Section 6

Subsea Blowout Preventers

The main function of the subsea blowout preventer (BOP) stack is to maintain control
over potential high pressure conditions that may exist in the formations through which
the drilling operation is penetrating.
Should the well kick while drilling, the annular and/or ram preventers are closed to seal
around the drill pipe. Circulating heavier and more viscous drilling mud down through
the drill pipe and back up through the choke and kill lines controls the pressure in the
well bore. Once the well is brought back into pressure balance, the preventers are
reopened and the drilling operation continued.
The standard sizes and pressure ratings for subsea BOP stacks are:
two stack systems
20-3/4 “2,000 p.s.i. service pressure 13-5/8 “10,000 p.s.i. service pressure
21-1/4 “2,000 p.s.i. service pressure 13-5/8 “10,000 p.s.i. service pressure
18-3/4”10,000 p.s.i. service pressure 13-5/8 “15,000 p.s.i. service pressure
single stack systems
16-3/4” 5,000 or 10,000 p.s.i. service pressure
18-3/4” 10,000 p.s.i. service pressure
18-3/4” 15,000 p.s.i. service pressure
21-1/4” 10,000 p.s.i. service pressure

The subsea wellhead system, and BOP stack generally have the same nominal inside
diameter and pressure rating.
The BOP stack components are integrated within a structural steel framework.
Guideline type BOPs have four corner posts on a 6’radius to stab over the guide posts
on the subsea wellhead guide base. A guidelineless BOP has a sturdier framework,
and may include fabricated funnel up and down arrangements at the top and bottom to
aid in stabbing the BOP onto the wellhead, and the Lower Marine Riser Package onto
the BOP.
Intermediate landing pads are sometimes located on the stack frame. These pads
support the stack on the moon pool or spider beams while connecting the Lower Marine
Riser Package.
The primary functional components of the BOP stack generally consist of; a wellhead
connector, a series of rams, at least one annular preventer, choke/kill lines and the
associated hydraulically operated valves, plus electrical and hydraulic control
equipment required to operate the functions of each component from a surface control
panel. All the well control pressure containing components are typically connected
together by API flanges or clamp connectors. Hydraulic control tubing, and hoses are
typically connected by threaded fittings.

6-1
 riser joint

flex joint

choke/kill
lines
annular
preventer

LMRP control
hydraulic pod
connector

annular
preventer

accumulator
bottle rack

rams

guide posts

wellhead connector

Subsea BOP stack

6-2
Mounted within the center ring of the lower BOP frame, the wellhead connector
remotely locks and seals the BOP stack to the subsea wellhead housing.
H-4 Connectors
The ABB Vetco Gray H-4 Hydraulic Connector is designed
to remotely connect the BOP stack to the subsea wellhead
housing. It is also used as the connector between the BOP
stack and the lower marine riser package. The H-4
connector has seen use as a running tool, a subsea
wellhead recovery tool, a production tree connector, and a
subsea manifold or production riser connector.
The lower hydraulic section and the upper adapter make
up the two major assemblies of an H-4 connector. The
lower section houses the main hydraulics and mechanical
components of the connector. The mechanical operation
involves locking dog segments and a cam ring to actuate
the dogs. The cam ring is moved downward to the lock
position by connected hydraulically actuated pistons. The
cam ring forces the dog segments radially inwards into the
grooved H-4 profile on the mating mandrel. The H-4 pin H-4 Connector over
profile is used on the test stump, the subsea wellhead wellhead housing
housing, and the marine riser mandrel. The face between
the cam ring and dog segments has two tapers that provide the mechanical advantage
to move the dog segments radially inward. The initial engaging taper is 20o and the
final locking taper is 4o.
The dog segments have small recessed springs between each of them. These force the
dogs radially outward when the cam ring is moved upwards to the unlocked position. A
45o interface between the dog segments and the grooves on the H-4 pin profile provide
a disengaging action outward as the H-4 connector is pulled up.
The hydraulic operating system employs two distinct and separate systems; a primary
system and a secondary system. Within the body of the hydraulic section are a number
of pistons housed in cylinder liners. These pistons are connected to the cam ring by
way of connecting rods, providing both locking force and releasing force to the cam ring
when hydraulic pressure is applied to the correct hydraulic port. The hydraulic system
is designed to generate 23% greater releasing force than locking force for the same
operating pressure using only the primary release cylinders. Using both the primary
and secondary releasing systems together, the actual releasing force is 146% the
locking force for the same applied pressure.
The primary and secondary hydraulic system’s normal working pressure is 1500 p.s.i.
(3,000 p.s.i. maximum). When the connectors are first assembled, the hydraulic system
is tested to 5,000 p.s.i.

6-3
 VX Seal Ring

H-4 Subsea Wellhed Connector

6-4
The H-4 connector seals with either a metal AX or VX ring gasket which is retained in
the H-4 upper adapter. When the dog segments are activated, the AX or VX ring gasket
is energized to seal against the ring groove of the wellhead or mandrel. Both of these
sealing surfaces are stainless steel lined.
The AX type ring gasket is generally rated up to 5,000 p.s.i. the VX type ring gasket is
rated for 10,000 in carbon steel, 15,000 p.s.i. for the stainless steel version.
If the seal surfaces become damaged, a special AX or VX ring gasket with Hycar
inserts is available. These elastomer inserts are bonded into grooves at the seal
interface of the ring and can deform into surface defects in the mating seal areas of the
wellhead and H-4 connector. The MS 700 Wellhead system provides an additional seal
surface at the seal interface for a VT gasket should the primary seal surface become
damaged.
The MS 700 system and some SG-5 systems have a dual seal taper at the top of the
High Pressure Wellhead Housing which accepts the VT gasket. The VT gasket seals
on the secondary seal taper giving another back up metal to metal seal in the event the
primary seal surface is damaged.
A VGX gasket is available for wells which may be produced at temperatures above
250o F. since the standard VX gasket will not tolerate elevated temperatures over long
periods of time. The VGX gasket seals by deflection of the seal lips rather than by
radial deformation. This allows the ring to seal through a higher temperature
application than the standard VX gasket, but the VGX gasket can be used
interchangeably with the VX gasket.
The seal ring gasket is held in the H-4 connector upper adapter section by four latch
pin retainer screws. The ring gasket can be released and replaced by unscrewing four
large socket head screws, located externally on the H-4. In diver depths, the ring can
be changed underwater in a matter of minutes. Beyond diver depth, ROVs with special
tooling have been designed to remove and replace the ring gaskets.
When the H-4 is locked to a test stump or wellhead housing, a pressure test is normally
conducted to test the integrity of the AX or VX seal. A weep hole cut through the upper
body of the connector can be monitored visually at the surface or by underwater video,
to detect any test fluid leaking past the seal. The cam ring position can be observed by
means of an indicator rod that extends above the top adapter section when the H-4
connector is unlocked. This indicator rod is located on the body near the weep hole for
ease of monitoring.
The number of pistons in an H-4 connector varies between 6 and 12, depending upon
the pressure rating and the internal diameter of the H-4 connector.
The H-4 connector is available in bore sizes equivalent to all standard BOP bore sizes
above 11”. The mating wellhead mandrel must match the lock section of the H-4
connector. The wellhead and H-4 connectors are given letter designations to indicate
bore size and the hydraulic section size.

6-5
H-4 Connector Sizes and Designations

System H-4 Seal Ring Number of Wellhead Wellhead H-4 outside

Size designation cylinders mandrel mandrel diameter
designation outside
diameter
11”15,000 CXE VX 10 C 20.5” 46.88”
13-5/8” C AX 6 C 20.5” 36”
5,000 p.s.i.
13-5/8” CXD VX 8 C 20.5” 41.63
10,000 p.s.i.
13-5/8” CXE VX 10 C 20.5” 46.88”
15,000 p.s.i.
16-3/4” D AX 8 D 25.75” 41.63”
5,000 p.s.i.
16-3/4” DXE VX 10 D 25.75” 46.88”
10,000 p.s.i.
16-3/4” DXF VX 12 D 25.75” 51.5”
15,000 p.s.i.
18-3/4” E VX 10 E 27” 46.88”
10,000 p.s.i.
18-3/4” EXF VX 12 E 27” 51.5”
15,000 p.s.i.
18-3/4” HD1 VX 10 E 27” 62”
15,000 p.s.i.
18-3/4” SHD H-42 VX 10 SHD 30” 66”
15,000 p.s.i.
20-3/4” D AX 8 D 25.75” 41.63”
3,000 p.s.i.
21-1/4” D AX 8 D 25.75” 41.63”
2,000 p.s.i.
21-1/4” F VX 12 F 29” 51.5”
5,000 p.s.i.
21-1/4” F VX 12 F 29” 51.5”
10,000 p.s.i.
1
Heavy Duty H-4
2
Super Heavy Duty H-4

6-6
HD H-4 Connector
In addition to the standard H-4 connector ABB Vetco Gray has developed an HD H-4
(Heavy Duty) connector to withstand extreme tensile and bending stress. The preload
of this connector exceeds 6,000,000 pounds at and operating pressure of 3,000 p.s.i. It
assures a secure connection at tensile loads exceeding 7,000,000 pounds.
Super HD H-4 Connector
As drilling has progressed into deeper water the loads exerted by the rig on the riser
system and BOP increases significantly. To sustain the increased load it is necessary
to increase the tensile and bending capacity of the BOP to wellhead interface. For this
reason the SHD H-4 connector (Super heavy duty) was developed. This connector is
designed for an 18-3/4”15,000 p.s.i. rated BOP system, and 10,000 foot water depths.
To sustain the increased loads at great water depths the wellhead mandrel for this
system must have a greater diameter than the standard wellhead mandrel (30”
compared to 27”). The SHD H-4 connector will fit this new wellhead mandrel size
(Super MS 700 wellhead system). The connector also adapts to the standard wellhead
mandrel size using an adapter sleeve and a different set of dogs.
All hydraulic components of the SHD H-4 connector are interchangeable with other H-4
Connectors.
To protect against hydrate build up in the connector, an elastomer seal is provided
below the locking dogs to prevent intrusion of gas to the mechanical components of the
connector. Four flush ports are also provided to permit ROV chemical injection and
flushing if hydrates do build up and cause problems releasing the connector.
The seal ring retainers in the SHD H-4 connector are hydraulically actuated rather than
manual, facilitating change out of seal rings both at the surface and subsea.
The SHD H-4 connector takes all of the standard 18-3/4”seal rings including VX, VGX,
and VT-1. The connector has a secondary seal profile for the VT-1 gasket emergency
seal used when the primary seal surface is damaged.
The SHD H-4 connector achieves a preload of 7.5 million pounds at standard operating
pressure and maximum internal working pressure. Bending capacity is 7 million foot
pounds at the connector, 7.7 million foot pounds at the wellhead housing interface, 8.4
million foot pounds at the mudline, and 14 million foot pounds 40 feet below the
mudline.

6-7
 flush ports
hydraulic seal ring
retainers

Adapter
hydrate seal sleeve and
Super Standard dog kit for
wellhead wellhead 27” wellhead
mandrel mandrel mandrel
30” O.D. 27” O.D.

Super HD H-4 Wellhead Connector

6-8
HAR H-4 Connector
A modified version of the H-is used as
the connector in the Lower Marine Riser
Package (LMRP) for the deepwater
guidelineless systems. With long riser
strings and the possibility of a
malfunction in the dynamic positioning
system, high angles of inclination
between the BOP stack and the riser
column are possible prior to
disconnecting the riser system.
Similar conditions are a possibility in a
guideline system as well, making High Angle Release H-4 Connector
application of a High Angle Release H-4 in a guideline system LMRP practical.
This short swallow design minimizes the possibility of creating a bind between the H-4
connector and the BOP stack mandrel once the connector has been hydraulically
unlocked. This style of connector, referred to as the High Angle Release H-4 (HAR H-4)
is constructed such that the swallow over the mandrel is greatly reduced. The high
angle release connector only extends down to just below the locking profile on the
mandrel for a total of approximately 13 inches, whereas the standard H-4 extends down
over the mandrel approximately 27-1/2 inches. This feature allows the connector to
release from the BOP mandrel at a greater angle (15o) of riser deflection.
The high angle release feature was made possible by relocating all the hydraulic
cylinders in the upper body of the connector with the piston rods pointing down rather
than up.
In order to maintain a release advantage over lock, fewer than half the pistons are
pressurized to push the cam ring down behind the dog segments. In the case of the ten
cylinder high angle release H-4, only four pistons are used to lock the connector. The
top side of the pistons in the remaining cylinders are manifolded into a surge bottle. To
release the connector, all ten pistons are activated.
For subsea completion applications, ABB Vetco Gray has developed the MD-H4 or
Medium Duty H-4. This connector uses a series of waterproof hydraulic cylinders to
activate the cam ring, thus reducing the size and complexity of the lower body. Typical
subsea completions don’t require the inherent strengths designed into the standard H-
4, therefore the MD-H4 was developed as an economical alternative.

6-9
Rams
Mounted directly on top of the
wellhead connector is a series
of rams, usually four sets
arranged in the form of two
double rams to conserve
vertical stack-up height. Of the
four ram preventers, the lower
three are usually pipe rams
and the top a blind shear ram.
A variable bore ram may be
included in the lower ram
assemblies.
The pipe rams are configured
to close and seal around a
specific diameter of drillpipe.
They cannot adapt to seal
around odd diameter pipe or Double Ram with pipe rams closed on drillpipe at bottom
around tool joint connections, and blind shear rams shearing drillpipe at top
which have a larger diameter
than the pipe body. A variable bore ram can adapt itself to a range of diameters of pipe.
The blind shear ram closes and seals over the wellbore with no pipe run through it. Or
in extreme emergencies, the blind shear ram can cut through drillpipe to seal off the
wellbore.
The normal operating pressure for all rams is 1,500 p.s.i. but the blind/shear rams
usually have larger operators to provide sufficient power to cut through pipe.
Cameron equips their rams with hydraulic wedge locks that lock the pipe rams in the
closed position. These wedge locks must be hydraulically retracted before the pipe
rams can be opened. Shaeffer and Hydril rams have an automatic lock incorporated in
the operators. These locks provide added
well security during a temporary
abandonment by insuring the rams stay
closed even in the event of hydraulic system
failure.
Annular Preventers
Mounted directly above the rams is an
annular preventer. The annular preventer
(bag preventer, or Hydril) consists of a
rubber cylindrical element with bonded
metal ribs. When hydraulically actuated, a
large piston collapses the rubber element that is Annular Preventer
capable of closing on the drill pipe, casing, or upon
itself.

6-10
 Choke/kill line
Drilling Riser male stab sub
coupling pin

Choke/kill line
loops
Flex Joint

Annular
Preventer

HAR H-4
Connector

Control pod
Guide funnels

Lower Marine Riser Package

6-11
When the piston retracts, the metal ribs in the rubber element assist it in returning it to
the fully open position. The standard operating pressure for these units is 1,500 p.s.i.
and is routed through a regulator in the control system. Some types must close against
the hydrostatic pressure in the riser column and therefore incorporate a pressure
balance system to counteract this problem. Others are designed such that the pressure
in the mud column above the unit forces the element inward as it is being closed.
Annular preventers used for offshore operations are normally rated at 2,000, 5,000,
10,000 or 15,000 p.s.i. working pressure.
Choke and Kill Lines
Most BOP stacks have outlets below all rams allowing
different choke/kill line entry points, as operators may vary
in their specific requirements with regard to the placement
of choke and kill entry lines within the stack.
Each choke and kill line outlet usually has two fail-safe
closed hydraulically operated gate valves mounted on it.
Hydraulic pressure must be applied to maintain these
valves in the open position. The fail-safe mode is effected
by means of a spring cartridge in the valve actuator. In the
event of a sudden loss of control pressure, the spring
moves the valve gate to the closed position.
Piping from the choke and kill line valves to the top of the
BOP is high pressure line pipe as the choke and kill lines
must be rated to service pressure equal to the overall BOP Hydraulically actuated
stack service pressure. choke/kill line gate valves

The upper terminal fittings for the choke and kill lines on the BOP stack are male stab
subs looking up, which mate with female stabs on the Lower Marine Riser Package.
BOP Interface With The Lower Marine Riser Package
The upper most component of the main BOP stack is the emergency release connector
mandrel. A machined profile on the outside diameter of this mandrel is similar to the
profile on the test stump and the subsea wellhead housing, and accepts the hydraulic
connector at the bottom of the Lower Marine Riser Package.
Usually, the Lower Marine Riser Package includes a emergency release connector, a
single or dual annular preventer, a ball or flex joint, and a drilling riser pin mandrel at
the top. All these components are mounted within a frame which provides alignment of
the interface connections between the LMRP, the BOP, the BOP controls system, and
the choke and kill line connectors.
Lower Marine Riser Package
The Lower Marine Riser Package is a pre-assembled unit that connects the drilling
riser to the BOP stack. It is normally composed of a guide frame, a remote hydraulic

6-12
connector, an annular preventer, a flex joint, and choke/kill flex lines. If a double female
hydraulic control system is in use, the guide frame also houses the intermediate female
receptacles which in turn carry the control pods.
Lower Marine Riser Packages typically have an annular preventer included between
the flex joint and the wellhead connector. This preventer is primary to the annular
preventer in the BOP stack if one is in place.
The flex or ball joint in the Lower Marine Riser Package provides 10o deflection from
vertical of the drilling riser without damage. This allows for lateral movement of the
drilling vessel above the well.
Due to the bending that takes place at the Lower Marine Riser Package, its choke and
kill line sections must be capable of flexing as well. In some cases flexible high
pressure hose is used. In other cases large radius steel loops are included in the choke
and kill line section of the Lower Marine Riser Package.
Hard pipe for the choke and kill lines at the Lower Marine Riser Package are preferred.
Therefore, these loops are common for 10,000 or 15,000 p.s.i. rated BOP systems.
These flex loops are usually made of 4-1/2”XXH wall line pipe. These flex loops permit
bending in all directions and are highly resistant t external and internal wear. The most
widely used configuration is helical loops wrapped around the Lower Marine Riser
Package.
The top connection of the Lower Marine Riser Package is a drilling riser connector pin
to cross over from the flex joint to the first riser joint. This connector provides a pin up
configuration, and is the same as the couplings used for joining all the drilling riser
joints and telescopic joint in the riser system.
BOP Controls
The control system functions the BOP stack and riser
system components from the surface through a hose
bundle that runs down to the BOP stack. The hose bundle
includes electrical signal cables, or pilot hoses, and a fluid
supply hoses.
Surface gear includes an accumulator unit, a master control
panel, a driller’s control panel, an optional toolpusher’s
control panel, two control hose reels, and control hose
bundles.
Hydraulic fluid is supplied from the surface accumulator to
the BOP mounted accumulator bottles through the control
hose or through a supply line on the riser.
Signals from the control panels function pilot valves in the
subsea control pod to operated any BOP stack function.
BOP control pod and
The first BOP stacks built for subsea use incorporated a receptacle
single female control system. The basis of this hydraulic

6-13
control system is a male control pod connected to the control hose bundle. This male
control pod seals and locks into a female control receptacle mounted on the upper
frame of the BOP stack. The male control pod houses the SPM valves that direct the
hydraulic fluid to operate the various functions of the BOP stack. The mating surface of
the control pod has outlets with individual seals that match up with inlets on the conical,
sealing face of the female control receptacle. The female receptacle has outlets on it
that usually connect by flexible high pressure hose to the BOP accumulator bottles and
the various function outlets of the BOP components.
In order to provide back up contingencies in the control of the BOP stack, a second
identical control system is installed. The second control pod and receptacle mounts on
the BOP stack 180o from the first. In the event of a failure or damage to one hose
bundle or control pod the other is used until the necessary repairs are made.
Shuttle valves are mounted on the function outlets of the various BOP stack
components. They send hydraulic power to the function from either control pod. The
shuttle valve has two inlets and one outlet. A sealing “shuttle”piston in the valve moves
with the operating pressure from inlet to inlet, directing the hydraulic fluid to the outlet
that connects to the active control pod.
When a BOP stack employs a single female system for control, the female receptacles
mount on the upper frame of the BOP stack. The male control pods lock and seal in the
female receptacles. They are run with the BOP stack. The male control pods lock and
release mechanically by a dog retracting link, connected to a wireline cable which runs
from the surface. This pod cable, using special clamps, also supports the control hose
bundle.
The single female control system by itself only allows control of the BOP stack
components and does not provide direct control of components in the Lower Marine
Riser Package. For this reason, some of the earlier BOP stacks had an “inverted”
wellhead connector at the top of the BOP stack, allowing direct control of the wellhead
connector. However, the wellhead connectors in the inverted position are not in their
best operating mode and modern BOP stacks include the upper wellhead connector
facing down at the bottom of the Lower Marine Riser Package.
This puts functions in the Lower Marine Riser Package that require hydraulic power.
The transfer of hydraulic power from the BOP stack to the Lower Marine Riser Package
is achieved through a small control line connector, popularly referred to as a “mini pod.”
It is in two sections that stab and mate together when the Lower Marine Riser Package
connects to the BOP stack properly. This in turn connects the hydraulic power with the
functions in the Lower Marine Riser Package. Other components in the Lower Marine
Riser Package that require hydraulic power are annular preventers and pressure
balanced single ball flex joints.

6-14
The individual control pods and hose
bundles of a “single female”system can
be retrieved independently. They are
rerun to the BOP stack with the use of
small guide frames that run on two
guidelines, or they can be guided using
an ROV where guidelines are not used. In
an emergency release of the drilling riser
from the BOP stack, the high angle
release wellhead connector and both
pods must be released.
The “double female”system for hydraulic
control of the BOP stack comprises a
male control pod that connects to the
hydraulic control hose bundle. This
control pod, as in the single female
system, houses the SPM valves that will Double female control pod arrangement
direct the main hydraulic power to the various functions on the BOP stack. The control
pod in the “double female”system seals and locks in an intermediate female receptacle
(not the female receptacle on the BOP stack).
The intermediate female receptacle bolts to the Lower Marine Riser Package guide
frame. When installing the Lower Marine Riser Package on the BOP stack, the male
half of the intermediate female receptacle lands and seals in the female receptacle set
in the upper frame of the BOP stack.
The male control pod and the intermediate female receptacle run with the Lower Marine
Riser Package. The high angle release hydraulic connector in the Lower Marine Riser
Package actuates through hydraulic lines from the control pod acting through the
intermediate female receptacle. This eliminates the requirement for a mini-pod.
When the high angle release wellhead connector in the Lower Marine Riser Package
locks to the BOP stack mandrel, it also provides the force to mate the intermediate
male half of the receptacle in the female receptacle on the BOP stack. In this way, only
one function (the hydraulic connector release) must be operated to release the Lower
Marine Riser Package from the BOP stack in an emergency.
A locking system in the base of the male control pod seals and locks the control pod in
the intermediate female receptacle. Two arms pivot out and lock under the intermediate
female receptacle. After venting the hydraulic lock function, the male control pod is
mechanically released with upward pull on the pod cable. The control hose bundle is
attached to the pod cable with clamps. Each pod is pulled and rerun separately as in
the “single female”system.
The support equipment for the control system consists of; two power driven hose reels;
a master control panel with hydraulic pumps and fluid supply reservoirs, and a driller’s
control panel. The hose reels spool off and rewind the control hose bundle. A mini-
panel in the toolpusher’s office is often included as an alternate control point in case

6-15
the rig floor must be abandoned. The regulated output pressure from the master panel
is usually 1,500 p.s.i. with 3,000 p.s.i. available if needed.
It is now standard practice to install a rack of accumulator bottles on the BOP stack.
This avoids the slow reaction time that would result if all required fluid transferred
through the hose bundle down to the BOP stack.
Using hydraulic pilot hoses and a hydraulic supply hose from the surface makes a
bulky control package, particularly as the water depth increases. For this reason, a
number of manufacturers have offered electrohydraulic control systems.
With this type of system, electrical power fed through a multicore conductor actuates
solenoid operated valves in the control pod. Only a single hydraulic hose is then
required to deliver the hydraulic fluid to the accumulators. Some drilling contractors
have incorporated the accumulator fluid supply line into the integral riser system.
Even more widely used than the electrohydraulic control systems are multiplex
systems(MUX). These require only a two conductors to each control pod. Digital
signals sent from the control panel at the surface are interpreted by a receiver on the
control pods to direct the various functions of the BOP. This results in a much smaller
control cable and reel.
Acoustic control systems are generally not being considered as a primary operating
system, but are employed as a back-up control system for subsea BOP stacks.
Temporary Well Abandonment
During severe weather conditions it may be necessary to release the drilling riser from
the BOP to permit the rig to ride out a storm under extreme heave conditions without
being locked to a subsea well. To achieve this the usual method is to prepare the well
for temporary abandonment, secure the well with the BOP stack, and release the LMRP
from the BOP. Once released the drilling riser may be retrieved to the rig or simply
raised above the BOP.
If there is drillpipe in the hole it is usually preferable to pull the bottom hole assembly
up into cased hole. The drillstring is then suspended in the wellhead or BOP, and
disconnected so that any drillpipe in the riser can be retrieved to the rig.
Emergency Drillpipe Hang-off Tools are used to suspend the drillstring in the wellhead
and provide for easy release and reconnection during temporary well abandonment.
The Emergency Drillpipe Hang-off Tool can be spaced out to land on top of the
wellhead nominal seat, a Nominal Seat Protector, Any of the casing hangers, or any of
the wear bushings. If the Nominal Seat Protector is in place in the wellhead, the drill
string weight suspended on top of it is limited to 100,000 pounds. The top of the tool
will be located above the lower pipe ram but below the blind shear ram.

6-16
Emergency riser release from well at LMRP to BOP interface

6-17
The Emergency Drillpipe Hang-off
Tool is made up to a drill string
running tool with a coarse left hand
threaded adapter and lands in the
subsea wellhead housing.
The well is sealed by closing the Running Tool Retrieving Tool
bottom pipe ram around the stem of
the Emergency Drillpipe Hang-off
Tool.
Right hand rotation releases the
running tool from the Hang-off Tool.
Once the remaining drill pipe is
retrieved, the blind shear ram is
then closed above the Hang-off
Tool, and the wellhead connector in
the Lower Marine Riser Package is
released. The riser tensioners will High Pressure
stroke upward, and the drilling riser Wellhead
Housing
is pulled clear of the BOP stack.
The drilling vessel can then ride out
the bad weather conditions, leaving
the well secured at the ocean floor.
During re-entry, it is important to
circulate through the choke and kill
Emergency Drillpipe Hang-off Tool
lines in order that any pressure built up
under the closed rams is bled down before the drill pipe is re-connected to the Hang-off
Tool.
The Recovery Tool is equipped with a drill pipe tool joint pin down, that is stabbed and
made up into the tool joint box of the Hang-off Tool with right hand rotation. A stabilizer
on the Recovery Tool centralizes it for easy make-up. Once the connection is made,
the pipe rams are opened and the drill string retrieved.
Only under extreme emergency conditions are the blind/shear rams closed on a drill
string. In this case, one of the pipe rams below the blind/shear rams is closed first, just
below a drill pipe tool joint. Thus the drill string hangs off on the pipe ram, and the cut
end of the drill string is between the pipe ram and the blind/shear ram. Before fishing
the drill string it is possible to circulate through the choke and kill lines to bring any
pressure in the wellbore under control. The sheared end of the drill pipe should be
open enough to allow mud from the kill line to enter the drill pipe and circulate to the
surface through the choke line outlet below the closed pipe ram.

6-18
Drilling Riser
The drilling riser is a series of tubular joints which when assembled together provide a
conduit to run equipment in and out of the well, and to circulate fluids to the well. The
BOP stack typically runs on the drilling riser. The choke and kill lines, and in some
cases mud booster, and hydraulic fluid supply lines are integral with each riser joint.
Time is saved by running the BOP stack, Lower Marine Riser Package, choke and kill
lines, and control hose together.
BOP Test Stump
On the vessel, prior to running the BOP stack to
the subsea wellhead housing, a complete
functional and pressure test is conducted to
ensure that all components and control systems
are operating correctly.
To conduct the pressure tests on the BOP stack,
the stack locks and seals on a test stump. The
test stump is, in effect, a solid plug equipped with
a wellhead connector pin profile. It is generally
equipped with a drill pipe tool joint box
connection in the center so that a length of drill
pipe can be latched to the test stump to test pipe
rams and annulars.
Sometimes the drill pipe used as a test tool has worn BOP Test Stump
threads and it is difficult to achieve a pressure tight seal when the tool is screwed into
the test stump. To overcome this problem, ABB Vetco Gray has designed the test
stumps with a removable J-type insert with a tool joint box to match the drill pipe joint
used for the test.
To ensure a good seal, o-rings on the insert mate with the tool joint shoulder and the
insert recess in the test stump. This insert has four J-lugs on it that lock the insert into
the test stump with 1/8 turn of right hand rotation.
The advantage of the removable insert is that a minimal amount of torque is required to
get a seal that will hold full test pressure. This can be replaced with an alternate insert
to match the drill pipe if the drill pipe connection is changed.
In pressure testing the BOP stack with a drill pipe test tool installed in the test stump, it
is important to leave the bore of the test tool open to the atmosphere. This facilitates
quick detection of leaks. The open bore also prevents the test tool from launching out
of the stack in the event of thread failure. Should a connection fail, test pressure acts
across the cross-section of the drill pipe to force it upward.
At the conclusion of the BOP stack testing, the BOP stack is disconnected from the test
stump and is then skidded to the moon pool area. The BOP stack is then ready to run.

6-19
 BOP Test Stump

6-20