How Oil Drilling Has Improved

Feb 15, 2013 by INC Staff Writer

Though oil is one of the most important resources we have, it is also one of the most dangerous to acquire. As is typical of human thinking, we tend to recall bigger but less likely incidents as opposed to everyday ones: for example, most of us recall car accidents above safe arrivals.

The oil industry has taken these concerns to heart, since it benefits them in enormous ways to care about the safety of their workers and their procedures.

Working with regulators

Smaller oil companies tend to have more accidents than bigger ones: it is often more difficult for them to supply proper health and safety measures. However, regulators, such as in the US, have decided they would work with such companies to provide much needed advice.

By being open with current operations, instead of hiding out of fear, companies have seen distinct safety improvements. There are now, reports TIME magazine, “stories from the field about crews now refusing to take shortcuts, confident that management will stand behind them.”

This benefits everyone in terms of being more secure.

Using Robots

Sending remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) into more dangerous, inaccessible areas has also reduced dangers to human workers. A state of the art ROV can cost as much as $1 million and several are usually dispatched at once. New US federal regulations necessitate that each rig come with its own ROV. These drastically reduce dangers for all involved and can be efficient at helping crews should an incident occur.

Furthermore, the future of nanotechnology will also drastically improve how much and where oil is required – since as much as 50% of oil remains after drilling. This would mean less drilling sites and more oil acquisition.

Better detection

Tracking and detecting oil has also improved, thanks to a combination of improvements in different technology sectors. For example, better satellite tracking and improved thermal imaging reduce the time needed to find oil reserves.  By doing so, oil companies spend less time, energy, effort and waste less resources and less of the environment in acquiring oil. If you attend any oil forum, you will often see this as a major selling-point in terms of improving the industry.

Media scrutiny

The 24/7 rolling news and social media means big companies are under constant scrutiny. This has changed many policies in the last few years, since businesses have realised that investors can easily see the outcome of their investment. This has improved the lives of workers and the environment, since those who would take unnecessary risks do not.

In the end, it’s important and beneficial to all involved to improve safety, take fewer chances and advance technology in oil drilling.

Featured images: License: Creative Commons image source