Root Cause Analyses
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving used for identifying the root cause(s) of a problem or event. A complex problem can have multiple root causes. Identification and removal of the root cause(s) prevents reoccurrence of the event. The objective of an RCA is to identify:- What happened
- How did it happen
- Why did it happen
- What actions are needed to prevent reoccurrence
Blade has the experience and expertise to conduct RCAs for complex problems or events. A multi-discipline approach has been used and is necessary to determining the root causes of downhole well failures, including metallurgical and corrosion testing and analysis, fluids chemistry, well and reservoir engineering, and geology.
A summary of Blade’s RCA case histories include:
- Analyses of production casing failures in US land shale wells that involved fracture stimulation treatments
- Analyses of parted casing or leaks in four high-pressure-high-temperature (HP-HT) wells in India that occurred while the wells were suspended and awaiting stimulation treatments
- Analysis of a geothermal well blowout caused by multiple casing failures at the surface in Australia
- Analyses of a casing failure and surface leak in a gas storage field well near a populated area
- Analysis of corrosion resistant alloy tubing failures in completion brine in a HP-HT well
