SUBSEA ENGINEERING TRAINING REPORT

BY

ABUDU ABDUL-GAFAR AJANI

FLOORHAND
DS-10
1 INTRODUCTION
This report highlights my learnings from the subsea department in my last hitch.

2 Blow-out preventer (B.O.P)

The blow-out preventer as the name implies prevents a blow-out from the well. A blow-
out can be described as a situation when formation fluids escape to the environment
under high pressures.
The B.O.P is broadly divided into the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) and the
Stack.
2.1 Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP)
The LMRP consists of the riser adapter, flex joint, annular preventers, and riser
connector.

2.1.1 Riser Adapter

This is topmost part of the LMRP. It allows the riser lines such as choke, kill, boost and
conduits to be connected appropriately to the B.O.P.

2.1.2 Flex Joint

The flex joint seats below the riser adapter. It allows for misalignment of the risers and
the B.O.P to about 10 degrees without a loss in pressure containment.

2.1.3 Annular Preventers

There are two annular preventers on the LMRP, the upper and lower annular with both
performing the same function.
The annular preventers are designed to close around casing, drill pipes of different
sizes, heavy weight drill pipes, drill collars but not spiral drill collars. They are also
designed to be stripped through. This characteristic is essential in well control where
adequate space out is required before closing the rams.
It is important to note that, annular preventers can be used to close an empty wellbore.
However, this practices damages the packing element, reduces the lifespan of the
preventer and thus is highly discouraged.

2.1.4 Riser Connector

The riser connector allows the LMRP to connect with the stack. It connects hydraulic
and control lines from the LMRP to the appropriate lines on the stack.
2.2 The Stack
The stack consists mainly of rams, choke and kill valves and the wellhead connector.

2.2.1 Rams
The rams on the stack can be broadly categorized into upper triple, lower triple and
test ram. The rams on the B.O.P on the DS-10 are rated for 15,000 Psi with an average
working pressure of 1500 Psi.
The Upper triple consist of the two blind shear rams and one casing shear ram. When
blind shear rams are closed, the cut through the drill string and seal of the lower part of
the drill string. Hence they do not allow loss of containment. However, with casing
shear rams, they only cut through pipe and casing without sealing the lower end.
The lower triple may consist of fixed or variable pipe rams depending on need. Fixed
pipe rams close around a specific size of drill pipe, thus preventing flow from the well
through the annulus. On the other hand, variable pipe rams close around a range of drill
pipe sizes. They also prevent flow through the annulus.
The test ram is used to test other rams. It seats beneath all other rams such that it can
be closed to pressure test other rams.

2.2.2 Choke and Kill Valves

The choke and kill valves are gate valves situated on the choke and kill lines. This
valves are rated for 15,000 Psi and are failsafe closed. They are opened with hydraulic
pressure and closed by hydraulic pressure or spring return due to loss of hydraulic
pressure.

2.2.3 Wellhead Connector

The wellhead connector allows the stack to connect and lock onto the wellhead. It uses
a set of 10 cylinders to lock onto the wellhead. It is rated for 15,000 Psi.

3 Control System
3.1 Working Principle
The B.O.P is controlled by electrical and hydraulic power. The hydraulic power is
generated from the High Pressure Unit (HPU). The HPU uses a set of pumps to supply
hydraulic fluid at 5000 Psi. This pressurized fluid flows through the conduit lines in the
riser to the B.O.P where they are regulated by a set of regulators.
There are seven (7) types of regulators on the B.O.P namely; the pilot, supply, manifold,
lower annular, upper annular, wellhead connector and riser connector. Except the pilot
and supply regulators, which are manually controlled, all other regulators are
hydraulically controlled. These regulators reduce the pressure to 1500 Psi which is the
working pressure for most B.O.P function.
To perform a function on the B.O.P, electrical signal is sent from the drillers panel to the
B.O.P through the control units (Yellow and Blue Pods). The electrical signal energizes
the compensated chamber solenoid valve (CCSV) on both pods. This action opens up
pilot fluid to flow to the appropriate Subplate Mounted Valve (SPM) on both pods.
However, with the help of the switch valve, power fluid only flows to the active pod,
where the function is executed.
Each B.O.P function has two SPM valves, one to open and the other to close the function.
There are a set of gauges on each pod showing pressure readings. These pressure
readings are provided by pressure transducer that seat above the solenoid valves.
4 Risers System
4.1 Risers
Risers can simply be described as vertical pipelines that connect the B.O.P to the drill
floor. Risers are required to withstand hydrodynamic forces from the sea, tension and
bending stresses without allowing loss of containment. Risers provides a path for the
drill string to access the well and a return path for low pressure mud.
Risers carry 5 lines namely; choke, kill, boost and two conduit lines. The choke and kill
lines are used in well control to mitigate kicks, the boost line is used to increase
pressure of the mud return to enable it arrive at the surface and the conduit lines carry
hydraulic fluid to the B.O.P.
Risers can be divided into slick joint, flotation and slip joint.

4.1.1 Slick Joints

The slick joints are the first set of risers that go into the B.O.P. They do not have
buoyancy modules and are rated for the same depth as the B.O.P.

4.1.2 Flotation Risers

The flotation risers are risers with buoyancy modules and rated for a particular depth.
These risers are colour coded to differentiate their depth rating. Below is a table
showing the depth rating and colour codes for flotation risers
Table 1: Colour Codes for Flotation Risers

Colour Code Gray Purple Black Yellow Green

Depth Rating (ft.) 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000

4.1.3 Slip Joints

The slip joints are also known as telescopic joints. It consists of an outer and inner
barrel with the inner barrel free to move inside the outer barrel. This riser along with
the tensioners, decouples vessel motion from the riser string. Thus maintaining the
riser in constant tension. The slip joint also provides termination to the choke and kill
lines with goosenecks and a connection to the diverter system.
4.2 Diverter
The diverter as the name implies diverts returning low pressure mud. Depending on
the need, the returning mud maybe diverted to the shale shaker line for processing or
overboard, if there’s a threat of gas. In addition, the diverter has a flex joint that
provides a flexible connection between itself and the telescopic joint.

5 Conclusion
In this report, I have explained my basic understanding of the blowout preventer and
riser systems on the DS-10. My intention is to build on this knowledge during my next
hitch. I wish to thank the subsea department for giving the opportunity.