Drilling an Offshore Well

What does an offshore drilling rig do?

Offshore Drilling Rigs
in Atlantic Canada
(PDF | 488.4KB | Jun 2006)

Companies must drill wells to confirm whether crude oil or natural gas is present deep within the earth. First, geoscientists interpret seismic and geological data to determine the best location to search for these resources. Then rig workers drill thousands of metres deep into the sea floor, often in severe weather and sea conditions. To handle these challenges, the industry uses large, stable, self-contained platforms to drill wells. Exploration drilling rigs used off the coast of Atlantic Canada are called Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs).

What types of wells are drilled offshore?

Drilling an Offshore Well
in Atlantic Canada
(PDF | 4.2MB | Aug 2005)

Oil and gas companies drill three types of wells: exploration, delineation and development. Exploration wells are drilled to confirm whether geological formations identified from seismic surveys do contain hydrocarbons. If results are promising, a company may drill delineation wells into different areas of the formation to confirm the formation’s size as well as characteristics of the hydrocarbon resources. This information helps decide whether it will be economically attractive to produce the resource. If test results are favourable, the company will proceed to the third stage, drilling a development well.

Offshore Spill Prevention
in Atlantic Canada

Prevention is the best line of defense against spills. Here are some ways the offshore oil and gas industry works to prevent spills at drilling and production facilities:

• Specialized equipment such as Blow Out Preventors (BOPs), which are heavy-duty valves attached to the wellhead to control well pressure and prevent a blowout
• Heavy-duty piping, subsurface safety valves, fire and gas detection systems and deluge systems for putting out fires
• Spill containment devices and drainage systems
• Rigorous risk assessments to ensure design and equipment integrity
• Extensive quality assurance and quality control programs to ensure equipment is fit for its intended purpose
• Emergency shut-down equipment located throughout facilities
• Third-party review and assessment of facilities to ensure highest standards
• Extensive training and competency assessment of personnel
• Operational techniques that incorporate the industry's best practices
• Comprehensive health, safety and environmental management systems
• Regular tracking of icebergs and accurate prediction of harsh weather  

For more information:Spill Prevention and Response
in Atlantic Canada
(PDF | 492.8KB | Jun 2006)

Synergy: Newfoundland and Labrador Operators' Annual Spill Response Exercise

Source: From the Synergy 2009 oil spill response exercise.
Two boat tow – The boom makes the shape of a “J” to collect and
contain the oil.

While the primary focus of the oil and gas industry is on preventing spills from ever happening, the industry is also prepared to respond should an incident occur. Every year companies operating offshore Newfoundland and Labrador hold a joint on-water oil spill response exercise to deploy spill response equipment and put their emergency response systems to the test. The most recent, Synergy 2009, included the deployment of a new oil containment system known as the Norlense boom. Operators offshore Newfoundland and Labrador purchased the system jointly in 2009 as the self inflating boom is the current standard for Norwegian offshore operators' oil spill cooperative and can be deployed and recovered in less than half the time required for other open-ocean systems.

Synergy 2009 also included the deployment of two other types of oil recovery systems and tested a next generation satellite tracker buoy.

CAPP Publications

Spill Prevention and Response

Spill Prevention and Response
in Atlantic Canada
(PDF | 492.8KB | Jun 2006)

Companies involved in the development of oil and natural gas offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have many measures in place to prevent spills. As a result, the chances of an oil or gas condensate (gas in liquid form) spill are extremely low.

The oil and gas industry takes seriously its responsibility to minimize the effect of its operations on the environment, and its goal is to meet and exceed government regulations. As prudent operators, companies are also ready to respond to a spill, large or small, should one occur. However, the primary focus is on prevention.

Emergency Planning and Response

Emergency Planning and Response
in Atlantic Canada
(PDF | 3.7MB | Aug 2005)

Canadians want assurance that the offshore oil and gas industry is prepared for any circumstance that could put workers, the environment or property at risk. The industry and companies involved in offshore operations also take these potential risks very seriously, and not just because they are compelled to do so by government regulations.

Offshore emergencies are approached in two ways. The ideal route is to prevent incidents from happening at all. But if they do occur, industry must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

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