PTRT 1321

Oil-Field Hydraulics
Chapter 5
Blowout Prevention
Equipment
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 BOPs
Generally reliable
Must be properly operated and maintained
Designed to close in the well when a kick
occurs
Most can be quickly opened and closed
hydraulically
Hydraulic energy stored in accumulator
Two types usually included in a stack
Annular preventers (at least one)
Ram preventers (at least two usually three or more)
Spools included to create vertical space for
connecting lines
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Technology Program
 Stack Configurations
API RP-53, Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems
A annular blowout preventer
G rotating head
R single ram preventer (blind or pipe rams)
Rd double ram preventer
Rt triple ram preventer
S spool with side outlet connections for choke and kill
lines
M stands for 1000 psi plus the bore size is usually
indicated as well
Each well must be considered on an individual
basis

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Technology Program
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 Annular Preventers
Also called bag or spherical preventers
Versatile pressure-control devices
Kelly
Drill collars
Drill pipe
Work string
Tubing
Wireline
Open hole (in an emergency)
Can act as a lubricating head when
stripping (moving) pipe under pressure
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Technology Program
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 Packing Elements
Many sizes and pressure ratings
High-tensile rubber (Buna-N, neoprene)
(Viton is an high-temperature resistant
rubber) backed by steel fingers molded
into the rubber
Manufacturer recommendations for
rubber selection
Resistance against corrosion, sour gas
and/or extreme cold
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Technology Program
 Abuse or Misuse of Packing
Elements
Improper operating pressure
Max pressure typically 1500 psi
Moving pipe at this pressure can cause damage
Closing pressure reduced to about 800 psi
Small fluid leak appears which helps lubricate
the pipe as its moved
Do not close annular preventer on open hole or
wireline unless absolutely necessary (excess
stretch can permanently deform and/or abrade
the element)
Pre-split elements are helpful when stripping
pipe
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Technology Program
 Operations
More hydraulic fluid is needed to close
annular preventer than ram preventer
More pressure doesnt speed up the close
Larger lines, fittings and regulators (more
fluid volume) can help
Improved operations
Store in cool dry place away from ozone (motors)
Never use higher pressure than necessary
Always test the packer when installed in the
preventer
Check manufacturers manual for operating data
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Technology Program
Annular BOP Maintenance
Inspection
missing rubber between or missing fingers
scratches or burrs (can be removed with fine grit
sandpaper)
Wiper seals in good condition (especially check top
seal)
Store rubber parts in cool, dry, dark place
H2S environment requires rubber to be trimmed to
avoid stress-corrosion cracking
Be sure ringed grooves are clean and free of grease
Ensure that the preventer returns to its full open
position after being closed
Replace all rubber elements at least annually

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Technology Program
 Ram Preventers
Two basic types
Pipe rams seal around pipe
Blind (blank) rams seal open hole
Steel blocks with elastomer sealing
elements
Installed on opposite sides of preventer
housing
Available in many sizes and pressures
and as multiple unit to save vertical
space
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Technology Program
 Pipe Rams
Standard pipe rams designed to
close around a specific pipe size
They will not close around a tool
joint

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Technology Program
 Blind Ram
Large packing elements seal on
themselves
Seal open hole
Do not seal around pipe

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Technology Program
 Blind Shear Ram
Blade can shear pipe
Packer elements still close open
hole and seal
Saves space in the BOP stack

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Technology Program
 Variable Bore Ram
Can seal on a range of pipe sizes
Steel reinforcing elements similar to
annular preventer (rotate inward to
support rubber in contact with the pipe
Sizes shown in Table 5.1

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Technology Program
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 RAM Maintenance
Inspect and replace damaged or
missing rubber elements
Replace bonnet seal whenever
opened
Piston rods free from burrs,
scratches, etc
Clean and refinish ram cavity
Check weep hole packing and
replace
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Technology Program
 Installation
Writing on housings should be right side up
Clean ring grooves and mating surfaces
Clean and defect-free flanges and sealing
rings
Tight flange nuts on flanges
Center the BOP stack over the wellbore
Easy to say not always easy to accomplish
Can cause long-term damage to stack bore
and/or ram faces and well bore
Pressure testing
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Technology Program
 BOP Operating Units
Accumulator system
Operate rapidly and reliably when a
kick occurs
Most operate at 3000 psig
Hydraulic fluid (or chemical and
water mixture) in reservoir and in
precharged (1000 psi) bottles
Flexible bladder separates the
nitrogen gas from the fluid WHY????
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Technology Program
 Pressure Basics

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Technology Program
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 Useable Fluid Volume
Sufficient fluid plus reserve (80 gal cylinder)
Working pressure limits 1500 1200 psi
Nitrogen pre-charge 1000 psi
Fluid pressure to 3000 psi
13 gal raises pressure to 1200 psi
40 additional gal to raise pressure to 3000 psi
Pressure-reducing-and-regulating valve to
maintain output pressure at 1500 psi
Useable fluid volume that which raises
pressure above 1200 psi

Oil and Gas

Technology Program
 Determining Volume
Requirements
Gal required to close all the
annular and ram BOPs
Multiply this volume by factor of 3
to obtain the useable volume
required
This includes a safety factor of
50%
Once you know what you need
then
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determine the useable
volume
Technology Program stored in the accumulator
 39.84/80 = 0.5

26.48/80 = 0.333

10/80 = 0.125

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Technology Program
 Charging Fluids
Non-corrosive, non-foaming hydraulic
oil
Add fresh water/water soluble oil
mixture (w/glycol if needed for freeze
protection)
Nitrogen precharge
Check periodically as nitrogen can leak
away
Leak rate varies with each bottle
Manufacturers or operators procedure
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Technology Program
 Maintenance
Every 30 days or each time
system is rigged up (whichever is
sooner)
Clean, inspect, repair, lubricate
Steps listed on page 5-10
Guidance only each system has
specific requirements check
manufacturer for details
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 Choke Manifolds
Provide flow path for circulating
fluid out of the BOP stack under
controlled pressure
Manifold provides multiple paths
for flow so choke can be replaced
or repaired
RP 53 describes choke manifolds
and give planning and installation
guidelines
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SeeProgram
Technology list on page 5-15.
Oil and Gas
Technology Program
 Chokes
Controls flow rate in a line
Restriction or orifice
Small choke provides more decrease than large
choke but more back pressure
Well control chokes are designed to handle
abrasive fluids
Manual chokes are available but most well control
applications use remotely adjustable chokes
Choke and kill lines should be:
Inspected frequently
Short nipples with correct strength (Sch. 40, 80, etc)
Avoid low pressure hoses (bursting and bends)
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Technology Program
 Chokes

Fixed (positive) choke Manually adjustable choke

(VG-series)

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Technology Program
 Remotely Adjustable

Cameron Swaco
5,000 15,000 psi operating ranges 10,000 15,000 psi operating
Trimmed for H2S service ranges
Most common has 2 opening Normal or trimmed for H2S
service
Seals fully closed and can
Both hydraulically actuated
replace a valve
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Technology Program
Gas-Handling Equipment
Vital part of any well control
system
Removal of the gas from the fluid
coming from the well allows for
proper fluid handling downstream
Gas handling must include
likelihood of gases that are
explosive mixtures
Gas separators
Oil and Gas
Degassers
Technology Program
 Gas Separator
Installed to the end of the
manifold or choke line
Break out the
free gas before
the fluid enters
the return pit
Not typically
sufficient for
viscous fluids
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Technology Program
 Degasser
Not used for
large gas
volumes Vacuum pump

Centrifugal
pump sprayer
also common

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Technology Program
Safety Valves, Floats, Inside
BOPs
Basic requirement for well control is a
method of closing off the work string
Safety valves
Floats
Inside Blowout Preventers
Usually handled by the floor crew
Safety valves
Upper kelly cocks
Safety valves

Oil and Gas

Technology Program
 Safety Valves
Upper kelly cock is a safety valve installed
between the kelly and the swivel
Simple ball, flapper, or plug valve that can
be closed with a special operating wrench

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Technology Program
 Safety Valves
TIW valve (Texas Iron
Works)
Full opening ball or plug valve
Lower kelly cock
Backs up the upper kelly cock
Fluid saver
Advantages
Operated each time a joint is
made up
Crew training
Wrench always nearby
Can also be used as a stabbing
valve

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Technology Program
Inside BOPs (Back-pressure
valves)
Gray valve
Check valve
Used when you must run
pipe into the hole under
pressure
Not full opening so it
restricts ID
Install above a closed
safety valve unless a
special release tool is
available
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Technology Program
Back-pressure Valves (Inside
BOPs)

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Technology Program
 Mud Return Indicator
Measures flow rate of
returning fluid (paddle)
Establish trend during
normal operations
Deviation (increase) from
normal flow rate may
indicate a kick
Check for proper operation
by cycling flow and observe
change in pump strokes

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Technology Program
Fluid Volume Measurement
Basic kick warning instrument
Combines flow sensor and a pump stroke
counter
Integrates the two to determine the volume
Can also use a trip tank to directly measure
the fluid displaced by one or more strings of
pipe
Pit volume indicators use floats to determine
the fluid level in each pit and integrate them
to determine the total fluid volume
Gas detectors
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Technology Program
 Pit-volume Indicator

Hole Fill-up Device

Oil and Gas Trip Tank Arrangement

Technology Program