these were likely to be HPHT wells (close to
10000 psi or above). Further, some of the wells drilled to less than 16000 feet have been HPHT
wells. It is then likely that it has been drilled in the range of 100 to 200 exploration HPHT wells
in the US GoM OCS in the period 1980 - 1998.

6.3.2 Norwegian Drilling Wells

The number of HPHT wells drilled in Norway is shown in Table 6.7. The data from before 1996
stems from the NPD daily drilling report system (DDRS). The data from 1996 and later stem
from the report ”Utvikling i risikonivå norsk sokkel”, hovedrapport, Fase 6 – 2005, www.ptil.no .
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 65

Table 6.7 Number of HP/HT wells drilled in the Norwegian waters sorted on years
o
No. of HPHT wells (>690 bar and/or > 150 C)
Year
Exploration Production
1984 3
1985 2
1986 2
1987 0
1988 3
1989 3
1990 8
1991 7
1992 9
1993 5
1994 3
1995 2
1996 3 4
1997 5 1
1998 2 1
1999 4 2
2000 2
2001 3
2002 3 2
2003 2 1
2004 2 10
2005 3 20
Total 76 41

6.3.3 US GoM OCS Wells in Production

The pressure exposure data for production wells are based on all the well tests with a listed shut-
in wellhead pressure in the period 1980 – 1996 (/1/).

Totally 48264 tests were listed with a positive wellhead shut-in pressure. Many well tests were
not listed with well test pressures. The distribution of well tests in four different pressure ranges
is presented in Table 6.8.

Table 6.8 Pressure ranges in production wells in US GoM OCS wells

Pressure range No. of Relative
well tests distribution
below 6000 psi (414 bar) 46928 97,23 %
6000 – 8000 psi pressure 926 1,92 %
8000 – 10000 psi 336 0,70 %
more than 10000 psi (690 bar) 74 0,15 %
Total 48264 100,00 %

In Figure 6.8 the development wells shut-in wellhead pressures have been plotted against the
well depth.
Page: 66 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Figure 6.8 All well tests performed 1980-1996 and listed with a shut-in wellhead pressure

6.4 Production Rates and Gas Oil Ratio Data, US GoM OCS

This section is based on MMS Ogor A files from 1980 – 1999 (/1/). These files list the well
individual production amount (gas, oil and water) for each month. Only the December data each
year has been used to reduce the amount of information to handle

6.4.1 Production Rates

Figure 6.9 and Figure 6.10 show the production rate for the US GoM OCS oil and gas wells
respectively. The production rate data has been grouped in two different groups, the 80-ties and
the 90-ties.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 67

200
180 Daily Oil Volume in the 80's
Average 80's
160
Daily Oil Volume in the 90's
Oil production (m3/day)

140 Average 90's

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%
Perecentage of oil wells

Figure 6.9 Oil well production rates, US GoM OCS wells, 1980 - 1999
The number of wells in production in the December month was slightly higher in the 90's than in
the 80's. The average produced amount of oil was 41 m3/day in the 90's and 36 m3/day in the 80's
per oil well that produced in the December month. In the end of the 90's some wells have
experienced flow-rates of more than 3000 m3/day. The highest flow-rate seen was 5600 m3/day
(or approximately 35 000 bbls). The wells are only those wells categorized as oil wells in the
MMS files (some of them were only producing gas, and no oil). Nearly 99% of these wells have
also produced gas, in average 13013 Sm3/day. Water production was also listed for 88% of these
wells. On average for all wells the water production was 49.5 m3/day, i.e. more water was
produced than oil.
Page: 68 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

500000
Daily Gas Volume 80's
450000
Daily Gas Volume 90's
400000
Gas production (Sm3/day)

Average 80's
Average 90's
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%
Perecentage of gas wells

Figure 6.10 Gas well production rates, US GoM OCS wells, 1980 - 1999
The number of wells in production in the December month was slightly higher in the 90's than in
the 80's. The average produced amount of gas was 108 000 Sm3/day in the 90's and 124 000
Sm3/day in the 80's per gas well that produced in the December month. The best producers
produced nearly one million Sm3/day. The wells are only those wells categorized as gas wells in
the MMS files (some few of them were only producing oil, and no gas). Approximately 66% of
these gas wells also produced oil, in average 7.3 m3/day for all the wells. Water production was
also listed for 67% of these wells. In average for all wells the water production was 18.2 m3/day.

6.4.2 Gas Oil Ratio

The gas oil ratio data has been grouped in two different groups, the 80-ties and the 90-ties.
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 69

4000

3500
GOR 80's (Sm3/Sm3)
3000 GOR 90's (Sm3/Sm3)

2500
Sm3/Sm3

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%
Perecentage of oil wells

Figure 6.11 Well test GOR data sorted on period

100000

80000

GOR 90's (Sm3/Sm3)

(Sm3/Sm3)

60000
GOR 80's (Sm3/Sm3)

40000

20000

0
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Perecentage of gas wells

Figure 6.12 Well test GOR data sorted on period

6.5 Workover Frequency Exposure Data

Very little statistical material related to number of workovers carried out exists. From the
SINTEF study "Reliability of Surface Controlled Subsurface Safety Valves, Phase III", SINTEF
report STF 75 F89030, it was observed 498 workovers on a total of 7790 well years. The data
was mainly collected in the period 1985 - 1989 for North Sea wells. This gives in average:
Page: 70 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

15.6 well years per workover

The NPD Annual reports from 1980 to 83 lists the number of workovers carried out the actual
year alongside the number of production wells. A total of 88 workovers were listed and a total
of 731 production well years. This gives in average:

8.3 well years per workovers

In the autumn 2001 a search in the NPD Daily Drilling Report System (DDRS) was carried out.
The search criteria specified:

• Traditional type of equipment was used (i.e. the permanently installed drilling rig and not a
coiled tubing or snubbing unit).
• The main operation was Workover
• Sub operation was completion string (i.e. involved pulling of the completion string).

Each well that had at least on occurrence with the above combinations within one year was
counted as a workover. This means that if two workovers were carried out the same year it will
be counted as one workover only. On the other hand if the workover starts in December one year
and is completed in January the next year it will be counted as two workovers.

This count of workovers has been possible for the period after 1995 when NPD introduced some
new codes in the DDRS. Seventy-six workovers were carried out in the year 2000. The result
from this count for the years 1996 to 1999 is shown in Table 6.9.

Table 6.9 Workover frequencies in Norwegian waters

Year No. of No. of prod- No. of inject- Sum no. of No of well years per
workovers uction wells ion wells wells workover
1996 56 580 189 769 13.7
1997 72 612 194 806 11.2
1998 86 624 211 835 9.7
1999 59 854 259 1113 18.9
Total 273 2670 853 3523 12.9

It seems that the workover frequencies related to conventional workovers has decreased since the
beginning of the 1980-ties when comparing with the above results.

It is recommended that 10.6 well years per workover is used for the estimates related to
blowout/well release frequencies per workover operation. This value will represent the average
for the period 1980 - 2000.

6.6 Wireline Frequency Exposure Data

Very little statistical material related to number of wireline runs exists. To establish an estimate
for wireline exposure data, experience from the Ekofisk field in 1992 has been used. In 1992, 135
wells were in service (production and injection). A total of 220 wireline jobs were carried out. If
in average each wireline job includes 2.5 wireline runs a total of 550 wireline runs were carried
out for the 135 wells. This gives in average:
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 71

4.2 wireline runs per well year or

1.7 wireline jobs per well year

It is important to note that the Ekofisk field mainly has wireline retrievable SCSSVs, and not
tubing retrievable SCSSVs that most operators prefer when completing new wells today.

It should further, be noted that most likely several minor incidents (small gas releases) during
wireline jobs have never been recorded as blowouts.

6.7 Coiled Tubing and Snubbing Exposure Data

Table 6.10 lists the number of coiled tubing and snubbing workovers that have been carried out
in the Norwegian waters in the period 1984 - 1995.

The NPD Daily Drilling Report System (DDRS) was used to extract the data. The data may not
be exact because the DDRS did not include a specific code for these operations before 1995. The
results are based on a search in the activity description for all production wells stored in the
database. Coiled tubing and snubbing activities during regular drilling and completion are not
included in Table 6.10. Coiled tubing and snubbing operations carried out, as a part of a
conventional workover, is included. These operations should not have been included because
they were only a sub-operation during a conventional workover. Therefore the activity level as
listed in Table 6.10 probably is 10 – 20% higher than the real figures.

Table 6.10 Coiled tubing and snubbing workover exposure data for the Norwegian sector of the
North Sea, 1984 - 1995
Year Snubbing workovers Coiled tubing workovers
1984 1 0
1985 5 1
1986 5 3
1987 7 5
1988 8 3
1989 12 13
1990 4 16
1991 15 13
1992 28 19
1993 21 32
1994 33 38
1995 49 48
Total 188 191

In the autumn 2001 a search in the NPD Daily Drilling Report System (DDRS) was carried out.
The search criteria specified that either a snubbing or a coiled tubing unit was used. The main
operation was Workover and the sub operation was not specified. Each well that had at least on
occurrence with the above combinations within one year was counted as a snubbing workover or
a coiled tubing workover. This means that if two operations were carried out the same year it will
be counted as one operation only. On the other hand if the operation starts in December one year
and is completed in January the next year it will be counted as two operations. If dedicated
snubbing or coiled tubing units are used in association with a conventional workover they will be
regarded as separate operations, i.e. the total number of operations indicated in Table 6.11 may be
Page: 72 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

some higher than the real figures.

The result from this count for the years 1996 to 2000 is shown in Table 6.11.

Table 6.11 Coiled tubing and snubbing workover exposure data for the Norwegian sector of the
North Sea, 1996 - 2000
Year Snubbing workovers Coiled tubing workovers
1996 42 83
1997 39 81
1998 32 83
1999 30 49
2000 24 50
Total 167 346
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 73

7. Overall Blowout/Well Release Frequencies

Only overall blowout/well release frequencies for the different operational phases have been
calculated. If required, analyses that are more detailed can be carried out by using the information
presented in the various tables in the previous sections and/or the SINTEF Offshore Blowout
Database. The listed frequencies in this section are based on the experience from US GoM OCS,
UK and Norway in the period 1980-01-01 - 2005-01-01 only.

The blowout frequencies during the different operational phases are presented in Table 7.1 to
Table 7.6. The four blowouts listed with the phases “Unknown” and Unknown drilling” are not
included. Please also note that blowouts caused by external loads are disregarded when
calculating the blowout/well release frequencies.

Table 7.1 Blowout/well release frequencies during completion (based on Table 4.4, Table 5.1,
Table 5.2, and Table 5.4)
No. of completions No. of incidents
Category No. of completions* No. of incidents
per incident per completion
Blowout (surface flow) 20 328 9 2171 0.00046
Blowout (underground flow) 20 328 0 - 0
Well release 20 328 6 3256 0.00031
Diverted well release 20 328 0 - 0
Total 20 328 15 1302 0.00077
* Based on total number of wells completed in Table 5.1, number of developments wells drilled in Table 5.2, and
Table 5.4.

Table 7.2 Blowout/well release frequencies during development drilling (based on Table 4.4 and
Table 5.11)
Type of No. of dev. No. of No. of drilled wells No. of incidents per
Category
incident wells drilled incidents per incident drilled well
Blowout (surface Deep 22 833 8 2854 0.00035
flow) Shallow 22 833 22 1038 0.00096
Blowout Deep 22 833 3 7611 0.00013
(underground flow) Shallow 22 833 1 22833 0.00004
Diverted well Deep 22 833 0 - 0
release Shallow 22 833 16 1427 0.00070
Deep 22 833 5 4567 0.00022
Well release
Shallow 22 833 2 11417 0.00009
Total 22 833 57 401 0.00250
Page: 74 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version

Table 7.3 Blowout/well release frequencies during exploration drilling (based on Table 4.17,
Table 5.1, Table 5.2, and Table 5.4)
Type of Exploration No. of. wells No. of No. of drilled wells No. of incidents
Category
incident well type drilled incidents per incident per drilled well
Appraisal 6257 9 695 0.00144
Deep
Wildcat 7505 13 577 0.00173
Blowout (surface Appraisal 6257 8 782 0.00128
flow) Shallow Wildcat 7505 14 536 0.00187
Unknown - 1 - -
Total 13762 45 306 0.00327
Appraisal 6257 0 - 0
Deep
Wildcat 7505 7 1072 0.00093
Blowout
(underground flow) Shallow Appraisal 6257 0 - 0
Wildcat 7505 0 - 0
Total 13762 7 1966 0.00051
Appraisal 6257 2 3129 0.00032
Diverted well Shallow
release Wildcat 7505 7 1072 0.00093
Total 13762 9 1529 0.00065
Appraisal 6257 3 - 0
Deep Wildcat 7505 3 - 0
Unknown - 2 - -
Well release
Appraisal 6257 2 3129 0.00032
Shallow
Wildcat 7505 2 3753 0.00027
Total 13762 9 1529 0.00065
Appraisal 6257 1 6257 0.00016
Deep
Unknown Wildcat 7505 0 - 0
Total 13762 1 13762 0.00007
Appraisal 6257 13 481 0.00208
Deep Wildcat 7505 23 326 0.00306
Unknown - 1 - -
All
Appraisal 6257 11 569 0.00176
Shallow Wildcat 7505 22 341 0.00293
Unknown - 1 - -
Total exploration drilling 13762 71 194 0.00516

Table 7.4 Blowout/well release frequencies during production (based on Table 4.4 and Table
5.17). Blowouts caused by external loads (storm, fire etc.) are disregarded
No. of well years in No. of No. of well years per No. of incidents per
Category
service incidents incident well year
Blowout (surface flow) 211 142 7 30163 0.000033
Blowout (underground flow) 211 142 1 211142 0.000005
Diverted well release 211 142 0 - 0
Well release 211 142 2 105571 0.000009
Total 211 142 10 21114 0.000047

Table 7.5 Blowout/well release frequencies during well workover (based on Table 4.4, Table 5.17
and Section 6.5)
No. of No. of workover per No. of incidents per
Category No. of workovers*
incidents incident workover
Blowout (surface flow) 19 920 20 996 0.00100
Blowout (underground flow) 19 920 0 - 0
Diverted well release 19 920 0 - 0
Well release 19 920 17 1172 0.00085
Total 19 920 37 538 0.00186
* Based on in average one workover per 10.6 production well years (Section 6.5)
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 75

Table 7.6 Blowout/well release frequencies during wireline (based on Table 4.4, Table 5.17 and
Section 6.6)
No. of wireline No. of No. of wireline jobs No. of incidents per
Category
jobs* incidents per incident wireline job
Blowout (surface flow) 358 941 4 89735 0.000011
Blowout (underground flow) 358 941 0 - 0
Diverted well release 358 941 0 - 0
Well release 358 941 4 89735 0.000011
Total 358 941 8 44868 0.000022
* Based on in average 1.7 wireline jobs per production well years (Section 6.6)
Page: 76 Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version
Blowout and Well Release Characteristics and Frequencies, 2006 version Page: 77

REFERENCES

1 Files retrieved from/bought from Mineral Management Service in the US:

• http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/pubinfo/freeasci/freedesc.html (used for
downloading files related to well drilling and well production data)
• File: 5137 Historical Well Test by Area and Block ASCII (bought from MMS)
• Ogor A, Well production files bought from MMS (1980 –1996)
• Ogor A, Well production files downloaded from MMS (1996 –2005) US GoM region
• Ogor A, Well production files downloaded from MMS (1986 –2005) US Pacific
region