DRAWN BY DATE REVISION

PROPERTY OF
D.J. McWHORTER g-13-90 ENGINEERING BULLETIN
I ‘Bl NO. 691 D
COOPER APPROVED DATE
CooperOilTool E.G. CHILDS g-13-90 PAGE 1 OF 2

SHEARING LIMITATIONS DTJE TO INCREASED PIPE STRENGTH

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Improvements in the strength and quality of drill pipe, by U.S. and

Japanese manufacturers,:have increased the force required to shear
these tubulars. The increased force requirement means that some BOP
shear assemblies can no longer shear certain pipe sizes and grades
that were once well within their shearing capabilities.
These BOPs can be upgraded to restore the level of shear protection
offered to the operator. Upgrades include the use of large bore shear
bonnets and booster units (see'EB 685 D).
Shearing forces are difficult to estimate because results vary
greatly. The shearabili@ (shear force required) of pipe varies as much
as 3Q%,from one, batch to ,the next. If in doubt, an operator should
attempt to shear the pipe in question with the BOP operating system
pressure regulator set at 3000 psi. Additiona'l information and
assistance is available through Drilling Products Engineering.
 DRAWN BY DATE REVISION
PROPERTY OF
D-J. McWHORTER g-13-90 ENGINEERING BULLETIN
I Bl NO. 691 D
COOPER APPROVED DATE
CooperOilTool 'E.G. CHILDS g-13-90 PAGE 2 OF 2

The API 16A requirements for shearing 5" 19.5 ppf, Grade G-105 pipe in
11" and.larger BOPs will require us to make the following shearing
configurations standard:

~11” 3-10M U

21-114” 5M U Standard Bonnet

NOTE: There are no shear rams for the 26-3/4” U BOP.,

+ Tandem boosters are available for increased capability.

** The, 16A requirements will be revised shordy to include sh,earing

of 3-q/2”, 13.3 ppf, Grade E pipe in 7-l I1 6” BOPs.
*t* Tandem boosters will be available for increased capability.

The following action will be taken to standardise these shearing

configurations:
(1) As 'applicable, standard shear bonnets will be obsoleted and
superseded by large'bore shear bonnets.
(2) All BOP assemblies with these~obsolete bonnets will also be
obsoleted.
(3) We will release new assemblies as required, with the proper
',bonnet assemblies.
.'