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Site Preparation Transporting Equipment to the Site
Figure 1. Transporting a Derrick
Depending on the location of the well, access to the site may require preparation of a road bed. A site, and its access road, must accommodate a large number of temporary and semi-permanent structures and tanks, all brought in by truck.
Hazards may be related to the following:
Equipment is loaded on trucks at the previous drill site or storage yard, secured and transported to the new drill location.
Potential Hazards:
Figure 2. Transporting derrick
- At a newly prepared drill site, the soils may not be compacted sufficiently to support the incoming load. This could cause the load to become unstable.
- The load may not be secured properly, causing it to shift or the tie-downs to fail.
- In slick conditions, the truck may slide off the road.
Possible Solutions:
- Make sure that the access road and drill pad at the drill site has been properly prepared before attempting to drive on it.
- Drive slowly; always being cautious of shifting weight.
- Loads should be tied down with proper devices and inspected before and during transport. [49 CFR 393.100 (U.S. Department of Transportation)]
- Always drive with caution, whatever the conditions.
Figure 3. Unloading doghouse
Equipment is unloaded and placed approximately where it will be rigged up.
Potential Hazard:
- Improperly secured loads could cause equipment to slide or collapse during unloading.
Possible Solution:
- Inspect loads before loading or unloading.