Identifying Key Rig Risk Profiles through the Use of a Simple Database and Using the Intranet to Close the Loop with Field Personnel on Operational Performances
Authors: Hicks J. , Tjokromulia K. , Stibbs W. G. 
Published: December 2007

Sedco Forex is an International drilling contractor that operates 100 rigs onshore and offshore. Drilling contracting operations may, by their nature, be hazardous to personnel, installations and the environment. Hence, the Company culture must encompass an absolute commitment to the safety and health of all employees and other persons who may be affected, and to the optimum protection of the property and environment in which its operations are conducted. To that effect, Sedco Forex has developed over the last decade a comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment Management System.

The fundamental objectives of the Sedco Forex HSE Management System are the minimization of Risk and the prevention of injury, damage to property and damage to environment. In addition the HSE-MS is required to produce results that meet, or exceed, client expectations and the rules of government and international bodies that are applicable to drilling operations.

An integral and essential element of the HSE-MS is field input in the reporting of Loss Incidents, HSE Results, indicators and statistics. Particular emphasis was placed on the reporting and analysis of Potential Incidents to establish proactive prevention control, rather than the historic industry practice of actual accident review and reactive response. It was recognized that to achieve effective reporting of Potential Incidents that a "No Blame Culture" would have to be created through out the Company. Also, it was obvious that to permit consolidation of data from worldwide field sources the initial data would have to be generated from a common basis of understanding and in common format.

In 1991 all Company managers, from corporate through line management to field supervisor and department heads, were required to study Practical Loss Control Leadership by the International Loss Control Institute Inc. (Now Det Norske Veritas). Subsequently the concepts of Loss Control Management were adopted and the terminology and Loss Causation Model were used for a common approach to Incident investigation and reporting

The original Accidental Risk Database was manually compiled from the accident, potential accident and hazard identification reports, generated in the field, and maintained at the corporate level. Due to the successful implementation of the HSE Management System during the past years, the HSE reporting has increased substantially, and consequently, the amount of information to be processed has increased tremendously.

It soon became obvious that a more efficient method was needed for the input, transmittal, consolidation, review and redistribution of information and in January 1995 Sedco Forex launched a uniform HSE Database software on all rigs worldwide. Within one year, the HSE Db., had captured information of approximately 1,000 accidents and potential accidents, and, 10,000 risk identification reports.

This paper describes the concepts behind the evolution to the HSE Database in view of Sedco Forex HSE Management System and HSE Reporting with the advent of the Schlumberger Intranet. It shows examples of how risk profiles have been established at the rig site and at the corporate level using the HSE Database that has been an integral part of the feedback continuos improvement cycle.