Swabbing Operations
Possible Solutions
- Use appropriate equipment, rated for the expected pressures, to shut in the well.
- Inspect lubricators, swages, and unions for defects such as cuts, corrosion, and thread damage before use.
- Adjust oil savers by remote control with a hydraulic pump placed safely away from the wellhead.
- Train all personnel in emergency evacuation procedures.
- Place fire extinguishers in accessible positions.
- Move sources of potential ignition (such as, open fires for melting of babbitt) to designated areas at a safe distance from the wellhead or flammable liquid storage areas such as the swab tank before swabbing.
Swabbing Rigs
- Make provisions to contain spilled flammable liquids.
- Monitor the oil saver for wear and potential leakage.
- Remove all spillage of flammable liquids from equipment, cellars, rig floor, and ground area adjacent to the wellhead.
- Wear proper PPE, including respiratory protection, as required.
- Avoid approaching, walking over or standing near pressurized lines.
- Securely anchor pressurized lines to prevent whipping or bouncing caused by pressure surges.
- Use proper equipment inspection techniques to include hammer unions.
- Close the shut-off valve and bleed the pressure from the lubricator before removing it.
- Use a lubricator that will allow removal of the swab or other tools with the well shut in (valve closed).
- Use a dolly or other method to minimize manual handling of the equipment.
- Use a winch line, where available, not the swab line, to handle the lubricator.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-7. During swabbing operations, what should the worker do before removing a lubricator?
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