General recommendations on maintenance, inspection and testing of BOP and associated equipment are presented below:
- All BOP equipment will be certified as “fit for use” by a relevant certifying authority.
- Maintenance and inspection will be carried out as per manufacturer’s specifications as a minimum.
- A BOP body pressure test shall be carried out once a year on the test stump at surface, in accordance with the manufacturer's specification for such a test.
- BOP's shall undergo a regular major overhaul and inspection, depending on the type of work and period in use. Periods between checks shall not exceed 5 years.
- BOP hydraulic operating lines shall be tested to the maximum accumulator manifold pressure when newly installed and during every regular BOP stack test, by opening the KR bypass valve. The control lines to the annular preventer shall be tested once per well to the maximum operating pressure. The control lines are to be disconnected from the annular preventer in order to avoid damaging the annular preventer rubber.
- Ensure the manufacturer's BOP operating manual is followed and no alterations are made to the BOP equipment without written consent from the manufacturer. Re-certification may be required after making equipment alterations.
- Only genuine spares/replacement parts shall be used on BOP and associated equipment.
- A maintenance schedule and checking procedures for BOP's shall be available on the drilling location and workshop.
- Records of maintenance shall be kept, both scheduled and unscheduled, in a BOP history file.