[QUOTE=billslugg;43552]alcor-
My experience is outside the oil industry but I know that there must be unity of command. No gaps in responsibility and no overlap of responsibility.
Maintaining hydrostatic pressure should be the responsibility of one person, the driller, thus TO is responsible, by definition, for the loss of control. The fascination with the cement is, as you rightly point out, irrelevant to the disaster. So are centralizers, lack of a tieback, the BOP failure, etc. Am I wrong in this assertion?[/QUOTE]
The driller is in charge of the operation and reports to the Toolpushers and OIM, and BP Co Man when required. He is assisted by the Data Engineer to observe the well’s volumeand pressure control, among other things. He directs proceedings in accordance with the programme provided by BP, and signed/sanctioned by the OIM. He is required to understand the steps in the procedure, and must request assistance from the Toolpusher or OIM to verify his understanding when required.
Problem: What if the Toolpusher doesn’t know how to conduct a Negative test or doesn’t follow TO procedures? Now we have a dilemma created by TO, and the OIM, in particular, whose duty it is to ensure the integrity of the well is verified…with his own eyes, I would suggest. Remember, he had that chance when he arrived on the DF and discovered problems with the Annular. He, didn’t hang around long enough to verify the test himself. He has the highest authority on the vessel and ignored critical testing procedures in order to attend to VIPs.
The function of authority and responsibility on this vessel appears to be weak, at this stage of proceedings.
Nothing has been said about the displacement plan. Whether prepared by MI Swaco or anyone else it is the duty of the Driller to understand it and verify it is factually and mathematically correct, with expected pressure trends while Sea Water is pumped, and volumes from the well in accordance with the pump rate.
[B]Has anyone seen the plan for displacement? This is a very big issue for both BP, the OIM and the Driller/Toolpusher.[/B]
The lines of authority may have been ignored on this vessel.