30 C.F.R. § 250.516 Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.
Title 30 - Mineral Resources
(a) BOP pressure testing timeframes. You must pressure test your BOP system: (1) When installed; and (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. (c) Duration of pressure test. Each test must hold the required pressure for 5 minutes. (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). (d) Additional BOP testing requirements. You must: (1) Use water to test the surface BOP system; (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; (4) Pressure test the blind or blind-shear ram at least every 30 days; (5) Function test annulars and rams every 7 days; (6) Pressure-test variable bore-pipe rams against all sizes of pipe in use, excluding drill collars and bottom-hole tools; and (7) Test affected BOP components following the disconnection or repair of any well-pressure containment seal in the wellhead or BOP stack assembly; (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. 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. (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: (1) Record BOP test pressures on pressure charts; (2) Have your onsite representative certify (sign and date) BOP test charts and reports as correct; (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; (4) Identify the control station or pod used during the test; (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]
Title 30: Mineral Resources
PART 250—OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF
Subpart E—Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations
§ 250.516 Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.
