API standard 53

6.3.5 Pump Systems

6.3.5.1 A minimum of two pump systems are required; a pump system may consist of one or more pumps.

6.3.5.2 Each pump system shall have an independent power source. These pump systems shall be connected so
that the loss of any one power source does not impair the operation of all of the pump systems.

6.3.5.3 At least one pump system shall be available and operational, at all times.

6.3.5.4 The cumulative output capacity of the pump systems shall be sufficient to charge the main accumulator
system from precharge pressure to the system RWP within 15 minutes.

6.3.5.5 With the loss of one pump system or one power system, the remaining pump systems shall have the
capacity to charge the main accumulator system from precharge pressure to the system RWP within 30 minutes.

6.3.5.6 The same pump system(s) may be used to provide control fluid to control both the BOP stack and
the diverter system.

6.3.5.7 Each pump system shall provide a discharge pressure at least equivalent to the control system
working pressure.

6.3.5.8 The primary pump system shall automatically start before system pressure has decreased to 90 %
of the system RWP and automatically stop between 97 % to 100 % of the RWP.

6.3.5.9 The secondary pump system shall automatically start before system pressure has decreased to
85 % of the system RWP and automatically stop between 95 % to 100 % of the system RWP.

6.3.5.10 Air pumps shall be capable of charging the accumulators to the system working pressure with 75
psi (0.52 MPa) minimum air pressure supply.

6.3.5.11 Each pump system shall be protected from over pressurization by a minimum of two devices:
one device, such as a pressure switch, to limit the pump discharge pressure so that it will not exceed
the RWP of the control system; the second device, such as a certified relief valve, to limit the pump discharge
pressure and flow in accordance with API 16D.

6.3.5.12 Devices used to prevent pump system overpressurization shall not have isolation valves or any
other means that could defeat their intended purpose.

6.3.5.13 Rupture disc(s) or reliefvalve(s) that do not automatically reset shall not be installed.

6.3.7 Accumulator Systems

6.3. 7 .1 Accumulators are pressure vessels that store pressurized hydraulic fluid to provide the energy
necessary for control system functions. This is achieved by the hydraulic compression of an inert gas with
the hydraulic power unit (HPU).

6.3.7.2 Accumulators provide the quick response necessary for control system functions and also serve
as a backup source of hydraulic power in case of pump failure.

6.3.7.3 A nonoxidizing (inert) gas with low flammability, such as nitrogen or helium, shall be used for
precharging surface accumulators. Neither atmospheric air nor oxygen shall be used.

6.3.7.4 The gas used shall be in accordance with the accumulator design.
6.3.8 Control System Response Time

6.3.8.1 Response time between activation and complete operation of a function is based on BOP or valve
closure and seal.

6.3.8.2 Measurement of closing response time begins when the close function is activated, at any contropanel, and
ends when the BOP or valve is closed affecting a seal.

6.3.8.3 A BOP may be considered closed when the regulated operating pressure has initially recovered to
its nominal setting or other demonstrated means.

6.3.8.4 The BOP control system shall be capable of closing each ram BOP in 30 seconds or less.

6.3.8.5 Closing time shall be 30 seconds or less for annular BOPs smaller than 18 3/4 “. nominal bore and
45 seconds or less for annular preventers of 18 ¾”. nominal bore and larger.

6.3.8.6 Response time for choke and kill valves (either open or close) shall not exceed the minimum
observed ram close response time.

6.3.9 Accumulator Precharge Need to know precharge pressure min and max

6.3.9.1 The gas pressure in the system accumulators serves to propel the hydraulic fluid stored in the
accumulators for operation of the system functions.

6.3.9.2 The precharge pressure is the gas pressure in a hydraulically empty accumulator; changing the
precharge pressure affects the volume and pressure available from the accumulator once it is hydraulically
charged.

6.3.9.3 Rapid discharge for dedicated shear systems shall take into account temperature effects on the
precharge gas (see Annex C).

6.3.9.4 The precharge pressure shall be measured prior to BOP stack deployment and adjusted in
accordance with the manufacturer-specified API 160 method (A, B, or C), using the control system
manufacturer-supplied surface base pressure, adjusted for operating temperature as required, and shall be
documented and retained at the rig site. The calculated precharge pressures along with documentation
supporting nonoptimal precharge pressures (if used) shall be filed with the well-specific data package. See
Annex C for examples of accumulator precharge calculations.

6.3.9.5 The precharge pressure calculations shall take into account the well-specific conditions (e.g. drill
pipe shear pressure, temperature, etc.).

6.3.9.6 The design of the BOP, mechanical properties of drill pipe and wellbore pressure may necessitate
higher closing pressures for shear operations.

GAUGE REQUIREMENTS

6.3.10.8 A pressure gauge for measuring the accumulator precharge pressure shall be available. Those
pressure gauges shall be calibrated to 1 % of full scale (e.g. 100 psi full scale on 10K gauge or+/- 50 psi)
and used to not less than 25 % or more than 75 % of the full pressure span of the gauge.
EXAMPLE A 5000 psi (34.47 MPa) pressure gauge should be used to measure pressures between 1250 psi (8.62
MPa) and 3750 psi (25.86 MPa) .

6.5.6.2 Drawdown Test

6.5.6.2.1 The purpose of the drawdown test is to verify that the accumulator system is able to support the
fluid volume and pressure requirements of the BOPs in use, to be capable of securing the well in the event of total
loss of power.
6.5.6.2.2 This test shall be performed after the initial nipple-up of the BOPs, after any repairs that required
isolation/partial isolation of the system, or every 6 months from previous test, using the following example
(see Annex A).
a) Position a properly sized joint of drill pipe or a test mandrel in the BOPs.

b) Turn off the power supply to all accumulator charging pumps (air, electric, etc.).

c) Record the initial accumulator pressure. Manifold and annular regulators shall be set at the
manufacturer's recommended operating pressure for the BOP stack
.
d) Individually close a maximum of four pipe rams with the smallest operating volumes (except blind or
blind shear ram BOPs) and record the closing times. To simulate closure of the blind or blind shear
rams, open one set of the pipe rams. Closing times shall meet the response times in 6.3.8.

NOTE Volumes associated with substituting a pipe ram for a BSR may be different, but closing the same ram
combination confirms consistent operation.

e) Open the hydraulic operated valve(s) and record the time.

f) Close the (largest volume) annular BOP and record the closing time.

g) Record the final accumulator pressure. The final accumulator pressure shall be equal to or greater than
200 psi (1.38 MPa) above precharge pressure.

NOTE 1 When performing the accumulator drawdown test, wait a minimum of 1 hour from the time you initially
charged the accumulator system from precharge pressure to operating pressure. Failure to wait sufficient time may
result in a false positive test.

NOTE 2 Because it takes time for the gas in the accumulator to warm up after performing all of the drawdown
test functions, you should wait 15 minutes after recording the pressure, if the pressure was less than 200 psi (1 .38
MPa) above the precharge pressure. If there is an increase in pressure, indications are that the gases are warming
and there is still sufficient volume in the accumulators. If the 200 psi (1 .38 MPa) above precharge pressure has not been
reached after 15 minutes you may have to wait an additional 15 minutes due to ambient temperatures
negatively affecting the gas properties. After 30 minutes from the time the final pressure was recorded, if the 200 psi(1.38
MPa) above precharge has not been reached, bleed down the system and verify precharge pressures and
volume requirements for the system.