The application of the SPAR-H method in managed-pressure drilling operations

This paper aims to share insights gained in the application of the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk-Human Reliability Analysis (SPAR-H) technique applied to a normal-operations scenario for a managed pressure drilling concept. SPAR-H was used to identify the potential for error for each individual task related to the concept. A Systematic Human Error and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) was performed to gain more insight into the qualitative aspects of the operation including the potential consequences for safety should a task be performed erroneously. For this project, the relative Human Error Probabilities (HEP) values of SPAR-H were used rather than HEPs as absolute performance indicators. With this approach, an evaluation of the concept was performed in terms of its potential for human error and a prioritized set of improvements for the concept was presented. Such application of SPAR-H was found to be a useful approach to aiding project managers in directing focus towards those issues that require most attention.