IWCF Surface Well Control

Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10

API (Field) Units

SURFACE WELL CONTROL EXERCISE NO. 10

EQUIPMENT

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

1. Using the BOP configuration illustrated in Figure S10-001 below answer the
following three questions by answering YES or NO.
(The questions are based on whether the operations can be physically
performed and do not represent the field practice or operating procedure of any
company).

HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC
SIDE OUTLET SIDE OUTLET
VALVE VALVE

Figure S10-001

1a. Can the well be killed with no drill string in the hole and the well shut-in under
pressure using the Blind/Shear ram?

a) Yes.
b) No.
1 point

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

1b. Could the packing in the annular preventer be replaced with no drill string in the
hole and the well shut-in with the Blind/Shear rams?

a) Yes.
b) No.
1 point

1c. With no pipe in the hole and the well shut-in under pressure with the Blind/Shear
rams. Could the energisable ring gasket in the API Flange below the 5 inch Pipe
Rams be replaced if it started to leak?

a) Yes.
b) No.
1 point

2. Why can a Vacuum Degasser not be used in place of a Mud/Gas Separator

during the control of a kick?

a) Because it is not sited in an explosion proof area.

b) Because cuttings must be removed first.
c) Because it has capacity limitations.
2 points

3. Which type of rubber can be installed in an annular BOP while working with oil?
(Select TWO answers)

a) Nitrile rubber.
b) Natural rubber.
c) Neoprene rubber.
1 point

4. Calculate the minimum hydraulic closing pressure for a ram preventer with a
Maximum Rated Working Pressure of 5 000 psi and a closing ratio of 7:1

Answer ______________ psi

1 point

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

5. Figure S10-002 illustrates a section view of the Hydril GX annular preventer.

Match the correct numbers to the descriptions below.

(One point for each correct answer)

Figure S10-002

5a. ____ Packing unit.

5b. ____ Opening chamber head.

5c. ____ Operating piston.

5d. ____ Wear plate.

5e. ____ Opening chamber.

5f. ____ Latched Head. 6 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

6. Calculate the number 20 gallon accumulator bottles required to store 200

gallons of usable hydraulic fluid (without safety margin). The accumulator
maximum system hydraulic operating pressure is 3000 psi and the minimum
operating pressure is 1200 psi (200 psi above the pre-charge pressure)

Answer ________________ bottles

5 points

7. Figure S10-003 illustrates a Shaffer Type 72 Shear ram

Match the correct numbers to the descriptions below.

(One point for each correct answer)

Figure S10-003

7a. ____ Upper rubber.

7b. ____ Upper holder.

7c. ____ Lower holder.

7d. ____ Upper block.

7e. ____ Lower block.

7f. ____ Lower rubber. 6 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

8. In which order should the valves for the choke line be installed on a surface BOP
stack with a ‘Rated Working Pressure’ of 10000 psi, according to best practice?
(Note: Inside is closest to the BOP).

a) Inside – a hydraulically operated valve, Middle – a manual valve, Outside – a

hydraulically operated valve.
b) Inside – a manual valve, Outside –a hydraulically operated valve.
c) Inside – a check valve, Middle –a hydraulically operated valve, Outside – a
hydraulically operated valve.
d) Inside – a hydraulically operated valve, Outside – a manual valve.
e) Inside – a manual valve, Middle – a check valve, Outside – a hydraulically operated
valve.
1 point

9. What is the normal supply hydraulic pressure to a diverter system?

a) 3000 psi
b) 1500 psi
c) 1000 psi.
d) 2000 psi
1 points

10. There is only one inside BOP with a NC50 (4-1/2 inch IF) pin/box connection on
the rig.

The drill string consists of :

5 inch drill pipe (NC50)

5 inch Heavy wall drill pipe (NC50)
8 inch drill collars (6-5/8 Reg.)
9-1/2 inch drill collars (7- 5/8 Reg)

Which of the following crossovers must be on the rig floor while tripping?
(Select TWO answers)

a) NC50 (4-1/2 inch IF) box x 7-5/8 inch Reg. pin.

b) 6-5/8 inch Reg pin x 7-5/8 Reg. pin.
c) NC50 (4-1/2 inch IF) pin x 6-5/8 inch Reg. box.
d) NC50 (4-1/2 inch IF) box x 6-5/8 inch Reg pin.
e) NC50 (4-1/2 inch IF) pin x 7-5/8 inch Reg. box

3 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

11. Figure S10-004 illustrates a Hydril ram preventor.

Match the correct numbers to the descriptions below.

(One point for each correct answer)

Figure S10-004
11a. ____ Seal seat.

11b. ____ Upper ram seal.

11c. ____ Piston rod mud seal.

11d. ____ Bonnet seal.

11e. ____ Multi-Position Lock (MPL).

11f. ____ Piston seals.

11g. ____ Weephole

7 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

12. Which of the following factors limit the success of a diverter operation when a
shallow gas blowout occurs?
(Select THREE answers)

a) Diverter lockdown dogs locked.

b) Diverter lockdown dogs unlocked.
c) Rig air pressure of 125 psi.
d) Rig air pressure of zero.
e) Mud pumps running, pumping mud to the bottom of the well.
f) The formation strength of the conductor/casing shoe.
4 points

13. A cup-type test tool is used on a drill pipe test joint to pressure test a Surface
BOP.

DATA:

Inside diameter of casing; 12.41 inch.

Cross sectional area corresponding to inside diameter of casing; 121 square
inches.
Cross sectional area corresponding to outside diameter of test joint; 19.5 square
inches.
Annulus cross sectional area corresponding to inside diameter of casing and
outside diameter of test joint; 101.5 square inches.
Test pressure; 5000 psi

From the data, calculate the tension on the drill pipe test joint.

Answer ______________ lbs

3 points

14. On a land or platform rig what is the API maximum closing time for annular
preventers over 20-inch ID?

a) 60 seconds.
b) 45 seconds.
c) 30 seconds.
d) 15 seconds
1 point

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

15. Figure S10-005 illustrates typical Cameron Blind/Shear ram.

Match the correct numbers to the descriptions below.

(One point for each correct answer)

Figure S10-005

15a. ____ Side packers.

15b. ____ Ram face packer.

15c. ____ Top seal.

15d. ____ Top ram assembly.

15e. ____ Lower ram assembly

5 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

16. Most of the conventional front packer elements fitted on ram BOPs are enclosed
between steel plates.

What is the main reason for this type of design?

a) To protect the rubber packing during drilling operations.

b) To ensure a metal to metal sealing.
c) To prevent the rubber extruding top and bottom when the rams are closed.
4 points

17. A set of pipe rams is closed, on which two gauges will a pressure reduction be
seen?
(Select TWO answers)

a) Accumulator pressure gauge.

b) Manifold pressure gauge.
c) Annular pressure gauge.
d) Air pressure gauge.
2 points

18. On a Driller’s remote BOP control panel on a surface installed BOP a ram close
function is activated.
Green light went out
Red light came on
Annular pressure remained steady
Manifold pressure remained steady
Accumulator pressure remained steady.

What is the possible cause of the problem?

a) The pressure switch for the pumps on the hydraulic BOP control unit is
malfunctioning.
b) The electric driven triplex pump on the BOP control unit is malfunctioning.
c) The selector (operating) valve (3-position/4-way valve) is stuck in the ‘Ram open
position’.
d) There is a leak in the hydraulic line between the hydraulic BOP control unit and the
BOP.
e) There is a blockage in the hydraulic line between the hydraulic BOP control unit
and the BOP.

3 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

19. The Driller activated a ram close function from the remote BOP panel on a
surface BOP installation, and then observed that the manifold pressure
continued to drop and did not rise back up.
What is the reason?
a) The hydraulic closing line to the BOP is plugged.
b) There is a leak in the hydraulic line to the BOP.
c) The 3-position/4-way valve on the hydraulic BOP control unit failed to operate.
d) The light bulb has blown.
2 points

20. A 40 gallon accumulator bottle is pre-charged with nitrogen to 1000 psi. Oil is
pumped into the accumulator until its maximum system pressure of 3000 psi is
reached. The BOP is functioned and the system pressure drops to a minimum of
1200 psi.

a) What is the volume of gas in the accumulator when at its maximum system
operating pressure?

Answer ______________ gallons

1 point

b) What is the volume of gas in the accumulator when at its minimum system
operating pressure?

Answer ______________ gallons

1 point

c) Calculate the volume of usable fluid than can be recovered between its maximum
and minimum system operating pressures.

Answer ______________ gallons

1 point

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

21. Figures S10-006 illustrates the profiles of two API type flanges.

Figure S10-006

Which of the following flanges has a direct "flange face to flange face" contact
when made up?

a) API type 6BX

b) API type 6B.

3 points

22. Which one of the following statements defines “Well Pressure Assistance”?

a) The pressure exerted by the well on the exposed surface of the piston gives a
resultant force that is added to the force produced by the pressure in the closing
chamber.
b) The well pressure acting on the piston produces an increasing pressure in the
closing chamber.
c) The pressure exerted by the well on the exposed surface of the piston gives a
resultant force is subtracted from the force produced by the pressure in the closing
chamber.

3 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

23. Inside blowout preventers (stab-in non-return safety valves) should be placed on
the rig floor at all times, ready for use, to fit the tubulars being used.

Which of the following are correct for this type of valve?

(TWO ANSWERS)

a) Is kept in the open position by a rod secured by a T-handle.

b) Has to be pumped open to read Shut In Drill Pipe Pressure.
c) Has potential to leak through the open/close key.
d) Can be run in the hole in the open position.
e) Easier to stab than a drill pipe safety valve when flow is encountered up the drill
string.

3 points

24. Why is a master control valve fitted to the remote BOP control panel on the rig
floor?

a) To activate the open or close lights.

b) To adjust pipe ram closing pressure.
c) To activate power to the control unit charge pumps.
d) To ensure that all BOP functions are “two hand” operated from the Driller’s
remote panel.
2 points

25. A long series of electric logs will be carried out in a well with limited
overbalance value.

Which one of the following is the safest action to perform?

a) The correct rams for the riser/lubricator are installed and pressure tested.
b) A set of shear/blind rams is replaced with a set of pipe rams.
c) No particular equipment or operation is required.

2 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Surface Well Control Exercise No. 10
API (Field) Units

26. Some mud/gas separators are fitted with “hot loops” to circulate clean mud into
the mud/gas separator (via the hot mud inlet shown in the diagram S10-007)
when a kick is being circulated out.

Figure S10-007

What is the main reason for this feature?

a) To increase the separation efficiency of the mud/gas separator.

b) To maintain the liquid seal full of clean (uncontaminated) mud as far as
possible whilst a kick is circulated out.
c) To displace the liquid seal to clean mud every 12 hours.
d) To fill the vessel with light fluid to increase its efficiency.

3 points

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 IWCF Surface Well Control
Exercise No. 12 - Answers
API (Field) Units

SURFACE WELL CONTROL EXERCISE NO. 10

EQUIPMENT
ANSWERS

1a. A 11g. 7, Weephole

1b. A 12. B, D, F
1c. B 13. 502425 – 512575 lbs
2. C 14. B
3. A, C 15a. 2, Side Packers
4. 714 – 715 psi 15b. 3, Ram Face Packer
5a. 3, Packing Unit 15c. 1, Top Seal
5b. 4, Opening Chamber Head 15d. 4, Top Ram Assembly
5c. 8, Operating Piston 15e. 5, Lower Ram Assembly
5d. 2, Wear Plate 16. C
5e. 5, Opening Chamber 17. A, B
5f. 1, Latched Head 18. E
[6, Lifting Lug] 19. B
[7, Closing Chamber] 20a. 13.33 gallons
6. 20 bottles 20b. 33.33 gallons
7a. 3, Upper Rubber 20c. 20 gallons
7b. 5, Upper Holder 21. A
7c. 6, Lower Holder 22. A
7d. 1, Upper Block 23. A, B
7e. 2, Lower Block 24. D
7f. 4, Lower Holder 25. A
[8, Retracting Screw] 26. B
8. B
9. A Points Scored = ________
10. A, D
Points Avalable = 79
11a. 6, Seal Seat
11b. 3, Upper Ram Seal % Scored = ________

11c. 5, Piston Rod Mud Seal

11d. 4, Bonnet Seal
11e. 2, Multi-Position Lock
11f. 1, Piston Seals

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