With the recent announcement of a fully automated oil rig in the Permian basin, the question of the potential dangers of an automated drilling rig naturally arises.
The oil and gas industry has recognized the value of automating certain functions in drilling operations, focusing on improving efficiency and safety. Results on both oil rigs and in the wellbore have mostly been positive.
However, a consensus on the viability of deploying automated rigs across the Permian, Gulf of Mexico, and other major drilling locations has yet to be reached.
Proponents of fully automated drilling rigs use the example of Nabors Industries’ PACE-R801, which recently completed its pilot campaign for ExxonMobil in the Permian Basin in 2022.
The dangers of an automated drilling rig may still outweigh the advantages. Even a partially automated drill rig may harm the operators and anyone nearby. If you’ve been hurt on an oil rig, automated or otherwise, contact a Houston oilfield accident attorney for advice about your legal options.
What are the dangers of a fully automated drilling rig?
The Nabors PACE-R801 has a completely automated, unmanned rig floor. Usually, humans work in the “red zone” of the oil rig floor, a dangerous job.
These are labor-intensive jobs. Workers change out drill bits, drill downhole, or pull strings of the drill pipe from the hole. Manual labor isn’t the only risk; an oil rig floor is dark, hot, messy, and loud. In fact, oil rig floor accidents account for a significant number of reported lost-time incidents for drilling companies.
Employing automation in sites where accidents are more likely to occur makes sense. However, full automation comes with other risks.
Data entry errors
Current automated systems require comprehensive data entry and configuration, which must still be completed manually. This requires more skill, training, and knowledge of drillers, and less experienced drillers may have a harder time understanding the new system.
User error due to a lack of training and knowledge could lead to dangerous data entry errors. Even if you’re not on the oil rig floor, problems with the automated equipment could endanger everyone working there.
Traditional dangers
Other dangers with automation include the usual dangers of oil rigs – flawed or malfunctioning equipment. A power short, data crash, or loose wire could kill an automated rig.
Questions of liability can quickly arise – are there problems because the system is too complex? Did the equipment malfunction due to user error or a fundamental flaw in construction or programming? Assessing liability and questions of negligence after an injurious accident can easily get tangled without experienced legal insight.
Potential problems with an automated drilling rig
One of the more difficult problems with automation at scale is pipe handling. It’s a complex task and must be performed manually on the rig, as many have a wide variety of pipe sizes and predefined positions for the pipes within the racking system. Although there is potential for automation for pipe laying, the cost is prohibitive thus far.
Another potential danger of fully automated rigs is a lack of interoperability from rig to rig. To overcome this gap in critical function, a standard system control interface is needed for automation applications to work effectively simultaneously. Rig workers could be in danger if they’re using systems that don’t fully coordinate with one another.
What should you do if you’re hurt in an automated oil rig accident?
We noted that questions of liability and responsibility for accidents on an automated oil rig can be complex. After being injured on an oil rig, seek medical care. Then, talk to an experienced oil rig accident lawyer.
Your legal rights and options for compensation depend on where the accident happened. Texas personal injury laws may cover you if you work in the Permian Basin. If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you may receive benefits under their plan. If not, a lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim for damages, including medical care and lost wages.
However, suppose you were working on an automated rig in the Gulf of Mexico or another offshore drilling location. In that case, you may look to federal laws for legal recourse, like the Jones Act or Maintenance and Cure. These laws also allow injured oil rig workers to demand compensatory damages for their losses.
Have you been hurt on an automated oil rig? Our lawyers can help.
If you’ve been hurt on an oil rig, automated, partially automated, or otherwise, you may have more legal options than you think.
Our team at Havens & Associates can evaluate your situation and discuss which laws apply in your case. We investigate the accident, build a case against the liable party or parties, and demand fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Contact us today at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation.
