OSHA Inspection: CYCLONE DRILLING, INC.

Issued

Jan 16, 2009

Abate by

May 20, 2010

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards
that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards associated with the
inability to
accurately estimate formation fluid pressures and maintain well control:
(a)Cyclone Drilling, Inc. & Rig # 1 RWF 334-29, Parachute, CO 81635:  On
and before August 27, 2008, the employer did not ensure that the condition
of
the well and well control was maintained at all times.  The PASON
electronic
service recorder, detection and monitoring equipment provided to the
driller
for the purposes of monitoring the conditions of the well, estimating
formation
fluid pressures, and maintaining well control was not functioning
properly.
The flow meter was inoperable and the gas meter was malfunctioning,
displaying erroneous readings.  The employer did not ensure that the
condition
of the well was monitored at all times with the equipment provided to the
driller, so that the appropriate measures such as but not limited to, mud
density could be used to offset formation fluid pressures in a predictable
fashion.  This condition exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards.
Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
correct this
hazard is to develop and implement specific procedural elements involving
well control in
accordance with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended
Practice 54, Third
Edition, August 1999 states in paragraph 6.1.1 "Well control shall be
maintained at all times.
Consideration shall be made to ensure appropriate equipment and materials
are on location
and operational before work commences."
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Jan 16, 2009

Abate by

May 20, 2010

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards
that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards due to the
uncontrolled release of
pressurized gas from the well bore causing an ignited blowout:
(a)Cyclone Drilling, Inc. & Rig # 1 RWF 334-29, Parachute, CO 81635:  On
and before August 27, 2008, the employer did not ensure that well control
operational procedures were implemented promptly to safely stop the well
from flowing once it was apparent that pressure control had not been
maintained and conditions indicative of a blowout were imminent.  At
approximately 2:00 a.m., Cyclone Rig # 1 took a kick and the drilling crew
did not take prompt and effective measures to control and stabilize the
well
such as but not limited to the use of the annular blowout preventer and/or
ram
blowout preventer.  This condition exposed employees to fire and explosion
hazards due to the uncontrolled release of pressurized gas from the well
bore
causing an ignited blowout.
Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
correct this
hazard is to develop and implement specific procedural elements involving
well control in
accordance with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended
Practice 54, Third
Edition, August 1999 states in paragraph 6.1.1 "Well control shall be
maintained at all times.
Consideration shall be made to ensure appropriate equipment and materials
are on location
and operational before work commences."
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").