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Well Control Surface Equipment 145

maintenance, function testing, integrity testing, and crew drill must be
practiced. The minimum requirement is to follow the maintenance and
testing requirements recommended in API RP 53. Several types of test
are defined by the API. These are:
• Inspection test: Defined by the API as “procedural examinations of
flaws that may influence equipment performance.”
• Function test: Operating an item of equipment to verify it functions
as planned.
• Pressure test: Verification of pressure containment.
• Hydraulic operator test: Pressure testing of hydraulic operating
components.
• Crew drills.

4.3.1 Function test
Function tests are normally carried out on a weekly basis. They should be
performed from the driller’s console, and from any remote panels that are
in use at the location.

4.3.2 Pressure tests
Pressure tests must be carried out before operations begin. For drilling
operations this normally means prior to spudding the well. For interven-
tions and workovers, testing should take place before the equipment is
exposed to well pressure, or has the potential to be exposed to well pres-
sure. Once in use, equipment is normally tested every 21 days.
Equipment should also be tested after a disconnect or repair.
Tables 4.1 and 4.2 detail the test requirements as recommended in
API RP 53.

4.3.3 Crew drill
The API RP 53 has no specific recommendations with respect to crew
drills; instead it refers to API RP 59 (Recommended Practice for Well
Control Operations). That document outlines the requirements for crew
3
drill frequency and content. The drills described and recommended
focus mainly on drilling operations. During completion, workover, and
intervention operations, additional drills and briefings will be required to
familiarize the crew with the actions to take when running non-standard
equipment, or equipment that can compromise the ability of the BOP to
properly shut-in the well.