AOGCC proposing to update regulation on well control training

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is proposing a change in its regulation on well control training requirements and will hold a hearing Jan. 7 to take comments on the proposed change.

The commission said it is proposing to repeal the existing regulation, 20 Alaska Administrative Code 25.527(d), and readopt “to provide for training in well control and to eliminate outdated references to the Code of Federal Regulations.”

The existing regulation requires training in accordance with federal code.

Under the proposed regulation the commission would recognize “training and certification in a drilling well control curriculum” by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, the International Well Control Forum or the International Alliance for Well Control.

The training would be required for a toolpusher, driller (or functional equivalent) or person in charge “who participates in open hole drilling operations or in workover operations involving the installation or removal of jointed tubulars...” Training must be “sufficient to ensure the competent performance of the person’s well control duties.”

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and be extended to provide opportunity for comments by all those present by 10 a.m. The commission will also accept written comments, which should be addressed to Jody Colombie, AOGCC, 333 W. 7th Ave., Ste. 100, Anchorage, AK 99501 and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

Copies of the proposed regulation are available at the commission or on its website: http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/ogc/homeogc.htm