Emergency shut down system

The emergency shutdown system (ESD) controls the flowline valve actuator
and, if necessary, an additional surface safety valve located upstream of the
choke. Additional push-button stations can be located, for example, at the steam
heat exchanger, separator, gauge tank and burner pedestals.
The ESD system can be complemented by high or low level alarms.
The pilots initiate well closure when the pressure rises above a high level
threshold (perhaps due to choke plugging) or falls below a low level threshold
(due to flowline leakage).
The ESD system consists of an ESD control skid that includes a pump,
hydraulic tank, air reservoir and three hose reels. The first hose reel contains 20
meters of high pressure hose for a shutdown valve actuator. The other two reels
each contain 90 meters of low pressure hose for connecting the push button
stations.
The ESD actuator system is designed for use with any single-action, fail-safe
actuator, provided required hydraulic pressure does not exceed 6000 psi.

Emergency shutdown system

The well test emergency shut down allows remote closing of a flowline valve
should quick closure be necessary due to pipe leak or burst, separator
malfunction, fire, etc.
The system is suitable for connection to the actuated flowhead valve or any
other single action, failsafe, hydraulic actuated valve.
The equipment consists of a pneumatic console which pressurizes the various
pneumatic and hydraulic circuits, push-pull shutdown stations and in some
instances, hi-lo pressure pilots.
In an emergency, either the pressure pilots or the manual ESD stations release
the air pressure in the system. The hydraulic circuit is then bed off by the
interface valve in the console and the failsafe valve closes.
Equipment to be RITE maintained as per the ESD maintenance manual M
834455 are the following :

Pressure pilots
Hi pilot
If the pilot senses the flowline pressure is below the preset value (fixed by the
adjustable spring force) air supply pressure is retained between the pilot and the
interface valve in the console. Hydraulic pressure from the pump is allowed to go
to the hydraulic actuator keeping the shutdown valve open.
When the flowline pressure rises above the preset spring value, air is bled off
at the pilot, the interface valve vents the hydraulic pressure from the actuator,
and the shutdown valve closes.
Lo pilot
If the pilot senses the flowline pressure is above the preset value (fixed by the
adjustable spring force) air supply pressure is retained between the pilot and the

interface valve in the console. Hydraulic pressure from the pump is allowed to go
to the hydraulic actuator keeping the shutdown valve open.
When the flowline pressure falls below the preset spring value, air is bled off at
the pilot, the interface valve vents the hydraulic pressure from the actuator, and
the shutdown valve closes.

Check of ESD equipment

Coming standard with the ESD console are normally 4 remore ESD stations.
The client may have some specific safety requirement, but these are typically
placed on the rig in the follwing locations :
-

Drillers dog house

Well test area

Main deck

Safe exit from the drill floor.

Lines are run back to the console which is usually located on the rig floor.
The type and specifications of the equipment rigged up for the well test will
dictate the number and type of pressure pilots required.
Lo pressure pilots
Generally, in a simple flowhead-choke manifold-separator setup, a lo pressure
pilot would be located upstream of the choke manifold which would be activated
in the event of a rupture in the flowline connecting the choke manifold and the
flowhead. Another lo pressure pilot would be located upstream of the separator
which would be activated in the event of a rupture in the flowline connecting the
separator and the choke manifold.
With all pilots isolated, set the ESD system so the flowhead safety valve
remains open and close off the segment to be checked. Downstream there should
be an open path for pressure to vent to the burner.
Pressure up the line segment slowly, above the setting pressure of the lo pilot,
and switch the pilot on line.
Bleed off the pressure slowly and observe the pilot trip, the ESD activate and
the SSD close.

Hi pressure pilot
In the same simple testing setup, a high pressure pilot would be located
upstream of the separator which would be activated in the event of a plug in the
flowline connecting the separator and the choke manifold or a blockage of the
separator outlet.
With all pilots isolated, set the ESD system so the flowhead safety valve
remains open and close off the segment to be checked. Downstream there should
be an open path for pressure to vent to the burner.
Switch the hi pressure pilot on line, pressure up the line segment slowly and
observe the pilot trip, the ESD activate and the SSD close.
Testing of the pilots is complete.