W. C. “Dub” Goins

“Dub” Goins is recognized for his pioneering achievements in offshore well control. After graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Goins joined the US Army Chemical Corps, where he served for the duration of WW II. In 1946, he joined Gulf Oil Corp., where he worked until 1979.

Goins was the first to apply science and analysis to the art of well control. Unsatisfied with the “trial and error” approach used at that time for handling kicks, he wrote a series of equations that described kick phenomena, and developed the fundamental principle of constant bottomhole pressure. He further developed his observations and equations into three well-control methods: the Concurrent Method, the Drillers’ Method and the Weight-and-Wait (Engineers’) Method. Goins added basic techniques such as measuring slow pump rates and choke line pressure losses, as well as using casing pressure to start the pumps during a kill operation.

Goins’ techniques form the foundation for modern well control methods, and are described in several landmark publications. His methods are the basis of current training courses and virtually all well control training simulators. Being able to simulate realistic well control situations enables drillers to be trained to conduct safe offshore operations, where there is no second chance to correct a bad decision. Goins’ proven methods reduced offshore drilling risks to acceptable levels. For his pioneering work in well control Goins was awarded the SPE’s prestigious Lester C. Uren Award. He was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1990.