Con tents of substraction fro m API Recom mended Practise 53 Reco mmended Practise fo r Blow-Out

Prevention Equipm ent.

7.1.1 Surface BOP Arrangements

7.4.1 Choke Manifold and Choke Lines Surface BOP Installations
7.4.3 Kill Lines Surface BOP Installations
7.9.9 Control System for surface BOP stacks.
7.5.4 Trip tank Surface BOPs
7.11.1 Tes ting a nd maintenance - surfa ce BOP stac ks a nd we ll contr ol equipment.

7.11.2 Surface BOP stack equipment.

7.4.6 Chokes and choke manifolds for Surface BOP installations.
7.11.2 Accumulator system for Surface BOP installations
7.11.5 Blow-out preventers for hydrogen sulphide service.

No. Instructions Comm ents and r ecorded Standards and

v alue s ins tructions

7.1.1 Surface BOP Arrangements

7.1.1.1 Eve ry i nstall ed ram BOP sh oul d ha ve, a s a mi nimu m, a wo rking p ressure equ al API RP 53 chapter 6.2
to the maxi mum antici pated s urface pre ssure to be en cou ntered .
7.1.1.2 R am typ e preve nters shou ld b e equ ipp ed wi th e xtensi on ha nd wh eel s o r API RP 53 chapter 6.3
h ydrau lica lly op erated l ocks.
7.1.1.3 D rill ing sp ool s for BOP sta cks sh oul d meet th e fo ll owi ng min imum qu ali fi cation s: API R P 5 3 chap te r 6.6.1 a,b
a . 3K an d 5K arra nge ments sho uld h ave two sid e outle ts n o small er th an a 2- an d c
i nch (5.08 cm) no min al di ameter an d be flan ge d, stud ded , or hu bb ed. 10K, 15K
a nd 20 K arran geme nts sh oul d ha ve tw o side o utlets, o ne 3 -inch (7 .6 2 cm) a nd
o ne 2-i nch (5 .0 8 cm) n omin al di ameter as a min imum, an d be flan ged , stud ded ,
o r h ubb ed . b. Have a ve rti cal bo re dia meter the same i nterna l dia meter as the
ma ti ng BOPs and a t le ast e qua l to th e maximu m b ore of th e up permo st
ca sing /tub in g hea d. c.Ha ve a rated w orkin g pressu re equ al to the rated w orkin g
p ressure o f the i nstall ed ram BOP.

7.1.1.4 For drilling operations, wellhead outlets should not be employed for choke or kill lines. API RP 53 chapter 6.6.2

7.4.1 Choke Manifold and Choke Lines Surface BOP Installations

7.4.1.1 Ma nifol d eq uip ment subj ect to we ll an d/or pu mp pressu re (norma lly up stre am of API RP 53 chapter 8.2.a
a nd in clud in g th e choke s) sh oul d ha ve a worki ng pre ssure eq ua l to o r g reater
tha n th e rated w orkin g pressu re of th e ram BOPs in u se. Thi s e qu ipme nt sh oul d
b e te ste d wh en in sta lle d in acco rda nce wi th p rovisi ons of Section 17 of API RP
53
7.4.1.2 For wo rking p ressure s of 3 ,0 00 psi (2 0.7 MPa) an d abo ve, fla nge d, wel ded , API RP 53 chapter 8.2.b
cl ampe d, o r o ther en d conn ection s th at a re in acco rdan ce with API Speci fi cation
6 A, sho ul d be emp loye d on comp on ents subj ected to wel l pre ssure.
7.4.1.3 The ch oke man ifold sh ou ld be p lace d in a rea dil y accessi ble l ocatio n, p referab ly API RP 53 chapter 8.2.c
o utside the ri g substructu re.
7.4.1.4 Whe n buffer ta nks are e mplo yed, provi sion sh oul d be ma de to isol ate a fa ilu re or API RP 53 chapter 8.2.d
ma lfunctio n.
7.4.1.5 Al l choke ma nifo ld val ves shou ld be ful l bo re. Two va lves are re commen ded API RP 53 chapter 8.2.e
b etwee n the BOP stack an d th e cho ke mani fo ld for instal latio ns wi th ra te d
w orkin g pressu res of 5,000 p si (34,5 MPa) a nd ab ove, On e of th ese two val ves
sh oul d be re motely con tro lle d. D urin g ope ratio ns, a ll val ves shou ld be fu lly
o pen ed o r ful ly close d.
7.4.1.6 A min imum of one remotel y o pera te d choke shou ld be i nstall ed on 10,00 0 psi API RP 53 chapter 8.2.f
(6 9.0 MPa), 1 5,00 0 psi (10 3.5 MPa), a nd 2 0,000 p si (138 .0 MPa) rated wo rking
p ressure ma nifol ds.
7.4.1.7 C hoke ma nifol d config uratio ns sho uld a llo w fo r re -routin g of fl ow (in the e vent of API RP 53 chapter 8.2.g
e rode d, p lug ged , o r ma lfunctio nin g parts) witho ut interru pting flo w control .
7.4.1.8 C onsi dera ti on sh oul d be gi ven to the lo w te mpera tu re prop erties o f the materi als API RP 53 chapter 8.2.h
u sed in i nstal latio ns to b e expo sed to un usua lly lo w te mpera tu res an d shou ld be
p rotected from freezi ng by he ating , d rain ing , fill ing w ith app ropri ate fl ui d, o r o th er
a ppro pria te mean s.
7.4.1.9 Pre ssure ga ug es suitab le for ope ratin g pressu re and d rill ing flu id servi ce sho uld API RP 53 chapter 8.2.I
b e instal led so th at d rill p ipe a nd a nnu lus pre ssures may be a ccura te ly moni to red
a nd rea di ly obse rved at th e sta ti on w here w ell co ntrol op eratio ns are to be
co ndu cte d.
7.4.1.10 The ch oke co ntrol station , wh ether at the cho ke mani fo ld or remo te fro m the ri g API RP 53 chapter 8.2.j
flo or, sh ou ld be a s co nven ien t a s p ossib le an d shou ld in clu de al l moni to rs
n ecessa ry to furn ish an o vervie w of the wel l control si tu ation . The ab ili ty to
mo nitor an d con tro l fro m the sa me loca ti on su ch items as sta ndp ipe p ressu re,
ca sing p ressu re , p ump strokes, etc., grea tl y incre ases we ll con tro l effi cien cy.
7.4.1.11 R ig ai r systems sho uld be che cked to assure th eir ad equ acy to p rovid e the API RP 53 chapter 8.2.k
n ecessa ry p ressu re and vo lume re qui remen ts for con tro ls and ch okes. Th e
re motely op era te d choke sh oul d be e qui ppe d with an e merg ency ba ckup system
su ch as a man ual p ump or ni tro gen fo r u se in the eve nt ri g air b ecome s
u nava ila ble .
Installation guide lines-Choke lines
7.4.1.12 The ch oke l ine s sh oul d be as straig ht as possi ble , be cause e rosi on at ben ds is API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.a.1
p ossib le du rin g ope ration s, con side ratio n shou ld be g iven to u sing flo w ta rgets at
b end s a nd o n blo ck e lls an d te es.
7.4.1.13 In ge ne ral, short radi us pip e ben ds (R/d<10) sho uld be targe te d in the d irectio n API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.a.1
o f exp ected flo w. For la rge rad ius pi pe b end s (R /d >10 ), targ ets a re gen eral ly
u nne cessa ry. Ben ds sometime h ave a wa ll thi ckness gre ater th an the strai ght
p ipe i n th e cho ke syste m (su ch as th e ne xt hi ghe r sch edu le) to further
co mpen sate for th e effe ct of ero sion . 90 ° blo ck e lls an d tees sho uld b e ta rge te d
i n th e dire ction o f flow . Where : R= Rad ius of pip e ben d mea sured a t the
ce ntreli ne. d= N omin al di ameter of the pi pe.
7.4.1.14 For flexi ble l ine s, co nsul t the man ufacturer' s g uid eli nes on w orkin g min imum API RP 53 ch apte r
b end ra di us to e nsure p rope r l eng th determi natio n and sa fe worki ng 8.3.1.a.2
co nfigu ratio n.
7.4.1.15 For articu lated lin e assemb lie s, con sult with the ma nufacture r's w ritte n API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.a.3
sp ecifica ti ons to de te rmine the d egre e of rela ti ve moveme nt a llo wab le b etwee n
e nd po in ts.
7.4.1.16 The l ine s a nd the li nes d own strea m the ch oke sh oul d be firmly an chore d to API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.b
p reven t exce ssive shi p or vibra tion .
7.4.1.17 The ch oke l ine a nd the li nes do wn stre am th e choke sh oul d ha ve a bore o f API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.c.1
su ffici ent size to pre vent excessi ve erosi on o r flu id friction : 1.Min imum
re commen ded si ze for choke l ine s i s 2 -inch (5 .0 8 cm) n omi nal d iame te r for 3K
a nd 5K a rrang emen ts an d 3-in ch (7.62 cm) no mina l dia meter fo r 1 0K, 15K an d
2 0K arran ge ments.
7.4.1.18 The ch oke l ine a nd the li nes do wn strea m the ch oke sho uld have a mi nimu m API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.c.2
re commen ded nomi nal i nsid e dia meter fo r l ine s d ow nstream of th e choke s
sh oul d be e qua l to o r g reater tha n th e nomi nal co nne ction si ze of the ch okes.
7.4.1.19 The ch oke li ne an d the li nes do wn stream the cho kes li nes do wnstrea m o f the API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.c.3
ch oke man ifold a re not no rmall y re qui red to contai n pre ssu re.
7.4.1.20 The ch oke li ne an d the li nes do wn stream the cho ke sho uld h ave for air or g as API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.c.4
d rilli ng o pera ti ons, mini mum 4-in ch (10.1 6 cm) n omin al di ameter li nes in sta lle d.
7.4.1.21 The b lee d li ne (the li ne that bypa sses the cho kes) shou ld b e at l east equ al in API RP 53 chapter 8.3.1.c.5
d iame te r to the ch oke li ne. Th is lin e all ows circu latio n of th e wel l with the
p reven te rs cl ose d whi le mai ntain ing a mi nimu m b ack pres sure. It also p ermits
h igh vo lume ble ed off o f we ll flui ds to re lie ve casi ng pre ssure wi th the p reve nters
cl osed .
7.4.3 Kill Lines Surface BOP Installations
7.4.3.1 All l ine s, val ves, check val ves and flo w fi ttin gs sho uld h ave a wo rking p ressu re API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.a
a t le ast e qu al to th e rated wo rking pressu re of the ra m BOPs in u se. Thi s
e qui pmen t sh oul d be tested wh en i nstall ed in a ccorda nce wi th provi sion s o f
Se cti on 1 7 of API RP 53
7.4.3.2 For wo rking p ressure s of 3 ,0 00 psi (2 0.7 MPa) an d abo ve, fla nge d, wel ded , API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.b
h ubb ed , or othe r e nd con ne cti ons that are in a ccorda nce w ith API Spe cificatio n
6 A, sho ul d be emp loye d.
7.4.3.3. C ompo nen t sh oul d be of suffi cien t d iame te r to pe rmit re ason abl e pu mpin g rates API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.c
w ithou t exce ssive frictio n. The mi nimu m re commen ded si ze is 2-in ch (5.08 mm)
n omin al di amete r.
7.4.3.4 Two ful l bore ma nu al val ves plu s a ch eck valve o r tw o fu ll bo re valve s (o ne of API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.d
w hich i s re motely op era te d) betwe en the stack ou tl et a nd the kil l lin e are
re commen ded fo r i nstall ation s w ith rated wo rking p ressu re of 5 ,0 00 psi (3 4.5
MPa ) o r g reate r. Re fe r to Figu res 11 an d 12 o f API R P 5 3
7.4.3.5 Pe riod ic ope ratio n, i nspe cti on, te sti ng a nd mai ntena nce sho ul d be pe rfo rmed on API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.e
the sa me sche dul e as empl oyed for the BOP Sta ck i n use (Re fe r to API RP 53
se cti on 17 .10)
7.4.3.6 Al l compo nen ts of th e kill l ine syste m sh oul d be pro te cte d from fre ezin g by API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.f
h eatin g, d rain ing , fill ing w ith pro per flui d, o r o th er ap prop riate mea ns.
7.4.3.7 C onsi dera ti on sh oul d be gi ven to the lo w te mpera tu re prop erties o f the materi als API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.g
u sed in i nstal latio ns to b e expo sed to un usua lly lo w te mpera tu res an d shou ld be
p rotected from freezi ng by he ating , d rain ing , fill ing w ith app ropri ate fl ui d, o r o th er
a ppro pria te mean s.
7.4.3.8 L ine s sh ou ld be a s strai ght as po ssibl e. Whe n ben ds are req uire d to API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.h
a ccommod ate ei th er dime nsio nal va riatio n(s) on se que ntial ri g ups or to fa cili ta te
h ook-u p to th e BOP, th e larg est ben d radi us all owa ble u nd er th e hoo k-up
re stra ints shou ld b e provi ded .
7.4.3.9 For rig id pi pe, the be nd rad ius sho uld be maxi mized . Beca use ero sion at b end s API R P 5 3 chap te r
i s p ossib le du ring ope ration , con side ratio n shou ld be g iven to u sing flo w ta rgets 10 .2 .1 .h .1
a t be nd s a nd on b lock el ls and te es. The d egre e to whi ch pip e ben ds are
su sceptib le to ero sion d epe nds o n th e ben d radi us, flo w rate, fl ow med ium, pip e
w all thi ckness, an d pip e materia l. H owe ver, i n ge nera l, sh ort ra diu s p ipe b en ds
(R /d <1 0) shou ld be targ eted i n th e dire cti on of exp ected flow . For larg e radi us
p ipe b en ds (R/d>1 0), targ ets are ge nera lly un nece ssary. Bend s so metime ha ve
a w all thi ckness g reater than the strai gh t pi pe in the ki ll system (such as the n ext
h igh er sche dul e) to furthe r co mpen sate for th e effe ct of ero sion . 90 ° blo ck e lls
a nd tee s sh oul d be targe te d in the d irectio n of flo w. Whe re: R=R adi us of p ip e
b end me asu red at th e centrel ine . d =No mina l dia meter of th e pip e.

7.4.3.10 For flexi ble l ine s, co nsul t the man ufacturer' s g uid eli nes on w orkin g min imum API R P 5 3 chap te r
b end ra di us to e nsure p rope r l eng th determi natio n and sa fe worki ng 10 .2 .1 .h .2
co nfigu ratio n.
7.4.3.11 For articu lated lin e assemb lie s, con sult with the ma nufacture r's w ritte n API R P 5 3 chap te r
sp ecifica ti ons to de te rmine the d egre e of rela ti ve moveme nt a llo wab le b etwee n 10 .2 .1 .h .3
e nd po in ts.
7.4.3.12 All lines should be firmly anchored to prevent excessive whip or vibration. API RP 53 chapter 10.2.1.I
7.4.3.13 The kill line should not be used as a fill-up line during normal drilling operations. API RP 53 chapter 10.2.2
7.9.9 Control System for surface BOP stacks.
7.9.9.1 The e leme nts of the BOP control syste m n ormal ly incl ude : a. Sto rage (re servo ir) API RP 53 chapter 12.1.a-f
e qui pmen t for sup plyi ng amp le con tro l fl uid to the p umpi ng system. b . Pu mpin g
systems for pressu rizin g the con tro l fl uid . c. Accu mula tor bottles for sto ring
p ressuri zed the co ntrol flui d. d . Hyd raul ic control ma ni fo ld for regu latin g th e
co ntrol flui d pre ssure an d dire cti ng the p owe r flu id flow to op erate the system
fun cti ons (BOPs and ch oke an d kill va lve s). e. Remo te co ntrol pa nel s fo r
o pera ti ng the h ydrau lic con tro l mani fo ld from remo te l ocatio ns. f. H ydrau lic
co ntrol flui d.

Accumulator Volumetric Capacity

7.9.9.2 Store d hyd raul ic fl uid . The flui d volu me recove rab le from th e accumu lator system definition API RP 53 chapter 12.3.1.a
b etwee n the maxi mum desi gne d accumu lato r o pera ti ng pre ssure an d the
p recha rge p ressure .
7.9.9.3 U sabl e hydra ul ic fl uid . The hyd raul ic fl uid re covera bl e fro m the a ccumul ator definition API RP 53 chapter 12.3.1.b
system be tw ee n th e maximu m a ccumul ator ope ratin g pressu re and 2 00 p si (1 .38
MPa ) a bove prech arge p ressure .
7.9.9.4 Mi nimu m ca lcul ated op era ti ng pre ssure. Th e mini mum calcu late d pressu re to definition API RP 53 chapter 12.3.1.c
e ffective ly close and se al a ram-type BOP ag ain st a we llb ore pre ssure eq ua l to
the ma ximum rated worki ng pre ssure of th e BOP d ivid ed by the clo sing ra ti o
sp ecifie d fo r th at BOP.
7.9.9.5 C ompo nen t min imu m o pera ti ng pre ssure reco mmend ed b y the ma nufacture r. definition API RP 53 chapter 12.3.1.d
The mi nimu m o pera ting p ressure to effectivel y cl ose a nd sea l ram-type or
a nnu lar-type preve nters und er norma l op eratin g cond ition s, as pre scribe d by the
ma nufactu re r.
7.9.9.6 BOP syste ms sh ou ld ha ve suffi cien t usa ble hydra uli c flu id vol ume (wi th p umps API RP 53 chapter 12.3.2
i nop erative ) to cl ose on e ann ula r-typ e pre venter, all ra m-typ e preve nters fro m a
ful l-op en p ositio n, a nd op en o ne HC R valve a gai nst ze ro wel lbo re pre ssure. After
cl osin g one ann ula r p reven te r, al l ram-type p reven te rs, an d ope nin g on e HCR
va lve, th e rema ini ng pre ssure sha ll be 2 00 p si (1.38 MPa) or more a bove th e
mi nimu m re commen ded p rech arge p ressure .
7.9.9.7 Accu mula to r re spo nse time. Resp onse time b etwe en activa ti on an d comp lete API RP 53 chapter 12.3.3
o pera ti on o f a functio n is base d on BOP or valve cl osure a nd se al off. For
su rfa ce insta lla tio ns, th e BOP con tro l syste m shou ld be ca pab le o f clo sing e ach
ra m BOP withi n 30 se cond s. Cl osin g ti me shou ld n ot e xceed 3 0 seco nds for
a nnu lar BOPs small er th an 18 ¾ in ches (47 .63 cm) nomi nal b ore an d 45
se cond s fo r a nnu lar pre venters of 18 ¾ i nche s (4 7.63 cm) nomi nal b ore a nd
l arge r. Re spon se time for choke a nd kil l valve s (e ithe r o pen o r cl ose) sho uld n ot
e xceed th e mini mum obse rved ram clo se respo nse time .
7.9.9.8 Ope rating p ressure . No a ccumu lator bo ttle sh oul d be o pera te d at a p ressure API RP 53 chapter 12.3.4
g reater than i ts rated w orkin g pre ssure.
7.9.9.9 Accu mula to r p rech arge . The pre charg e pre ssure on e ach accu mula to r b ottle API RP 53 chapter 12.3.5
sh oul d be me asure d prio r to ea ch BOP stack in sta lla ti on on e ach w ell a nd
a dju ste d if nece ssary.
7.9.9.10 The mi nimu m p recha rge p ressure for a 3,00 0 psi (2 0.7 MPa) worki ng pre ssure API RP 53 chapter 12.3.5
a ccumul ator sho uld b e 1,000 p si (6.9 MPa). Th e mini mum prech arge p ressure
for a 5,0 00 psi (3 4.5 MPa) worki ng pre ssure a ccumul ator shou ld be 1 ,5 00 p si
(1 0.3 MPa).
7.9.9.11 Onl y n itroge n ga s sh oul d be use d for accumu lator pre charg e. Th e prech arge API RP 53 chapter 12.3.5
p ressure sh ou ld be ch ecked a nd a dju ste d to w ithin 1 00 p si (0.69 MPa) of th e
se lected p rech arge p ressure a t the start of d rill ing e ach we ll.
7.9.9.12 Multi-bottle accumulator banks should have valving for bank isolation. API RP 53 chapter 12.3.6
7.9.9.13 An i sola ti on va lve sho uld h ave a rate d worki ng pre ssure at lea st e qui vale nt to the API RP 53 chapter 12.3.6
d esig ned worki ng pre ssure of th e syste m to w hich i t is attache d and must b e in
the o pe n posi ti on exce pt w hen accumu lators are i sola te d fo r se rvicin g, te sti ng, or
tran sportin g.
7.9.9.14 A pre ssure g aug e fo r me asuri ng the a ccumul ator prech arge p ressure sh ou ld be API RP 53 chapter 12.3.6
re adi ly avai lab le for in sta lla ti on at any time. Pressu re gau ges sho uld b e
ca lib rated to 1 pe rcent of ful l scale a t l east every three (3 ) ye ars.
Pump Systems
7.9.9.15 A pu mp syste m co nsists of o ne o r mo re pump s. Each p ump system ( prima ry API RP 53 chapter 12.4.1
a nd seco nda ry) sh oul d ha ve ind epe nde nt pow er source s, such a s e lectric o r a ir.
7.9.9.16 With the accu mul ators isol ated from service , the p ump system shou ld be ca pa ble API RP 53 chapter 12.4.1
o f clo sing th e ann ula r BOP (exclu din g the di verter) on the min imum size d rill p ipe
b ein g use d, o pen the h ydrau li call y o pera te d choke va lve(s), an d provi de the
o pera ti ng p ressure l evel re commen ded b y th e ann ula r BOP manu fa cturer to
e ffect a sea l on the an nul us with in two min utes.
7.9.9.17 The sa me pump system(s) may be u sed to pro vide p owe r flu id to con tro l both the API RP 53 chapter 12.4.2
BOP sta ck a nd the d iverter system.
7.9.9.18 Ea ch pu mp syste m sh oul d provi de a di scha rge pre ssure at lea st eq ui vale nt to API RP 53 chapter 12.4.3
the BOP con tro l syste m w orkin g pressu re. Ai r p umps sh oul d be cap abl e of
ch argi ng the a ccumul ators to the syste m wo rking pressu re with 75 p si (0.52
MPa ) mi nimu m a ir pressu re sup ply.
7.9.9.19 Ea ch pu mp syste m sh oul d be pro te cte d from over pre ssuriza ti on by a min imum API RP 53 chapter 12.4.4
o f two de vice s to li mit the p ump di scharg e pre ssure. On e devi ce, n ormal ly a
p ressure l imit switch, sho uld l imit th e pump d ischa rge pre ssure so tha t it wil l not
e xceed th e worki ng pre ssure of th e BOP co ntrol system. The se cond devi ce,
n ormal ly a reli ef va lve, sho uld b e sized to rel ieve at a flo w rate at l east eq ual to
the d esig n flow ra te o f the pu mp systems and sh oul d be se t to reli eve at not
mo re th an ten p ercen t ove r the co ntrol u nit pressu re.
7.9.9.20 D evice s u sed to pre vent pump system ove r p ressu rizatio n shou ld be i nstall ed API RP 53 chapter 12.4.4
d irectly in the control system sup ply li ne to th e accu mula to rs a nd sho uld not have
i sola ti on val ves or an y o th er mean s tha t co uld d efeat th eir in te nd ed pu rpose .
R upture d isc(s) or reli ef valve (s) tha t do n o automa tical ly reset are no t
re commen ded .
7.9.9.21 El ectrical a nd/o r (p neu matic) supp ly fo r p owe ring p ump s sh oul d be ava ila ble a t API RP 53 chapter 12.4.5
a ll times such tha t the p umps wi ll au to matical ly sta rt wh en the system pre ssure
h as decre ase d to a ppro ximatel y 9 0 pe rcent of the system wo rking p ressu re and
a utomatica lly stop w ithin p lus zero o r mi nus 10 0 psi (0 .6 9 MPa) of the BOP
co ntrol system worki ng p ressure .
7.9.9.22 Al l valve s, fitti ngs , an d other comp one nts, su ch as pressu re switche s, API RP 53 chapter 12.5.1
tran sduce rs, tran smitte rs, etc., sho uld h ave a w orkin g pressu re at l east eq ual to
the ra te d wo rking p ressure o f the con trol system. BOP control system rated
w orkin g pressu re is usu all y 3 ,0 00 psi (2 0.7 MPa).
7.9.9.23 Al l pip ing co mpo nen ts an d all thre ade d pi pe con nectio ns in sta lle d on the BOP API RP 53 chapter 12.5.2
co ntrol system sho uld co nform to the d esig n an d to lera nce spe cificati ons for
Ame rican N ation al Stan dard s Tap er Pipe Th re ad s a s sp ecifie d in ANSI B1.20 .1 .
Pi pe an d pi pe fitti ngs sho uld co nform to speci fi cation s o f ANSI B31 .3 .
7.9.9.24 If w eld fitting s are use d, the w eld er sha ll be ce rti fi ed for th e app lica bl e proce dure API RP 53 chapter 12.5.2
re qui red. We ldi ng sh oul d be pe rfo rmed in a ccord ance w ith a written we ld
p roced ure sp ecifica ti on (WPS), wri tten a nd qu ali fied i n accord ance w ith Arti cle II
o f ASME Boi ler an d Pressure Ve ssel Co de, Sectio n IX.
7.9.9.25 Al l rigi d or fl exib le li nes b etwee n th e control syste m a nd BOP stack sho uld be API RP 53 chapter 12.5.2
fla me retarda nt, i nclu din g end co nn ection s, an d shou ld ha ve a wo rking p ressure
e qua l to th e worki ng pre ssure of th e BOP co ntrol system.
7.9.9.26 Al l control system in tercon nect pip ing , tubi ng , ho se, l inka ges, etc., sho uld b e API RP 53 chapter 12.5.2
p rotected from da mage d urin g dril lin g ope ratio ns, o r d ay-to-da y e qui pme nt
mo vemen t.
7.9.9.27 The ma nifol d shou ld be equ ipp ed wi th a ful l-bo re val ve to w hich a se para te API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.a
o pera ti ng flui d pump ca n be e asil y co nne cte d.
7.9.9.28 The co ntrol system sho uld b e equ ipp ed to al low i sola ti on of both the p umps an d API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.b
the a ccumu lators from th e mani fo ld an d an nul ar control ci rcuits, thu s a llo win g
ma inten an ce and re pai r w ork.
7.9.9.29 The co ntrol system sho uld b e equ ipp ed w ith accura te p ressure g au ges to API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.c
i ndi cate: (1 ) a ccumu lator pre ssure, (2) regu lated ma ni fo ld pre ssure, (3) ann ula r
p ressure , an d (4) ai r su ppl y p ressure .
7.9.9.30 The co ntrol system shou ld be equ ipp ed wi th a p ressu re regu latin g valve to API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.d
p ermit manu al con tro l of the ann ula r p reven te r o pera ting p ressure .
7.9.9.31 The co ntrol system sho uld b e equ ipp ed w ith a regu latin g valve to co ntrol the API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.e
o pera ti ng p ressure o n th e ram BOPs. Th e con tro l uni t sho uld b e eq uip ped w ith a
b ypass li ne a nd val ve to a llo w fu ll accu mula tor pressu re to b e app lie d on the
ma nifol d, i f d esire d.
7.9.9.32 C ontrol va lves must be cl earl y ma rked to ind icate (1) wh ich p reven te r o r ch oke API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.f
l ine va lve ea ch con tro l valve o pera te s, a nd (2) the po sition o f the va lves (i.e.,
o pen , clo sed , ne utral). Each BOP control va lve sho uld b e in the o pen p ositio n
(n ot the neu tra l posi ti on) du ring d rill ing o pe ration s.
7.9.9.33 The ch oke l ine h ydrau lic val ve shou ld be in the clo sed po sition d uri ng no rmal API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.f
o pera ti on s. The con tro l valve h and le tha t op erates the b lin d rams shou ld be
p rotected to avo id un inten ti on al op eratio n, b ut a llo w fu ll o pera ti on from th e
re mote pan el w ithou t in te rfe rence .
7.9.9.34 Al l pressu re gau ges on th e BOP con tro l syste m sh oul d be ca lib rated to an API RP 53 chapter 12.5.3.g
a ccuracy of 1 perce nt o f ful l scale a t le ast e very 3 yea rs.
7.9.9.35 The u se of d iese l oil , kero sen e, mo to r o il, chai n oil , or a ny other simi lar flui d is API RP 53 chapter 12.6.1
n ot re commen ded b ecau se of th e possi bil ity o f ex plo sion s o r re sili ent seal
7.9.9.36 Ea ch closi ng un it sh oul d ha ve a fl uid re servoi r w ith a cap acity equ al to at l east API RP 53 chapter 12.6.2
twi ce th e usab le flui d cap acity of the a ccumul ator syste m.
7.9.9.37 Ai r b reathe r o utle ts, of su ffici ent size, sho uld b e instal led to avo id p ressuri zation API RP 53 chapter 12.6.2
o f the tan k d urin g hydra uli c tran sfe rs o r nitrog en transfers if a nitrog en b ackup
system is in sta lle d.
7.9.9.38 The h ydrau lic con tro l uni t sho ul d be lo cated in a s afe pla ce th at i s e asil y API RP 53 chapter 12.7
a ccessib le to rig pe rsonn el in an eme rgen cy.
7.9.9.39 The h ydrau lic co ntrol un it sh oul d also b e lo cated to preve nt e xcessi ve drai nag e API RP 53 chapter 12.7
o r flo w back from the op eratin g lin es to th e reservo ir. Sh oul d th e accu mula to r
b anks be loca te d a substan ti al d istance from or be low the BOP stack, a ddi ti ona l
re servoi r vo lume o r a ltern ative mea ns shou ld be provi ded to comp ensa te fo r flo w
b ack in the cl osin g lin es.
7.9.9.40 The i nstall atio n shou ld be e qui pp ed wi th a d rill er remote con tro l pan el su ch th at API RP 53 chapter 12.8
the o pe ration o f ea ch BOP a nd con tro l valve ca n be co ntroll ed from a posi ti on
re adi ly accessi ble to the d rill er. C onsi dera ti on sho ul d be gi ven to th e ne ed for
a nd ad di ti ona l remote con tro l sta ti on(s) a t a safe di sta nce from th e rig flo or.
7.4.5 Trip tank Surface BOPs
7.4.5.1 A trip tank is a l ow-vo lume , [100 b arrel s(15.9 m³) or less] cal ibra te d ta nk th at ca n API RP 53 chapter 15.6
b e isol ated from the rema ind er of the surface dri lli ng flui d syste m a nd use d to
a ccuratel y mo nito r the a moun t of fl uid g oi ng in to o r co ming from the we ll. A
vo lume ch an ge of hal f a ba rrel sho uld be ea sily de te cte d.
7.4.5.2 A trip tank ma y b e of a ny shap e pro vide d th e capa bil ity e xists fo r re adi ng the API RP 53 chapter 15.6
vo lume co ntai ned i n th e ta nk at any li qui d leve l. The re ado ut may be di rect to
re mote, p refera bly bo th .
7.4.5.3 The si ze and co nfigu ratio n of the tan k sh ou ld be su ch th at vo lume ch an ges on API RP 53 chapter 15.6
the o rder of one -hal f b arrel ca n be ea sily de te cte d by the rea dou t a rra ng emen t.
7.4.5.4 Tan ks co ntai nin g tw o compa rtme nts w ith moni to ring arran geme nts i n each API RP 53 chapter 15.6
co mpartmen t a re preferre d as th is fa cili ta te s re movin g or ad din g dril lin g fl uid
w ithou t in te rrup ti ng rig o pera ti ons.
7.4.5.5 Other use s of the trip tan k i nclu de me asuri ng dri lli ng flui d or water vol ume in to API RP 53 chapter 15.6
the a nn ulu s w hen re tu rns are lo st, mon itorin g th e hol e whi le lo gg ing o r fol low ing
a ce ment jo b, ca lib rating d rill ing flu id pu mps, e tc.
7.4.5.6 The trip tan k i s a lso use d to measu re th e volu me of drill ing fl uid b led from or API RP 53 chapter 15.6
p umpe d into the we ll as p ipe i s strip ped i nto or ou t of th e wel l.
7.11.1 T estin g and maintenan ce - surface BOP stacks and well
co ntro l equip men t.
7.11.1.1 The p urpo ses for vario us fi eld test prog rams on d rill ing w ell co ntrol eq uip ment API RP 53 chapter 17.1.a-c
a re to ve rify: a . That speci fi c fun cti ons a re ope ration all y re ady. b. The pressu re
i ntegri ty of the in sta lle d equ ipme nt. c. Th e control system an d BOP co mpatib ili ty.
7.11.1.2 Test prog rams inco rpo rate visua l insp ection s, fun cti ona l ope ration s, pre ssure API RP 53 chapter 17.2
tests, ma inte nan ce practice s, an d dril ls. For p urpo ses of thi s d ocume nt, the
fol low ing d efin ition s a re used for the b asic types of te sts.
7.11.1.3 The inspec tion te st. The co mmon col lective te rm u sed to sta te the vario us definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.2.1
p roced ural e xamin ation o f fla ws th at ma y i nflue nce eq ui pmen t pe rfo rmance .
The se insp ection tests may in clud e, b ut a re not limi te d to visua l, d imen sion al,
a udi ble , ha rdne ss, fun cti ona l, a nd pre ssure tests. Insp ection p ractices an d
p roced ures vary an d are o utside the sco pe of this do cumen t. An examp le o f
so me insp ection g uid eli ne s ca n be foun d in IADC/SPE pa per 23 900 . A fiel d
g uid e fo r su rfa ce BOP Eq uip ment In spectio ns, W.J Ka nd el an d D.J. Streu,
Feb ruary 19 92.
7.11.1.4 The function tes t. The o pera ti on of a pie ce of equ ipme nt o r a system to verify definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.2.2
i ts in te nde d op eratio n. Fun cti on testin g typ ical ly doe s n ot i nclu de p ressure
testin g. A ctu ation test, o pera ti ng test, a nd rea din ess test a re other terms
co mmonl y u sed syn onymo usly for fu nction test.
7.11.1.5 The pr ess ur e tes t. Peri odi c a ppl icatio n of p ressu re to a p iece o f eq ui pmen t or a definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.2.3
system to verify th e pre ssure con ta inme nt ca pa bil ity for the eq uip ment or system.
"Wel lbo re test" i s a nothe r d escri ptive term fre que ntly used syn on ymousl y for
p ressure test.
7.11.1.6 The hy dr aulic ope ra tor te st. The a ppl icatio n of a pressu re te st to any hy drau lic definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.2.4
o pera te d comp one nt o f hyd rau lic-actu ated eq uip ment. H ydrau lic o pera to r tests
a re typ ical ly spec ified b y the ma nufacture r fo r su ch items as: BOP ope rator
cyl ind ers and bon net assemb lie s, hyd rau lic val ve actuators, hydra uli c
co nne cto rs, e tc. Op eratin g chamb er te st i s freq uen tl y u sed syno nymo usly for
h ydrau lic op era to r test. (N ote: The d efin ition s o f test p ressure , de sign pressu re,
o pera ti on al cha racteristic tests, etc., as u se d in o th er API do cume nts, may ha ve
me ani ng/in tent more ap prop riate to man ufacturin g proce sses and th e inten ded
d escrip ti on may d iffe r w ith fi eld u sage .)
7.11.1.7 Si te -speci fi c a pp lica ti ons of th e differen t type s o f tests o n wel l con tro l equ ipme nt definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.2.4
sh oul d be i ncorp orated d urin g fi eld accep ta nce tests, in itial ri g-up te sts, dril ls,
p erio dic op era ti ng tests, mai ntena nce p ractices, and d rill ing o pera ti on s. (No te :
Tech niq ue s a nd step-b y-ste p or how -to -te st p roced ures sho uld b e de velo ped for
e ach rig b eca use of th e varyin g eq uip ment, d iffe rent instal latio n arra nge ments
a nd we ll-sp ecific d ri lli ng p rogra ms. The pro cedu re fo r te sti ng the BOP stack, dril l
strin g safety valve s, cho ke/kill l ine s, an d mani fo ld u pstream of th e buffer
ch ambe r a re usu all y si mila r for most rigs. Pressure test prog rams fo r th e
w ell hea d an d casin g shou ld be p rescrib ed b y the o pera to r o n an i ndi vidu al we ll
b ases. Man ufacturer op eratin g and main te nan ce docu ments, contractor
ma inten an ce prog rams, a nd op eratin g exp erie nces sho uld b e in corpo rated in to
the sp ecific test proce dure s.

7.11.1.8 Func tion te sts. Fu nctio n te sts may or may no t in clud e pre ssure tests. Functio n definition. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.1
tests shou ld b e altern ated from th e dri lle r's p ane l and fro m mi ni-re mo te pan els, if
o n loca ti on . (Re fe r to wo rkshee ts in API RP 53 App end ix A). Actua ti on times
sh oul d be re corde d as a data b ase for eval uatin g tre nd s. (Re fe r to wo rkshee ts in
API RP 53 Ap pen dix A).
Pressure tests
7.11.1.9 Al l blo w-ou t pre ven ti on comp one nts tha t ma y b e expo sed to we ll pre ssure sho uld API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.1
b e te ste d first to a lo w pressu re of 2 00 to 30 0 psi (1.38 to 2 .1 MPa ) a nd then to a
h igh p ressu re .
7.11.1.10 Whe n perfo rmi ng the l ow pre ssure test, do not app ly a hig her pre ssure a nd bl eed API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.1
d own to the l ow test p ressure . The hi gh er pressu re coul d ini ti ate a sea l th at ma y
co ntinu e to seal a fter the pre ssure i s l owe red an d th erefore mi srepre sen ti ng a
l ow pre ssure con di ti on.
7.11.1.11 A stable low test pressure should be maintained for at least 5 minutes. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.1
7.11.1.12 The i nitia l hig h pre ssure test o n compo ne nts tha t cou ld be e xpo sed to wel l API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
p ressure (BOP stack, ch oke man ifold , an d coke /ki ll li nes) sho uld b e to th e rated
w orkin g pressu re of th e ram BOPs or to th e rated w orkin g pressu re of the
w ell hea d th at th e sta ck i s i nstall ed on , w hich ever is lo wer.
7.11.1.13 Ini ti al pre ssure tests are de fi ned a s th ose tests tha t sho uld be pe rfo rmed on API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
l ocatio n be fo re th e wel l is spud ded or before the e qui pmen t i s p ut i nto
o pera ti on al servi ce.
7.11.1.14 D iverter systems are typica lly pre ssure tested to a lo w pressu re onl y (re fe r to API API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
R ecomme nde d Practice 64 ).
7.11.1.15 An nul ar BOPs, wi th a j oin t of dril l pip e insta lle d, ma y b e te ste d to th e te st API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
p ressure a pp lie d to the ra m BOPs or to a mini mu m of 7 0 perce nt o f the a nnu lar
p reven te r w orkin g pre ssure, whi cheve r i s the l esser.
7.11.1.16 The l owe r ke lly val ves, kell y, kel ly cock, d rill p ipe sa fe ty val ves, insi de BOPs a nd API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
top d rive sa fe ty val ves, sh oul d be tested w ith water pre ssure ap pli ed from be low
to a lo w pre ssure of 200 -300 p si (1.38 to 2.1 MPa) then to the ra te d worki ng
p ressure .
7.11.1.17 The re may be i nstance s w hen the a vai lab le BOP stack an d/or th e we llh ead h ave API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.2
h igh er worki ng p ressure s tha n are req uire d for th e speci fi c w ell bore co ndi ti ons
d ue to eq uip ment avai lab ili ty. Speci al co ndi ti ons such a s the se sho uld b e
co vered i n the site-sp ecific we ll con tro l pressu re te st p rogra m.
7.11.1.18 Su bseq ue nt h igh p ressure tests on the w ell co ntrol comp one nts shou ld be to a API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.3
p ressure g rea te r tha n th e maximu m a nticip ated su rfa ce pressu re, b ut n ot to
e xceed th e worki ng pre ssure of th e ram BOPs. The maxi mum antici pated
su rfa ce pressu re sho uld b e determi ned by th e ope rator base d on sp ecific
a nticip ated w ell co ndi ti ons.
7.11.1.19 An nul ar BOPs, wi th a j oin t of dril l pip e insta lle d, sh oul d be tested to a min imum API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.3
o f 70 p erce nt o f thei r w orkin g pressu re or to th e te st pre ssure of the ram BOPs,
w hich ever is le ss. Su bseq uen t pre ssure tests are tests tha t sho uld be pe rfo rmed
a t id entifie d pe riod s d urin g dril lin g and compl etion a cti vity o n a wel l.
7.11.1.20 A stabl e hi gh test p ressure sh oul d be ma intai ned for at lea st 5 mi nutes. Wi th API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.3
l arge r si ze ann ul ar BOPs some sma ll move ment typ ical ly con tin ue s w ithin the
l arge ru bbe r ma ss fo r p rolo nge d peri ods after pre ssure is ap pli ed. Th is pa cker
cre ep move ment sho uld b e consi dere d wh en mon itorin g th e pressu re test o f the
a nnu lar.
7.11.1.21 Pre ssure test o pera ti ons sh oul d be al te rnatel y co ntrol led from the vari ous con tro l API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.3
statio ns.
7.11.1.22 The p ressure test performe d on h ydrau lic cha mbers of ann ul ar BOPs sho uld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.4
to at lea st 1,50 0 psi (1 0.3 MPa).
7.11.1.23 Ini ti al pre ssure tests on hyd raul ic chamb ers of ra m BOPs an d hydra uli call y API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.4
o pera te d val ves shou ld be to the ma ximum op eratin g pressu re recomme nd ed by
the ma nu fa ctu rer.
7.11.1.24 The test should be run on both the opening and the closing chambers. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.4
7.11.1.25 Pressure should be stabilized for at least 5 minutes. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.4
7.11.1.26 Su bseq uen t pre ssure tests are typica lly pe rfo rmed on h ydra uli c ch ambe rs o nly API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.4
b etwee n wel ls or whe n th e eq uip ment is reasse mble d.
7.11.1.27 The i nitia l pressu re te st on th e closi ng un it va lves, mani fo ld s, ga uge s, an d BOP API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.5
h ydrau lic con tro l lin es shou ld b e to the ra te d worki ng p ressure o f the con tro l uni t.
7.11.1.28 Su bseq ue nt p ressure tests of cl osin g un it systems are typi call y p erformed API RP 53 chapter 17.3.2.5
fol low ing the disco nne cti on or rep air of an y o pera ti ng pre ssure con tain ment seal
i n th e closi ng u nit syste m, bu t li mited to th e affected comp one nt.
7.11.1.29 Pre ssure tests on the we ll con tro l equ ipme nt shou ld be co ndu cted at lea st: a. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.3
Pri or to sp ud o r u pon i nstall ation . b. Afte r the d iscon nectio n or rep air of any
p ressure co ntai nmen t sea l in the BOP sta ck, cho ke lin e, o r ch oke ma nifol d, b ut
l imited to the a ffected co mpon ent. c. No t to excee d 21 d ays.
7.11.1.30 Wel l control e qui pme nt sh oul d be pre ssure tested w ith water. Air shou ld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.3.5
re moved from the system be fo re te st pre ssure is a ppl ied . Co ntrol systems and
h ydrau lic cha mbe rs sh oul d be tested u sing cl ean co ntrol system fl uid s w ith
l ubri cate an d corrosi on ad ditive s for the in tend ed servi ce and o pe rating
temp erature s.
7.11.1.31 Pre ssure ga ug es and ch art re corde rs sh ou ld be u sed an d al l te sti ng resu lts API RP 53 chapter 17.3.6
re corde d. P re ssure me asure ments shou ld be ma de a t no t le ss tha n 25 p ercen t
n or more tha n 75 pe rcent of the fu ll pre ssure spa n of the gau ge.
7.11.1.32 The re sults of all BOP equ ipme nt p ressure and fun cti on tests sh al l be API RP 53 chapter 17.3.7
d ocume nted a nd in clud e, a s a mi nimu m, the testin g sequ ence , the l ow an d hig h
test pressu res, th e dura ti on of ea ch te st, and the re sults of th e respe cti ve
co mpon en t tests.
7.11.1.33 Pre ssure tests sh al l be pe rfo rmed wi th a p ressure chart record er or equ ival ent API RP 53 chapter 17.3.7
d ata acq uisi ti on system and si gne d by pu mp ope rator, co ntractor's tool p ushe r,
a nd op era ti ng comp any rep resen ta tive.
7.11.1.34 Pro ble ms o bserve d duri ng testin g and a ny action s ta ken to remed y the p rob lems API RP 53 chapter 17.3.7
sh oul d be do cumen ted.
7.11.1.35 Ma nufacture rs sh oul d be i nformed o f we ll con tro l equ ipme nt th at fai ls to p erform API RP 53 chapter 17.3.7
i n th e fi eld . (Re fe r to API Speci fi cation 1 6A).
General Testing Considerations
7.11.1.36 R ig crew s sh oul d be a lerted w hen p ressure te st op eratio ns are to be co ndu cte d API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
a nd wh en testin g ope ration s a re un derw ay. Onl y n ecessa ry p erso nne l shou ld
re main i n th e test a rea.
7.11.1.37 Onl y p erson nel a uthori zed b y the w ell si te su pervi sor shou ld g o into the test a rea API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
to in spect fo r l eaks wh en the e qui pmen t in volve d is un der pre ssure.
7.11.1.38 Tig hteni ng , rep air, or any othe r w ork is to b e do ne on ly afte r p ressu re has be en API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
re lea sed a nd al l partie s h ave ag ree d th at the re is no po ssib ility of pressu re bei ng
trap ped .
7.11.1.39 Pressure should be released only through pressure-release lines. API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
7.11.1.40 Al l lin es and co nne cti ons tha t are u sed in the te st pro cedu res shou ld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
a deq uatel y se cured .
7.11.1.41 Al l fi ttin g, co nne cti ons an d pi pin g used i n pressu re testing o pera ti ons sha ll h ave API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
p ressure ra ti ngs gre ater th an the ma ximum an ti cipa te d te st p ressure .
7.11.1.42 Ve rify the typ e, p ressure ra ti ng, size, an d end co nne cti ons for ea ch pie ce of API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
e qui pmen t to be tested , as d ocume nted by pe rmane nt ma rkin gs on the
e qui pmen t o r b y re cords that are tracea bl e to the e qui pmen t.
7.11.1.43 Whe n a BOP stack is te ste d on the w ell hea d, a proce dure sh oul d be a vail abl e to API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
mo nitor pre ssure on the ca sin g shou ld the test p lu g lea k.
7.11.1.44 If the co ntrol system reg ula to r ci rcuit is equ ipp ed w ith hydro -pne umatic API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
re gul ators, a backu p supp ly is recomme nde d to pil ot the re gul ators in ca se th e
ri g air sup ply is lo st.
7.11.1.45 Fun cti ona l te sts of th e con tro l syste m sh oul d incl ude a simul ated lo ss o f po wer to API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
the co ntrol un it a nd to the con tro l pan el.
7.11.1.46 Ve rti cal stack ali gnme nt sh ou ld be ch ecked a nd flan ge b olt make-u p shou ld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
torq ued to pre scribe d ratin gs establ ishe d in API S peci fi cation 6 A.
7.11.1.47 If h ydrog en su lph ide b eari ng formatio ns are a nticip ated, manu facturer's API RP 53 chapter 17.3.8
ce rti fi cation fo r co mplia nce w ith NACE Stand ard MR0 17 5 shou ld be a vail abl e
a nd revi ewe d for wel l control e qui pmen t, as de scribe d in API R P 5 3 Sectio n 20.
7.8.3 Diverter System Surface BOP Installations
7.8.3.1 Al l dive rte r system comp on ents shal l be in specte d and tested to a sce rtain p rope r API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1
i nstall ation a nd fun cti oni ng. Simul ate lo ss o f rig a ir supp ly to the d ive rte r co ntrol
system an d de te rmine , effects, if any, on the d iverter system, ve nt l ine valve s,
a nd ba ckup su ppl y systems.
7.8.3.2 C heck an d verify th e prop er structural mo untin g of the ann ula r se ali ng de vice API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.a
a ssembl y, an d, i f ap pli cab le, th at the i nsert packi ng e leme nt i s se cured i n pla ce.
7.8.3.3 For in sta lla ti ons u sing re mote ope rators, re cord h ydrau lic pre ssure an d air sup ply API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.b
p ressure w ith th e accu mula to r ful ly charg ed a nd the con tro ls in the n ormal d rill ing
p ositio n.
7.8.3.4 Actua te th e dive rte r cl ose an d op en seq uen ce with dri ll pi pe o r test mand rel in API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.c
the d iverte r to veri fy con tro l fu nction s, pro pe r e qui pmen t op eratin g seq uen ce and
i nterlo ck, if ap plic abl e, a nd reco rd respo nse time (s).
7.8.3.5 A pre ssure in tegri ty test [20 0 psi (1.38 MPa ) mini mu m] sh oul d be mad e on the API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.d
d iverter system after each i nstall ation . The tests may be mad e on pa rts o f the
system or on i nd ivid ual co mpon ents of th e syste m sh oul d certain co mpon en ts of
the ca sing stri ng or rise r co mpon ents not sup port a compl ete syste m test.
7.8.3.6 Pu mp water o r d rilli ng flu id throu gh the di verter system at l ow pre ssure an d hig h API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.e
flo w rates an d check ven t li ne(s) for returns. Examin e the en ti re syste m for le aks,
e xcessive vi bratio ns, and p rope r tie d own w hi le pu mpin g fl uid a t hi gh ra te s.
7.8.3.7 In col d clima te s, the d iverter ven t li nes sha ll b e protected from freezi ng. Possi ble API RP 53 chapter 17.4.1.f
me th ods in clu de flush ing w ith anti-free ze sol ution , dra ini ng, insu latio n, and h eat
traci ng.
7.11.2 Surface BOP stack equipment.
7.11.2.1 Unless restricted by height, the entire stack should be pressure tested as a unit. API RP 53 chapter 17.5.2
7.11.2.2 Annular BOPs should be tested with the smallest OD pipe to be used. API RP 53 chapter 17.5.3
7.11.2.3 Fixe d bore p ipe ra ms sh oul d be tested o nly on th e pip e OD si ze th at ma tch es the API RP 53 chapter 17.5.4
i nstall ed pi pe ram bl ocks.
7.11.2.4 Va riab le bo re rams shou ld be ini ti all y p ressure tested o n th e la rgest and sma lle st API RP 53 chapter 17.5.5
OD pi pe size s tha t may be u sed d urin g th e wel l ope ratio ns.
7.11.2.5 Bl ind ra m BOPs and b lin d she ar ram BOPs sho uld n ot b e tested wh en pi pe is in API RP 53 chapter 17.5.6
the stack.
7.11.2.6 The ca pab ili ty of th e she ar ram and ra m o pera to r sh ou ld be ve rified w ith th e BOP API RP 53 chapter 17.5.6
ma nufacture r for the pl an ned d rill strin g.
7.11.2.7 The sh ear ram an d preve nter de sign a nd/or metal lurg ical d ifferen ces amon g dril l API RP 53 chapter 17.5.6
p ipe ma nufacture rs ma y re qu ire hi gh clo sing p ressure s for she ar op eratio ns.
7.11.2.8 Pri or to testin g each ra m BOP, th e secon dary rod se als (e me rge ncy packo ff API RP 53 chapter 17.5.7
a ssembl ies) sho uld b e checke d to ensu re th e sea ls have n ot b een e ne rgize d.
7.11.1.9 Sh oul d th e ram shaft se al l eak du ring the test, th e seal sh all b e repa ired ra ther API RP 53 chapter 17.5.7
tha n ene rgizi ng the se cond ary packi ng.
7.11.1.10 R am BOPs eq uip ped w ith ram lock s sh oul d be pre ssure tested w ith ram locks in API RP 53 chapter 17.5.8
the cl osed p ositio n an d closi ng pre ssure bl ed to zero .
7.11.1.11 Manual locks either screw clockwise or counter-clockwise, to hold the rams closed. API RP 53 chapter 17.5.8

7.11.1.12 H and w hee ls shou ld be in pl ace an d th e th rea ds on the ram lo cking sh aft sh oul d API RP 53 chapter 17.5.8
b e in a con ditio n th at all ows the lo cks to be e asi ly ope rated.
7.11.1.13 The BOP el astomeri c co mpon ents th at ma y be exp osed to we ll flui ds sho uld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.5.9
ve rified b y th e BOP man ufacturer as ap pro pria te for the dri lli ng flui ds to be use d
a nd for the an ti cipa te d te mpera tures to whi ch expo sed.
7.11.1.14 C onsi dera ti on sho uld b e gi ven to th e te mpera ture an d fl uid co ndi ti ons d urin g wel l API RP 53 chapter 17.5.9
testin g and co mple ti on o pera ti ons.
7.11.1.15 Ma nufactu re rs' ma rking s for BOP e la sto meric comp one nts sh oul d incl ud e th e API RP 53 chapter 17.5.9.1
d urome te r h ard ness, gen eric type of comp oun d, d ate of ma nu fa ctu re, p art
n umbe r, an d op eratin g te mpera tu re ran ge of th e compo ne nt.
7.11.1.16 C onsi der rep laci ng critica l BOP el astome ri c co mpo nen ts on w ell co ntrol API RP 53 chapter 17.5.9.2
e qui pmen t that has b een o ut o f servi ce fo r si x (6 ) mo nths or lo nge r.
7.11.1.17 Fle xibl e choke a nd kil l lin es sho uld b e te ste d to th e same pre ssure, fre que ncy, API RP 53 chapter 17.5.10
a nd du ration a s the ram BOPs.
7.11.1.18 Ve rify tha t a p rope rly prech arge d surge bottle is or can b e instal led adj acen t to API RP 53 chapter 17.5.12
the a nn ula r p reven te r i f con ti nge ncy we ll con tro l proce dure s i nclu de strip pin g
o pera ti on s.
7.11.1.19 The d rill p ipe te st jo int and ca sing ra m test sub sh oul d be con stru cted of pip e API RP 53 chapter 17.5.12
tha t can withstan d th e te nsil e, co lla pse , an d intern al pre ssure s tha t wi ll be p lace d
o n th em du ring testin g ope ration s.
7.4.6 Chokes and choke manifolds for Surface BOP installations.
7.4.6.1 The ch oke man ifold u pstrea m o f an d incl udi ng the l ost h igh p ressure va lves API RP 53 chapter 17.6.1
(re fe r to API R P 5 3 fig ure 8 ) sh oul d be tested to the same p ressure a s the ram
7.4.6.2 BOPs.
The co nfig uratio n of p ipe s a nd va lves do wnstrea m o f the la st h igh p ressure va lve API RP 53 chapter 17.6.2
va ries from instal latio n to instal latio n. Ea ch con fi gura ti on sho uld b e verifie d for
me chan ical i nteg rity.
7.4.6.3 The valves and adjustable chokes should be operated to verify smooth operation. API RP 53 chapter 17.6.3
7.4.6.4 Ad justab le cho kes are n ot re qui red to be full se al ing d evice s. Pressu re te sti ng API RP 53 chapter 17.6.4
a gai nst a cl osed ch oke i s n ot re qui red.
7.4.6.5 The ri g main te na nce an d insp ection s ched ule sh oul d provi de for pe riod ic non - API RP 53 chapter 17.11.8
d estructive e xamin ation o f the mud /g as sep arator to verify pressu re inte grity.
Thi s e xamin ation may be pe rfo rmed by hyd rostatic, ultraso nic, or other
e xamin ation me thod s.
7.11.2 Accumulator system for Surface BOP installations
17.11.2.20 A ccumulator clos ing te st. Th e purp ose of th is test i s to veri fy that th e API RP 53 chapter 17.7.1
a ccumul ator syste m is prop erly size d to su ppo rt the flu id vol ume an d pressu re
re qui remen ts o f the BOPs o n th e rig u sing the fol low ing p roced ure ; (Re fe r to
sa mple w orkshe ets and e xampl es in API R P 5 3 Appe ndi x A).
17.11.2.21 A ccumulator clos ing te st procedure. a. Po sition a p rop erly size j oin t of dril l API R P 5 3 chap te r 17.7.1 a-
p ipe o r a te st man drel i n th e BOPs. b. Turn o ff th e pow er supp ly to all g
a ccumul ator cha rgin g pump s (a ir, e lectric, etc.) c. Reco rd the in itial a ccumul ator
p ressure . (The in itia l accumu lator pre ssure sho uld b e the de sign ed op era ti ng
p ressure o f the a ccumul ator.) Ma nifol d and ann ula r re gul ators shou ld b e set a t
the ma nu fa ctu rer's recomme nde d op eratin g pressu re fo r th e BOP stack. d.
Ind ivid ual ly close each ra m BOP (excep ti ng b lind or bli nd/she ar ram BOPs) an d
re cord the clo sin g ti me. To simu late clo sure of th e bl ind o r b lin d/shea r ra ms,
o pen o ne se t of th e pip e rams. Clo sing time s sh all me et the re spo nse time
stip ula te d in API RP 53 Sectio n 12 .3 .2 . e. Fun cti on the h ydrau lic op erated
va lve(s) an d reco rd th e ti me and vo lume re qu ired f. Clo se th e ann ula r B OP
a nd reco rd the clo sing time . g. Reco rd th e fina l accumu lator pre ssure. Th e fina l
a ccumul ator pres sure sha ll be e qua l to o r g rea te r tha n 200 p si (1.8 MPa) ab ove
p recha rge p ressure .
17.11.2.22 After each wel l, the w ell co ntrol eq uip ment sho uld b e clea ned , visu al ly insp ected, API RP 53 chapter 17.10.1
p reven ta tive mai ntena nce pe rfo rmed, an d pressu re te ste d be fo re instal latio n on
the n ext wel l.
17.11.2.23 The ma nufa ctu rer's te st pro ced ures, as prescri bed i n th eir in sta lla tion , op eratio n, API RP 53 chapter 17.10.1
a nd mai nten ance (IOM) ma nua l, sh oul d be fol low ed al ong w ith th e test
re commen datio ns of API RP 53 Tab le 1 . All l eaks an d malfun cti ons sh oul d be
co rrected pri or to pla cing the e qui pmen t i n service .
Visual inspection flexible choke and kill lines
17.11.2.24 A visu al exte rn al i nspe cti on of fl exib le cho ke an d kill l ine s thro ugh the entire API RP 53 chapter 17.10.2.a
l eng th o f the l ine sh oul d incl ude : a . Outer Jacket. Vi sual ly insp ect to e nsure tha t
the o uter ja cket i s i ntact to pro te ct the p olyme ric shea th u nde rne ath fro m tea ring
a nd be in g pun ctu red. Verify th at th e outer ja cket i s p rop erly attache d at b oth en d
fitting s. Ve ri fy tha t the en ti re surface o f the po lymeri c sh eath is pro tected. If any
d amag e is no ti ced on the o uter ja cket, veri fy that it w ill n ot b e de tri me ntal to the
p olyme ric shea th .
17.11.2.25 Termi natio n. R ecord a ny dama ge to the coa ti ng o n th e end -fi ttin g, a nd mo nitor API RP 53 chapter 17.10.2.b
p rogre ssion o f da mage . Faci litate rep air, if n ecessa ry.
17.11.2.26 C onn ector. Pa rti cula rly insp ect th e seal a rea of th e con nectors reco rdin g any API RP 53 chapter 17.10.2.c
d amag e and mo nitor pro gre ssion o f da mage .
Major inspections
17.11.2.27 After every 3 -5 years of service , the BOP sta ck, cho ke mani fo ld, and dive rte r API RP 53 chapter 17.10.3
co mpon en ts sho uld b e disa ssembl ed a nd in spected i n accord an ce with the
ma nufactu re r's gui del ine s.
17.11.2.28 El astomeri c co mpon en ts sho uld b e chan ge d out and su rfa ce fini shes sho uld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.10.3
e xamin ed for we ar and co rrosio n. C ritical d imen sion s sh ou ld be ch ecked a gai nst
the ma nu fa ctu rer's all owa ble w ea r l imits. Ind ivid ual co mpon ents can b e
i nspe cte d on a stag gere d sche dul e.
17.11.2.29 A full i nterna l and e xte rna l insp ection o f the fle xi bl e choke a nd kil l lin es shou ld b e API RP 53 chapter 17.10.3
p erformed i n accord ance w ith the eq uip ment manu fa cturer's gu ide lin es.
17.11.2.30 Ma nufacture r's i nstal latio n, o pera ti on, an d main te nan ce (IOM) manu als sho ul d API RP 53 chapter 17.11.1
b e avai lab le on the rig for all the BOP equ ipme nt instal led o n th e rig.
17.11.2.31 Stud s a nd n uts sh oul d be ch ecked for pro per size a nd g ra de . Usi ng the API RP 53 chapter 17.11.2
a ppro pria te lub rican t, to rque sh oul d be a ppl ied i n a criss-cross man ner to the
fla nge stu ds. Al l bol ts sho uld the n be re checke d fo r p rope r to rque a s p rescrib ed
i n API Sp ecifica ti on 6A. Wh en maki ng u p conn ection s, exce ssive force sh oul d
n ot b e req uire d to b ring the co nn ection s i nto ali gnme nt.
17.11.2.32 R ing g askets coa te d with a resi lie nt ma te rial su ch as rub ber or API RP 53 chapter 17.11.2
p olye tra fl uo re thyle ne (PTFE) sho uld n ot b e use d. D ue to th e limi te d amo unt of
d eformatio n wh ich a gro ove can ma ke in a ri ng as it is compre ssed du ring
i nstall ation , it is no t reco mmend ed to reuse ring g askets.
17.11.2.33 Whe n makin g up pro prie ta ry cl amp h ubb ed con nectio ns, th e manu fa ctu rer's API RP 53 chapter 17.11.2
re commen ded p roced ure sho ul d be foll owe d.
17.11.2.34 Sp are pa rts sh oul d be de sign ed for thei r i ntend ed use by ind ustry a ppro ved an d API RP 53 chapter 17.11.3
a ccepted practice s. Afte r sp are pa rt in stalla tion , the affected p ressure -contai nin g
e qui pmen t sh all b e pressu re te ste d. E lastome ric compo nen ts sha ll be sto red in a
ma nne r re commen de d by th e equ ipme nt manu fa ctu rer.
17.11.2.35 The o rigi nal e qui pmen t man ufacture r sh oul d be con sul te d rega rdin g repl aceme nt API RP 53 chapter 17.11.3
p arts. If rep lace ment parts are a cqui red from a non -orig ina l eq uip ment
ma nufacture r, the pa rts sh all b e equ ival ent to o r s upe rior to th e orig ina l
e qui pmen t an d fu lly tested , de sign ve rified , an d sup ported b y trace ab le
d ocume
17.11.2.36 Ma nua lsntation . ti ns contai nin g torq ue sp ecifica ti ons sho uld b e ava ila ble o n th e
or bu lle API RP 53 chapter 17.11.4
ri g. As stated i n API RP 53 se cti on 17 .11.2, to rque sp ecifica tion s a nd the
l ubri cant's coe ffici ent of frictio n sho uld b e consi dere d whe n troll ing fasten ers.
D evia ti ng from th e spe cified l ubri cant can a lter th e requ ired torq ue.
7.11.2.37 A pl ann ed ma inten ance system, with e qui pmen t id entifie d, tasks sp ecifie d, a nd API RP 53 chapter 17.12.1
the time i nterva ls betwe en tasks sta te d, shou ld be e mplo yed on each ri g.
R ecord s o f mai nten ance p erformed a nd re pai rs ma de sho uld b e main tain ed on
fil e at the rig site or rea dil y a vail abl e fo r the app lica ble BOP equ ipme nt.
7.11.2.38 C opi es of e qui pmen t man ufacture rs' pro du ct al erts o r e qui pmen t bu lle ti ns API RP 53 chapter 17.12.2
sh oul d be mai ntain ed a t the rig si te o r re adi ly avai lab le for the ap pli cabl e BOP
7.11.2.39 e qui
D rawipmen t. win g ram spa ce-ou t an d bore o f the BOP sta ck a nd a d rawi ng of th e
ng sho API RP 53 chapter 17.13.1
ch oke man ifol d show ing the p ressure ra ti ng o f the comp one nts shou ld be o n th e
ri g and ma inta ine d up to date. Re fe r to API R P 5 3 fi gure 1 9 for an exa mple
d rawi ng
7.11.2.40 A bil l of ma te rial sh oul d acco mp an y the e qui pmen t dra win gs to correctly id entify API RP 53 chapter 17.13.1
the e qui pmen t an d al low the p rocure ment of co rrect re pl aceme nt p arts.
7.11.2.41 C han ges to the BOP co ntrol system sho uld b e docu mented . A metho d shou ld be API RP 53 chapter 17.13.1
e sta bli shed to co ntrol the dra win gs, e nsu ring tha t up -to -date d ocume ntation i s
ma intai ned .
7.11.2.42 Eq uip ment reco rds such as API ma nufa ctu ring d ocume ntation , NAC E API RP 53 chapter 17.13.2
ce rti fi cation , a nd factory accep ta nce testin g repo rts sho uld b e retai ned . Where
re qui red, cop ies of th e manu fa ctu rer's eq uip ment da ta b ook an d th ird pa rty
ce rti fi cation sh ou ld be a vail abl e fo r re view .
7.11.2.43 A mai ntena nce a nd rep air hi sto rical fil e sho uld b e main ta ine d by seria l nu mber API RP 53 chapter 17.13.3
o n each majo r p iece o f eq uip ment. Th is fi le sho uld fol low the e qu ipme nt w hen i t
i s tran sfe rred. Equ ipme nt ma lfunctio ns or fa ilu res sho uld b e repo rte d in wri ti ng to
the e qu ipme nt ma nufacture r a s state d in API Sp ecifica ti on 1 6A.
7.11.2.44 Sh op testing a fter maj or in spectio n or equ ipme nt w eld repa irs shou ld b API RP 53 chapter 17.13.4

7.11.5 Blow-out preventers for hydrogen sulphide service.

7.11.5.1 API RP 53 chapter 20.1

7.11.5.2 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.1

7.11.5.3 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.1

7.11.5.4 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.2

7.11.5.5 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.2

7.11.5.6 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.3

7.11.5.7 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.4

7.11.5.8 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.5

7.11.5.9 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.6

7.11.5.10 API RP 53 chapter 20.2.6

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No. Instructions Comm ents and r ecorded Standards and
v alue s ins tructions
7.11.5.11 El astomeri c co mpon en ts are a lso sub ject to hydro gen su lph ide a tta ck. Ni tri le API RP 53 chapter 20.2.7
e lastome ric compo ne nts w hich me et o th er requ ire me nts may be sui ta ble for
h ydrog en su lph ide se rvice pro vide d dril lin g fl uid s are pro perl y trea te d. Se rvice
l ife shorten s ra pi dly as tempe rature in crease s fro m 1 50° F to 200 °F (6 5.6° C to
9 3°C ). In the eve nt flo wli ne tempe rature s i n excess of 200 °F (93° C) are
a nticip ated , the eq uip ment manu facturer sho uld b e consu lted . Ela sto meric
co mpon en ts sho uld b e chan ge d out as soon a s p ossi ble a fter exp osure to
h ydrog en su lph ide u nde r p ressure .
7.11.5.12 C han ges p rescrib ed by the pri mary equ ipme nt manu fa ctu rer to re nde r e qu ipme nt API RP 53 chapter 20.2.8
a cceptab le for servi ce in a hyd roge n sul phi de en viron ment shou ld n ot b e
o verlo oked in pro vidi ng for repl aceme nt a nd re pai r p arts.

© Modu Spec Eng ine erin g (IN T) BV API R P 5 3 Pa ge 2 of 3