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““Printed

or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL

1.0 Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this procedure is to define guidelines for safely rigging up and
rigging down the wellhead isolation tools.

1.2 Tree saver tools are used to protect the production tree from high pressures
or abrasive materials pumped during bullheaded stimulation treatments.
Operations of rig up and rig down of a tree saver are critical to a successful
operation and prevention of catastrophic failures when pumping at extreme
conditions.

2.0 Scope

2.1 This procedure applies to all SESI service companies involved in the rigging
up and rigging down the wellhead isolation tool.

2.2 This procedure assumes that the well is killed before the rigging down of the
tree saver tools.

3.0 Responsibilities

3.1 Vice President of Corporate HSEQ responsibilities are:

3.1.1 Administration, interpretation, and maintenance of this document to
keep it current with business conditions.

3.2 SESI Business Unit Management and HSEQ Manager responsibilities are:

3.2.1 Ensuring compliance with this document at the SESI Business
Management level and performing the activities as described

3.3 SESI Onsite Representative responsibilities are:

3.3.1 Ensure that wellhead information is precise – size, weight, type of
tubing, flange size, etc.

3.3.2 Measure and calculate the stroke required and the location of the
pack‐off in the tubing during treatment

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 1 of 6  


““Printed or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL

3.3.3 Measure and record all details regarding the tools, cups, gauge ring,
bull‐nose and mandrel

3.3.4 After job, clean, maintain and test all tools for next job.

4.0 General

4.1 Although most tree saver tool manufacturers’ state that the tool has been
designed to be set safely in live wells, for SESI operations, the well must be
killed prior to rigging up the tree saver.

4.2 Prior to installing the Tree saver tools:

4.2.1 Verify the lower master valve (LMV) is holding;

4.2.2 Tree saver tools have been maintained and tested; and,

4.2.3 Swab Cap isolation plan has been established.

5.0 Operating Procedure

5.1 Ensure all tools have been maintained and in working order. Ensure
certificates and records are available.

5.2 Each tree saver valves must be tested in both directions to a maximum
pressure differential (maximum treatment pressure in one side and zero in
the other side).

5.3 Shut the well in and record the wellhead pressure. Slowly increase the rate
after 15 minutes.

5.4 Close master valve and bleed pressure above to 0 psi to confirm integrity of
the master valve. This should be completed over a minimum of 30 minutes.

5.5 Close the downhome safety valve (DHSV) and bleed the pressure above
DHSV to 0 psi over a minimum of 10 minutes.

Note: If the DHSV is utilized for additional protection, it should not be opened
until the surface equipment is rigged up.

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 2 of 6  


““Printed or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL

5.6 Once the well is conditioned to start, a competent tree saver operator will
carry out rigging up of the tree saver the operation.

5.7 Ensure that the Lower Master Valve (LMV) is closed and that all pressure has
been bled‐off above the LMV or the lowermost BOP (blind rams). Blind rams
should be the lowest set on the BOP stack.

5.8 Ensure that the ring gasket seat area, flange are clean and in good working
condition.

5.9 As good practice, a new ring gasket should be installed prior to each
operation.

5.10 Ensure equalization lines are to be correctly rigged up and all tree saver
valves are closed and equalized.

5.10.1 The only time the equalization valves shall be left closed is when
there is little or no pressure on the well. When the wellhead
pressure is over 3,000 psi, the hydraulic saver valve should be open
and the tool may be stroked into the well in the equalized position.
By stroking the tool into the well equalized, it ensures that the pack‐
off cups will not attempt to set prematurely.

5.11 The tree saver should be in position and secured onto the wellhead. Flanges
should be mated as straight as possible and secured tightly.

5.12 You may only proceed when a pressure test shall be performed against the
LMV to ensure that the tree saver flange/wellhead flange interface is
pressure sealed.

5.12.1 If the seal fails the pressure test, the tree saver tool must be
removed, repositioned, resealed, and retested until the seal is secured.

5.13 Check the position of the valves on the tool. Do not continue if the tree saver
tool has not been tested as described earlier.

5.14 Carefully and slowly open the production tree, counting the number
of turns on the LMV and ensure that all the tree valves have been
opened fully.

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 3 of 6  


““Printed or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL

5.15 Ensure personnel are removed from the wellhead area before slacking the
line, hold the tool slightly and safely stroke it in the well.

5.16 At this point, if there is a rise in the hydraulic pressure on the pump, there
may be restriction in the wellhead such as, but not limited to; incorrect
tubing identification or misalignment.

5.17 If the tool will not stroke down, check the hydraulic fittings on the
deployment hoses. When the tool has been stroked down and in place, the
hydraulic pressure will rise rapidly indicating a full and correct deployment.

5.18 Lock the tree saver in place, hammer down the lock union, and close the
hydraulic saver valve. Open the bleed‐off line to ensure that a full and tight
seal has been made.

5.19 If the seal fails, the tool will need to be retrieved by closing the LMV, internal
pressure bled‐off and the tool carefully removed from the well.

5.19.1 The seals shall be inspected for damage and replaced before
stroking the tool back into the wellhead.

5.19.2 Remove the union on top of the tree saver valve. Once clear of the
hydraulic cylinder, the setting tool can be stroked up out of the way.

5.20 When a secure seal has been made the equalizing lines and hydraulic setting
tool need to be bled‐off; unhook & rig‐down the hydraulic hoses from the
hydraulic setting cylinder and rig them up to the hydraulic saver valve.

5.21 The setting pins, stay rods and the setting pin keeper shall be carefully
removed from the Wellhead area.

5.22 Frac lines can now be attached to the top of the tree saver. The hydraulic
hoses should be connected to the hydraulic saver valve actuator.

5.23 Prior to commencing pumping operations:

5.23.1 Open the bleed‐off line on the tree saver (or wing valve bleed‐off
line);

5.23.2 If applicable, the DHSV must be opened; and,

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 4 of 6  


““Printed or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL


5.23.3 When safe to do so, open the saver valves on the tree saver.

5.24 Once the pumping operation has been completed:

5.24.1 Close the bleed‐off line on the tree saver;

5.24.2 Close the saver valve on the tree saver;

5.24.3 Bleed off the lines up to the tree saver valves; and,

5.24.4 Frac lines can be rigged down.

5.25 The setting tool should then be reconnected to the tree saver, ensuring that
all the pins and safety rods are correctly installed.

5.26 The setting cylinder should be slowly stroked down to the top tree saver
valve and then the union made up and hammered tight. Once completed,
hydraulic pressure will be bled‐off from the hydraulic setting cylinder and
the hoses made up to the hydraulic saver valve.

5.27 Equalization lines should then be hooked up, ensuring that the bleed‐off has
occurred.

Note: If there is over 6,000 psi on the wellhead, hydraulic pressure should be
applied to the bleed‐off line before opening.

5.28 Ensure the wellhead area is clear of any unnecessary personnel.

5.29 Slowly open the hydraulic saver valve.

5.30 Ensure that the wellhead is equalized and then bleed‐off the hydraulic hoses,
rig down from the hydraulic saver valve and rig up to the hydraulic setting
cylinder.

5.31 Apply downward pressure on the hydraulic setting cylinder and then
hammer loose and unscrew the lock down union on the Tree saver.

5.32 Stroke the tool fully upwards.

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 5 of 6  


““Printed or electronic versions of this document obtained outside the Company’s intranet are uncontrolled.”

SESI QUALITY STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE QSOP‐203

PUMPING
RIG UP / RIG DOWN WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL

5.33 Close the LMV (or BOP blind ram).



5.34 Bleed‐off the pressure above the closed valve using the bleed‐off line or wing
valve.

5.35 Remove the flange from the well and remove the tree saver.

5.36 Place thread protectors on the mandrels and inspect for wear and tear.

5.37 Break down the pack‐off assembly and prepare for the next operation.

5.38 Make‐up bull plug and pressure test the tool.

5.39 At this point, the wellhead can be rebuilt.

HSEQ‐SESI‐QSOP‐203 Rev 0 (26‐SEPT‐14) Page 6 of 6  

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