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Well Examination

Relevant Statutes:

  • Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations 1996 [DCR]

For a more detailed explanation and definitions see Well Operations.

The Well Operator shall put into effect written arrangements for examining any part of:

  • the well
  • information
  • work in progress

and the making of such reports and recommendations, as are suitable to ensure the well is designed and constructed, and maintained so that

  • so far as is itreasonably practicable, there are no unplanned escapes of fluid
  • risks to (a) health and safety to persons or to (b) the strata, are as low as is reasonably practicable

The objective of the examination is to obtain assurance that the well is designed and constructed properly, and is maintained adequately. It is essential for the examination to demonstrate that the pressure boundary of the well is controlled and that equipment is suitable.

The examination scheme does not necessarily have to rely on physical examination of the wells, it could use documentary evidence provided that evidence is reliable.

The Well Operator shall review and revise the scheme as appropriate and keep a copy of:

  • the scheme includes revisions,
  • any reports and recommendations

for six months at an address in Great Britain which has been notified to the HSE.

The examinations should be undertaken by an independent and competent person who is separate from the immediate line management of the well operations involved. This can be a person employed by the well operator's organisation

Relationship between the well examination and verification schemes

There will be overlap between the two schemes and where wells form part of the verification scheme (see section on verification) the work carried out by the well operator may be cited by the duty holder as part of the verification and vice versa. The HSE does not expect work to be repeated.

Recommended further reading:

  • A guide to the integrity, workplace environment and miscellaneous aspects of DCR L85 HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 1164
  • A guide to the installation verification and miscellaneous aspects of amendments by DCR to the SCR L 83 HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 1193 0
  • A guide to the SCR HMSO ISBN 0 11 025869 X