Digital BOP testing

See: BOP testing for background

Analog circular pressure chart recorder

To record the pressures while conducting BOP test, an analog circular pressure chart recorders (a 135-year-old technology, patent Bristol, W.H., 1888, US Patent 389,635) have been widely utilized. A test’s pass/fail determination relied on human interpretation of the analog data plotted by the circular chart recorder. Reports of the tests were generated by hand.

US Patent 389,635 Bristol, W.H., 1888

Digital pressure testing

Digital pressure recording devices, with automate pass/fail determination, had entered the market only a few years ago and have stated to displace circular pressure chart recorders, primarily in the high-day rate market segment like offshore.

Rig hands using a Digital Pressure Test Recording Device (Note the relative size of unused circular chart recorder to the left of the crew.)

Digital pressure testing procedure

The PC-based digital pressure chart recorder is connected to a pressure transducer and records the BOP test pressure cycles replacing the circular pressure chart recorder’s functions. The digital pressure chart recorder software is augment with features not available in the circular pressure chart recorder including:

1. Automated pass/fail criterion;

2. Test planning module;

3. The ability to remotely monitor the test during test execution;

4. Automated reporting.

Another benefit of digital testing is the automation of performance indicator tracking. Lastly the PC based digital pressure chart recorder and the reports are tamper-proof, a major process safety benefit.

It was reported in a JPT Article that “Rig-time savings of up to 50% of the BOP testing time have been achieved.” See: Automated BOP Testing Provides Personal and Process-Safety Improvements With Economic Benefits

See also:

Anderson, Mark W., Hilpert, Jeff , Graziano, Matthew , Zimpfer, Douglas , Boegershausen, Sebastian , and Christian Kirker. "Automated BOP Testing Technologies Provide Economic Benefits Along with Personal and Process Safety Improvements." Paper presented at the IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Galveston, Texas, USA, March 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/199558-MS

Anderson, Mark , Halloran, Sean , Hoke, Gabriel , and Les Skinner. "Digital BOPE Testing – A Case Study Leading to Improved Technical Assurance While Reducing Time Requirements and Cost in Onshore Drilling Operations." Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/203300-MS

Franklin, C. Mark, Vargo, Richard F., Sathuvalli, U. B., and Mike Payne. "Advanced Analysis Identifies Greater Efficiency for Testing BOPs in Deep Water." Paper presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas, Texas, March 2004. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/87155-MS

Franklin, C. Mark, Sargent, Timothy L., Brown, Charles Ray, Owen, Gary, Griffith, Steve, Osmond, Jeremy Warwick, Gronas, Tore, and Richard Cully. "Advances and Impact of Software-Based Deepwater Blow Out Preventer Testing." Paper presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, USA, May 2011. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/21688-MS

Franklin, C. M., Sargent, T. L., Brown, C. R., Owen, G. W., Griffith, S.. , Osmond, J. W., and R.. Cully. "Thermally Compensated Leak Detection Results in Significant Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Testing Efficiencies." Paper presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, March 2011. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/140086-MS

MacDonald, Cody, Cully, Rick, Franklin, Mark, and Donald Flenoy. "Pilot Program for Digitally Validating Well Barrier Integrity During Inflow Testing." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, October 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/210100-MS

Category:1.10.3 Well control equipment