In brief
As Operations Engineer and later Deputy Manager with Essar (2018–2023), Inderpreet Singh was responsible for keeping land drilling rigs compliant and fit for contract. That covered recertification of drilling equipment to API standards, third-party inspection with DNV, and compliance with India's DGMS and OISD regulations. He supervised CAT IV recertification of a 1400 HP rig being upgraded for commissioning in Gabon, recognised by Essar in 2021. On tubulars he applied API RP 7G and DS-1 inspection categories, kept BHA running-hour and NDT registers, and had pipe segregated by the inspection technician into scrap, shop-repairable, field-repairable and acceptable. During an audit on a 750 HP rig he traced a ringing sound during pull-out-of-hole to a non-OEM drill line and a short mast cable, had the line replaced to the OEM manual, put interim controls in place for the crew and corrected the ordering codes so the right line would be ordered in future.
What does rig recertification involve?
For the 1400 HP rig being upgraded for commissioning in Gabon, I supervised the CAT IV recertification from material identification through procurement and refurbishment, supporting the preventive maintenance engineer on the rig. For a tender with a residual-life clause, the rig was refurbished in-house and witnessed by DNV as the third-party agency.
How were tubulars inspected?
I kept tubular records at each drill site and logged bottom hole assembly running hours daily. Drill pipe, drill collars, mud motors, heavy-weight drill pipe and stabilisers each have circulating-hour limits; when a limit was reached, the item was inspected by non-destructive testing. I referred to product datasheets to apply API RP 7G or DS-1 category inspection, and the inspector segregated tubulars into scrap, shop-repairable, field-repairable or acceptable based on tool-joint condition and wall thickness. The records fed the scrap register and NDT register.
What did the 750 HP rig risk assessment find?
- The installed down-feed and up-feed holdback mast lines were non-OEM: the line was replaced to the OEM Schramm parts manual.
- The mast cable was short, so the top drive could hit the crown block pulley: an interim visual marker warned the driller near the crown while the cable was replaced.
- Loose items could fall from the top drive: a drop-object survey was carried out every shift.
- Every crew member was briefed on the limitation in a toolbox talk, and the ordering codes were corrected.
HSE and environmental compliance
- Lock out, tag out (LOTO), job safety analysis (JSA), HIRA and risk registers.
- Hazardous waste from drill sites disposed of through authorised, licensed handlers identified with the Central and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Boards.
- Support for ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification at operational sites and head office, and revision of the emergency response plan during COVID.
What reviewers said
“Inderpreet in my opinion is a fully Proficient Engineer and has astute observational skills.”
“It is true that he always played a vital role in conducting TPIs and recertifications of tubulars as per the API standards.”
Sources
- Inderpreet Singh, CV (2026)
- Engineers Australia CPEng industry review, 20 February 2025 (evidence statements and reviewer comments)