Document No: HQS-OPS-TIB-ELEV-019

Author: HQS-Maintenance

TECHNICAL SERVICES Reviewed by: M. Darwiche

BULLETIN Approved by: V. Berthou

Bulletin Issue Date: 23-Aug-17

Bulletin Revision #: 00

The attached document has been reviewed to determine its validity and applicability within
Transocean.

RMS File Name: TO17311

NOV Elevator - Dropped Object Due To Incorrect Installation Of Lock
Subject:
Washer
Equipment: Elevator
Manufacturer: National Oilwell Varco (NOV)
Vendor Doc. No.: 1000012145-SA Rev02
Model(s): BX-3; BX4-50; BX4-75; BX-5; BX-7; BXS
Tag No.: PH-ELEV-XXX
ARC DDS DPS DWC ENR KG2 TBR
CAJ DEN DPT DWD EXS LDR TSB
CRL DGD DSL DWF HGR MAR
Applicable Rigs:
DAS DID DSP DWM JAB PBL
DCL DIN DTH DWN JRY PBS
DCQ DPN DVS DWP KG1 POL

Operations/Safety Critical? YES

Actions:
This Bulletin was reviewed by Technical Services and shall be implemented. A job has been
created in the CMMS, the job must remain open until all actions have been completed. Any
deviations to this Bulletin must be managed via the exemption process.
Job Target Completion Date 15-Oct-2017

Clarification can be obtained from the author.

Comments:
 NOV has issued the attached safety alert as a follow up to bulletin BX-169-PIB-001 which
was previously issued in RMS as TO15387 Rev00. The required actions associated with
TO15387 were to visually inspect the bolt and lock washer on BX5 elevator. The PM
plans were also updated to include this inspection. The attached safety alert is now
recommending modifications to the elevators.

REV: 00 23-Aug-17 Document No. HQS-OPS-TIB-ELEV-019 Page 1 of 2

 Document No: HQS-OPS-TIB-ELEV-019

Author: HQS-Maintenance

TECHNICAL SERVICES Reviewed by: M. Darwiche

BULLETIN Approved by: V. Berthou

Bulletin Issue Date: 23-Aug-17

Bulletin Revision #: 00

Required Actions:
NOTE: Transocean Technical Services agrees with NOV that the current washer
arrangement needs to be improved. However, the use of Nord-Lock washers combined with
the use of Loctite thread lock is Transocean’s preference rather than tab washers as
proposed by NOV
 Remove existing tab washer and replace it with a Nord-Lock washer. Apply Loctite to the
threads of the bolt prior to reinstating it in place. Tighten bolt up to the recommended
torque as per the elevator’s operations manual.
 Add lock wire as per step (3) in the NOV safety alert 1000012145-SA Rev02.

REV: 00 23-Aug-17 Document No. HQS-OPS-TIB-ELEV-019 Page 2 of 2

 Product Safety Alert

Date: 23 July 2017

Bulletin Number: 1000012145-SA Revision: 02

Handling Tools

Subject: Dropped object, due to incorrect installation of lock washer.

Product Model: BX elevators

Effectivity: BX3, BX4-35, BX4-50, BX4-75, BX5, BX7, BX9, BX-S

Affected Assemblies: 203300*/ 10023967-001 BX3, 50005300*/ 10457625-001 BX4-35,

50000640*/ 10091627-001 BX4-50, 50000650*/ 10034284-001 BX4-75,
50004000*/ 10705608-001 BX5, 50000580*/ 10112883-001 BX7, 10776954
BX9, 50000202*/ 10140067-001 BX-S

Objective
Advise customers of dropped bolt and lock washer from a BX5 elevator and reinforcement of bulletin
“BX-169-PIB-001” covering a similar issue.

Issue
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) received a report describing a dropped object from the BX5 elevator.
While laying down a joint of drill pipe, a bolt and lock washer (weighing approx. 1lbs) fell down in the
red zone. There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident. The dropped bolt and lock washer
are located at the bottom plate of the BX elevator. (see pictures below)

1000012145-SA /Rev 02 Page 1 of 3

 Product Safety Alert

Solution
Investigation revealed that the bolt was able to drop out due to incorrect installation of the lock washer.
Although NOV recommends customers to visually inspect the equipment for loose parts on a daily base
and pay special attention to the correct installation of the lock washers, it is difficult to see the condition
and correct installation of this particular lock washer, due to its location.
To avoid similar incidents, NOV has improved the design by:
1) Increasing the opening (1) , so that condition of the tab washer and correct installation can be
better visually checked.
2) Adding second hole for lock washer tab (2). This will give mechanic more options for installation
of the lock washer
3) Adding hole to lock wire bolt (3), this will create an additional retention, when lock washer tab
fails or when installed incorrectly.

(2) (3)

(1)

The above enhancements have been implemented for newbuilds. (Manufactured after June 2017). Units
in the field can be upgraded locally or at a National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center. NOV will provide
upgrade drawing.

Ordering and Contact Information

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center, with reference to PB
1000012145-SA, for further assistance.

Economic Impact
This upgrade is at Customer cost.

1000012145-SA / Rev 02 Page 2 of 3

 Product Safety Alert

Customers should also refer to previous NOV Product Bulletins for additional information regarding safe
operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria by signing in to your MYNOV account at
https://portal.mynov.com and then searching with the Product Bulletin Search available below the
heading ‘Application Groups’. For information on registering, please visit
https://www.nov.com/Search/register.aspx.

Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Manuals and Product Bulletins may
result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center if you have any questions
regarding this bulletin.

Revision History
Revision Date Change Description

01 03-July-2017 First Release

02 23-July-2017 Changed Subject, Product Model, Effectivity, Affected assemblies and

Objective

1000012145-SA / Rev 02 Page 3 of 3