A New Quality Approach to Wellsite Safety
Authors: Sandstad B.J. , Reynolds S.J. 
Published: December 2007

Total quality management and the team approach can help improve safety performance. In a thorough review of wellsite safety practices, an in-house quality action team made up of drilling engineers and safety personnel examined all safety aspects of our worldwide wellsite operations. personnel examined all safety aspects of our worldwide wellsite operations. This paper describes the methods, tools. and diagnostic procedures used, as well as the recommendations made by the team.

Introduction

Concern for safety and the environment has always been a top priority at Phillips Petroleum Co. In March 1990, a cross-functional priority at Phillips Petroleum Co. In March 1990, a cross-functional team of professionals was charged (1) to examine current practices as they relate to safety in drilling, completions, and workovers; (2) to identify areas of opportunity for improvement; (3) to present recommendations for enhancement of safety practices at the present recommendations for enhancement of safety practices at the wellsite; and (4) to propose a plan for implementation of the recommendations. The team, called the drilling quality action team (DQAT) under the newly instituted Total Quality Program, included 28 representatives from the company's six regions, the central Drilling and Production Branch, and other organizational units (Safety, Reservoir Engineering, Geology. etc.) A management consulting firm assisted the DQAT through the quality review process and provided facilitators for the team's meetings. A turnkey drilling-contractor/consultant firm assisted by providing input on industry safety practices and reviewing current wellsite safety performance.

DQAT Process

The DQAT based its work on a series of diagnostic surveys and studies conducted by the management consultants. The results of these surveys helped the DQAT members to focus quickly on the major areas needing improvement. In its first full membership meeting held May 9–11, 1990, the DQAT reviewed the diagnostic surveys, elaborated on the issues behind the findings, and formulated ideas on how to address the issues or opportunities. In 3 days of intense meetings, the DQAT identified 79 issues affecting the four principal phases of the drilling cycle: planning, preparation, drilling, and postwell analysis. The DQAT split into four "mini-QAT's," each dealing with one of these drilling-cycle phases. The mini-QAT's submitted their preliminary recommendations to the DQAT for approval. At its second meeting, held June 9–12, 1990, the DQAT reviewed the recommendations, obtained feedback, solidified the details of each recommendation, discussed additional opportunities for improvement, and began the transition to the implementation phase. phase. The mini-QAT's finalized their recommendations and began to develop an implementation plan for each region. The regional representatives assisted in adapting and "customizing" the plan to meet specific needs of the individual regions. At the third and final meeting, held Aug. 1–4, 1990, the DQAT approved the recommendations and the overall implementation plan. Responsibilities for implementing the plan in each region and division were defined. By the conclusion of the meetings, the DQAT had developed a cooperative and integrated approach toward improving wellsite safety in worldwide operations. On Aug. 31, 1990, the DQAT presented its recommendations to the executive management and began implementation of the recommendations.