30 CFR 250.516 - Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.
§ 250.516
Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.
(2)
Before 14 days have elapsed since your last BOP pressure test. You must begin to test your BOP system before 12 a.m. (midnight) on the 14th day following the conclusion of the previous test. However, the District Manager may require testing every 7 days if conditions or BOP performance warrant.
(b) BOP test pressures.
When you test the BOP system, you must conduct a low pressure and a high pressure test for each BOP component. Each individual pressure test must hold pressure long enough to demonstrate that the tested component(s) holds the required pressure. The District Manager may approve or require other test pressures or practices. Required test pressures are as follows:
(1)
All low pressure tests must be between 200 and 300 psi. Any initial pressure above 300 psi must be bled back to a pressure between 200 and 300 psi before starting the test. If the initial pressure exceeds 500 psi, you must bleed back to zero and reinitiate the test. You must conduct the low pressure test before the high pressure test.
(2)
For ram-type BOP's, choke manifold, and other BOP equipment, the high pressure test must equal the rated working pressure of the equipment.
(3)
For annular-type BOP's, the high pressure test must equal 70 percent of the rated working pressure of the equipment.
(1)
For surface BOP systems and surface equipment of a subsea BOP system, a 3-minute test duration is acceptable if you record your test pressures on the outermost half of a 4-hour chart, on a 1-hour chart, or on a digital recorder.
(2)
If the equipment does not hold the required pressure during a test, you must remedy the problem and retest the affected component(s).
(2)
Stump test a subsurface BOP system before installation. You must use water to stump test a subsea BOP system. You may use drilling or completion fluids to conduct subsequent tests of a subsea BOP system;
(3)
Alternate tests between control stations and pods. If a control station or pod is not functional, you must suspend further completion operations until that station or pod is operable;
(6)
Pressure-test variable bore-pipe rams against all sizes of pipe in use, excluding drill collars and bottom-hole tools;
(7)
Test affected BOP components following the disconnection or repair of any well-pressure containment seal in the wellhead or BOP stack assembly;
(8)
Test all ROV intervention functions on your subsea BOP stack during the stump test. You must also test at least one set of rams during the initial test on the seafloor. You must submit test procedures with your APM for District Manager approval. You must:
(i)
Ensure that the ROV hot stabs are function tested and are capable of actuating, at a minimum, one set of pipe rams and one set of blind-shear rams and unlatching the LMRP;
(9)
Function test autoshear and deadman systems on your subsea BOP stack during the stump test. You must also test the deadman system during the initial test on the seafloor.
(e) Postponing BOP tests.
You may postpone a BOP test if you have well-control problems. You must conduct the required BOP test as soon as possible (i.e., first trip out of the hole) after the problem has been remedied. You must record the reason for postponing any test in the driller's report.
(f) Weekly crew drills.
You must conduct a weekly drill to familiarize all personnel engaged in well-completion operations with appropriate safety measures.
(g) BOP inspections.
(1)
You must inspect your BOP system to ensure that the equipment functions properly. The BOP inspections must meet or exceed the provisions of Sections 17.10 and 18.10, Inspections, described in API RP 53, Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells (incorporated by reference as specified in § 250.198 ). You must document the procedures used, record the results, and make them available to BOEMRE upon request. You must maintain your records on the rig for 2 years or from the date of your last major inspection, whichever is longer.
(2)
You must visually inspect your BOP system and marine riser at least once each day if weather and sea conditions permit. You may use television cameras to inspect this equipment. The District Manager may approve alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser.
(h) BOP maintenance.
You must maintain your BOP system to ensure that the equipment functions properly. The BOP maintenance must meet or exceed the provisions of Sections 17.11 and 18.11, Maintenance; and Sections 17.12 and 18.12, Quality Management, described in API RP 53, Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells (incorporated by reference as specified in § 250.198 ). You must document the procedures used, record the results, and make available to BOEMRE upon request. You must maintain your records on the rig for 2 years or from the date of your last major inspection, whichever is longer.
(i) BOP test records.
You must record the time, date, and results of all pressure tests, actuations, crew drills, and inspections of the BOP system, system components, and marine riser in the driller's report. In addition, you must:
(3)
Document the sequential order of BOP and auxiliary equipment testing and the pressure and duration of each test. You may reference a BOP test plan if it is available at the facility;
(5)
Identify any problems or irregularities observed during BOP system and equipment testing and record actions taken to remedy the problems or irregularities;
(6)
Retain all records including pressure charts, driller's report, and referenced documents pertaining to BOP tests, actuations, and inspections at the facility for the duration of the completion activity; and
(7)
After completion of the well, you must retain all the records listed in paragraph (i)(6) of this section for a period of 2 years at the facility, at the lessee's field office nearest the OCS facility, or at another location conveniently available to the District Manager.
(j) Alternate methods.
The District Manager may require, or approve, more frequent testing, as well as different test pressures and inspection methods, or other practices.
[63 FR 29607, June 1, 1998, as amended at 75 FR 63375, Oct. 14, 2010]
Title 30 published on 2012-07-01
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Title 30 published on 2012-07-01
The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 30 CFR 250 after this date.
