Surveys and Assessments
Survey and assessments of drilling equipment, systems and rigs are conducted for many reasons:
- Fitness for purpose of new, current and refurbished rigs and equipment
- Fitness for purpose for contractual, operational or liability purposes
- Assistance in rig selection
- Equipment rebuild verification
- Pre-acceptance documentation review/verification
WEST surveys have several features that will benefit your drilling program:
- Procedures customized for your specific equipment, drilling program and company requirements
- References to industry standards, regulations and best drilling practices
- Data from WEST databases that includes prior lessons learned, custom inspection procedures and the rig's history
- Reports that include potential solutions, not just findings
Drill-Through Equipment Surveys
WEST pioneered the business of 3rd-party assessments of drill-through equipment (DTE) and is still the preeminent leader in this field, having done thousands of BOP/DTE surveys.
A significant and unique option available for WEST survey work is predictive testing. Such testing, currently not common in the drilling industry, is utilized to a much greater degree in other industries. It is designed and implemented by WEST for DTE equipment, to avoid downtime from impending failures.
Drilling System Surveys
WEST is also an industry leader in survey assessments of drilling systems on rigs of all kinds, from ultra-deepwater to land rigs. These assessments cover a wide range of equipment and activities. Following are descriptions of some of these.
Dropped Object Surveys
You can help increase safety by identifying objects that are at risk of falling from the derrick, such as lifting points improperly added to structural members.
Marine Safety Surveys
WEST offers marine safety and operability assessments for rigs, anchor-handling tugs and supply
boats. These surveys can also include EERA (Escape, Evacuation Rescue Analysis).
Regulatory Compliance Surveys
Regulatory compliance surveys assess regulatory conformity. One example is an environmental compliance survey like a BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement) compliance audit.
Waste Minimization
Consulting on methods for minimizing and disposing of waste (toward meeting zero discharge goals).
Dynamic Positioning, Power Management and Control Systems
Services include inspection, setup, testing and sea trials with troubleshooting. Dynamic positioning services can also include acoustic beacon array performance.
Reviewing Operational Management Systems
Setting and communicating your expectations are key to good operations. Operational management systems are critical to maintaining and improving these operations. An operational management system review may include:
- Preventive maintenance programs
- Documentation of equipment maintenance
- Emergency response plans
- Fire-fighting plans and manuals
- Operation and maintenance manuals
- Crew/personnel evaluations
- Spare parts inventories
Systems & Controls Surveys
Today's sophisticated drilling rigs boast increasing levels of automation managed by tightly integrated control systems. This level of integration requires that each of these control systems work reliably by themselves and with other systems. As part of standard WEST rig acceptance services, the WEST Systems & Controls team will work together with WEST surveyors from other disciplines; such as subsea, mechanical, marine and drilling systems; to provide a comprehensive set of services customized for each rig and the standards applicable to your organization.
More information on WEST's Systems & Controls services can be found in the Systems & Controls section of this site.
WEST pioneered the business of 3rd-party assessments of well control equipment and is still the preeminent leader in this field, with thousands of BOP/well control surveys. WEST is also an industry leader in survey assessments of drilling systems on rigs of all kinds, from ultra-deepwater to land rigs. These assessments cover a wide range of equipment and activities, such as:
Nothing is more frustrating than having new equipment and then finding that it does not work as you envisioned. Highly experienced WEST personnel will oversee, commission and accept new construction. When needed, WEST's engineering expertise may be called upon. Project management services are also available. Working with manufacturers, integrators and shipyards, these WEST personnel ensure that the equipment is fit for your purpose.