Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-4-.13

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 400-1-4-.13 - Blow-Out Prevention

Adequate blow-out preventers and high pressure fittings for keeping the well under control shall be attached to properly anchored and cemented casing strings. The blow-out preventers must be installed and tested in accordance with this rule. The results of such tests shall be recorded in the daily operations report maintained at the well site. Upon request, such test records must be made available to the Supervisor.

(1) After setting and cementing surface casing, ram-type blow-out preventers (one equipped with blind rams and one with pipe rams), annular blow-out preventer, valves, and manifolds for circulating drilling fluid shall be installed and tested prior to resuming drilling operations.

(2) All workover operations shall include the installation and testing of ram-type blow-out preventers (one equipped with blind rams and one with pipe rams), valves and manifolds for circulating fluids.

(3) At the time of installation and following any repair or modification to the blow-out preventer system, annular-type blow-out preventers shall be tested to one thousand (1,000) pounds per square inch (psi). Ram-type blow-out preventers, valves, and manifolds shall be tested to two hundred fifty (250) psi, and then to ninety percent (90%) of the rated working pressure of either the wellhead or blow-out preventer stack, whichever is less.

(4) During drilling and completion operations, the ram-type blow-out preventer shall be function tested by closing on the drill pipe once every seven (7) days. Independently powered accumulators or accumulators and pumps shall maintain a pressure capacity reserve at all times to provide for repeated operation of hydraulic preventers.

(5) A full test shall be conducted five hundred (500) feet prior to drilling into the anticipated production zone or a zone that could reasonably be expected to contain hydrogen sulfide or abnormal pressure.

(6) All tests may be conducted using a test plug. Tests shall be recorded by charts, if required by the Supervisor.

(7) An agent of the Board may request that the blow-out preventers be tested at any time during operations.

(8) The Supervisor may approve modifications to blow-out prevention equipment, upon request and justification by the operator.

(9) The Supervisor may require the operator to monitor mud returns and to use a trip tank or other device during tripping operations for the prevention of gas kicks.

Author: State Oil and Gas Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-4-.13

New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000. Amended: Filed August 5, 2005; effective September 9, 2005.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-17-1, etseq.