NORSOK STANDARD

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
SNUBBING EQUIPMENT

D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996
Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the NORSOK standards
neither OLF nor TBL or any of their members will assume liability for any use thereof.
Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996

CONTENTS

1 FOREWORD 2
2 SCOPE 2
3 NORMATIVE REFERENCES 2
4 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS 2
4.1 Definitions 2
5 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS 3
5.1 General 3
5.2 Products / Services 3
5.3 Equipment/schematic/borderline 3
5.4 Process/ambient conditions 4
5.5 Performance and operational requirements 4
5.6 Maintenance requirements 4
5.7 Layout requirements 4
5.8 Interface requirements 4
5.9 Commissioning requirements 5
ANNEX A SNUBBING JACK SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 6
ANNEX B WELL CONTROL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 9
ANNEX C PRIMARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM 11
ANNEX D SECONDARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM 12
ANNEX E TERTIARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM (SAFETY HEAD) 13
ANNEX F COMPUTERIZED DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM 14
ANNEX G MINIMUM DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED 15

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996

1 FOREWORD
NORSOK (The competitive standing of the Norwegian offshore sector) is the industry initiative to
add value, reduce cost and lead time and remove unnecessary activities in offshore field
developments and operations.

The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry as a part of the
NORSOK initiative and are jointly issued by OLF (The Norwegian Oil Industry Association) and
TBL (The Federation of Norwegian Engineering Industries). NORSOK standards are administered
by NTS (Norwegian Technology Standards Institution).

The purpose of this industry standard is to replace the individual oil company specifications for use
in existing and future petroleum industry developments, subject to the individual company's review
and application.

The NORSOK standards make extensive references to international standards. Where relevant, the
contents of this standard will be used to provide input to the international standardisation process.
Subject to implementation into international standards, this NORSOK standard will be withdrawn.

2 SCOPE
This standard describes functional, performance and operational requirements for the conventional
snubbing equipment.

3 NORMATIVE REFERENCES
• ISO 10423 Valves, wellhead and christmas tree equipment
• API 16 A Drill through equipment
• API 16 C Choke and kill systems
• API 16 D Control systems for drilling well control equipment
• API 16 E Design of control systems for drilling well control equipment

4 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

4.1 Definitions
Normative references Shall mean normative in the application of NORSOK standards.
Informative references Shall mean informative in the application of NORSOK standards.
Shall Shall is an absolute requirement which shall be followed strictly in order
to conform with the standard.
Should Should is a recommendation. Alternative solutions having the same
functionality and quality are acceptable.
May May indicates a course of action that is permissible within the limits of
the standard (a permission).
Can Requirements are conditional and indicates a possibility open to the user
of the standard.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996

The well control system is divided in the following three distinct logic groups:
• Primary well control system for snubbing operations. This is the stripper bowl, two (2) stripper
rams, an equalising system and an annular preventor (optional) for external well control. Two (2)
back pressure valves in the BHA to be used for internal well control.
• Secondary well control system. This system shall as a minimum consist of two (2) pipe rams, one
(1) combined blind/shear ram and one (1) annular preventor for external well control. All
connections to be metal to metal seal. One (1) nipple profile in the BHA to be used for internal
well control.
• Tertiary well control system (safety head). A separate independent shear/seal BOP flitted as close
as possible to the wellhead with metal to metal to metal seal connections and with an entirely
independent closing unit.

5 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 General
The jack and well control system shall be capable of handling the work string and well pressures
specified by the work program.

5.2 Products / Services

Typical services performed by a snubbing unit:
• Clean out.
• Milling (junk, scale, window etc.).
• Workover including completion.
• Gravel packing.
• Fishing.
• Fracturing.
• Pumping fluids.
• Logging.
• Perforating.
• Running/pulling packers/plugs.

5.3 Equipment/schematic/borderline
The system normally consists of the following main items:
• Jack.
• Jack control system.
• Hydraulic power system.
• Data acquisition system.
• Hydraulic hoses/electrical cables.
• Guide tube system (N/A for long stroke units).
• Work basket (N/A for long stroke units).
• Work window.
• Pipe handling system.
• Circulating arrangement.
• Circulating swivel.
• Rotary system.
• Tubing tongs.
• Slips.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996

• Tong post.
• Hydraulic power pack.
• Well control system.

5.4 Process/ambient conditions

The well control system with connected valves, hoses and piping shall be designed for the following
conditions:
Maximum working pressure 690 Bar (10000 psi)
Maximum fluid temperature at wellhead 121ºC (250 ºF)
Minimum operating temperature -10ºC (14 ºF)
Formation fluids Yes
H2S Yes
CO2 Yes
Oil and water based drilling muds Yes
Brine Yes
Diesel Yes
Glycol Yes
Acid (inhibited) Yes
Nitrogen Yes

Well control hoses and connections shall be capable of withstanding 700ºC for minimum 15
minutes.

5.5 Performance and operational requirements

Snubbing jack system:
• Ref. annex A

Well control system:

• Ref. annex B, C, D and E.

5.6 Maintenance requirements

• Maintenance program with defined frequencies and work scopes.
• Re-certification program.
• Non-conformance system.
• Documentation system.

5.7 Layout requirements

• Secure snubbing area.
• Escape ways.
• Locate secondary control panel well control system in a safe area.
• Locate the third and independent control panel for the tertiary well control system in a safe area.
• Secure jack so that rig up can withstand 46m/s (90 knots) wind.
• Secure high pressure lines.
• Sufficient illumination.

5.8 Interface requirements

Mechanic, electric, hydraulic and pneumatic interface connections shall be compatible with rig or
platform connections.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Rev. 1, January 1996

5.9 Commissioning requirements

• Function testing of all snubbing unit components including all accessory equipment shall be
performed prior to each job.
• Function testing of the jack positive and negative weight indicator system.
• Documentation/verification of acceptable rig up versus forces and bending momentums.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex A Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX A SNUBBING JACK SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Jack:
• Minimum snub capacity 120% of maximum expected snub force.
• Minimum pull capacity 140% of maximum expected workstring weight.
• Minimum stroke capacity 2.44 meters (8.0 ft).
• There shall be a four (4) point lifting arrangement for both horizontal and vertical handling of the
jack with and without the window.
• Redundant (dual) stationary snub slips required.
• Lateral jack support system with tension devices designed for 45m/s (90 knots) wind speed. A
minimum of four (4) independent support devices are required.
• Jack head rotary shall be protected.

Jack control system:

• All necessary controls in the work basket to operate the jack, shall have the following special
features:
• Jack "snub" and "heavy" force limitation shall be pre-adjustable remote from the work basket
(normally at the power pack). Local adjustments in work basket shall not override the remote
pre-adjusted limits.
• Power pack speed control, shut down and emergency shut down.
• Secondary regulator for jack operation.
• Rotary speed adjustment.
• Hydraulic regulation system for operating jack by two of four cylinders (increased speed).
• An interlock shall be provided to prevent inadvertent opening of the stationary and the travelling
heavy slips simultaneously. It shall be possible to disable this interlock.
• There shall be individual hydraulic circuits for Jack, pipe handling system, BOP and auxiliary
system. Each circuit shall have adjustable pressure safety relief and pressure indicator.
• Individual and separate control lever for each slip bowl.
• Slip pressure regulator and rotary torque control on the jack control system.

Hydraulic hoses:
• Sufficient hose lengths to be able to position the hydraulic support system at the required
distance from the well area.
• All hose connections to be valve quick disconnect type with dust plug/cap.

Data acquisition system:

• A system for monitoring and recording parameters defined in annex F.

Guide tube system:

• Telescoping and stationary guide type systems to support the work string in all areas of the jack
and window.
• Minimum inside diameter guide tube system 152.4mm (6 inches) (or less due to buckling
considerations).

Work basket:
• Removable internal handrail to guard against travelling head area during work string rotation.
• The work basket shall have two (2) independent escape exits.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex A Rev. 1, January 1996

• Wind walls for weather protection.

• Work string marks in the work basket area for operator quick reference of work string depth.

Work window:
• The height of the work window shall be according to the requirement in the work program.
Minimum height is 1.5m (5 ft).
• Rating to be compatible with jack rating.
• The base of the work window shall be designed to support an industry standard slip bowl to
enable hanging off the work string.
• There shall be a work platform at the work window level when required.

Pipe handling system, counterbalance winch package:

• Enable picking up items from minimum 46m (150 ft) below work basket handrail level.
• To be skid mounted with drip pan.
• Dual type, SWL to be determined by the workover program.
• Automatic fail-safe brake in the event of hydraulic failure.
• An end stop device on the winch.

Pipe handling system, ginpole:

• The ginpole shall be able to be extended to such a height that the distance from the bottom of the
ginpole sheave to the work basket handrail is sufficient to accommodate pipe length, safety
valve, circulation swivel, line swivel and tackle with a reserve air gap of minimum 1m (3 ft).
• Hydraulic arrangement for raising and lowering of ginpole.

Rotary table:
• Torque controllable from the operators panel.
• Stall value to be remotely adjustable away from the work basket.

Circulating swivel:
• Minimum working pressure 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Integral 90 degree gooseneck with lift eye to be compatible with counterbalance winch.
• Pin connection to be compatible with the safety valve requirements.

Circulating hose:
• Minimum working pressure circulating hose 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Minimum bore diameter and connections circulating hose 50.8mm (2").
• Minimum length circulating hose: One (1) single joint.
• End connection safety clamps.

Slips:
• Rating to be equivalent to at least the maximum thrust of the jack system.
• To be of a remotely operated design.
• Cross port relief valve to prevent hydraulic and mechanical damage in the event of forced
opening of equivalent functions.

Tong post:
• Height from tong post arm work basket handrail adequate to accommodate the power tong.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex A Rev. 1, January 1996

• Tong suspension arrangement to allow swinging of tong away from the centre line, incorporating
a trolley arrangement on the tong pole arm.
• Tong suspension arrangement to allow the introduction of a spring to prevent overload of tong
arm during make-up of a tube joint.
• To incorporate tong backup attachment eye, rated at the maximum horizontal force resulting
from the maximum tong torque capacity.

Tubing tongs:
• One set slide heads for both tong and back-up to fit the tube and upset connection of the work
string.

Hydraulic power pack:

• Two (2) units are required, both at the work site. Minimum one (1) unit shall be diesel driven.
• Sufficient capacity to supply all hydraulic systems simultaneously.
• A gas detector installed on air inlet with an audible/visible alarm.
• Manual ESD function.
• Overspeed control on diesel engine.
• Zone 2 certified diesel engine.
• Maximum allowable decibel level 90 at 1m (3 ft) distance.

Work string:
• The workstring shall meet the operational requirements with relation to maximum anticipated
pressure, temperature, torque, tension and compression.
• Metal to metal seal connection (Premium connection).
• Drifts (2 each size), stabbing guides (2 each size), necessary x-overs included.
• Overshots for fishing work string components included.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex B Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX B WELL CONTROL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

BOPs:
• Minimum working pressure 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Minimum nominal bore: Completion diameter or stated in work program.
• Minimum pressure flanged BOP outlet 690 bar (10 000 psi).
• Pipe rams sizes to follow work program.
• Well control hoses for secondary and tertiary well control system to be fire resistant against
700ºC for minimum 15 minutes.
• All rams to be interchangeable in all ram cavities, with the exception of rams equipped with
oversized accumulator or booster for shearing.
• All types of rams to be capable of centring without damaging relevant pipe/tubing/line/against
side loads.
• Ram locking system required, to enable manually locking of the rams.
• If alternative connections, they shall be qualified and certified to withstand the required forces
and pressure integrity. Metal to metal seal is mandatory.
• The secondary and tertiary well control system shall be equipped with a panel with alarms for
low accumulator pressure, loss of power and low level of control fluid.
• Indicator for open/close status of the rams to be included.

Hook-up valves to well control system:

• Minimum nominal bore diameter 50.8mm (2").
• Minimum pressure rating 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Minimum one (1) flanged side connection is required below the snubbing BOPs shear ram. Two
(2) flanged valves shall be installed on all outlets below the snubbing BOPs , where one (1) shall
be remotely operated.
• Gate valves shall be bi-directional and have metal to metal sealing on the bore.
• All BOP outlets, inlets and equalising loop shall be fitted with gate valves.
• Check valves if used shall be of a flapper or cone design.

Riser :
• Minimum working pressure 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Minimum nominal bore: Completion diameter or stated in work program.
• Metal to metal seal.

Choke manifold:
• Minimum nominal bore diameter 50.8mm (2").
• Minimum pressure rating 690 bar (10000 psi).
• All valves to be gate valves.
• All pressure indicator gauging shall be through hydraulic pressure deboosters.

Piping:
• Minimum interconnecting pipe spool diameter 50.8mm (2").
• Minimum interconnecting piping pressure rating 690 bar (10000 psi).
• The standpipe to incorporate a hydraulic pressure debooster for measuring the pressure
necessary.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex B Rev. 1, January 1996

Well control hoses and connections including pilot hoses for well control purpose:
• Fire resistant, capable of withstanding 700ºC for minimum 15 minutes.

Accumulators:
• All preventors in the secondary and tertiary well control systems shall be used as basis when
calculating accumulator capacity.
• Accumulator capacity shall be calculated according to the following minimum requirements :
Sufficient volumetric capacity for three (3) operations (close, open, close) for all rams, plus 25%
of the volume of one closing operation for each of the rams.
Sufficient pressure capacity to enable cutting the workstring in accordance with the following
requirements:
Sufficient remaining accumulator pressure to enable cutting of the work string after having used
a volume corresponding to
- Closing and opening of one annular preventer.
- Closing, opening and closing of one pipe ram.
Alternatively a dedicated shear ram auxiliary pressure system may be installed to meet the
minimum requirements for cutting the work string if the remaining accumulator pressure is
insufficient to enable cutting after having performed operations as mentioned above.
• There shall be documentary evidence that the pressure capacity of the accumulators are capable
of operating the rams according to the design requirements.
• Regulators in the system shall remain unaffected in the event of loss of power.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex C Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX C PRIMARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM

Primary well control system for snubbing operations. This is the stripper bowl, two (2) stripper
rams, an equalising system and an annular preventer (optional) for external well control. Two (2)
back pressure valves in the BHA to be used for internal well control.

• Minimum stripper bowl/ram housing work pressure 690 bar (10000 psi).
• Maximum stripper ram response time five (5) seconds.
• Maximum equalise/bleed off valves response time one (1) second.
• The annular preventer shall be able to close and seal off at 690 Bar 10000 psi) pressure on open
hole. The annular BOP shall operate (close) on both stationary and running objects. Stripping
through the annular with the specified work string shall be possible without damaging pipes.
• Front packer on stripper rams shall be wear resistant for stripping.
• Equalising loop on stripper rams assembly to incorporate a hydraulic pressure debooster for
measuring well pressure.
• Equalising loop on stripper rams assembly to incorporate a hydraulic pressure debooster for
measuring well pressure.
• Work basket gauge to monitor pressure between stripper rams.
• Gauge/bleed off port on stripper bowl housing for trapped pressure.
• Stripper bowl prepared to allow for installation of a wireline adapter.
• Top flange to suit both bottom of work window and bottom of jack.
• Operable from work basket and secondary control unit in a safe area.
• A minimum of two (2) Back Pressure Valves (BPV) installed in work string.
• A minimum of four (4) BPVs to be on work location.
• The BPVs shall allow balls and darts to pass through.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex D Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX D SECONDARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM

Secondary well control system. This system shall as a minimum consist of two (2) pipe rams, one
(1) combined blind/shear ram and one (1) annular preventer for external well control. All
connections to be metal to metal seal connections. One (1) nipple profile in the BHA and one (1)
stabbing valve to be used for internal well control.

Depending on the type of snubbing operation, pipe rams, slip rams, wireline rams and variable pipe
rams may be required.

• Rams to be able to close and open against full working pressure. The maximum pressure the
rams can open or close against, with 200 Bar (3000 psi) operating pressure, to be stated. Hang off
capacity compatible with work string weight.
• The shear/blind S/B rams shall be a combined shearing and blind ram capable of shearing the
work string and sealing the bore.
• The S/B-ram design need to clear sheared pipe from seal area as a part of shearing/closing
operation to enable circulation through the work string. A full bore with blade or suitable guides
required to prevent catching small pipe/cable on sides.
• Minimum one (1) flanged side connection is required below the snubbing BOPs shear ram. Two
(2) flanged valves shall be installed, where one (1) shall be remotely operated.
• The annular preventer shall be able to close and seal off at 690 Bar (10000 psi) pressure on open
hole. The annular BOP shall operate (close) on both stationary and running objects. Stripping
through the annular with the specified work string shall be possible without damaging pipes.
• The annular preventer to be furnished with accumulators as a surge dampener for emergency
stripping of pipe/tubing. This also requires annular BOP operation pressure to be regulated from
the work basket as well as the remote location(s).
• If used, variable pipe rams shall contain any pressure up to the rated working pressure within the
required diameter.
• If used, slip rams shall be compatible with all ram type BOPs except the shear and shear/seal
BOPs.
• If used, wireline rams shall be compatible with all ram type BOPs except the shear and shear/seal
BOPs.
• The secondary well control system shall be operable from the work basket and the secondary
control unit in a safe area.
• A minimum of two (2) pump down plugs for each nipple size specified in workover program to
be on work location.
• A minimum of two (2) stabbing valves and necessary x-overs to be on work location.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex E Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX E TERTIARY WELL CONTROL SYSTEM (SAFETY HEAD)

The tertiary well control system (safety head) consists of an independent shear/seal BOP fitted as
close as possible to the wellhead with metal to metal seal and with an entirely independent closing
unit.

• The shear/blind rams shall be a combined shearing and blind ram capable of shearing the work
string including any wire, tube and cable inside the work string, and sealing the bore with
maximum working pressure inside the safety head body.
• The shear/seal BOP shall be independent from other systems.
• The shear/seal BOP shall be operable from the work basket, the secondary control station and
from a tertiary location. Provisions for disabling control from work basket shall be included.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex F Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX F COMPUTERIZED DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

The snubbing unit shall be equipped with a computerised data acquisition system to monitor and
record the following parameters:
• Time and date.
• Work string weight, positive and negative (heavy and snub). Accuracy to be +/- 250kg (550 lbs).
• Jack hydraulic system pressure.
• Wellhead pressure.
• Work string pressure.
• Work string depth.
• Rig and slip hydraulic pressure.
• Rotary torque and RPM.
• Work string connection torque.
• Volume control.
• Pump speed.

In addition, there shall be a back-up system which records:

• Work string weight, positive and negative.
• Wellhead pressure.
• Work string pressure.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex G Rev. 1, January 1996

ANNEX G MINIMUM DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Snubbing jack system, high pressure piping, hoses and vessels, well control system, valves and
accessories, riser and equipment recognised to be of great importance for safety of personnel and
platform installation.

• Name of equipment.
• Production number.
• Name of manufacturer and supplier.
• Description of design and manufacture, indicating safety factor used.
• Verification of design/strength/assumptions carried out by an independent survey institution.
Depending on organisational independence, this function may be taken care of by the
manufacturer.
• Material certificates and confirmation as to where materials have been used.
• Welding procedure specifications.
• Statement of manufacture and inspection signed by manufacturer and surveyor/surveying
firm/body.
• Report from testing including testing conditions, and information on how testing has been carried
out.
• Supplier's operation and maintenance specifications, with indication of operational
criteria/limitations.
• Marking of equipment.
• Updating of items in the case of modification of equipment.
• Weight and dimensions.

Work string:
• Name of equipment.
• Production number.
• Name of manufacturer and supplier.
• Description of design and manufacture, indicating safety factor used.
• Verification of design/strength/assumptions carried out by an independent survey institution.
Depending on organisational independence, this function may be taken care of by the
manufacturer.
• Material certificates including chemical analysis and mechanical strengths, and confirmation as
to where materials have been used.
• Welding procedure specifications.
• Statement of manufacture and inspection signed by manufacturer and surveyor/surveying
firm/body.
• Report from testing including testing conditions, and information on how testing has been carried
out.
• Supplier's operation and maintenance specifications, with indication of operational
criteria/limitations.
• Marking of equipment.
• Updating of items in the case of modification of equipment.
• Quality audit of the maker's manufacturing process.
• Inspection reports.
• Physical dimensions.

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Snubbing equipment D-SR-006
Annex G Rev. 1, January 1996

Downhole tools:
• Name of equipment.
• Production number.
• Name of manufacturer and supplier .
• Description of design and manufacture, indicating safety factor used.
• Verification of design/strength/assumptions carried out by an independent survey institution.
Depending on organisational independence, this function may be taken care of by the
manufacturer.
• Material certificates and confirmation as to where materials have been used.
• Welding procedure specifications.
• Statement of manufacture and inspection signed by manufacturer and surveyor/surveying
firm/body.
• Report from testing including testing conditions, and information on how testing has been carried
out.
• Supplier's operation and maintenance specifications, with indication of operational
criteria/limitations.
• Marking of equipment.
• Updating of items in the case of modification of equipment.
• Drawings showing internal parts/functions, overall length, maximum OD, minimum ID and
weight.
• Tool description, function, maximum/minimum parameters.
• Strength calculations indicating safety margins.
• Operational manual/operating procedures.
• Function/operational testing.
• Complete BHA drawings showing; total length, maximum OD, minimum OD, weight, threads
and position of tools and components.
• Fishing data.

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