R 324.406 Blowout prevention equipment.

Rule 406. (1) All wells shall be equipped with the following equipment: (a) A double ram blowout preventer, including pipe and blind rams, and an annular-type blowout preventer or other equivalent control system as approved by the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor. (b) Accessible controls both on the rig floor and at a safe remote location. (c) A kelly valve. (d) A drill pipe safety valve. (e) A flow line of the proper size and working pressure. (f) Blowout prevention equipment that has a rated working pressure which equals or exceeds the maximum anticipated surface pressure of the well. (2) The blowout preventers shall be installed above ground level. The entire control equipment shall be in good working condition at all times. All outlets, fittings, and connections on the casing, blowout preventers, choke manifold, and auxiliary wellhead equipment that may be subjected to wellhead pressure shall be of a material and construction that will withstand the anticipated pressure. The lines from outlets on or below the blowout preventers shall be securely installed, anchored, and protected from damage. (3) Blowout preventers, accumulators, and pumps shall be certified as operable under the product manufacturer's minimum operational specifications. Certification shall include the proper operation of the closing unit valving, the pressure gauges, and the manufacturer's recommended accumulator fluids. Certification shall be obtained through an independent company that tests blowout preventers, stacks, and casings. Certification shall be required annually and shall be posted on the rig floor. In addition to the primary closing system, including an accumulator system, the blowout preventers shall have a secondary system. A combination of any 2 of the following secondary closing systems is acceptable: (a) Electric-operated pump. (b) Air-operated pump. (c) Hand-operated pump. (d) Nitrogen-operated pump. Extensions that have hand wheels are not mandatory. Blowout preventer rams shall be of a proper size for the drill pipe being used or production casing being run in the well or shall be variable-type rams that are of the proper size range. (4) Blowout prevention equipment shall be tested to a pressure commensurate with the expected formation pressure, but not less than 1,000 psig at surface for not less than 20 minutes, before drilling the plug on the surface casing, intermediate casing, and the production casing and before encountering all high-pressure formations and at other intervals as approved or requested by the supervisor. When requested, an authorized representative of the supervisor shall be notified before the commencement of a test. A record of each test, including test pressures, times, failures, and each mechanical test of the casings, blowout preventers, surface connections, surface fittings, and auxiliary wellhead equipment shall be entered in the logbook, signed by the driller, and kept available for inspection by the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor. (5) A trip tank, or an accurate drilling fluid monitoring system, and a gas buster and flare system shall be in place when penetrating the A2 carbonate or any known or suspected overpressurized formations. Permission to change or modify the requirements specified in this subrule may be granted by submitting a written request to the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor. The requirements may be changed or modified only after submission of a written request and receipt of written approval from the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor. (6) An exception to all or part of this rule may be granted by the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor when drilling in shallow low-pressure formations. The supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor may grant an exception upon receipt of an application for a permit that is accompanied by a written request and supportive data.