Subsea BOP " Best Practices"

Subsea BOP
“Best Practices”
What would you do?
©
Subsea BOP “Best Practices”
“We have to share the life lessons learned by our mistakes with
others because no one person can possibly make all the mistakes in a
lifetime.”
Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
 What is a best practice?

 What causes downtime?
 If we know the cause, chances are we know the
mitigation – root cause analysis.
 How do you define downtime?
 Is rushing to deploy the BOP in your best
interest?
©
Are Procedures Important?
 Everyone has them yet they are seldom followed
to the letter.
 Short-cuts can have significant consequences
– Blatant disregard
– Not understanding
– Under pressure to hurry
– Training and accountability
©
What Causes Downtime With
Controls?
 New components - Test to fail
 Hidden problems - Function testing
 What is a “full” function test
 Stuck solenoids
 Common vent manifolds
 Testing to pass vs. Testing at MWP
 Leaks – When is a leak a leak?
 Visual verification
©
Why Do We Function Test?
To identify existing or hidden problems.

©
Simulate Subsea Conditions
 What does it
mean?
 How can you

do it?
Shuttle Valve
©
Simulate Subsea Conditions
Do you test every possible function?
©
Annulars?
 Drift testing:
– The annulars should return to full bore
within 30 minutes of being opened.
 Swarf
– How can you reduce the risk of damage
 Annular head or mud seals:
– Is a wellbore test enough?
 Would a leak on the open side cause you
to pull the BOP?
©
Mud Seals
 Hydril
 Cameron
 Shaffer®
©
Connectors?
 Maintenance procedures – are function
and pressure tests enough? It depends
 Low pressure testing (Predictive testing)
– What are you looking for?
– Changes in friction
 Lost gaskets
 C&K connectors
 Hydrate seals
©
What Makes A Connector
Disengage From the Wellhead?
©
Low Pressure Testing
(Predictive)
©
Where Is The Gasket?
 Do you really
know what you
think you know?
©
Connectors
©
Rams?
 Cameron  Minimum operating

– ST-Locks pressure
 Signature testing
 Locks only testing
©
Signature Testing
SHEAR RAMS CLOSE TEST #1
 The following test

sequence shows
how signature tests
may be used to
identify problems
before a downtime
event occurs.
©
Signature Testing
 The following test after

the inspection and
reassembly now showed a
definite problem within
the MPL.
 The MPL was
disassembled and the
overhauling nut spacer
ring was found out of
position.
©
Signature Testing
 After relocating the spacer
ring and reassembly another
test was run.
 Note the difference to prior
tests. If Hydril’s “less than 200
psi” recommendation was the
only basis for acceptance the
BOP would have been run
with an issue possibly
resulting in a downtime event.
 This illustrates the need for
charted signature testing and
comparisons as a diagnostic
tool.
©
Failsafe Valves?
 Test from the top?
 Greasing procedures
 Testing procedures
©
Test From The Top?
 Will the top side ever

see wellbore pressure?
©
Greasing & Testing
 When should the

valves be greased?
 What if you grease
a valve and then get
a good test?
 How many tests
does it take?
©
Riser?
 Improper
storage
 Missing or
damaged seals
 Hidden
damage to pins
and boxes
©
Riser Inspections
 Damaged
pins
 Damaged
boxes
 Inadequate
support
©
Random Failures
©
Best Practices
 Controls
– Full function test – if there is a button or handle, it must be
tested.
– Test to fail at MOP.
– Simulate subsea conditions
– Design function tests to find hidden faults like stuck
solenoids
– Visual confirmation – there is no substitute.
 Annulars
– Drift test
– Mud seal test
 Rams
– Signature testing
– Locks only testing
– Bonnet upgrades
©
Best Practices
 Valves
– Use good greasing procedures
– Grease before testing
– Use the correct testing procedures
 Riser
– Proper storage
– Inspect pins and boxes, when, who?
– Place questionable joints near the top
– Test questionable or unknown joints more
frequently
– Use stabbing guides when available
©
Best Practices
 Connectors
– Timely maintenance
– Low pressure testing
– Don’t ignore the mini connectors
– Paint the gaskets in contrasting colors
– Verify hydrate seals, paint in contrasting colors

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What are some best practices discussed for testing BOP components?

What issues can cause downtime when testing annulars and how can they be addressed?

Subsea BOP

 What is a best practice?

To identify existing or hidden problems.

 How can you

Do you test every possible function?

 Cameron  Minimum operating

 The following test

 The following test after

 Will the top side ever

 When should the

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