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Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Safety Factor
Pressure‐containing equipment is required to perform
with a sufficient margin of safety to allow for several
variables and uncertainties, such as materials’ yield
strength and tensile strength variations,
approximations in design calculations, stress
concentrations, machining tolerances, shock loading,
abuse and misuse in the field.
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Safety Factor
Such margin of safety is embodied in a “Safety Factor” (SF),
defined as:
For example, a Safety Factor (SF1) of 2 means that the
Design Working Stress is only half of the minimum yield
strength of the materials used.
The value of SF is imposed by design codes, industry rules,
government agencies or internal manufacturers’
regulations.
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Well Test Department
Working Pressure (WP)
The choices of SF and of the material’s yield strength
(or tensile strength) define the Working Pressure
rating (WP) of the equipment, usually expressed in psi
(pounds per square inch).
The WP is the maximum allowable pressure never to
be exceeded during field operations of the equipment.
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Test Pressure (TP)
To ensure proper operation at WP, pressure‐containing
equipment is tested at defined time intervals, at a
maximum pressure greater than or equal to WP,
defined as Test Pressure (TP).
The value of TP is recommended by the manufacturer,
and often stipulated by industry codes and
governmental agencies regulations.
API specifies a TP = 2 x WP or TP = 1.5 x WP for most
of the surface equipment concerned by this manual.
For downhole tools, Test Pressure is generally equal to
Working Pressure.
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Temperature Rating
A minimum and maximum temperature rating shall
be defined for all pressure containing equipment.
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Well Test Department
Categories of Pressure‐Containing Equipment
Usually, when dealing with flowing hydrocarbons, the
well stream pressure is reduced in stages. The process
equipment is designed in sections, with different
pressure ratings. The WP of the weakest component
within a section gives the section its overall pressure
rating. Each section of equipment shall either be
selected to withstand the maximum pressure that can
be exerted upon it under worst‐case conditions and
shall be protected by a suitable pressure
venting/relieving device.
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Categories of Pressure‐Containing Equipment
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Zone 1
This is equipment submitted to the full wellhead
pressure during normal operations. A failure of such
equipment can have severe consequences on
personnel. The minimum Safety Factor is usually equal
to 1.5. The equipment can be divided into three sub‐
Zones
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Well Test Department
Zone 1
Zone 1.1:
Surface equipment designed to handle only internal
pressure (e.g., WHE pressure control equipment).
Zone 1.2:
Surface equipment designed to handle and control full
wellhead pressure and flow from the flowhead or wellhead
to the process equipment. (e.g., flowheads, choke
manifolds, Phase Tester, test lines, etc.)
Zone 1.3:
Subsea equipment designed to handle internal pressure
and flow and located between the sea floor level and the
flowhead. (e.g., Subsea trees, fluted hanger, slick joint).
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Well Test Department
Zone 2
This is surface pressure vessels, piping equipment and
pumps handling pressure and flow down stream of the
wellhead equipment (flowheads, choke manifolds,
Xmas tree).
Failure of such equipment could have catastrophic
results on personnel. The Safety Factor is usually 2.0
but can be as high as 4.0 (e.g., for a separator vessel,
containing a large volume of gas under pressure).
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Well Test Department
Zone 3
This is completion, drill stem test (DST) and Tubing
Conveyed Perforating (TCP) equipment located below
the ground level or the sea bed subject to formation
and well bore pressure. The equipment handles
pressure and flow.
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Well Test Department
Zone 3
Zone 3.1: Subsurface Safety Valves are designed to
handle internal pressure and flow and are typically
located near the surface and require a high level of
quality control and certification.
Zone 3.2: Other downhole equipment.
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Well Test Department
Zone 3
It is recognized that failure of zone 3.2 equipment
would not, in normal circumstances, directly affect
personnel safety, but could have direct consequences
on the well itself. Due to the fact that this equipment
OD is limited by the well construction and that the ID
must be as large as possible, the available metal
thickness is limited and Safety Factors are usually 1.1 <
S.F. < 1.25.
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Well Test Department
Zone 0
This is an intermediate class of equipment covering
downhole sampling chambers. This equipment does
not represent a risk to personnel downhole, but falls
into Category 1 when brought back to surface. Safety
Factors vary from 1.2 to 3.0.
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Well Test Department
Service Type
The service types for pressure‐containing equipment
are defined by the following environmental
parameters:
Minimum Design Temperature
Maximum Operating Temperature
Type of fluid: H2S or Standard (No H2S).
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department
Pressure Testing of Equipment
Type of Pressures Tests
There are different types of “pressure tests” normally carried out by the
industry:
Design qualification and certification pressure tests. These tests are
mostly carried out by certifying agencies’ facilities. Their purpose is to verify
design criteria.
Factory acceptance, verification and equipment certification pressure
tests. Proof tests are carried out on production tools by the manufacturer or by
certifying agencies, as a manufacturing quality control routine step or as part of
a certification procedure.
Regular pressure tests . These tests are carried out at reception of the
equipment and at regular intervals throughout the useful life of the equipment.
Their purpose is to verify the equipment’s integrity and its capability to
function.
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Well Test Department
Pressure Testing of Equipment
The frequency of regular pressure tests is determined
by maintenance and qualification requirements
specific for each category of equipment. The frequency
can also be subject to compliance to local authority
regulations or contractual agreements. These tests are
covered in subsequent sections of these guidelines,
together with specific instructions.
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Well Test Department
Pressure Testing of Equipment
Hydrostatic Body Pressure Test. This is carried out to a Test Pressure
(TP) defined for each equipment type. The equipment is not operated
at this pressure, nor are valve seats tested. In‐line valves and BOP rams,
etc., must be in a partially opened position.
Hydrostatic body recommended testing routine consists of a primary
pressure‐holding period, followed by pressure reduction to zero and a
secondary pressure‐holding period. Duration of each period is
determined by industry codes or certification regulations.
Operational Pressure Test. The assembled equipment is pressurized
to Working Pressure (WP), moving systems are operated and valve
seats are tested.
Wellsite Pressure Test. A wellsite pressure test shall be carried out
after setup/rig‐up, prior to starting operations and at regular intervals
for long‐duration operations.
Mehran Engineering and well Services,
Well Test Department