One of the common risk factors in an oil drilling site is the fear of the occurrence of oil blowouts. The impacts of such occurrences are always catastrophic, and if the oil drilling site harbors a lot of workers, the death toll can be devastating. To avert this risk, oil-drilling engineers develop solutions in the form of surface BOP stack configurations.
These common BOP stack configurations are crucial for the prevention of well blowouts in the oil field. Share on XThe most common surface BOP stack configurations include using a set of two BOPs to control the pressure of oil in an oil well. A typical stack usually has between one to six stacks of ram-type preventers and sometimes one or two annular-type preventers. Most common stack configurations comprise of ram preventers at the bottom and annular preventers at the top.
Stack Arrangement Classifications
Stack arrangements are classified under the configuration API, where oil drilling modules can store their configuration data. To use the API system in the classification of BOP stack arrangements for blowout preventer equipment, consider the pressure ratings. The stack arrangements for API class include classes 2M, 3M, 5M, 10M, and 15M.
Pro tip: A well-structured BOP stack arrangement minimizes or eliminates the risk of a blowout.
Stack Component Codes
Under the configuration API, the following codes for BOP are considered suitable for selecting various BOP stack configurations.
- A- Annular Preventer.
- G-Rotating Head.
- R- A single ram-type preventer has a set of rams, blind, or pipe.
- Rd- These are double ram preventers with double sets of rams, pipe, and blind.
- Rt- Are triple ram-type preventers that have three sets of rams, pipe and blind.
- CH-Is a high remotely controlled connector that is attaching either wellheads or preventers, among others.
- CL- This is a low-pressure connector that is remotely controlled that attaches the marine riser to the BOP.
- M- 1000psi.
- S- Is the spool with side outlets for the choke and kill lines.
Drilling Spools
Drilling spools are manufactured according to API 16A product specifications, allowing them to seamlessly circulate mud during the drilling process. Usually, you can use a BOP hookup. While they may differ in their side outlets, they typically have the same nominal top and bottom end connections. The spools consist of alloy steel to see that they serve their intended purpose for a long time.
Optimal BOP Stack Configurations for Well Control
You should construct an ideal BOP stack configuration with one aim in mind: to kill and choke lines. Each of these lines should separately have a hydraulically operated full bore valve. You should then connect the lines to the kill-and-choke line manifold for a perfect configuration. Do this for your well today and get a step ahead in blowout prevention.
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