Addendum 1 (July 2016) of the API S53, BOP

Systems for Drilling Wells, 4th Edition, Nov

2012 is a win for the drilling contractor industry
Published on May 8, 2017

Over the years, drilling contractors world over have tried to find a way to adhere to the strict API
standards for maintenance of Blow Out Prevention equipment. Maintaining Professionalism and
high safety standards are some of the requirements Operators look out for when deciding on
contract awards.

In all IWCF/IADC classes, the importance of API S53 and API RP53 is stressed. Strict rules and
guidance on frequency of testing of BOPs, maintaining stacks, yearly, and the all-important 5
yearly certifications by competent OEM reps.

  According to the API S53, Section 6.5.7.3.1:

Well control system components shall be inspected at least every 5 years

in accordance with equipment owner's PM program and the
manufacturer’s guidelines. Individual components (e.g. ram bonnets,
valve actuators) can be inspected on a staggered schedule.
  Say, a drilling contractor purchased a BOP in 2012 and the certificate of conformance states
Issued October 2012. If the contractor only installed the BOP to use in November 2015, is that
contractor still obliged to perform the standard 5 yearly recertification at an OEM shop by
October 2017?

Remember that in this scenario, the BOP has only been in use for 2 years and has been
undergoing normal in-house condition and preventive based maintenance.

Most BOP manufacturers state in the manuals that after every 5 (calendar) years, the BOP
equipment has to be thoroughly inspected in either their facility or at their OEM representative
shop by a competent person.

For contractors in SSA, this is usually overseas and comes with attendant shipping costs, custom
duties and shop recertification fees. The main issue here is - the 5 years was considered as
calendar years irrespective of usage. Drilling Rig Contracts in SSA hardly span 5 years to start
with. How will the drilling contractors make profit with such obscene rules?

Now, here’s the good news:

  The Addendum 1 issued in July 2016 has clarified this without any doubt.
  It gives the following explanation for the 5 years:

  Wellcontrol equipment system components shall be inspected at least

every 5 years in accordance with the equipment owner's PM program.
Individual components and subassemblies may be inspected on a
staggered schedule. The inspection results shall be verified against the
manufacturer’s acceptance criteria.

The five-year period shall begin using one of the following criteria:

a) the date the equipment owner accepts delivery of a new build drilling
rig with a BOP system;

b) the date new equipment (other than 6.5.7.3.1a), repaired equipment,

or remanufactured equipment is installed into the system;

c) the date of last inspection for the component, if preservation and

storage records in accordance with 6.5.8.4, are not available.
 Store your BOPs properly when not in use and renew the seals as and when due. The 5 years
start to count only from when the new equipment, repaired equipment or remanufactured
equipment is installed into the system.