Safety is not just a priority in the oil and gas industry but a necessity. The nature of drilling operations presents inherent risks, and one of the most dangerous and labor-intensive tasks on a drilling rig is the slip-and-cut process. For decades, this critical operation has exposed rig hands to serious hazards, from hand and arm injuries to life-threatening accidents.
Cable Shark is changing this narrative, delivering innovative technology that makes the slip-and-cut process safer, reducing injuries and protecting lives.
The traditional slip-and-cut process, essential for replacing worn drilling lines, has remained essentially unchanged over the years. It involves manually measuring, marking, and cutting heavy-duty steel drilling lines and threading and spooling new lines onto the rig’s draw works. While the process is necessary to maintain equipment integrity, it is fraught with risks. Here are the key dangers:
1. Manual Cutting Risks
Traditional methods require rig hands to use tools like bolt cutters or torches to sever the steel line. This exposes them to:
2. Heavy Lifting Hazards
Handling and pulling heavy steel cables is a physically demanding task. Without proper equipment, workers are prone to:
3. Exposure to the Draw Works
Rig hands must often position themselves dangerously close to the drawworks to thread and spool the new line. This creates:
4. Inefficient Processes Increasing Risk Exposure
The longer the operation takes, the greater the exposure to hazards. Traditional slip-and-cut processes can take up to 2.25 hours, leaving workers in high-risk environments for extended periods.
Cable Shark eliminates these risks with advanced technology and innovative design. By automating and enclosing the most hazardous aspects of the slip-and-cut process, it drastically reduces the likelihood of injuries and fatalities. Here’s how Cable Shark makes the operation safer:
1. Enclosed Cutting System
The Cable Shark unit’s cutting system is fully enclosed, keeping rig hands safely away from the drilling line during the most dangerous part of the process. This offers:
2. Remote-Controlled Operations
The Cable Shark cutting and spooling processes are controlled remotely, allowing workers to operate the unit from a safe distance. This minimizes:
3. Ergonomic Design
Cable Shark’s design reduces the need for manual lifting and pulling by automating the threading and spooling of the line. This helps prevent:
4. Tight, Controlled Spooling
The unit’s drag feature ensures the new line is spooled tightly and securely onto the draw works drum. This eliminates the need for rig hands to:
Safety innovations like Cable Shark don’t just make tasks easier – they save lives. Here’s how the improved process compares to traditional methods:
Reduction in Exposure Time
Lower Injury Rates
According to industry data, slip-and-cut operations are a leading cause of injuries on drilling rigs, from minor lacerations to life-threatening incidents. By removing manual intervention, Cable Shark reduces:
With safety becoming an ever-greater focus in the industry, operators using Cable Shark can meet or exceed compliance standards for workplace safety, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
Case Study: Safety in Action
A major drilling operator implemented Cable Shark across its fleet and saw immediate results. During a 12-month period:
These results highlight the real-world impact of investing in safety technology.
Safety Beyond the Slip and Cut
While Cable Shark is designed specifically for slip-and-cut operations, its safety benefits extend beyond this single task:
Safety is not just about avoiding accidents – it’s about creating an environment where workers feel confident, valued, and protected. Cable Shark represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal. By automating the slip-and-cut process, it minimizes risks, enhances efficiency, and ensures compliance with industry safety standards.
Invest in safety. Invest in Cable Shark.