PRE-COURSE COMBINED EQUIPMENT 1

Name:

Date:

Figure 1 - Stack Arrangement

Refer to the above stack arrangement to answer questions 1 to 6
1.

With the blind rams closed. Could the well be bull-headed?

2.

With blind rams closed could the Drillers Method be used to remove an
influx?

Ak 2012 rev 1

3.

Assume due to a damaged gasket there is a leak at the spool. If the well was
shut-in could pressure be contained? (With no pipe in the hole)

4.

A pressure rating of a BOP is selected by ? ( one answer)

A)
B)
C)

The max. formation pressure expected.

The max. internal surface pressure.
The max. internal test pressure

5.

Could ram-to-ram stripping be carried out, maintaining constant bottom hole

pressure?

6.

With Pipe in the hole could the blind rams be changed to pipe rams?

7.

A 5,000 psi 135/8 BOP will have a factory body shell pressure test that is:
a)
b)
c)

8.

What does 135/8 refer to, when describing a BOP

a)
b)
c)

9.

Through Bore
OD of the flange
Diameter of ring gasket

From the following select which are the API recommendations for periodic
pressure testing of BOPs: (Select 2 Answers)
a)
b)
c)
d)

10.

100% of its rated capacity

150% of its rated capacity
200% of its rated capacity

After installing and cementing casing

Every five days
Prior to entering a transition zone
After every 1,000 drilled

BOPs set back on a test stump will normally be pressure tested to:
a)
b)
c)

Ak 2012 rev 1

50% of the rated pressure

100% of the rated pressure
150% of the rated pressure

11.

API recommends that for a surface installations, the closing unit should be
capable of closing annulars smaller than 183/4 within.
a)
b)
c)

30 seconds
60 seconds
45 seconds

12.
BX
R
RX
Match the gaskets (letter) from the profiles below, next to the relevant gaskets in
the boxes above.

Figure 2 - Gaskets
13.

Which Flanges are compatible with the gaskets?

a)

R Gasket =

Flange

b)

RX Gasket =

Flange

c)

BX Gasket =

Flange

14.

Which of the above gaskets are pressure energised? (Refer to Figure 2)

15.

A BOP stack nippled up, on a wellhead, is being pressure tested. The limiting
factors are? (Select One)
a)
b)
c)
d)

Ak 2012 rev 1

Surface casing burst pressure and BOP rated working pressure

BOP rated working pressure
MAASP
Casing collapse pressure and BOP rated working pressure

16.

Closing ratios of ram preventers refer to which of the following:

a)
b)
c)

17.

If a Ram has a working pressure of 5,000 psi and a closing ration of 7 to 1.

What is the minimum manifold pressure required to close the ram against the
full working pressure at surface. ?
a)
b)

18.

20.

21.

714 psi
715 psi

Can all pipe rams, with regulated pressure of 1500 psi, close against their full
rated working pressure?
a)
b)

19.

A ratio between the volume of fluid required to close and open a ram preventer.
The ratio between the area of the ram exposed to well pressure versus the piston
closing area.
The ration between closing pressure and closing time

Yes
No

A well is shut in, gas starts to migrate. Can we bring the BHP back to the
original stabilised pressure, with a float valve in the drill string. ?
a)

No

b)

Yes

In a Mud Gas Separator, what pressure, if exceeded, would cause a blow

through.
a)

Vent line back pressure.

b)

Maximum operating pressure or liquid seal pressure.

c)

Max internal pressure of the vessel.

An HCR valve movement is carried out by: (Select One Answer)

a)
b)
c)
d)

Ak 2012 rev 1

Pneumatic Hydraulic Power

Electric Hydraulic Power
Stored Hydraulic Power
Pneumatic and Electric Hydraulic Power

22.

Identify the components of the Cameron U BOP. From the list below, place
the corresponding component number in the circles provided.
Seal rings, connecting rod

Locking screw

Plastic injection port

Intermediate flange

10

Ram change cylinder

Bonnet seal groove

11

Ram change piston

Locking screw housing

12

Side entry port

Lip seal, operating piston

13

Bonnet seal

Bonnet

14

Body, single

Operating cylinder

15

Ram assembly

Figure 3 - Cameron U BOP

Ak 2012 rev 1

23.

Identify the components of the Cameron annular preventer pictured below.

Quick release top

Hydraulic opening ports

Opening chamber

Packing element

Hydraulic closing ports

Pusher plate

Body

Piston

Figure 4 - Cameron D Annular Preventor

24.

Give the purpose of weep holes on ram preventers:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Ak 2012 rev 1

An inspection port to check the wear on seals, or on that part of the ram shaft.
To inject plastic packing into a retaining ring around the ram shaft in the seal area.
To prevent a build-up of pressure in the ram shaft seal area if a seal fails
As it is open to atmosphere it will provide pressure stability to the ram shaft seals.

25.

During your first pressure test in your BOP testing programe, ram preventers
would be more likely to leak with a low wellbore pressure than a high
pressure.
a)
b)

26.

Considerations for the selection of BOP packing elements:

a)
b)
c)

27.

Should be chosen according to the depth and geometry of the well to be drilled
Should be chosen according to the type of mud system to be used
Should be chosen according to the type of hydraulic fluid used in the BOP closing
unit.

The closing pressure on annular preventers could be reduced when running

large casing or coiled tubing, to avoid possiblecollapse of the tubular.
a)
b)

28.

True
False

True
False

Identify the components of the Cameron shear/blind ram pictured below.

Lower Ram Assembly

Upper Ram Assembly

Blade Packer

Side Packer

Top Seal

Upper Ram Block

Figure 5 - U2 BOP Shear/Blind Rams

Ak 2012 rev 1

29.

Which of the following BOPs must first be put into the closed position before
the bonnet can be opened and the ram assembly removed?
a)
b)
c)

30.

Which of the following rams will sometimes require a thicker intermediate

flange?
a)
b)
c)

31.

Hydril V
Cameron U
Shaffer SL

Pipe rams
Blind/Shear rams
Variable rams

From Table 1 determine the minimum closing pressure required for a 135/8
5M Shaffer annular preventer with 95/8 casing in the hole.
a)
b)
c)
d)

415 psi
615 psi
975 psi
1265 psi

Spherical
Size (ins)
*

Well
Pressure
(psi)

211/4

Casing Size (ins)

85/8

95/8

103/4

113/4

133/8

16

185/8

20

5,000

1,500 1,400 1,175

975

790

640

480

300

190

150

211/4

2,000

1,500 1,400 1,175

975

790

640

480

300

190

150

183/4

5,000

1,500 1,400 1,175

975

790

640

480

300

163/4

5,000

1,500 1,400 1,175

975

790

640

480

135/8

3,000/5,000

1,500 1,265

615

415

280

75/8

890

* Spherical sizes not listed above require no pressure adjustments when closing on casing
Table 1 - Hydraulic Closing Pressures On Casing

Ak 2012 rev 1

32.

A 163/4 5M Hydril GL Annular preventer is shut in on a kick with a surface

casing pressure of 2,000 psi and with 65/8 pipe in the hole. Using Table 2
determine the minimum closing pressure which should seal off the well.

Table 2
a)
b)
c)
d)

Ak 2012 rev 1

500 psi to 600 psi

600 psi to 900 psi
900 psi to 1200 psi
1200 psi to 1500 psi

33.

Could a ram preventer be operated from this panel, and closed within the API
specified time? (Refer to Figure 6)

34.

Could the annular preventer be operated from this panel and closed within the
API specified time? (Refer to Figure 6)

Figure 6 - Gauges on an Air-Operated Master Bop Panel

35.

Could a ram preventer be operated from this panel and closed within the API
specified time? (Refer to Figure 7)

36.

Could an annular preventer be operated from this panel and close within the
API specified time? (Refer to Figure 7)

Figure 7 - Gauges on an Air-Operated Master Bop Panel

37.

Could any preventer be operated from the main hydraulic control unit? (Refer
to Figure 7)

Ak 2012 rev 1

38.

On the central hydraulic control unit for a surface BOP stack there is a
unit/remote switch. This device: (Select Two Answers)
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)

39.

Will allow the driller to adjust the cut in/out pressure settings of the air and
electric charge pumps for the accumulator unit from the drillers remote control
panel.
Will allow the driller to adjust the opening/closing pressure of the ram preventers
from the drillers remote control panel if it is in the remote position.
Will allow the driller to adjust pressures of the annular preventer from the drillers
remote control panel if it is in the remote position.
When in the remote position only rams can be closed from the panel.
The annular and rams can be closed from the panel when it is in the remote
position.

The manifold regulator by-pass valve on the central hydraulic control unit is
normally kept closed. This valve can also be operated from the drillers remote
control panel. If it is opened:
a)
b)
c)
d)

It will put accumulator pressure on the annular preventer

It will reduce accumulator pressure to 1,500 psi i.e. manifold pressure.
It will put accumulator pressure on the manifold selector valves.
It will isolate the ram preventers, bleeding off all positive closing pressure.

40.

A surface BOP stack has one annular preventer, three ram preventers and two
hydraulic HCR valves. To close, open and close all of the above functions will
require 32 x 10 gallon accumulator bottles. Assume accumulator pre-charge
pressure is 1,000 psi. If the working pressure of the control unit is 3,000 psi
and the minimum working pressure is 200 psi above pre-charge pressure, how
many gallons of usable fluid is stored in the 32 accumulator bottles?

41.

Referring to the question 40, if the minimum working pressure was increased
from 1,200 psi to 1,470 psi how many 10 gallon accumulator bottles would now
be required to store the useable volume calculated in the previous question.

42.

Regulators on a BOP control unit can be set to apply accumulator pressure on

either the opening or the closing side of a preventer?
a)
b)

Ak 2012 rev 1

True
False

43.

On a surface BOP control unit, if a 4 way selector valve is in the upright or

centre position:
a)
b)
c)

44.

The regulated power fluid inlet will be blocked. Both outlets will be vented back
into the fluid reservoir tank
The inlet and both outlets will be blocked
The inlet and both outlets will be vented back into the fluid reservoir tank.

Identify the main components of the Surface Hydraulic unit in Figure 8.

Accumulator Bottle

Annular Regulator

3 position, 4 way selector

valve

Hydraulic fluid reservoir

Electric pressure sensor

Manifold pressure gauge

Air operated pumps

Hydro-pneumatic
pressure switch

Unit/Remote switch

Manifold Bypass

Figure 8 - Surface Hydraulic Unit

Ak 2012 rev 1

45.

At the BOP remote panel a hydraulic HCR valve on the choke line is to be
opened. It will take only a small amount of fluid to open the valve. When the
driller functions this at the remote panel he sees a light change. The light
change indicates that the air piston has moved.
a)
b)

46.

The pumps on the accumulator unit should be capable of closing an annular

preventer on the size of pipe being used, plus opening the HCR valve and
obtaining a minimum of 200 psi above accumulator pre-charge pressure
within:
a)
b)
c)

47.

4-way valve failed to shift

Indicator light failure, possible blown bulb
Hydraulic leak in control lines
Block in BOP control Lines

When operating a ram preventer the indicator lights do not change and there
is no response on the gauges. Identify the common cause of this condition.
a)
b)
c)
d)

50.

4-way valve failed to shift

Indicator light failure, possible blown bulb
Hydraulic leak in control lines
Block in BOP control lines

When operating a ram preventer the indicator lights on the panel change, but
accumulator and manifold pressures reduce and do not build up again.
Identify the most probable cause of the condition.
a)
b)
c)
d)

49.

1 minute or less
2 minutes or less
5 minutes or less

A BOP is being closed from the remote panel. The open light goes out and
the close light comes on but there is no response on the gauges. Identify the
most probable cause of this condition.
a)
b)
c)
d)

48.

True
False

4-way valve failed to shift

Indicator light failure, possible blown bulb
Hydraulic leak in control lines
Block in BOP control Lines

No BOP is being functioned but it is noted that accumulator pressure on the

remote panel is steadily increasing. Identify the most probable cause of this:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Ak 2012 rev 1

A faulty regulator
A faulty pneumatic pressure switch
4 way valve has failed to shift
A leak in the Hydraulic system

51.

No BOP is being functioned. Accumulator pressure is low. Manifold and

annular pressures are not affected. This could be due to: (Select Two
Answers)
a)
b)
c)
d)

52.

No BOP is being functioned but it is noted that accumulator pressure has

reduced and manifold pressure has increased. Identify the most probably
cause of this:
a)
b)
c)
d)

53.

NC 50 Box
NC 50 Pin
NC 50 Box
NC 50 Pin
NC 50 Box

x
x
x
x
x

NC 50 Pin
65/8 Pin
65/8 Pin
75/8 Pin
75/8 Pin

If a diverter system incorporates a valve on the vent line, which one of the
following would be preferred as the method to operate the system?
a)
b)
c)
d)

55.

A faulty regulator
A faulty pneumatic pressure switch
4 way valve has failed to shift
A leak in the Hydraulic system

A drill string consists of 5pipe with NC50 thread connections 8 inch collars
with 65/8 regular thread connections and 9 inch collars with 75/8 regular
connections. The safety valve (Kelly Cock) has NC50 connections. (Select two
crossovers from the list below)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

54.

A faulty regulator
A leak in the pipe work
Low pre-charge pressure
A faulty pressure switch

Open vent line valve, close diverter

Keep vent line open at all times, close diverter when kick occurs
Close diverter then open vent line valve
Have an automatic system that will close diverter after vent line is opened

Which of the following pieces of equipment functions effectively as a diverter

when pipe is in the hole? (Select two answers)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Ak 2012 rev 1

Pipe rams
Annular preventer
Blind rams
Rotating head or rotating BOP
BOP test plug

56.

Which dimension, causes the gas back pressure? (Refer to Figure 9)

Figure 9 Mud Gas Separator

57.

The liquid seal/maximum operating pressure, is caused by which dimension?

(Refer to Figure 10)

Figure 10 Mud Gas Separator.

Ak 2012 rev 1

58.

Match the items listed to the letter in the diverter diagram.

Flow line seals

Insert packer lockdown dogs

Support housing

Diverter packer closing port

Inner packer

Diverter lockdown dogs

Outer packer

Ak 2012 rev 1

The following questions are for Sub-sea candidates only

59.

Fill in the appropriate pressures on the blank gauges in Figure 11

Figure 11 - Gauges On Rig Floor Sub-Sea Electric Panel

60.

On which gauges would you expect to see a definite response when closing an
annular preventer? (Refer to Figure 11)

Ak 2012 rev 1

61.

Which gauges would definitely respond when a ram is being closed? (Refer to
Figure 11)

62.

From the BOP panel could a preventer be closed without using the push &
hold button?

63.

A typical sub-sea control unit consists of two hydraulic systems. This dual
system supplies power fluid sub-sea to operate a particular function and the
pilot fluid system provides hydraulic pressure sub-sea to activate valves
(SPM). This allows power fluid to flow to the selected function. Is the power
fluid regulated?
a)
b)
c)
d)

64.

Pilot pressure used to open SPM valves will be regulated?

a)
b)
c)
d)

65.

Yes
No

With system pumps operational, can the main accumulators recharge if

necessary the pilot system?
a)
b)

67.

At the surface control unit

At the sub-sea control pod
At the BOP panel on the rig floor
Pilot pressure is not regulated

Pilot pressure is supplied from two accumulator bottles separate from the
main bank of bottles. With system pumps operational, can the pilot
accumulators recharge the main accumulator system if necessary?
a)
b)

66.

At the surface control unit

At the sub-sea BOP panel
At the sub-sea control pod
Power fluid is not regulated

Yes
No

The fluid that is delivered to the 4 way valves on the control unit will be:
a)
b)
c)

Ak 2012 rev 1

Pilot pressure (fluid) from the pilot bottles

Power fluid from the main accumulator bank
A combination of the above

68.

The 3 position 4 way manipulator valve on the sub-sea control unit, when this
valve is in the block (upright) position.
a)
b)
c)

69.

At the BOP panel an annular is being closed. The close button was pressed,
the green light went out. The red light came on. The flow meter is recording a
volume in excess of that required and it is still running. The block button is
pressed, the flow to the preventer stops. This would indicate:
a)
b)
c)

70.

71.

a)

The light is faulty

b)

A memory function, to indicate the position of the preventer before blocking.

c)

To indicate the valve is in the block position

Ram preventers have some form of locking device. Do annular preventers

have a locking mechanism?

By pilot pressure
By regulated power fluid
By air pressure

Hydraulic connectors will have a hydraulic system that:

a)
b)

74.

Yes
No

Shuttle valves are activated:

a)
b)
c)

73.

That the leak is probably at the hose reel

That the leak is somewhere above the SPM valves, probably in the hose bundle
The leak is somewhere below the SPM valves, probably through the shuttle valve

Referring to the above question , the preventer was BLOCKED. The block
light is illuminated and the red close light is still illuminated. Why is the red
light still on?

a)
b)
72.

The inlet pilot pressure will be blocked and both outlets blocked
The inlet pilot pressure will be blocked and both outlets vented
The inlet pilot pressure will be vented and both outlets vented

Provide a higher force for latching than for unlatching

Provide a higher force for unlatching than for latching.

An equalising, dump or flood valve is generally installed on risers operating in

deep water. The valve is installed a certain distance below the water line.
What is the purpose of this device?
a)
b)
c)

Ak 2012 rev 1

To prevent burst pressure damaging the riser

To act as a diverter
To prevent riser collapse.

75.

76.

There are a number of accumulator bottles on the sub sea stack frame. Will
these sub sea bottles have the same nitrogen pre-charge pressure as the
surface bottles?
a)

Yes

b)

No

A & B are hydraulic connections, which is the:

Unlatching port:
Latching port:

Figure 12 - HC Collet Connection

Ak 2012 rev 1

PRE-COURSE COMBINED EQUIPMENT 1 ANSWERS

1.

Yes

2.

No

3.

No

4.

5.

No

6.

Yes

7.

8.

9.

a&c

10.

11.

12.
BX

RX

13.

14.

a)
6B
b)
6B
c)
6BX
b&c

15.

16.

17.

18.

No

19.

20.

21.

22.

Top circles from left to right

13,15,2,8,7,6
Bottom circles from left to right
12,9,14,4,3,10,1,5,11

Ak 2012 rev 1

23.
6

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.
6

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

Yes

34.

No

35.

No

36.

No

37.

Yes

38.

c&e

39.

40.

160 gallons

41.

47 bottles

42.

43.

Ak 2012 rev 1

44.
6

12

10

11

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

b&d

52.

53.

c&e

54.

55.

b&d

56.

57.

58.
A

B
59.
(1)

3,000 psi

(2)

3,000 psi

(3)

1,000 psi

(5)

1,500 psi

(6)

1,500 psi

60.
Annular read back pressure (3)
Accumulator pressure (1)

Ak 2012 rev 1

61.
Manifold read back pressure (5)
Accumulator pressure (1)
62.

No

63.

64.

65.

No

66.

Yes

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

b Pre-charge pressure will include sea-water hydrostatic pressure

76.
Unlatching port b
Latching

Ak 2012 rev 1