API STD 53

Abstract

<strong>Purpose</strong>&#160; <br>The purpose of this standard is to provide requirements on the installation and testing of blowout prevention equipment systems on land and marine drilling rigs (barge, platform, bottom-supported, and floating).&#160; <br>Blowout preventer equipment systems are comprised of a combination of various components. The following components are required for operation under varying rig and well conditions: a) blowout preventers (BOPs); <br>b) choke and kill lines; <br>c) choke manifolds; <br>d) control systems; <br>e) auxiliary equipment.&#160; <br>The primary functions of these systems are to confine well fluids to the wellbore, provide means to add fluid to the wellbore, and allow controlled volumes to be removed from the wellbore.&#160; <br>Diverters, shut-in devices, and rotating head systems (rotating control devices) are not addressed in this standard (see API 64 and API 16RCD, respectively); their primary purpose is to safely divert or direct flow rather than to confine fluids to the wellbore. <br><strong>Well Control</strong> <br>Procedures and techniques for well control are not included in this standard since they are beyond the scope of equipment systems contained herein.&#160; <br><strong>BOP Installations</strong> <br>This standard contains a section pertaining to surface BOP installations followed by a section on subsea BOP installations.&#160; <br><strong>Equipment Arrangements</strong> <br>Recommended equipment arrangements as set forth in this publication are adequate to meet specified well conditions. It is recognized that other arrangements can be equally effective in addressing well requirements and achieving safety and operational efficiency.&#160; <br><strong>Extreme High- and Low-temperature Operations&#160;</strong> <br>Although operations are being conducted in areas of extreme high and low temperatures, a section specifically applicable to these service conditions is not included since current practice generally results in protecting the existing BOP equipment from these environments.&#160; <br>High and low temperature values are identified in API 16A for metallic and nonmetallic parts. The use of metallic and nonmetallic components shall be verified for use in temperatures above or below those identified in API 16A.