Description
One of the fundamental risks in dynamic position (DP) rig operations is the loss of station keeping, which can be caused by equipment failure, human error, or adverse environmental conditions such as squalls. In such events, the rig needs to disconnect from the well, leaving the sealing elements of the blowout preventer (BOP) stack in a closed state on the wellhead, thus limiting environmental impact. This position paper describes potential issues and gaps in EDS design, shares lessons learned and recommended practices for EDS design and testing, proposes recommendations to operators, equipment owners, OEMs, and API committees, and reviews the existing standards and requirements for EDS systems.