Loss of Well Control (LoWC) is one of the most severe incidents in the oil and gas industry. It refers to situations where the pressure in a well can no longer be managed safely, potentially resulting in blowouts, fires, environmental damage, and loss of life. Causes range from mechanical failure and human error to unexpected geological conditions. LoWC is particularly critical in offshore drilling environments, where high pressures and complex technical systems converge. Industry history shows how devastating such events can be, with the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 serving as a stark reminder.
Managing Loss of Well Control requires the highest technical standards, regular training, and a strong safety culture. Technical barriers such as blowout preventers (BOPs), pressure sensors, and automatic shutdown systems form only part of the solution. Equally important are precise operating procedures, ongoing risk awareness, and the ability to respond quickly in an emergency.
Picture showing Loss of Well Control bowtie
One structured method to visualise and better understand the causes, barriers, and potential consequences of LoWC is the Bowtie analysis. This approach links hazard identification with both preventive and mitigative measures, helping to highlight weaknesses in the safety architecture. Especially in high-hazard industries like oil and gas, Bowtie analysis tools, like OpenRisk, supports systematic risk assessment and improves communication around critical controls.
Click here to see the Loss of Well Control Bowtie: https://openrisk.presight.com/bowtie/INDUSENERG/179
For more control over your Barrier Management strategy, you can implement Presight Barrier Management allowing you to ensure compliance, and a proactive approach. With Presight Barrier Management, you can monitor the health of your barriers, as part of your process safety management strategy to get a holistic overview of your human factors as well as your technical elements. With Presight Barrier Management you can confidently demonstrate that your assets are safe and that you know it.
