Drilling & Well Completion

daylight tour (pronounced "tower")

Navigating the Rig: Understanding Daylight, Evening, and Graveyard Tours in Drilling

Working on a drilling rig is a demanding job, operating on a cyclical schedule of three eight-hour shifts known as "tours." These tours are crucial for maintaining continuous operations, ensuring the well is drilled and completed efficiently. Understanding the different tours and their unique challenges is essential for anyone involved in the drilling process.

Daylight Tour:

  • Timing: This tour typically starts around sunrise and runs until sunset.
  • Key Characteristics: The daylight tour is often considered the "main shift" due to its visibility during daylight hours. This makes it ideal for tasks requiring clear visual observation, like rig setup, equipment maintenance, and critical drilling operations.
  • Advantages:
    • Natural light enhances visibility for tasks and improves overall safety.
    • Communication is easier with the full crew present.
    • Easier to manage tasks requiring coordination and collaboration.
  • Challenges:
    • Can be a physically demanding shift due to the length of the working hours.
    • Potentially higher risk of heat-related illnesses during hot weather.

Evening Tour:

  • Timing: This tour begins after sunset and ends around midnight.
  • Key Characteristics: The evening tour bridges the gap between daylight and graveyard operations. It involves monitoring and maintaining drilling activities while transitioning to nighttime operations.
  • Advantages:
    • Less intense heat and sunlight exposure compared to daylight.
    • Easier to manage some tasks requiring focused attention without interruptions.
  • Challenges:
    • Transitioning to nighttime operations requires adjusting to darkness and reduced visibility.
    • Working through the evening can disrupt personal schedules and social interactions.

Graveyard Tour (Morning Tour):

  • Timing: This tour typically starts around midnight and ends around sunrise.
  • Key Characteristics: The graveyard tour involves maintaining drilling operations throughout the night, often requiring significant focus and alertness.
  • Advantages:
    • The shift provides opportunities for uninterrupted work, ideal for specific drilling operations.
    • The quieter environment can be beneficial for focused tasks.
  • Challenges:
    • Working through the night can lead to fatigue and disrupt sleep cycles.
    • The lack of natural light can make tasks more challenging and increase safety risks.

Shifting Duty:

The transition between tours is a well-defined process, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities and information. The incoming crew is responsible for receiving a thorough handover report from the outgoing crew, covering the status of the well, any ongoing operations, and any potential issues or concerns.

Conclusion:

The distinct timing and characteristics of each tour make them crucial components of the drilling process. Whether working on the daylight, evening, or graveyard tour, every individual plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and efficient well completion. Understanding the unique challenges and advantages of each shift promotes a collaborative environment and fosters a strong sense of team cohesion within the drilling crew.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: Navigating the Rig

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Which tour is typically considered the "main shift" due to its daylight hours?

a) Daylight Tour b) Evening Tour c) Graveyard Tour d) None of the above

Answer

a) Daylight Tour

2. What is a major advantage of the evening tour?

a) Less intense heat and sunlight exposure. b) Easier communication with the full crew. c) Natural light enhances visibility. d) Opportunities for uninterrupted work.

Answer

a) Less intense heat and sunlight exposure.

3. Which of these is NOT a challenge associated with the graveyard tour?

a) Fatigue and disruption of sleep cycles. b) Limited visibility due to darkness. c) Easier communication with the full crew. d) Increased risk of safety incidents.

Answer

c) Easier communication with the full crew.

4. What is the purpose of the handover report between tours?

a) To inform the incoming crew about the well's status and ongoing operations. b) To schedule the next day's activities. c) To discuss personal matters with the outgoing crew. d) To evaluate the performance of the previous shift.

Answer

a) To inform the incoming crew about the well's status and ongoing operations.

5. Which tour is most likely to be ideal for tasks requiring focused attention without interruptions?

a) Daylight Tour b) Evening Tour c) Graveyard Tour d) All of the above

Answer

c) Graveyard Tour

Exercise: Shift Swap Scenario

Scenario: You are the crew chief on the evening tour. The graveyard tour is about to begin.

Task: Create a handover report to the incoming graveyard crew, including the following:

  • Well Status: Briefly describe the current status of the well. Are there any specific operations ongoing? Are any issues or concerns present?
  • Equipment Status: Are there any malfunctioning equipment or tools?
  • Upcoming Tasks: Outline any tasks that need to be completed or monitored during the graveyard tour.
  • Safety Concerns: Are there any specific safety concerns or hazards the graveyard crew should be aware of?

Instructions: Write your handover report in a clear and concise format, as if you were communicating it to the incoming crew.

Exercice Correction

**Handover Report - Evening Tour to Graveyard Tour** **Date:** [Date] **Time:** [Time] **Well Status:** - Currently drilling at [Depth] with [Mud Weight] mud. - [Briefly describe ongoing operations, e.g., casing running, mud logging, etc.] - No major issues encountered, but there was a slight increase in [Specify parameter, e.g., gas readings, torque] at [Time] which was addressed by [Specify action taken]. **Equipment Status:** - All drilling equipment is functional. - [Specify any equipment needing attention, e.g., The top drive needs a minor lubrication check.] **Upcoming Tasks:** - Maintain drilling operations at current rate. - Monitor mud parameters closely, particularly for [Specify specific parameter, e.g., gas readings, viscosity]. - Complete [Specify specific task, e.g., pressure testing on the BOP stack] before sunrise. **Safety Concerns:** - Be aware of increased fog/mist in the early morning hours. - Ensure all personnel are wearing appropriate safety gear. - Exercise caution when operating heavy equipment in reduced visibility. **Additional Notes:** - [Any other information the graveyard crew might find helpful] **Contact:** - [Your Name] - [Communication details for emergencies]


Books

  • "Drilling Engineering" by John A. Short: A comprehensive resource covering all aspects of drilling operations, including shift work.
  • "Petroleum Engineering Handbook" by Tarek Ahmed: This handbook provides extensive information on drilling practices, including safety and operational procedures.
  • "Drilling and Well Completion" by A.K. Wojtanowicz: This book covers drilling techniques, equipment, and challenges, likely mentioning shift schedules.

Articles

  • "Drilling Operations: A Practical Guide" by SPE: While this is a general guide, it likely addresses the importance of shift rotations and coordination.
  • "Safety and Health Practices in Oil and Gas Drilling" by OSHA: This publication covers occupational health and safety guidelines, including shift work management.

Online Resources

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): Their website offers various publications, conferences, and resources related to drilling and production, where you can find articles on shift work in the industry.
  • Oil and Gas Journal: This trade publication often features articles on drilling operations, including personnel management and shift rotations.
  • Drillinginfo: A data and analytics company for the oil and gas industry, offering insights into industry trends and best practices.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords like "drilling shift work," "drilling operations schedules," or "drilling crew rotations."
  • Combine keywords with specific drilling terms like "horizontal drilling" or "directional drilling" to refine your search.
  • Search for industry-specific publications like "Drilling Contractor" or "Petroleum Engineering."

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