Allied Horizontal Wireline Services Revision Date: 30-Jul-14 Revision 2.1 Page1 EXPLOSIVES STANDARD (STANDARD 4) – AHWS-S04-EXP Standard Objective: The creation, distribution, and adherence to the Explosives Standard (AHWS-S04-EXP) are to satisfy 4 primary objectives. 1) To protect our employees and limit / mitigate any situation from creating an explosives hazard. 2) To educate our employees to the risks associated with the use of explosives in our operations. 3) To ensure compliance with all governing bodies with regards to explosives including BATFE, DOT, PHMSA, OSHA, and state regulations for specific states where sub or separate licensing is required (PA, LA, etc.) 4) To satisfy client requirements, to educate our clients, and to assist with the safe operating environment at the wellsite. The use of explosives to perforate well bores, or to assist in down-hole functions and remediation, is a normal part of oilfield wireline operations. The traditional methods for allowing communication between the wellbore and the formation through pipe or tubing are through the use of explosives and shaped charges. All explosives pose a danger to personnel which can only be controlled through the safe use and safe operating procedures. The overall guidance for oilfield explosives use is through the recommended practices from API RP-67 (Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety). This standard will aim to reduce associated risks of handling, transporting, using, and storing explosives as they relate to oilfield perforation services. This standard should serve as a guide and shall not constitute a replacement for the official rules, regulations, and procedures set forth by government agencies and compliance groups. Personnel Requirements and Training: All personnel within Allied Horizontal Well Services (AHWS) will receive documented training and will undergo specific background screening and checks. The background checks and training requirements are specific to each employee position type. For regions or districts that do not use, store, or come in contact with explosives, the training may be adjusted accordingly and the employees may be exempt from the standards protocol. There are 3 levels of formalized training. Level 1 training consists of general explosives information that will be given to all employees. Level 1 is a permanent training given when an employee is hired and is given during the orientation process. Level 2 training is given to all personnel who will be handling explosives and similar to Level 1 training. Level 2 training will be given every year for each of these employee types, and will be followed by a test for competency and understanding. Level 3 training is a hands on certification for field employees. This hands-on certification involves a manager who will verify that the engineer, operator, and/or explosive users in charge are following safe operating procedures. These procedures, including AHWS Explosives Field Safety Practices are a direct descendent from API RP-67. An explosive certified crew indicates that the crew leaving for the job has the proper knowledge and training to perform explosives operations at the wellsite. Crews that are un-certified, or have their certificates expired, will not be permitted to perform wellsite explosives operations. To be an explosives certified crew, 100% of the members must have completed level 1 or level 2 (if applicable) training. The engineer in charge must have level 3 training. Testing and Certification levels are summarized in Table 1.
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EXPLOSIVES STANDARD (STANDARD 4) AHWS-S04-EXP...EXPLOSIVES STANDARD (STANDARD 4) – AHWS-S04-EXP Standard Objective: The creation, distribution, and adherence to the Explosives Standard
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Level 1 All non-admin employees Introduction After Hire Date Permanent
Level 2 All non-admin employees Annual Explosives Exp. Certification Annual
Level 3 Field employees Hands on Certification Exp. Certification Permanent
State Permit Eng / Op / GL / Man. State Program / Test Exp. Certification Per State
AHWS employees are required to have level 1 training in order to handle, ship, receive, or transport explosives. Training
materials and requirements are summarized in Table 1.
Table 2: Training Level Requirements
Level 1: Training will include:
a) Classification and characteristics of explosives used in oilfield service operations. b) Perforation and Perf. Guns. c) Gunshop safety. d) Procedures for the safe handling of explosives, including detonators at wellsite e) Applicable laws and procedures concerning the transportation of explosives.
f) Explosive storage and security g)PEC Core
Level 2: Training will include:
a) Classification and characteristics of explosives used in oilfield service operations. b) Perforation and Perf. Guns. c) Gunshop safety. d) Procedures for the safe handling of explosives, including detonators at wellsite e) Applicable laws and procedures concerning the transportation of explosives. f) Explosive storage and security
Level 3: Hands on verification and checklist of safe operating procedures. (2% Test, FE Breakout)
Specific Employee Categories Explosive User in Charge The Explosives User in Charge is the explosive user responsible for safe explosive operations at the wellsite. The Explosives User in Charge shall be responsible for connecting detonators to explosive devices and shall therefore be trained and qualified to arm explosive devices in addition to completing certification. Explosive Trainee
An Explosives Trainee is any other person directly involved in explosives operations that has completed Level 1 training and that works under the direct supervision of an Explosive User.
Employee Prerequisites per BATFE regulations
The BATFE has specific prerequisites for any employee that will be exposed to explosives. Before becoming an employee, each
candidate will complete an “Employee Possessor Questionnaire”. The BATFE will review the questionnaire and verify that their
criteria have been met. If at any time before or during employment any of the below criteria comes into question, it is the
employees responsibility to notify their immediate or proposed manager. In addition, since for many of our locations exposure
to explosives material is unavoidable for day-to-day operations, any deviation or violation of the ATF criteria can be grounds
for dismissal.
BATFE Explosive Personnel Guideline
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to distribute to, or receive explosive materials from any individual who:
1) Is under 21 years of age
2) Has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
3) Is under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
4) Is a fugitive from justice.
5) Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled
Substances Act)
6) Has been adjudicated a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution.
7) Is an alien, other than as prescribed by BATFE Regulation of Explosives Chapter 40, Sec 842 part d7.
8) Has been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions.
9) Having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced the citizenship of that person.
Employee Responsibilities and General Rules
1) Employees are required to follow all applicable laws and regulations as put forth by BATFE, DOT, PHMSA, and local /
state agencies.
2) Employees are responsible for following the guidelines of this standard. Should a conflict exist between BATFE, DOT,
OSHA, or state agency requirements and this document, immediately notify a manager of the conflict before making
any decisions.
3) Employees are required to follow AHWS’ Explosives Field Safety Practices (pages 8-9), information and rules presented
in Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 training, and are as well required to follow the guidelines as prescribed by API RP-67.
4) Employees are responsible for ensuring that their training and certifications (both internal and external) are up to date
and they are subsequently qualified to for their duties including all work in and around explosives.
5) Employees are responsible for reporting to management any personal changes that may deem them inoperable per
the BATFE personnel qualification criteria.
6) Employees are responsible for reporting theft or loss of explosives immediately to their supervisor.
7) Employees may not distribute explosives material to any person or organization outside of AHWS, or knowingly
distribute material to any person whom is not explosives certified.
Magazines must be physically inspected twice per week. In addition, accurate records for magazines must be maintained per
approved AHWS Forms (pages 13-15).
“No Trespassing “, or “Visitors must check-in at front gate” sign must be posted at the facility.
Explosives material will be locked and secured appropriately and accounted for at all times.
For Transportation of Explosives, DOT and Hazmat rules will apply. In general:
a) All explosives shipments need to be properly secured.
b) Placards will be applied as required by DOT.
c) Hazmat form filled out appropriately when required by DOT.
d) Driver is qualified for Hazmat transportation.
e) Loads are not left unattended while traveling to, from, on wellsites, or at the base.
Field Operations
Human error is the principle cause of accidents and incidents involving explosives. Persons who use explosives on a regular basis over a long period of time must guard against becoming complacent and taking “short-cuts” with the required operations and procedures. The AHWS Explosives Field Safety Practices (pages 8-9) should be faithfully observed in order to prevent explosives accidents. Also, the general practices of Titan’s “Always and Never – Warnings and Instructions” (pages 10-11) should be observed. Unit Checks: When in safe mode, the cable circuit shall open all cable connectors from the electric wireline unit circuits and all conductors shall be shunted to armor through a nominal resistance of 5,000 ohms. This resistance shall be provided by a minimum of two similar resistors in parallel with the net resistance being 5,000 ohms. Electric Detonator Safety Tube: The electrical detonator safety tube shall be a heavy-walled tube with one end closed and a cover at the other end. Each tube design shall be shown to contain the fragments of the detonator in use and mitigate the blast. This tube is mandatory for use when connecting any detonator. Explosives warning signs shall include the words “DANGER EXPLOSIVES,” or equivalent. In operations involving electric detonators, warning signs should also include the words “TURN OFF RADIO TRANSMITTERS,” or equivalent. The explosives warning signs should be durable and should be visible and legible from a distance of 50 ft (15 m). Well site pressure testing of pressure control equipment should be completed prior to inserting a loaded explosive device into the lubricator. Integrity of the surface pressure control equipment can be tested and maintained using a Quick Test Safety Sub or a Wireline Safety Valve. These devices enable re-testing of the broken connection after introduction of the explosive device without applying pressure to the device itself. HMX Explosives: Special Handling of HMX Exposed to Elevated Temperature. Special attention must be paid when retrieving any device containing HMX explosive that has been exposed to a temperature exceeding the HMX phase transition temperature, which occurs at or above 150°C (300°F) and results in higher impact sensitivity. All HMX explosive devices shall be designed to prevent explosive from becoming loose during such a thermal cycle. Any uninitiated device containing HMX explosive that is retrieved after being exposed to a temperature exceeding the transition temperature shall be handled with care. The detonator shall be removed immediately and the gun or explosive device placed in a safe area for a period of not less than 24 hours. Downloading of explosives shall only take place at service company premises under its technical supervision. Specific consultation shall take place between the operator and the service company whenever it is planned to expose HMX charges to temperatures approaching or exceeding the transition
temperature, or whenever it is believed that charges may have been exposed to temperatures approaching or exceeding the transition temperature. Under such circumstances, operators and service companies are advised to review and agree to the retrieval and disarming procedures prior to deployment.
Perforating Guns Misfired - Retrieval to Surface
Conventional Perforating Gun:
The explosive device should be retrieved at a rate not exceeding any limits recommended by the manufacturer. The explosive
device should be kept in the well at a minimum depth of 200 ft (60 m) below ground level until the following steps have been
completed:
1. Notify the company representative to let him or her know a perforating gun has misfired.
2. Power down (re-enter safe mode). At a depth of not less than 200 ft (60 m) below ground level, place the cable
circuit back in safe mode and isolate unit power.
3. Lock circuits in safe mode. After placing the cable circuit in safe mode, the key to the lockout device shall be
removed and shall remain outside the electric wireline unit until the explosive device has been retrieved from the
well and has been disarmed.
4. Wait at a depth of not less than 200 ft (60 m) for minimum 30 minutes.
5. Relocate all personnel unnecessary to the operation to a safe area. Ensure all personnel are clear of the line of fire
of the explosive device.
6. All essential and non-essential personnel will meet at the location’s designated muster point to review all steps
involved in disarming misfired devices (JSA).
7. Non-essential personnel will remain at the muster point until the operation is complete.
8. Ensure all RF transmitting devices are off. If the RF transmitting device cannot be turned off, it must be
removed from location and must remain there for the entirety of the gun download process.
9. Turn off all power equipment (i.e. diesel, gasoline engines) not critical to the operation.
RF Safe Perforating Gun:
The explosive device should be retrieved at a rate not exceeding any limits recommended by the manufacturer. The explosive
device should be kept in the well at a minimum depth of 200 ft (60 m) below ground level until the following steps have been
completed:
1. Notify the company representative to let him or her know a perforating gun has misfired.
2. Power down (re-enter safe mode). At a depth of not less than 200 ft (60 m) below ground level, place the cable