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Oil well integrity is a system of protocols used to protect the environment from uncontrolled discharge of sedimentary fluids. Oil drilling companies hire well integrity engineers to design systems that protect the environment while harvesting oil. Tools used include depth meters, cameras, and computer systems loaded with specialized software. Downhole gauges such as multi-finger, electromagnetic and ultrasonic thickness gauges, and video camera equipment are used to assess potential problems and initiate protocols to prevent disasters.
Well integrity is a system of protocols used in the petroleum industry to protect the environment from the uncontrolled discharge of sedimentary fluids. Because of the inherent environmental dangers associated with oil drilling, many governments have enacted stringent legislation regarding oil well integrity, drilling, and exploration. To eliminate the risks, oil drilling companies hire well integrity engineers whose sole responsibility is to design systems that protect the environment while the oil is being harvested.
While movies and television portray exploratory oil drilling as a process that culminates in a violent eruption of oil from a well, the truth is, when that happens, it’s a disaster. This type of explosive oil eruption contaminates the area around the well and is commonly known as an oil spill. The results of such an environmental disaster can cost oil companies millions of dollars in cleanup efforts.
Oil well drilling management involves a complex system of protocols, tests, logs and equipment to circumvent such disasters. Tools used in the process include depth meters, cameras and other test equipment. Well integrity engineers use the data collected by these instruments to determine what the well is doing below the surface and implement plans to prevent accidental discharge of oil and other sedimentary fluids.
One of the main tools used in oil well safety management is the computer. With so many precise calculations to be made and the amount of data that needs to be processed, computer systems loaded with the appropriate software are essential for oil well management. This specialized software reads data collected by downhole gauges, depth gauges and other instruments, using the measurements to visualize possible scenarios that could result from variations.
Current downhole gauges used for oil well integrity and safety testing include multi-finger gauges, electromagnetic thickness gauges, ultrasonic thickness gauges, and downhole photographic equipment. Multi-finger gauges are used to take precise bore measurements. Electromagnetic and ultrasonic thickness gauges are used to measure the wall thickness of pipelines inserted into the well to detect any weak spots that could burst under pressure. Video camera equipment is also used so that well integrity engineers can have a visual observation of conditions noted in data received from other instruments.
By closely examining the data and visual reports offered by downhole tools, well integrity engineers are able to assess potential problems. When these areas of risk are discovered, protocols can be initiated to circumvent the disaster or delay its onset until proper repairs can be made. When all of these elements work together, oil well safety and integrity can be effectively maintained.
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