The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) recently investigated a high potential near miss incident that took place on a drilling rig during cement line pressure testing.
Six stands of 6 5/8-inch pipe fell from the finger row and landed on the starboard side deck of the derrick. Weather conditions at the time of the incident were 40 knot winds, heavy rain, and 8-10-foot seas. There were no personnel on the rig floor at the time of the incident.
BSEE investigators determined the adverse weather conditions and the poor design of the casing fingerboard system to be main causes of the incident. The flip over beam locking bolt was not secure, and loosened during the adverse weather. With new locking bolt arrangements with improved functionality, operators can adjust the width of the row by flip-over beams that consist of a hinged square hollow steel profile, or a steel plate. The adjustments can be made remotely or manually. In October 2023, a manufacturer product improvement notification was distributed to inform offshore personnel about the availability of new locking bolt arrangements with improved functionality.
BSEE recommends that operators and their contractors, where appropriate, consider doing the following:
- Inspecting the condition of all casing fingerboard beam locking bolts.
- Reviewing fingerboard design and ensuring the best available locking mechanism is implemented. Contact vendor and/or manufacturer to confirm.
- Inspecting and checking the pressure applied by air cylinders to ensure proper pressure is being applied to the flip over beam.
- Ensuring all racked casing and pipe are properly secured and cannot fall out of the fingerboard during adverse weather.
- Subscribing to and reviewing all original equipment manufacturer product bulletins and alerts.
- Adhering to Red Zone Management when required.
