Shallow Drilling Hazards
Effective Date: 12/13/1972
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 002
December 13, 1972
The recent blowouts in wells drilling at shallow depth in the South Pass Areaoff the Louisiana coast suggest that additional measures should be taken whiledrilling to assure the early detection of shallow hydrocarbons. The use of gasdetecting equipment for continuous monitoring of the hydrocarbon content of thereturning mud stream on all exploratory wells drilling on OCS leases in the Gulfof Mexico Area is recommended from the time conductor pipe is set until totaldepth is reached
It is recommended that all operators review 30 CFR 250.41 and OCS Order No. 2and caution drilling personnel as to proper procedures to be followed in case ofthreatened loss of well control at shallow depths.
[signed] J.B. Lowenhaupt
for Robert F. Evans Oil and Gas Supervisor