SNUBBING THEORY

PRE-COURSE EXERCISE

PRE-COURSE EXERCISE
Date:

Participants Name:

Course Subjects: SNUBBING THEORY

Total points available: 138

Total points scored:

Percentage scored:

1. Would closing the lower stripping BOP and safety BOP be the first action to
take, when a leak develops with a work-string in the hole? 2 pts
a) False
b) True.

2. What is the purpose of the bleed-off line? 2 pts

a) Used as contingency to direct and control well flow to the pits if the BOP
system fails
b) To control bullhead or circulation well kill pump rates
c) To bleed-off well pressure trapped between stripping rams during tripping
of the work-string
d) To use pressure from another well to equalise across the lower stripping
BOP before opening.

3. What functions are the fluid pump not used for? (Select Six) 6 pts
(One point per correct answer)
a) A standby for well kill operations
b) Equalising the well pressure across the lower stripping BOP
c) Maintain closure pressure on stripping rams
d) Work-string fill up
e) To conduct through work-string pumping operations
f) Pressure testing the pressure control equipment
g) Maintain closure pressure on stripping rams
h) Pressuring up the stripper rubber
i) For circulating out hydrocarbons after operations before rigging down
j) To close the safety rams
k) To pump sand wash fluids and remove sand solids out of the well
during a sand wash operation
l) Standby for fire fighting.

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4. Which of the following pressure control equipment are primary, secondary or

tertiary barriers? (Tick the appropriate box for each item) 2 pts

Primary Secondary Tertiary

Pipe (Safety) Rams

Stripping Rams

Shear/Seal Rams (Safety Head)

Stripper Rubber

5. A bleed-off line is always connected to the stripping rams. True or False? 1 pt

a) True
b) False

6. Which of the following statements is correct? 3 pts

a) The equalising loop is connected to the stack above the top stripping
BOP and below the bottom stripping BOP
b) The equalising loop is connected to the stack below the top stripping
BOP and above the bottom stripping BOP
c) The equalising loop is connected to the stack above the top stripping
BOP and above the bottom stripping BOP
d) The equalising loop is connected to the stack below the top stripping
BOP and below the bottom stripping BOP.

7. The seating nipple for the pump-down plug is placed in the string above the
check valves (back-pressure valves). True or False? 1 pt
a) True
b) False.

8. The stripper bowl is attached to the bottom of the window. True or False? 1 pt
a) True
b) False.

9. The stripper rubber is self energising. True or False? 1 pt

a) True
b) False.

10. Choose which of the following statements best describes the reason for using
a shear/seal BOP (safety head) immediately above the Xmas tree. 2 pts
a) As a back up in case the blind/shear ram fails to operate
b) To ensure that the BHA can be successfully cut and the well sealed
off
c) As a back up in case the tree valves do not cut the string.

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11. With the work-string in the hole, which of the following devices can be safely
repaired? (Select Two) 2 pts
a) A worn and leaking stripper rubber
b) A worn top stripping ram insert that does not hold pressure when the
ram is closed
c) A worn safety ram (pipe ram) that does not seal properly around the
pipe when closed
d) A worn blind ram that does not seal properly when closed.

12. Whilst running in the work-string in the pipe light mode, the pipe is held by
the travelling heavies and the stationary snubbers? 2 pts
a) False
b) True.

13. Which of the following does not effect the position (depth) of the balance
point? (Select Three) 3 pts
a) Wellhead pressure
b) Speed of tripping pipe
c) Fluid contents of pipe
d) Snub force used
e) Pipe weight/foot
f) Size of stripper rubber.

14. Where should the shear/seal BOP (safety head) be located in the stack? 2 pts
a) Just below the stripper bowl
b) Just below the stripping rams
c) Just above the top safety ram
d) Just above the tree/wellhead
e) It does not matter.

15. When the first joint is going in the hole, is the largest snubbing force acting on
the work-string? 1 pt
a) True
b) False.

16. An annular BOP included in the stack up is to seal around different size BHA
OD? 2 pts
a) False
b) True.

17. Once the pump-down plug is seated and sealing in the landing nipple, the
work-string must be pulled out of the hole, before continuing with the
programme. True or False? 1 pt
a) False
b) True.

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18. In the event that the main hydraulic power pack fails, is it possible to operate
the secondary barriers (BOPs)? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

19. What are the main purposes of blowout preventers? (Select Two) 2 pts
a) To operate safely and to contain and control the well
b) To provide better protection than the stripper rubber
c) To clean the pipe when pulling out of hole
d) To repair any connection above the BOPs that is leaking.

Figure 1 - Snubbing BOP Stack

20. The snubbing unit in Figure 1 is rigged up on top of the Xmas tree. Can 3,000
ft of 2 7/8“ tapered string be run below the 7,000 ft of 3 1/2“ work-string. 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

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21. A string of 2 3/8” work-string has been run to wash out sand in a well. An
obstruction is encountered in the completion string tailpipe, it will be
necessary to pull out and prepare a tapered string with 1,000 ft of 1.900”
tubing below the 2 3/8” work-string. 3 pts
Given the stack up configuration in Figure 1, which of the following
statements is not true?
a) It will be necessary to install a second pair of stripping rams for the
1.900” tubing
b) It will be necessary to install the 1.900” rams in the bottom stripping
BOP only
c) It will be necessary to install a second safety BOP for the 1.900”
work-string
d) There are no changes required to the stack.

22. A 2 3/8“ work-string is snubbed in to wash out sand in a well. The snubbing
unit is rigged up on top of the Xmas tree and the shut-in wellhead pressure
(SIWHP) is 3,500 psi. Can the fluids be pumped-down the completion string
and out of the flow wing through the work-string? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

23. After rigging up and function testing, the surface equipment is to be pressure
tested. Which of the following describes how the BPVs (back pressure valves)
on the bottom of the work-string should not be tested? (Select Three) 2 pts
a) Pumping-down the tubing with the safety ram closed tests the BPVs
b) A closed full opening safety valve must be placed on the top of the
tubing
c) Pumping into the stack from the kill line tests the BPVs
d) The work-string will require to be held in the stationary and travelling
snubbers
e) The work-string will require to be held in the heavies and travellers.

24. If the stripping rams are closed, can the safety ram inner seals be changed out
with the work-string in the hole? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

25. Is it normal practice to have to change out the safety ram inner seals during
an intervention job? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

26. If the safety rams are closed, can stripping ram inner seals be changed out
with the pipe in the hole? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

27. Is it normal practice to have to change out the stripping ram inner seals during
an intervention job? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

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28. Which of the following statements is not true if a bleed-off line has a built in
choke (select four)? 4 pts
a) The built in choke is usually an adjustable choke
b) The built in choke is usually a fixed size orifice
c) The choke is usually controlled hydraulically from the basket
d) The choke and bleed-off line are also used if the well has to be killed
e) The choke is only opened when a tool joint is being stripped through
the annular.

29. Some components in Figure 2 have been numbered. Enter the number in each
box, which matches the description. 9 pts
(One point per correct answer)

Stripper Stripper Rams

Bleed-Off Safety Rams

Equalising Loop Hanger Flange

Spacer Spool Shear Seal/Safety Head

Tree Connection

1
2

3
6
4
5

Figure 2 - Snubbing BOP Stack

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30. What pressure will the manufacturer use to carry out a body test on a new
10,000 psi working pressure BOP? 3 pts
a) 15,000 psi
b) 10,000 psi
c) 20,000 psi
d) 17,500 psi.

31. What is the purpose of the blind/shear rams? 1 pt

a) To shear the work-string while simultaneously sealing the hole
b) To shear work-string without sealing the hole
c) To effect a seal on the work-string in the hole.

32. Some components in Figure 3 have been marked with a number. Match the
correct numbers to the component description below. 6 pts
(One point per correct answer)
Lower Ram Assembly Blade Packer

Top Seal Upper Ram Body

Side Packer Upper Ram Assembly

5
3

6
4
1

Figure 3 - Ram Assembly

33. What would be the effect of fitting a 7 1/16” 5,000 psi flange to a 10,000 psi
rated stack up? 2 pts
a) The stack up rating would remain at 10,000 psi
b) The stack up rating would become 5,000 psi
c) The stack up rating would become 7,500 psi.

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34. Which gas must be used to pre-charge accumulator bottles? 2 pts

a) Air
b) Nitrogen
c) Oxygen
d) Carbon dioxide (CO2).

35. Figure 4 illustrates an annular preventer commonly used in surface

installations. Some components are marked with numbers. Match the correct
number to the component descriptions below. 6 pts
(One point per correct answer)
Opening Chamber Port Closing Chamber Port

Body Piston

Screwed Head Packing Unit

Figure 4 – Annular Preventer

36. Which type of barrier is a shear/seal BOP (safety head)? 1 pt

a) Primary
b) Secondary
c) Tertiary.

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37. Which of the following statements are not true about reverse circulation?
(Select Two) 2 pts
a) Creates lower downhole pressure
b) Lifts solids better when the annulus is large
c) Cannot be done with regular BPVs
d) Is done only when the work-string is stuck
e) Is only done when running a mud motor and bit/mill.

38. When the safety rams are closed. Can the stripping ram inner seals be
changed out? 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

39. Given the drawing below, match the correct numbers to their descriptions.
(Figure 5) 10 pts
(One point per correct answer)
Closing port Body

Opening port Piston

Pusher plate Top cover

Packer insert Ring groove

Donut

10

Figure 5 – Cameron ‘DL’ Annular Blowout Preventer

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40. It is intended to snub in a 23/8” work-string to wash out sand in a well. The
snubbing unit is rigged up on top of the Xmas tree and the initial SIWHP is
4,500 psi. Would the Stripper Rubber be the primary barrier whilst snubbing
the work-string in? 2 pts
a) False
b) True.

41. Given the drawing below, match the correct numbers to their descriptions. 6 pts
(One point per correct answer)
Opening Chamber Packing Unit

Piston Screwed Head

Body Closing Chamber Port

Figure 6 – Hydril ‘GK’ Annular Preventer

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42. Sand and scale are being washed from a well with a snubbing unit rigged up
on top of the Xmas tree. Half-way through washing out, it is discovered that
the BPVs (back pressure valves) are no longer holding pressure. The well is
still live. Would installing the full opening valve on its own be the correct first
course of action? 1 pt
a) False
b) True.

43. While snubbing the work-string into the well, a leak is noticed at one of the
spacer spool connections between the stripping BOPs. Would closing the
safety BOPs allow the leak to be repaired safely? 1 pt
a) False
b) True.

44. A slight flow has been noticed from the work-string. The full opening safety
valve was stabbed on, and closed. After investigating, the leak has been found
to be at 1,500 ft. above the BHA (there is 7,500 ft. of work-string in the hole).
Which of the following actions will have to be carried out before continuing to
snub the work-string out of the hole? (Select Two) 2 pts
a) Continue snubbing out as there is no problem with a small leak at this
depth
b) Continue snubbing out using the stripping rams instead of the
stripper rubber
c) Drop the pump-down plug and seat it in its landing nipple
d) Kill the well
e) Set a wire line run bridge plug in the work-string just above the leak.

45. When stripping a BHA through an annular BOP the pipe must be lubricated? 2 pts
a) True
b) False.

46. After snubbing a 23/8” work-string out, it was decided to snub in a 27/8”
string. Which of the following well control devices will not have to be
redressed because of this change in work-string size? (Select Four). 8 pts
(Two points per correct answer)
a) Stripper rubber
b) Annular BOP
c) Top stripping ram
d) Bottom stripping ram
e) Safety ram
f) Blind/shear ram
g) Variable bore ram
h) Shear/seal (safety head).

47. Is a single element stripper rubber energised with a hand pump? 1 pt

a) False
b) True.

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48. When pressure testing the stripping or safety rams, which of the following
statements are not true? (Select Three) 2 pts
a) They are tested after the BHA has been picked up
b) They are tested after one or two joints of work-string are located in
the stack
c) They are tested before any pipe is picked up
d) They are tested by pressuring up above them
e) They are tested by pressuring up below them.

49. The stripping rams are being used to snub pipe into the hole with a SIWHP of
4,800 psi. The top stripping ram has started to leak due to suspected wear. 1 pt
Which of the following statements is correct?
a) Stop and redress the leaking top stripping ram
b) Continue, using the bottom stripping ram
c) Stop and redress both stripping rams
d) Continue, using the annular BOP.

50. Which of the following statements about the shear/blind rams are not true
(select three)? 1 pt
a) It is designed to cut the work-string but may not cut BHA
components
b) It is designed to cut the work-string and any BHA component
c) Cutting action is assisted by the well bore pressure
d) It is operated at 5,000 PSI hydraulic pressure.

51. Why is a one gallon accumulator bottle usually attached to the closing line of
an annular BOP? 1 pt
a) It speeds up the closing time
b) It slows down the closing time
c) It maintains the pressure just after a tool joint has been stripped
through the annular
d) It stops over-pressurizing the line as a tool joint is stripped through
the annular.

52. Is it normal practice to have to change a worn out annular packing element
during a job? (Yes or No) 1 pt
a) Yes
b) No.

53. While using the stripper rubber as the primary barrier, it has started to leak.
What is the correct first action to take? 1 pt
a) Closing a stripping BOP or annular BOP
b) Apply more pressure to the stripper
c) Close the shear/seal
d) Kill the well.

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54. The manual operated valves on the bleed-off and equalising lines are always
located to the outside of the hydraulic valves? 1 pt
a) False
b) True.

55. From top to bottom, what is the correct order for the BHA? 1 pt
a) Circulating sub, BPV, BPV, motor, under-reamer
b) BPV, circulating sub, BPV, motor, under-reamer
c) BPV, circulating sub, motor, BPV, under-reamer
d) BPV, BPV, circulating sub, motor, under-reamer.

56. Is a tapered needle and seat adjustable choke the most common used in well
servicing? 1 pt
a) True
b) False.

57. Five types of BOP ram assemblies are illustrated in the drawing below. Match
the correct assemblies to the descriptions by entering the assembly letter in
the boxes. (Figure 7) 5 pts
(One point per correct answer)
Shear Ram Pipe Ram

Blind Ram Shear/Blind Ram

Stripping Ram

Figure 7 - BOP Rams

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58. A snubbing unit is rigged up with the surface pressure control equipment as
shown in the drawing below. The BOPs and valves must be tested from the
correct direction. Through which stack connection should the tests be carried
out? (Figure 8) (Tick one box below) 5 pts

Bleed-Off Equalizer Loop

Top Safety Ram Blind/Shear Ram

Any Of The Connections

Figure 8 - Snubbing Rig Up

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Snubbing Answers

Question Answer Question Answer

1 B 2 C
3 BCGHJL 4 Secondary/Primary/Tertiary/Primary
5 A 6 D
7 A 8 A
9 A 10 B
11 AB 12 A
13 BDF 14 D
15 A 16 B
17 B 18 A
19 AD 20 B
21 C 22 B
23 ABE 24 B
25 B 26 A
27 A 28 ACDE
29 1, 5, 6, 4, 8 – 30 A
3, 7, 2, 9
31 A 32 1, 5, 2 – 6, 3, 4
33 B 34 B
35 2, 5, 11 – 3, 4, 7 36 C
37 ADF 38 A
39 9, 3, 7, 1, 10 – 40 A
4, 8, 6, 5
41 3, 5, 6 – 2, 1, 4 42 B
43 B 44 DE
45 B 46 BFGH
47 A 48 ACD
49 C 50 BCD
51 D 52 B
53 A 54 A
55 D 56 A
57 DCE-BA 58 Blind Shear Rams

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NOTES:

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