AU

AUTOMATION

IADC Drilling Manual 12th Edition

IADC Drilling Manual • Copyright © 2015

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 AUTOMATION AU–i

CHAPTER

AU
AUTOMATION,
INSTRUMENTATION &
MECHANIZATION

he IADC Drilling Manual is a series of reference guides assembled by volunteer drilling-industry professionals with
T expertise spanning a broad range of topics. These volunteers contributed their time, energy and knowledge in
developing the IADC Drilling Manual, 12th edition, to help facilitate safe and efficient drilling operations, training, and
equipment maintenance and repair.

The contents of this manual should not replace or take precedence over manufacturer, operator or individual drilling
company recommendations, policies or procedures. In jurisdictions where the contents of the IADC Drilling Manual may
conflict with regional, state or national statute or regulation, IADC strongly advises adhering to local rules.

While IADC believes the information presented is accurate as of the date of publication, each reader is responsible for his
own reliance, reasonable or otherwise, on the information presented. Readers should be aware that technology advances
quickly, and the subject matter discussed herein may quickly become surpassed. If professional engineering expertise
is required, the services of a competent individual or firm should be sought. Neither IADC nor the contributors to this
chapter warrant or guarantee that application of any theory, concept, method or action described in this book will lead to
the result desired by the reader.

PRINCIPAL AUTHOR
Fred Florence, National Oilwell Varco
Gregers Kudsk, Maersk Drilling
John Pedersen, Maersk Drilling

REVIEWERS
Clinton Chapman, Schlumberger
Tom Geehan, MI SWACO
Moray Laing, SAS
John McPherson, Baker Hughes
Mario Zamora, MI SWACO

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

AU–ii AUTOMATION

This is a chapter of the IADC Drilling Manual, 12th edition.

Copyright © 2015 International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), Houston, Texas.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
without the prior written permission of the publisher.

International Association of Drilling Contractors

10370 Richmond Avenue, Suite 760
Houston, Texas 77042
USA

ISBN: 978-0-9915095-5-3

Printed in the United States of America.

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

 AUTOMATION AU-iii

CHAPTER AU

AUTOMATION
Contents
Overview of automated drilling operations........... AU-1
Impact on rig crew....................................................... AU-1
Automation systems.................................................... AU-1
Control and monitoring............................................... AU-3
Drilling network evolution..........................................AU-6
Examples of automation.............................................AU-6
Automated pipehandling..................................... AU-6
Standbuilding........................................................... AU-8
Tripping..................................................................... AU-8
Drilling ahead.......................................................... AU-8
Other automated procedures............................ AU-8
Operating automated equipment..................... AU-8
Restricted access zone (Red zone)........................AU-11

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

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Overview of automated drilling operations
For decades, nearly all rig designs used the basic
equipment of a drawworks, a rotary or top drive, and
several mud pumps. Drill floor operations were manual:
roughnecks handled tongs, slips and even spinning chains
by hand. In the derrick, the derrickman pulled pipe to the
fingerboards with a piece of rope. Good crews did this
well, and in some places, with excellent results. In other
cases, however, injuries occurred, due to numerous factors,
including human impairment (fatigue, distraction, etc),
poor judgment, inexperience, or well environment.
Rig owners and E&P companies asked for new tools and
work flows to make this part of the job safer. Spinning chains
and tongs were replaced with pipe spinners and iron rough-
necks. Power slips made the work less manual. The addition
of these types of tools and machines is known as “mecha-
nization.”
Mechanization occurs when machines are introduced into
a process to allow people to do more with the machine than
they could do with their muscles. By pulling a lever or push-
ing and holding a button, the rig crew lets machines take
some or all of the physical work out of the job.
As control systems evolved, machines were modified to take
advantage of new measurements and control capabilities. A
single control command could trigger an entire sequence of
steps programmed into the machine and its controls. The
execution of multiple steps by a machine to achieve some
goal is an aspect of “automation,” which can more formal-
ly be defined as a system that, without direct control by an
operator, performs a set of actions using sensors and/or ac-
tuators of a machine.
Automation, when implemented and used properly, can im-
prove safety and drilling efficiency. When the machines can
do the routine, repetitive work, the driller can focus on crew
safety and downhole conditions. New automation systems
can warn the driller of possible downhole problems and can
propose or change drilling parameters to avoid unwanted
wellbore influxes, stuck pipe, damaging drillstring vibra-
tions, and much more.
An automated system can be operated in different modes:
• Fully automated mode with no or
minimal operator interaction;
• Semi-automated mode in which operation/
functions are performed in sequences
with operator acknowledgment;
• Manual mode by the operator from a chair,
controlling and monitoring equipment and systems
in a step-by-step or direct-control mode;
• Local mode where the equipment or system is
IADC Drilling Manual
AUTOMATION AU–1
operated at a local panel, wired or wireless, and
separately from the integrated control station(s).
Impact on rig crew
Automation is not intended to replace the driller, just like an
autopilot does not eliminate the pilot of an airplane. Instead,
automation can make the driller’s work easier and better.
The driller is needed to supervise the operation and inter-
vene when there are tasks to perform that are not automat-
ed, and when things just don’t seem right.
Automation also can allow the directional driller to be lo-
cated in a remote operating center, where he/she can su-
pervise multiple rigs and steer the drilling assembly using
remote controls, resulting in less travel to the rig site. Ser-
vice companies from remote sites will also be able to assist
with formation evaluation.
The most important change resulting from introducing
drilling automation is monitoring and controlling the drilling
process with an overall picture of operations. Automation
simulators can look at the rig settings with respect to pres-
sures, navigation, wellbore integrity, well productivity, time
and cost impact, and more, all at the same time, and help
calculate the effect of changes to the drilling plan during the
construction of the well
Automation systems
Most modern drilling equipment includes controllers such
as PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and PACs (pro-
grammable automation controllers) that collect sensor
information and provide signals to actuators that allow
machines to operate. Such systems are necessary for the
machine to execute its basic functions and allow it to be ac-
tivated from a remote location such as a driller’s station or
chair. Controllers can be connected together to form a net-
work that can communicate with one another and to HMIs
(human machine interfaces. Using these remote HMI’s on a
mechanized rig, the driller monitors measurements and ex-
ecutes commands to control the drilling operation.
HMIs on mechanized rigs range from older control stations
with gauges, knobs, and buttons (see Figure AU-1) to new-
er fully digital computer displays (see Figure AU-2). In the
case of the newer computer displays, most of these sys-
tems have some sort of screen displays to make it easier to
perform specific process, which can be changed to suit the
current operation making it so driller’s cabins have far fewer
buttons than those several decades old. However, the au-
tomatic system is not only controlling individual machines,
but also systems that monitor their interaction regarding po-
sitioning, limits of operation, acceleration and braking, and
overall safety aspects.
Copyright © 2015
AU–2 AUTOMATION

Figure AU-1: Older driller’s control stations were cluttered with many buttons, switches
and knobs. Courtesy Jan A. Tjemsland and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.

Figure AU-2: Newer control stations use displays configured for the
current drilling operation to reduce congestion and confusion.

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015


By integrating measurements and
control with algorithms in computer
systems connected to the network of
controllers (or embedded within the
controllers themselves), automated
event detection, such as alarms, and
automated control begin to surface.
This allows control of individual ma-
chines on the rig, as well as systems
that monitor their interaction regard-
ing positioning, limits of operation,
acceleration and braking and overall
safety systems which can account for
rig operation objectives.
However, the automatic system is not
only controlling individual machines,
but also systems that monitor their
interaction regarding positioning,
limits of operation, acceleration and
braking, and overall safety aspects.
By integrating measurements and
control with algorithms in computer
systems connected to the network of
Figure AU-3: A local control panel is not
controllers (or embedded within the
integrated with other machines.
controllers themselves), many types
of automated sequences are possible.
One well known example is Zone Management, which is a
smart system where the machines work together to avoid
collisions and dropped pipe, while moving at the maximum
safe operating speed. While most machine alarms are
based on individual sensors, such as high temperature, over-
speed, or excessive torque, automated event detection can
alarm on operating conditions, such as potential downhole
problems like stuck pipe, pack offs or fluid influxes. Limiting
tripping speeds and accelerations can also reduce a num-
ber of downhole pressure related problems such as induced
fractures. As the system is expanded further to integrate
with downhole measurements and actuation with down-
hole automation systems, such as rotary steerable systems,
automation of the full well-construction objective will have
been achieved
Control and monitoring
Automation systems have two basic components: control
and monitoring. Monitoring systems need sensors and/or
manual inputs to understand whether the process is going
according to plan. Sensors include the familiar surface mea-
surements of hookload, block position, flow, density, pres-
sure and others.
Sometimes downhole sensors are deployed, such as mea-
surement while drilling (MWD), logging while drilling (LWD)
IADC Drilling Manual
AUTOMATION AU–3
and pressure while drilling (PWD).
These tools monitor wellbore trajec-
tory, rock properties, vibration, and
downhole pressure, just to name a
few. Measurements can be used man-
ually by the drill crew to monitor the
drilling process or fed into mathemat-
ical predictive models that compute
what is expected in the near future.
One example would be to use the
drilling engineer’s hydraulics model
to estimate pressures in the wellbore
and update this model while drilling
using the PWD measurements. If
the trend looks like the pressures are
building due to excess cuttings in the
annulus, the drill crew could take pre-
ventative measures, such as pumping
a sweep to clean the wellbore before
the fracture pressure of the formation
is exceeded. Predictive models do not
replace the driller’s knowledge, but
they can help alert the driller to unex-
pected situations.
Once the monitoring is in place,
someone or something should control
the drilling machines to keep the drilling parameters within
boundaries that are both safe and efficient. The driller ad-
justs the throttles of the top drive and mud pumps and keeps
the right weight on bit (WOB). The autodriller was invented
to make this easier on the driller. After the driller sets the
desired WOB, the autodriller adjusts the brake, so the driller
does not need to do this manually time after time. This is a
single example of semi-automated control.
A fully automated system would determine the optimum
WOB and control and coordinate the individual machines in
such a way that the entire process can be conducted with-
out human intervention, except of course, when something
unusual occurs. The driller chooses the operation; the au-
tomation system does the required tasks to complete the
operation safely and properly. The driller carefully monitors
the actions.
Monitoring and control can be categorized as:
• Simple monitoring and manual/local control: Opera-
tions on the drill floor are performed more or less by
using gauges or analog and digital instrumentation to
inform the driller. All control and equipment handling is
executed in a manual and local mode by the driller and
crew on the drill floor;
• Advanced monitoring and manual/local control:
Copyright © 2015
AU–4 AUTOMATION
Figure AU-4: Illustrates a first-generation DCN with two chairs and few PLCs, hardwired communication, PROFIBUS DP (decentralized
peripherals) and Ethernet. Courtesy of Aker Solutions.
Some rigs introduced “advanced drilling instrumenta-
tion” using networks set up with displays located in the
driller’s cabin and in the toolpusher´s office. The dis-
plays help visualize the data on the rig, and sometimes
data is shared with off-site centers where everyone can
see the same information at the same time. The driller
still controls the process in a manual and local mode;
• Advanced monitoring and integrated manual con-
trol: Some rigs have “operator’s chairs” where most
of the monitoring and control is implemented in the
chair-shaped control station using networked and com-
puter-based solutions. This allows implementation of
automated hydraulic, pneumatic and advanced me-
chanical solutions involving machines and equipment
used for drilling operations. It streamlines the hand-off
of control from the driller to the assistant driller and
eliminates the “local” control and operation to ensure a
safer and more reliable drilling operation;
• Advanced monitoring and semi-auto control: To-
day’s existing solutions for drillfloor operations typi-
cally implement advanced monitoring with sufficient
redundancy of control and monitoring systems for all
IADC Drilling Manual
drill floor operational modes. Closed circuit television
(CCTV) allows the driller to visually monitor steps in
the process at a remote location, such as checking the
position of fingerboard latches or watching the top
drive engage with the top of the drillpipe while mak-
ing a connection. Operations can be performed in a
semi-automatic mode where tripping in/out is more
or less performed automatically and the driller’s only
instructions are to confirm that actions have occurred
at critical steps in the process, and to choose the speed
of operation by adjusting the joystick on the chair. All
equipment on the drill floor must be upgraded hydrau-
lically, pneumatically, electrically and mechanically for
these semi-automated modes;
• Advanced monitoring and full auto control: The
evolving “new generation” of drillfloor monitoring and
control will be enabled for full automation, using sur-
face and downhole sensors, mathematical models and
real-time simulation plus machines purpose-built for
automation. This will reduce drilling related problems,
improve drilling efficiency and increase the safety and
reliability of drill floor and downhole operations.
Copyright © 2015
 AUTOMATION AU–5

Figure AU-5 & AU-6 (above and below) show an advanced DCN network for two well centers with four chairs, where CCTV is implemented with
fully automated functionality of machinery on drill floor. Figure AU-5 courtesy Aker Solutions. Figure AU-6 is courtesy National Oilwell Varco.

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

AU–6 AUTOMATION

Table AU-1: Key elements to monitor from within the Drilling Control Network (DCN).
Flow in Flow out Flow Choke
Hook TD TD Hook Bit Total Stand Coriolis MP
WOB GPM GPM Out back
Load RPM Tq Pos Depth Depth no position SPM
(coriolis) (coriolis) (meter) pressure
Drilling
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X X X
BOP
Flow Check X X X X X
Well Control X X X X X X X X X
Logging X x x

Active
Indicator Total Trip
MP Vol. Active Stroke Trip
Res. Comp. for IBOP, Hook Trip Trip Trip Tank
Disch. (header, Gain/ counters Tank
Vol. Pos. Elev, Speed Tank 1 Tank 2 tank return
Pres. pond, loss (3-4) Discrep.
Slips volume flow
gutter)
Drilling
X X X X X X X X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X X X X X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X X X
BOP
Flow Check X X X X X
Well Control X X X X X X X X
Logging X x x

Table AU-1: Key elements to monitor from within the Drilling Control Network (DCN) include hookload. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.

Drilling network evolution
Rig controls have improved from manual levers and motor
control rheostats to computerized networks of machine
control devices like PLCs and touch screen monitors, often
referred to as a drilling control network (DCN). Over time,
the development of the DCN has expanded from a sim-
ple network with approximately 1,000 input/output (I/O)
points, to today where a dual-well center control network
with interface to other systems will typically have between
25,000 to 30,000 I/O (hardwired and serial).
Figure AU-4 illustrates a first-generation DCN with two
chairs and few PLCs, hardwired communication, PROFIBUS
DP (decentralized peripherals) and Ethernet.
Figures AU-5 and AU-6 show an advanced DCN network for
two well centers with four chairs, where closed circuit tele-
vision (CCTV) is implemented with fully automated func-
tionality of machinery on drill floor. There are established in-
terfaces with the BOP control system for monitoring, choke
and kill for monitoring, DP system, mud mixing and mud
treatment system, etc.
The operator normally has access to two screens/monitors
in front of him where all essential information is shown, as
well as additional monitors for CCTV, third party equipment
as MWD, etc.
Alarm handling is essential to ensure that the operator only
gets alarms that are essential for safe operation. Unneces-
sary alarms from auxiliaries as seawater systems, freshwa-
ter systems, generator systems, etc., should be avoided, and
these alarms should be directly transferred to the mainte-
nance department onboard.
HMI and alarm handling are still an ongoing development
process to ensure improvement of safe operation for drill
floor.
Examples of automation
Automated pipehandling
The most commonly known automated system involves
handling of drillpipe, because the system can remove crew-
members from harm’s way and mitigate issues related to
tripping pipe. Various drill floor and pipe deck machines
have integrated controls so that they all work together to
move tubulars, assemble them into stands, rack them in the

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

 AUTOMATION AU–7
Table AU-2: Key elements to monitor from the closed circuit television (CCTV).
Wash
pipe/ Hoisting
Drawworks/
Flow TD IBOP TD Mud Rotary Pit Sheaves
Shakers Manifolds CMC hoisting
Line Conn (will be elevators Pumps table Room (crown
cylinders
various block)
heights
Drilling
X X X X X X X X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X X X X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X X X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X X X X
BOP
Flow Check X X X
Well Control X X X X X X
Logging X X

Wire line
Drill Drill Riser Riser Riser Riser
Drill pipe RPS/ Capstan Wireline Sheave in Moon
pipe pipe finger gantry gantry finger
fingerboards TFM Unit Unit Derrick/ pool
setback VPC board crane shuffle boards
mast
Drilling
X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X X X X X
BOP
Flow Check
Well Control
Logging X X X

Table AU-2: Key elements to monitor from the closed circuit television (CCTV). Courtesy Maersk Drilling.

derrick, and run them in or out of the hole. Automated pipe

handling puts the pieces together and lowers them into the
wellbore with a minimum of commands from the drill crew.
The drill crew can even set a speed limit, so that the lowering
does not create excessive surge pressure on the formations.
The pipe handling systems have different capabilities de-
pending on the rig type and the type of wells for which they
were designed. Automation on a land rig is very different
from that on a deepwater semisubmersible or drillship. Ad-
vanced pipehandling systems normally include the following
mechanized machines:
• Hoisting system, with either a drawworks with disk
brakes and /or AC motor brakes or a hydraulic cylinder
or rack-and-pinion system. Some rigs even use a
two-drawworks solution: a topdrive with pipehandler;
• Rotary with power slips;
• Iron roughneck with a mudbucket system; Video AU-1: Currently, pipehandling is the best-known
drilling-automation application. The advanced pipehandler
• Pipehandling machine, like a column racker, shown can build and rack drillpipe, HWDP and casing,
a bridge-crane system or a cartridge- including fully automated standbuilding and tripping. No
style that often works as a system; people are on the rig floor. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.
• Remote-operated racking boards;
• Pipe-doping system;

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AU–8 AUTOMATION
• Pipe-deck system;
• Pipe deck crane, or;
• Pipe handler on the pipe deck, and;
• Conveyor belt or catwalk machine (or similar)
to transport the pipe to the drillfloor.
• Possibly a V-door machine;
• Chutes from a low setback area may be installed;
• CCTV system, with cameras located on equipment
or positioned in the drilling tower, mast or derrick;
• Tailing arm to secure and position the lower end of the
tubulars as they move from the V-door to well center.
Standbuilding
Stands of drillpipe and bottomhole assemblies (BHAs) are
often assembled in a separate location called an auxiliary
mousehole. Stand building may also have an optional use in
preparing and racking back stands of casing. On some rigs,
this can be done offline to reduce trip times.
Tripping
With the stands already racked in the setback area, the pipe-
handling machines and the rig’s hoisting system are integrat-
ed to trip pipe in or out of the well in an automated fashion.
The driller can set a maximum speed, but this still requires
rigorous monitoring of the downhole conditions to avoid ex-
cessive surge and swab pressures, tracking pick up and slack
off weights, and watching for possible ledges and other con-
ditions critical when tripping manually.
Future systems will use hydraulic models that calculate
downhole pressures in real time and automatically adjust the
trip speed limits depending on mud properties and downhole
conditions. The models will issue alerts when abnormal con-
ditions are suspected. The driller will still be at the center of
the process, but perhaps not physically located near the haz-
ardous location on the rig floor.
Drilling ahead
Automated drilling today uses a brake controller to limit the
payout of the drill line. When the calculated WOB is below
a threshold, more line is released until the WOB reaches the
set point. Some autodrillers use multiple parameter control,
but they still do just one thing: they limit the payout of the
drill line. When drilling a horizontal well, the normal way we
calculate WOB is no longer valid. Drillers normally measure
the standpipe pressure off bottom and again when they start
drilling. The pressure will change due to the forces of the bit
and formation and the torque from a downhole drilling mo-
tor. This differential pressure is called “delta P.” When drilling
off differential pressure, if delta P is below a certain thresh-
old, the autodriller pays out more line until delta P reaches
IADC Drilling Manual
the desired value. The autodriller does not control both WOB
and delta P. It controls line payout, and it stops paying out line
when one of the boundary conditions, either WOB or delta P,
is too high. If the autodriller has more than two parameters, it
stops paying out line when any one of the parameters exceeds
the set points.
In the future, automated drilling will do much more than
control the brake. Pipe movement (up and down) and pipe
rotation will be adjusted as needed. Mud pump flow rates,
managed pressure systems and drilling chokes will be in-
cluded. Harmful drillstring vibrations will be avoided. Sur-
face and downhole measurements will feed drilling models
that will adjust the setpoints on the drilling machinery and
downhole tools. It may be something similar to a continual
automated drill-off test or adjusting parameters to minimize
downhole vibrations measured at the bit.
Other automated procedures
There are few, if any, automated procedures in use today, oth-
er than the piperacking systems and the autodriller. Look for
running and retrieving the riser and BOP to be automated in
the future. BOP and choke manifold testing will not be far off.
There are obviously many more processes that can be safely
automated over the next few years.
Operating automated equipment
As operator of an advanced or simple drilling operation today,
there are several parameters that should be taken into consid-
eration and monitored while these operations/ functionalities
are performed.
As “operator,” when located in the chair, you are responsible
for a safe operation.
Tables AU-1 through AU-7 offer simple guidelines for “what
to monitor“ when located in the “chair” on the drilling con-
trol network (DCN), including CCTV, BOP, choke and kill
panel (C&K), logging system, MWD, and fire and gas sys-
tems. This information is sourced both from rig owners and
third parties. Be aware that third-party information might
not be available to view.
These tables present guidelines and are not exhaustive. Fur-
ther, rig type and layout can impact information availability
or applicability. Therefore, a similar setup should be gener-
ated for the specific vessel and drill floor layout of any given
operation. It is recommended that the Driller not focus on
the dynamic-positioning (DP) system. Instead, the Driller
should rely the DP Operator to confirm that operations are
following approved procedures and for feedback regarding
watch circles/times.
Copyright © 2015
 AUTOMATION AU–9

Table AU-3: Key elements to monitor from the BOP panel.

Well head Well head BOP Acc system Flow count for functions
BOP line up Alarms
pressure Temp pressure (calculated and actual)

Drilling
X X X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X
BOP
Flow Check X
Well Control X X X X X X
Logging X X X X X

Table AU-3: Shows key elements to monitor from the BOP panel. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.

Table AU-4: Key elements to monitor from the choke panel.

Manifold Manifold MGS MGS MGS Choke

MGS liquid seal Choke Temp
line up Pressures differential temperature pressure Pressure

Drilling
X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X
MPD
Tripping X
Run/Retrieve
BOP
Flow Check X
Well Control X X X X X X X X
Logging X

Table AU-4: Shows key elements to monitor from the choke panel. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.

Table AU-5: Key elements to monitor

from logging systems.

Background gas

Drilling
X
Conventionally
Drilling with
Table AU-5: Shows key elements to monitor from MPD
X
logging systems. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.
Tripping
Run/Retrieve
BOP
Flow Check
Well Control X
Logging X

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015

AU–10 AUTOMATION

Table AU-6: Key elements to monitor from MWD and directional drilling tools.

Lateral
Stick Slip Whirl Actual WOB Actual Bit RPM Actual Bit Torque Well Trajectory
vibration

Drilling
X X X X X X X
Conventionally
Drilling with
X X X X X X X
MPD
Tripping
Run/Retrieve
BOP
Flow Check
Well Control
Logging

Table AU-6: Shows key elements to monitor from MWD and directional drilling tools. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.

Table AU-7: Key elements to monitor

from fire and gas systems.
Fire Gas
Fire Type Gas Type
Location Location

Drilling
X X X X Table AU-7: Shows key elements to monitor from fire
Conventionally
and gas systems. Courtesy Maersk Drilling.
Drilling with
X X X X
MPD
Tripping X X X X
Run/Retrieve
X X X X
BOP
Flow Check X X X X
Well Control X X X X
Logging X X X X

IADC Drilling Manual Copyright © 2015


Pending the system setup, there will be common or sever-
al monitors and systems from which the operator gets all
of the information, and the operator should be familiarized
with these systems before going into operation. Whether
dual-well centers with four or five chairs or one well center
with two or three chairs, it should be clearly specified what to
monitor during operation when located in one of these chairs.
Restricted access zone (red zone)
Rig crews identify and mark off areas that should be restrict-
ed to essential personnel only. Indication of this “red zone”
provides a simple and uniform procedure for identifying
and/or differentiating between the areas deemed hazard-
ous and less hazardous on the drill floor, pipe deck, riser
storage, moonpool and adjacent areas, and identifying haz-
ards in connection with handling operations.
On the drill floor, the restricted access zone is defined as the
drill floor and the area that can be impacted by equipment
remotely operated from the rig floor. This includes adjacent
walkways.
With the range of automatic and remotely operated pipe
and riser handling equipment in the restricted access zones,
as well as rotating machinery and high-pressure circulating
manifolds, the area can be deemed hazardous.
The red zone also provides a clearly defined and controlled
working environment for all drill floor activities and lifting op-
erations across the rig.
IADC Drilling Manual
AUTOMATION AU–11
The restricted access zones in connection with general lifting
operations are typically the areas of the deck or structure be-
low any crane or where the load of a crane can be expected
to land.
The general philosophy of the restricted access zone is to
establish a visual indication of an area where there is a high
potential for a hazardous event to occur if someone enters
without authorization.
The restricted access zone could and should be treated in a
similar way to that of a safety barrier taped-off area, exten-
sively used throughout the industry to control and prevent
unaware individuals from entering an area with potentially
hazardous conditions or events.
The intention is to identify the restricted access zone areas
for both drilling- and lifting-related operations and describe
the control measures to be implemented to minimize the
risks associated when working within the red zone.
Access to restricted zones in connection with lifting opera-
tions is normally not needed, but due to the large area a crane
or lifting device is able to cover, personnel can enter the lift-
ing zone without being aware of the potential hazards from
the overhead work. The restricted access zones are estab-
lished in order to avoid any personnel movement within the
work zones of a lifting appliance.
Copyright © 2015